THR Makoplasty Recovery in CT

[Jaycey]

Please be very careful trying to put those socks on. You really should not try and do this yourself. Frankly, I think they are more danger than good - but if you are following your surgeon's recommendations have someone help you.

 

[kfenn]

Today is day 10. I experienced a minor setback. During the night I grew restless with my position on my back. . My PT had advised me how if I put some pillows between my legs, I could lay on my side. I did this for about an hour. It was a mistake. I woke up very stiff, with some pain surrounding my hip. My assumption is this positioning put stress on the tissue surrounding the surgery, causing swelling, and created tightness. the IT Band and possibly bicep femoris tendon are very sore, and very tight. I spent the day trying not to aggravate the matter.

I hope the PT I see this week can help with stretching. I feel that is most important for me right now.

 

[Jaycey]

@kfenn at 12 weeks out I still get stiff and achy on my op side if I lay on that side too long. Doesn't sound like a setback to me. This recovery is all about finding your limits at one particular time and then trying again another day. Rest, ice and elevate - what seems impossible today will be easy next time.

 

[kfenn]

@Jaycey
You are correct. Thank You.
It is difficult to grasp the scope of this process, in regards to things evolving from time to time. Its So easy to lose perspective, or to create a perception based on a small point in time!
I do want to be better........after laying around, and having your activity limited, and watching others; you get an increased sense of participation.
An increased urgency to do your best.

Tomorrow i begin my appeal process with Blue cross Blue shield!!!!

 

[kfenn]

I had a massage on my leg today. It was helpful in releasing the tightness and tension i am feeling around my knee, within my quads, along my IT Band , and down into my foot. I would give my highest recommendation for massage. I feel that this is what my PT should be doing. My advice: treat yourself to a massage, you deserve it!

I got no where with insurance this morning, but i was so happy from the massage, i had a pleasant conversation with the customer service rep.

I am walking well with one crutch, how ever I feel content resting and relaxing. The massage therapist is coming again on wednesday!

 

[kfenn]

13 days after surgery. I have grown to enjoy the ice. Behind my knee of the operated leg gets sore and tired. Lots of ice lately as I walk more.


I took a 7 min walk outside today in the 34 degree weather. I believe my neighbors think my wife has done me in. No one has seen me in 2 weeks!! That should change with my walks.
The incision looks great. Some type of glue is holding it together. It is about 6 inches long, and is slightly higher than a traditional posterior incision based on the research google provided.
I still disagree with my PT. She is concerned with strength. I feel flexibility is what will keep those obnoxious pain spots, or muscle tightness from occurring. The relief i felt after the massage was significant. The PT exercises i feel i could do all day, then end up with extremely tight and painful muscles. Pain that will cause me to modify my walking gate and create an undesired movement motion. Exactly what i am trying to a avoid!!!!
I just tell the PT i "am doing what i am suppose to be doing".

So i will continue to rest, and rest alot, and ice consistently. Like all the BS recommendations suggest.

 

[Jaycey]

So i will continue to rest, and rest alot, and ice consistently.

That's the ticket! And the method works!

I agree with you about overdoing PT. It does result in tight and sore areas. And the last thing you need is more limping. Listen to that hip. It will tell you what is right at the moment.

 

[kfenn]

Happy New Year from CT!!
My leg feels very good today. I had another massage today, which has been effective.
I am continuing to take a conservative approach in regards to activity. My leg does feel strong. I walked up 2 stairs today unassisted with my surgical leg to give it a test. It Felt good.
This afternoon i have continued to rest and ice along with meds every 5 hours.
I am growing excited with the progress. I am how ever cautious to avoid a set back.
When i had a scope on the same hip 5 years ago, i was way too aggressive in my recovery, and suffered multiple set backs. That is the basis for my conservative approach.
Best wishes this evening with everyone who is still rehabbing.

 

[kfenn]

Day 15 post op. Does anyone have issues with friction burns on the back of their feet? The last 2 night I have slept in foot-wear. The last few night the iritability has either awoken me, or kept me awake. Sleeping with my sneakers on has been my solution, however I am assuming there is a better one.
Today was an ice day. Lots of ice from 10 am til 4 pm. I have also been applying Arnica gel on the back of my knee, where there is still discolorization and swelling.
My appetite comes and goes with the pain meds. I have been supplementing probiotics, vitamin D, Elder-berry syrup (some horrid concoction my wife made,) essential fatty acids, green drinks, and a multi-vitamin. These supplements along with usually one big meal a day, and lots of snacks (mixed nuts, apples, pineapple, granola, and peanut butter cup ice cream!!!
It is growing more challenging not to engage in different chores and activities around the house. Spent time doing PT to get rid of anxious energy. Over 2 weeks and I have left the house once.

 

[katflwr]

Greetings @kfenn ! I am new here and just love reading everyone's journeys. I had my first joint replacement on 11/21/14. anterior hip replacement. 6 wks tomorrow for me. I can relate to so many about just trying to avoid doing too much. It really is the most difficult thing for me to try not to do what my brain "thinks" I should be doing. My early recovery was pretty straightforward. But I actually STOPPED going to PT because I really felt like it was causing me to have pain and I just want to see how my body does on it's own. I was so "proud" of myself because I was on a bicycle at 10days postop. Now, I think maybe I did too much too soon. I wish you luck in your recovery and I'm so glad to have found a group of people going through the same thing

 

[kfenn]

Thanks for the well-wishes!!! @katflwr
The mental approach can be very challenging. I wish you the insight necessary to navigate all the challenges this rehabilitation presents. BS is truly an extraordinary resource!!

 

[kfenn]

Just had my Birthday yesterday. Not much of a celebration, but i did a 2 minute walk unassisted. The format is walking at a slower pace with exaggerated movements to insure the proper mechanics of walking. I also did some laying leg lifts and standing knee raises of my surgical leg to measure for strength progress. I hear a click in my hip when I perform the knee lift exercise. Not sure what to think of that. Follow up appointment with the Dr is Jan 12th.
I am growing anxious to trying new movements, how ever caution continues to prevail...thankfully.
This week i will fire up the computer for the first time and begin some work on the computer I can do to prepare for next semesters classes. I hope to organize, and accomplish alot while out of work. I have generically put 6 weeks as my return to work, however i have 60+ days saved, so if needed i can take the time necessary.

 

[kfenn]

The family and I went out for shopping and dinner this evening. After spending some Kohls cash, we went and had a nice dinner out together. It felt good to do some normal things again. I notice all the people with walking aids now everywhere. I think i posted about this before. But, i feel the second glance of people as i walk in with two toddlers, and i have a crutch to help with my walking.
PT this morning was followed by another visit from the massage therapist. That has been a great combo for me. The PT keeps urging me to push myself. I am trying to stay relatively pain-free. I still have bruising behind my knee of the surgical leg. According to the SuperPATH procedure, there is not suppose to be much of leg manipulation, like with the Anterior approach, where your leg is manipulated to expose the femur. I meet with the Dr next Monday where i look for more info regarding my procedure, and obviously the rehabilitation. My wife is accompanying me this time to the city, where we plan to have lunch and do some walking. This will be my 4 th trip to NYU.
I start out-patient PT on Friday. I am excited to meet the DR. Wednesday will be 3 weeks from the surgery. Still no driving yet. Hope to drive this weekend. We have to move the car seats in order for me to fit in the SUV. Other car is out for now due to standard transmission.
The glue from my incision is beginning to fall out. It looks healed up!!

 

[kfenn]

The weather caused adverse driving conditions; postponing my first out-patient visit. I also felt the effects of the long day on Monday. Now almost 3 1/2 weeks post-op, i am growing confident in the success of my procedure. I am gaining confidence in my ability to use my surgical leg. Yesterday, after my massage, i wAs talking with the therapist as we headed back downstairs, i managed 1 step and almost a second with my surgical leg when i realized i had no crutch and was walking down the stairs. That was encouraging.
I had a release of some sort on wednesday. After doing some stretches on my hamstrings, i was lifting my knee up toward my chest. I may have slightly broken the 90 degree angle restriction, when i felt a sensation similar to a zipper un-zipping. It was a textured feeling , and i swear i heard it. I got scared. I noticed a sensation, however it was not pain, like i was expecting. It was a feeling of increased mobility. Very strange experience. I have felt good since, so i have decided to wait til Monday to bring it up to the Doc.
Sleeping on my stomach has been a welcome addition, giving some relief to my back and my heels. I am still very cautious to do much outside of walking around the house. Some wall squats, and isometric contractions of various muscle groups is the extent of my PT. My family and I are going to a pool at a local hotel for a different approach to movement. Fielftrip has been approved by the Dr.
I am growing more interested in resuming my workouts for my entire body, not just my bionics.
Last night i was home alone with the kids. It went as expected, i resorted to letting them watch alot of TV.
I have grown more curious about the SuperPATH and Makoplasty procedure i had; i am interested in hearing other experiences with this procedure. I remember reading about a guy who fished alot in the recovery threads.
I have also changed pain meds. No more Oxy, taking tramadol 50 mg three times a day.
Hope that relieves some of the mental stress that comes with the oxycodone.
I hope to go out this evening to a local basketball game.....weather permitting

 

[kfenn]

@sandybeach how is your hip? I did not see your recovery thread, so looking to see if you are living restriction free??

 

[katflwr]

@kfenn , sounding like things are going well for you! I am 7wks today. I actually stopped my PT at 4wks because I really felt like it was maybe aggravating things for me. I was really trying to listen to what my body was telling me. Now, I am wondering if I should start going back, haha!! Patience is difficult during this recovery process. The mind and body have a difficult time talking to one another on the same level I believe

 

[kfenn]

@katflwr i feel like I have navigated the first stage of my recovery, lay around, take your meds, and ice 24/7. My energy is returning along with my mobility, just over the past 3 days. From weeks 3-7 i am hoping i can be patient, like you just stated. Our house is out of order, we have 2 toddlers, and my wife is 7 months pregnant, there are certainly plenty of things for me to do here!! And like you said, my mind is saying take care of these things, my body is not communicating very well. @katflwr, Are you walking unassisted at 7 weeks? That was the time frame i had anticipated going back to work. I have been against PT so-to speak, but as someone who has exercised and lifted weights i am getting anxious to see the progress in the gym. I just hope I can maintain a necessary degree of patience!!!
I envisioned myself doing squats and a light jog at 7 weeks, 3 1/2 weeks will tell! Keep me updated, and have a great weekend!

 

[kfenn]

It is day 24; drove for the first time. Uneventful trip out to the bank, post office, grocery store, starbucks, and gas station to pump up the tires, since the truck hasnt been driven in 25 days. I also went to the gym. Did a set of leg extensions. I can appreciate the need to strengthen my quads, but am cautious to aggravate the connective tissue in my groin area, and behind my knee.
I have been much more active the past week, it is becoming increasingly difficult to remain sedentary. Going to a pool tomorrow with the kids, i jope to just walk around with the resistance and support of the water. Dr said no kicking.
The tramadol is such a relief compared to the Oxycodone. No more sweats, no more high irritability. Pain is under control with the supplementation of ice.

 

[Me2]

I have been against PT so-to speak, but as someone who has exercised and lifted weights i am getting anxious to see the progress in the gym. I just hope I can maintain a necessary degree of patience!!!
I envisioned myself doing squats and a light jog at 7 weeks, 3 1/2 weeks will tell!

I did successfully forego PT with my first surgery and just went back to gym. This second go round, where my hips have seemingly recovered without PT except for recurring back issues, the surgeon has pushed a brief 2-3 times a week PT to see if we could eliminate any back pain related to hips. I guess thought is that if I still have back pain that it is back pain not related to hips

My progress at gym is slow --- at 12 weeks post op, I go and try exercises but still working on strengthening leg muscles without aggravating back. I probably headed back to early with the

increasingly difficult to remain sedentary.

I have grown more curious about the SuperPATH and Makoplasty procedure i had;

You might want to check out "Dieter"'s recovery thread. He seemed to have an amazing recovery with SuperPATH doctor in Minnesota.

So happy to see you doing well!

 

[kfenn]

Thanks for the insight @Me2 !!!!!
We are on the way to a pool for some family fun! I will check out @Dieter s recovery thread. Dr Meere is no longer an 'official' SuperPATH Dr due to the fact he does not use the MicroPort prosthetics. Apparently they have been outsourced to China, and he has stayed domestic with the implants he uses.
Thank you for the well wishes.