THR Made it to the Hip Side!

[Momo Lee]

Day 4 post LTHR on 6/22/2023.
Still getting acquainted with my new hip. Narcotic pain meds gave me a headache, made me dizzy and nauseous, so I’m reaching out to OS for alternatives. Ibuprofen isn’t cutting it. Sleep is difficult, as expected. Icing regularly. Pain management is the main focus so I can navigate my trusty walker without intense pain.
All in all, recovery is going well. Also putting a lot of effort towards developing that Patience Muscle.

 

[djklaugh]

@Momo Lee Congratulations on your new hip! It sounds like you are doing well. Yup that patience muscle will be getting a work out

You may have seen these before but here is the BoneSmart list of post op articles and helpful suggestions:

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.
2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital

The Recovery articles:
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.


We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.


While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[benne68]

Welcome to the healing side, @Momo Lee! I also have a hard time with narcotics. Let us know what they recommend.

 

[Eman85]

You say you're icing, are you following the guidelines on this site, how long are you icing for? Are you doing any PT exercises?

 

[Momo Lee]

You say you're icing, are you following the guidelines on this site, how long are you icing for? Are you doing any PT exercises?

I’m not really following the site guidelines. I’m icing 3X per day for 45 mins-1 hour. Using gel packs with a towel. For exercises, I’m only doing the ankle pumps and strolling around the house with the walker.

 

[Eman85]

I iced continuously with a machine, many don't ice enough I don't think you can ice too much. For me it was the best pain relief and in the first weeks it allowed me to get comfortable which is all I wanted was to be comfortable.
Sounds like you're doing the best PT, none in the first weeks. Always have to ask as many. including me, thought PT was necessary when it usually causes unnecessary pain.

 

[Momo Lee]

I iced continuously with a machine, many don't ice enough I don't think you can ice too much. For me it was the best pain relief and in the first weeks it allowed me to get comfortable which is all I wanted was to be comfortable.
Sounds like you're doing the best PT, none in the first weeks. Always have to ask as many. including me, thought PT was necessary when it usually causes unnecessary pain.

Thank You @Eman85 for the wise advice. I now realize I should have been icing way more than I was. In my confused post op brain, I thought I was being compliant (to who I have no clue) by icing conservatively. I will be crowned the Ice Queen as I ice my way to recovery!

This group has been my lifeline, and I applaud each and every one of you for all your tireless efforts caring for this huge and growing FAMILY! Coming from a small family, I feel like I now have soooo many brothers and sisters!

I also have a hard time with narcotics. Let us know what they recommend.

Hi @benne68, my OS switched my meds to oxy 5mg, and it made a world of difference. It doesn’t make me sick, so it’s great. Thank You for asking!

 

[benne68]

I will be crowned the Ice Queen as I ice my way to recovery!

Love this! (and so will your hip!) You go, Ice Queen!

 

[CricketHip]

Long live the Ice Queen! You are off to a good start!
I wonder, did you know that you can take Tylenol with your Ibuprofen? My doctor advised me to alternate them about an hour apart and that worked well for me.

I would take the extra strength Tylenol first and note the time that it was taken,
One hour later I would repeat with the Ibuprofen and note that. I could take it again in 6 hours, also.
I was advised to make certain that I didn't take the tylenol more often than every 6 hours when using the extra strength option.
Also please check to make sure you're not taking any other drugs that contain Tylenol (Acetaminophen) You need to stay within the safe limit of no more than 4,000 mg of Tylenol in a 24 hr period. If any other medications you're taking contain Tylenol, add their amount into your daily calculations and reduce another of your doses, so you stay within those limits.

I hope this, with your extra icing helps get you through the painful days.

 

[Momo Lee]

Long live the Ice Queen! You are off to a good start!
I wonder, did you know that you can take Tylenol with your Ibuprofen? My doctor advised me to alternate them about an hour apart and that worked well for me.

I would take the extra strength Tylenol first and note the time that it was taken,
One hour later I would repeat with the Ibuprofen and note that. I could take it again in 6 hours, also.
I was advised to make certain that I didn't take the tylenol more often than every 6 hours when using the extra strength option.
Also please check to make sure you're not taking any other drugs that contain Tylenol (Acetaminophen) You need to stay within the safe limit of no more than 4,000 mg of Tylenol in a 24 hr period. If any other medications you're taking contain Tylenol, add their amount into your daily calculations and reduce another of your doses, so you stay within those limits.

I hope this, with your extra icing helps get you through the painful days.

Hi @CricketHip! Hope you’re having a Wonderful Wednesday!!!!
Yes, i was informed to add Ibuprofen and Tylenol to my regimen. Thank You for the detailed breakdown, it helps a lot!
May I ask for your expert opinion whether generic Ibuprofen/Tylenol is truly identical to the brand name? I’ve compared the ingredients before, and it ‘appears’ to be identical, but in my current state, I don’t think I’m getting the optimal pain relief from the generics. Of course it could be my imagination.
I use the generics from Kaiser, and the Pharmacists and Physicians all promote generics. Anyway, I would appreciate your take on this. Thank You so much!

 

[djklaugh]

@Momo Lee Yes generic Ibuprofen is just as effective as the brand names. They have the same ingredients at the same amounts. The only difference the generics are less expensive. Kaiser does a really excellent job of finding the medications that are both effective and least costly so that their patients benefit. They have a special committee of doctors and pharmacists who research medications and any alternatives to brand names that are available.

 

[Momo Lee]

@Momo Lee Yes generic Ibuprofen is just as effective as the brand names. They have the same ingredients at the same amounts. The only difference the generics are less expensive. Kaiser does a really excellent job of finding the medications that are both effective and least costly so that their patients benefit. They have a special committee of doctors and pharmacists who research medications and any alternatives to brand names that are available.

Thank You @djklaugh for the reconfirmation!

 

[Momo Lee]

Day 7! Feeling much better than Day 5/6. The lumberjack log leg is no joke. It felt like I was dragging my leg. (Quasimodo) Thank goodness for leg lifters!
Today the leg isn’t as swollen, so continuing to ice.
The Orthopedic Coordinator recommended cutting the oxy in half, so I’m giving that a try.

 

[Momo Lee]

Update Day 20 -
Graduated to a cane at 2 weeks. Had a hematoma at the incision site, and swelling is finally going down. The BoneSmart guidelines of Rest/Elevate/Ice are game changers in reducing the swelling. Ordered a larger gel pack and it made a huge difference as it covered a bigger area.
Wishing the best recovery to all!

 

[Ldm380]

Seems you’re doing well @Momo Lee . The larger gel packs are so much better, I have so many in my freezer as one gets warm just swop over. keeping on top of the pain makes recovery so much easier.

 

[Momo Lee]

@Ldm380 I totally agree, I had no idea that I would be so diligent with icing.
Hope you’re recovering well!

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
I loved my ice while in recovery. It certainly helped with the pain in my opinion.
Hopefully you're doing well and you have a lovely weekend!
@Momo Lee

 

[Momo Lee]

Thank You @Layla! Can’t believe it’s been a month already!

I want to pose a question to our fellow hippies:
I can’t stand completely straight, due to the stiffness in the hip area. I’ve been going to PT, and the therapist said my progress is normal. I know everyone has a unique recovery, so I wanted to find out what other people experienced in regards to when the stiffness in the hip subsided. I continue to ice regularly.
Sending healing energy to all!

 

[benne68]

I can’t stand completely straight, due to the stiffness in the hip area

Yes, I went through this phase as well. Don't remember how long it lasted (unfortunately, I wasn't making detailed notes during my THR recovery). But I also remember my OS saying not to be concerned; that the implant was fine, but the soft tissues in my hip, leg and back were still recovering from the trauma of surgery ( ligaments and tendons can take up to 3 months to heal completely). He also told me that the best therapy was walking.
Keep moving -- gently -- and it will get better. It just takes time.

 

[Layla]

You're welcome, Momo Lee!

I agree with, benne68.I wasn't standing straight either.
It's still so early into the healing process for you and likely you will wonder about so many different things. It seems it was one odd sensation or feeling of discomfort after another initially until I finally realized most all of them were fleeting. The only advice I have is to take it easy in PT and please don't allow them to force you to do anything that feels uncomfortable, If it hurts, STOP.
You're doing great...keep up the good work!
@Momo Lee