THR Lululucy in recovery

[Mojo333]

You have got this, bionic girl. I was the biggest whiner...when I look back on my first weeks on my recovery thread....I think, oh my stars. Bet the veterans on the site were thinking I was such a big baby.
But now I know that they didn't think that at all. It's the best advice and encouragement that comes from those who know because they have been there.
My PT nor my OS has had double hip replacement...so to BS I go!
Have a restful Holiday.
:reindeerlights:

 

[pkuznets]

@Lululucy, I’m glad you’re feeling better about the process...and it really IS a process. Some days feel like progress and others feel like we aren’t improving at all. Like @lucinda007 said, sometimes we have this fear that the hip will never be normal again. Even though I had my other hip replaced 8 years ago and it healed beautifully, I still worry that maybe this one won’t...

I’m glad your PT confirmed that you are doing really well—it always helps to hear the voices of the professionals who are personally involved in our recovery. Keep up the amazing work!
Patrikya

 

[Lululucy]

Thank you Have a wonderful Christmas!

 

[Lululucy]

Thankyou Jaycee! Such a hard time for so many people.

 

[MammaT]

Hope you have a good day today @Lululucy.

 

[Layla]

Thinking of you @Lululucy as you are remembering mom one year later.
May the love of family and friends comfort and envelop you like a warm blanket.
Sending a hug and wishes for a very Happy Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

 

[SaraK]

@Lululucy - Responding to you here to on the stiffness. When did you start walking some without the cane? I found that it was a lot more work walking without the cane than I'd expected. More muscles have to get involved just from the balance standpoint. So if you've increased that in the last week, that may be what's causing the pain and stiffness.

Many of us find, as well, that there might be no limp walking with the cane but a limp without. Again, different muscles but also the brain to some extent. I found that if I pretended that I was using the cane and moved that arm and hand like I would if the cane were there, it actually helped to straighten my gait. My PT even recommended holding a small weight still against the surgical hip or putting your purse on the surgical side to "lock it down" to help remove the limp.

You never know - even this darn cold weather could be affecting things!

 

[Lululucy]

Great advice SaraK! I started walking without can at times several days ago. Walk better with cane, no limp. I was afraid it was the excercises. I will try imagining cane and also,carrying weight. Thanks!

 

[pkuznets]

@Lululucy, I totally understand what you mean about walking without the cane. What I’ve found is that each day (even multiple times per day), my hip seriously feels different. I’m speculating here, but maybe it’s because when we encounter slightly different gradations in surfaces, walk with greater or lesser intentionality, navigate corners, lift/lower to wrangle into a car, sit and stand and sit again various times per day, our muscles and fibers make micro-adjustments along the way. We, in turn, feel the outcome of those micro-adjustments and think “Wow, my hip feels weird right now.” Since this is my second hip replacement, I’m also trying to remind myself that recovery is not a straight line—it is a progression
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[Lululucy]

I know what you mean, some days I still feel a burning pain around my incision that then goes away. Each day things can change. The stiffness in my leg is much better today. I didn’t do my excercises just went for a walk instead. Seems to have done the trick. Thanks for your reminder that recovery is a progression. I must remember not to be impatient. Hard for me

 

[Mojo333]

Hard for most of us. Not even one month out, and all that trauma your body went through getting that new hip.
Slow and steady wins the race...you are doing great.
Just keep listening to your body. There is no one size fits all in recovery...hope today is a Good Day.

 

[MammaT]

By the way @Lululucy, walking is exercise!

 

[Layla]

Hi @Lululucy
There are so many weird sensations experienced in recovery.
Most are minor and fleeting. I'd only be concerned about the ones that are significant
and unrelenting. You're very early into recovery. You're doing great.
Warm wishes for a great weekend!

 

[Lululucy]

What I love most about this sight is everyone is so supportive. Thank you all! Off to Physio tomorrow so will discuss excercises with her. Stiffness has let up after two days of no excercises. Except walking! Thanks MommaT!

 

[Lululucy]

Just wondering, does anyone else experience stiffness after sitting? Once I take a few steps I can walk well. I am now walking most of the time without out a walking aid. Is this something that goes away with time and gaining strength? Thanks!

 

[Jackie222]

Yes @Lululucy I’m stiff when I first get up after sitting for awhile. It goes away pretty quickly. I must admit I don’t really think about it probably because I had even more stiffness before the op.

 

[Mojo333]

It's a very common thing in recovery @Lululucy. Including myself, many report having stiffness and first steps being "stutter steps" until they get properly worked out.
It will continue to get better.
Good for you for free styling now!

 

[SaraK]

I find it helpful to arch the back in a stretch when I first stand - it loosens the hip flexor which is where I get the most stiffness. With my first, it went away almost completely within a few months.

 

[Dive17]

@Lululucy I stand very erect for a couple of steps in place upon standing and it takes the stiffness away. It is much better than before surgery.

 

[pkuznets]

Yes...I experience that stiffness as well. I usually stand up and PAUSE momentarily before taking those first few steps. Incidentally, my OS told me that this may be the “new normal” for several months. Anything beats the pain and immobility of my life pre-surgery ;)