THR Makoplasty Recovery in CT

[kfenn]

Good to hear from you @LibraryLynn. I just read your latest post on your thread, and you are in my thoughts in regards to your radiologists thoughts. With regards to school, I caused a major up-roar for giving a take-home final in PE. Apparently the kids frown upon that!?!? Haha
My rehab continues to progress. I spent 45 minutes out in the snow towing the kids around in their sled. It was good exercise walking through the 3 inch deep snow. Last night I attended the basketball game at the school I work at, and coached for 15 years; so many people were in shock at how well I was getting around! Including the superintendent and the Asst Principal, my direct supervisor ( who some how didn't know of my surgery until the day before?) who both had nice things to say. I also joined my friends out for a beer after the game, my first in over 7 weeks. Just one though, still taking Tramadol twice a day. It was great to get out, even if I only lasted about 90 minutes after the game, before I got tired and a friend gave me a ride home!
I do have some stress on the inside of my knee, where sartorius and gracilis muscles attach. I have been icing there. The Dr reminded me no excessive PT still, with the chance of tendinitis. I continue to do one legged balance, standing leg movements in all directions, stairs: both ascending, and assisted descending, walking, and some body weight squats no deeper then 120 degrees at my hip joint. Stretching consists of hamstring stretches, standing quadriceps stretch, and a slight butterfly stretch testing the outward movement of my surgical leg.
Over all I am so happy and satisfied with this process. I still believe I found the absolute perfect Dr for me! ( not trying to be too annoying, but I love this guy!!!!)
Every penny I give him was well worth it. Last year I couldn't have lasted more than 5 minutes outside walking in the snow. It is so exciting to be getting back closer to a normal life. I believe 5 weeks from now at 12 weeks post-op I will be back to normal everyday behavior. All with the exception of some exercise things.

 

[LibraryLynn]

I'm so excited for you! Sounds like things are going along swimmingly for you, and that's great! I'm amazed you were out pulling kids on the sled. That's a lot of movement!
No one is excited to see me at school. In fact, I haven't seen a principal or admin type person the entire time I've been back. I'm glad they're leaving me alone quite frankly. It's possible they didn't even know, or care, that I was gone. I am just the librarian, after all. Sorry...got a little political there.

I'm so very happy for your progress. Thanks for your good thoughts regarding the mammogram nonsense. I'm a lightning rod for medical things; it's the way that it's always been.

Lynn

 

[kfenn]

Tomorrow will be 6 weeks post-op! According to the Dr, I should be about 60% healed. I spent an hour this morning shoveling the 20 inches of snow we received from winter storm Colbie. I didn't break any speed records, however my hip held up well. I just had to be cautious of mis-stepping. My recovery continues to progress. I am ascending stairs very close to a normal pattern, and when I am rested, or just iced, I am also very comfortable descending as well. There will be a lot of strength training ahead for the quadriceps in my surgical leg. I babied it for over two years, creating a significant difference in muscle mass, and there for strength. This strengthening process is still a long-term goal. Presently I am continuing to improve my stamina on my feet to prepare for returning to work, and improving my mobility throughout the joint, while retraining my movements to more natural movement patterns.
I continue to do one-legged balancing, stairs both up and down, lateral steps, and walking with an emphasis on stride length, and toe pointing. I hope to get into the gym soon. The weather has kept me from that to this point.
I have noticed pain at the incision point lately; a very dull pain toward the bottom of my incision that usually occurs in the morning. I have been using the Tramadol only before bed and in the morning. Regardless the pain is minimal and I still continue to feel better each day. As for rest and ice have continued to ice at least 3-4 times a day, and rest laying down for at least 3 hours day between 8am and 9 pm. Something I am fortunate to be able to do. Starting tomorrow I will start conditioning myself to wake up at 6:30 to prepare for work next Tuesday.
I look froward to tomorrow, the Dr told me from day 1 that at the 6 week mark I will be back at a normal life for the most part. So far most things he has said have been true.

 

[bottomshollow]

@kfenn! Just love that things are falling back into place for you and that "normal" is clearly on the horizon for you.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[LibraryLynn]

@kfenn Spectacular update! I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous. I'm still hobbling around like a fool, but I'm remaining moderately hopeful!
Are you dug out yet? I hope you, too, didn't have as bad of a time as they predicted.

Lynn

 

[kfenn]

Thanks for the support ! @LibraryLynn & @bottomshollow
I have encountered a problem. Tramadol withdrawal. Even though my dosage was minimal, the withdrawal has kept me up the past three nights with anxiety, restless legg nonsense, and an overall feeling of irritability. I was unaware of how uncomfortable it would be coming off this drug.
I am curious if anyone has some strategies they used. Its the start of the fourth day, so i am hoping the worst is behind me. I didnt feel a thing when i came off oxycodone and onto Tramadol, the severity of this withdrawal goes back to the Oxy, is a speculation i have. Either way it took til yesterday to figure out what the hell sas going on with me.
As for the real issue, my rehab, i did 10 mins on level 1 the lowest level on the elliptical machine in the fitness center at school. I was tired, didnt quite break into a sweat, but realized how out of shape i am. I followed that with a total of 10 -12 sets of upperbody exercises. I wont bore you with those. Point being is that was about all i could do. I am assuming the withdrawal symptoms had an impact on that; although again a guess.
On the positive note Walking feels absolutely great!!!!! My stride is beginning to open up which is exciting. I do have a little work to continue on eliminating my old limp pattern, it still sneaks in a bit, but i am consciously working to eliminate that. I did a very light jog yesterday for about 11-12 paces. I feel like i am getting closer to that, however the remaining slight difference in leg length created a slight limp with jog. Something to address soon.
I hope to eliminate this tramadol issue soon. The sleepless night are brutal, i am no fun without sleep.

 

[C Mac]

You may need to taper down with your tramadol dosage in order to not experience the withdrawal problems. If you google tramadol withdrawal you'll see that there can be issues as one comes off the drug and it's best not to just stop abruptly.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[Josephine]

For some this may be true. I was on it for weeks in 2009 and never had a problem stopping it.

 

[kfenn]

Slept better Saturday night; Withdrawal symptoms were less intense. I am afraid i may have discontinued the Tramadol prematurely, my pain has been more than any other time during this process. I am hesitant to jump back on it do to the issues from withdrawal.
I have been taking 440 mg of Aleve, 2 xs a day. What dosage do others find manageable?? @LibraryLynn
Past experience suggests i am sensitive to chemical changes in my body. One cup of coffee jacks me up for 6-8 hours!!

 

[LibraryLynn]

I'm sorry you're having issues @kfenn . I have never taken tramadol, so I can't speak to that, but I take 500 mg naproxen twice a day. My huge pain relief has come from my acupuncture though, but the naproxen has helped. It really sucks that now the pain is kicking up.
I, too, have issues with chemical changes, but I swear by my naproxen.

 

[kfenn]

Thanks for the feedback Lynn!!!
I am gonna troop it out til Tuesday, then make a decision. Til then 440 mg of Naproxen morning and night.
On a more positive note, i did 15 min on the eliptical machine today, was much easier than my last instance of 10 min. The positives are still so encouraging. I swear i am a half inch taller now!!!!
@LibraryLynn have a great week.
I go back to work Tuesday! Another snow-day for Monday! Soooo this week will be very interesting to say the least. My progress will be on display with all the new activity this week!!!

 

[LibraryLynn]

How was day one!!?? I was thinking of you today and I hope things went well!

 

[kfenn]

@LibraryLynn thanks for asking!!
It went well, granted we had a 2 hour delayed opening!!
I had the chance to talk about the surgery in one of my PE classes. That was fun. My energy levels were surprisingly good (shortened day obvi helped with that)
Many of my colleagues and former students wished me well. That also made me feel good. I finished the day with 15 min on the elliptical machine, and some upper body sets. Little by little i hope to reach the fitness level i enjoyed 2-3 years ago.

I actually thought of you today. One of the librarians was really reacting to a student, while I was using the teacher work-room. I thought After what you have endured, you probably would have handled the situation more effectively.
I am still undecided on the Tramadol. I wasn't in pain today, but felt stiff, esp when i was seated. Not sure if it is more helpful with my recovery.

 

[LibraryLynn]

@kfenn im glad you had a good first day back! It's even better that you had a late start. I drove home in a minor snow event, and that usually includes fear of what my steps will look like when I get home. Fortunately, they weren't bad!
I'm sorry that your librarian was overreacting. I've been at this business for thirty years, and there is very little that happens that can light me up. I know there are intolerant librarians out there, and that makes me sad. I adore my kids, even when they make me irritated. Truthfully, the adults make me crazier than the kids. The adults are supposed to know better.
I do know the kids are still bothered by my continued crippledness. They still look shocked when I get up and grab my crutch...and then, of course, there is Justin who just grabbed my crutch as it rested behind my desk so he could run around the library with it. I love that kid but he makes me Nutso!
I believe Josephinewould tell you that stiffness is pain...are you using naproxen?

 

[copsham]

I love that scene of Justin in the library with your crutch. Teenage boys always remind me of Andrex puppies. Do you have that add in USA where lots of puppies run around with toilet paper getting all wound up and tangled with it. Teenage age boys thinking they are "really grown up" but are mischievous "little ones" really.

I admire you being back a work - are you doing full time hours must be demanding. All the best Karen

 

[craftdee]

Hi @kfenn I took Tramadol... I found it to be such an effective drug, and so much less "side-effecty" than Oxy (which I struggled to be on AND to get off, lol) Reducing the dose over a week or two was definitely the "stress free" way of getting off it, I just took half a dose morning and night for a week, then took half a dose at night only for a week. I took Paracetemol (Tylenol) in the day, regularly for the two weeks, then "as required" until it wasn't "required" Actually that was pretty much straight away. I take it occasionally now for tendinitis issues. It's such a safe drug to take long term, if you are in pain (which as Lynn indicated includes stiffness) you should try it... if it's not enough I'd be hopping back on to the Tramadol, leaving "getting off" for another day!

Don't add too much back in to the mix re your activity levels... you don't want to end up exhausted as it's hard to get back on top of it, and in addition it's surprisingly easy to get yourself onto "Team Tendinitis"... and it's no fun, let me tell ya

Hope the rest of your recovery goes as well as it has so far, it reads as a real "success story"... which is always a nice thing :cool:

 

[kfenn]

@craftdee I did jump back on the Tramadol train. Took 50 mg Friday night, sat night, and this ,morning, with the intent to take one tonight. I appreciate the thought of experiencing a success story to date. I truly have been as responsible as I have for any other situation!
I have cautiously increased my activity exponentially this week. During PE class I put in a step-up station, And squat station during the students's fitness circuit so I can get some reps in on those movements. Most of the students know what I am going through now, and are surprisingly supportive. I gave a lecture in an anatomy class about hip replacement and the procedure I had. The class was interested, and I enjoyed talking about myself and the entire process.
My PT has been focused on stairs. I caught myself almost jogging down the stairs at school on Thursday, which demonstrated I am beginning to return some strength. I continue to use the elliptical machine in the gym. 15 minutes on level one. This week I will add 5 minutes.
I did make a mistake on Friday. Had the class in a soccer activity, and I kicked a ball to a student with the non-surgical leg....not ready for those movements yet. But the fact I felt good enough to try it is a good sign.
@LibraryLynn i wanted to check in with you to see how you were feeling! I will leave a post on your thread.

I caught myself smiling as I walked down the hall at school last week. It almost feels like a dream, and at some point I am going to wake up to that awful pain again! Sometimes I just can't believe how GREAT it feels to walk again!!! The staff I work with are amazed at how well I am moving around. I hear it all day long. Except for our interm principal who tried to bust my balls over being out 7 weeks. According to him, he was "back to work in 2 weeks!" Yet he has a horrible limp and can not tie his shoes. Who is the smart one. I told him "I was still laying in bed at week 2" as I gracefully walked away!!
I jogged for about 30 steps Thursday night, it was not very fluid, and I had a slight limp, combo of longer leg still and the weakness in surgical leg. But I can't feel that I am not that far off. 2-3 more weeks and I could see myself capable of jogging with no limp or accommodations.
This post is pretty choppy and I had a lot go on since my last post but wanted to get back on, and keep my recovery updated. According to the Dr I will need my right hip replaced, and I plan to use this thread to help me get through the second. Or at least compAre. I would never remember all the steps and time lines with out written reminders.
I also used the different procedures to help the sport performance class I teach learn the anatomical directions. I explained how the different incisions are named from their location of the incision, ie... Lateral, posterior, anterior and my own procedure Superior!

 

[craftdee]

Choo Choo @kfenn like I said, no reason to be adding to both ends of the chain; if you're adding activity (which you obviously are) then the time to reduce medication is later. You'll actually find it is a natural progression, you'll miss a dose and not realize it, then miss another one or two.. all good in the end

I find myself "sharing" my THR experience all the time too - the photos of my scar in the gallery here were taken on my iPhone, so I'm often seen showing my prosthesis and five day, ten day and fifteen day pics Sometimes my husband doesn't get it, but I find people ARE interested - it's something they don't see every day, and like me pre surgery, know little about. I hear "I was wondering about that" quite a lot!

Yeah, don't you just love the "I was running a marathon at three weeks" types? I don't know if they feel themselves superior for having that recovery (if indeed they did!) or feel you pathetic for NOT having that recovery... for sure the one thing they don't factor in is LUCK; the best will in the world can't speed up muscle repair! As far as your principal returning to work at two weeks goes... he obviously doesn't work as hard as youYou get the Apples and Oranges types too... "I had a hip replacement too, and I was only on crutches for a few days".... really??? "Well it was an arthroscope", mmmm, NOT a hip replacement then

It's a great idea to keep your thread updated... I have to have my right hip replaced too and am using my thread as a diary for that - because already some details are blurry, and I wrote of the things that were prominent in my recovery in "real time" so I'll recognize the pattern next time.

Keep up your great recovery

 

[kfenn]

Hahaha. I couldn't agree with you more!!!
@craftdee

 

[RedRider]

Hi @kfenn I had a similar issue as your with tramadol. I was up all night with anxiety and restlessness. It's a great drug, but I wish I was a little more aware of the withdrawal issues.