THR Maryluibel's recovery thread<

[Josephine]

He also thinks it’s the adhesive in the steri strips.

No that's definitely not Steri-strips! It might be the adhesive drape they put all over the area of the incision, similar to this.This would cover the entire area throughout the surgery. Or it could be the skin prep which could be either providone iodine, chlorhexidine or another propriatory brand.

As for exercises, honestly I hardly do them.

Good! Try to make that "not at all"!

The black mark is a permanent marker.

Can't see a black marker

But, I have no pain! It’s been 11 days

Well, lucky old you!

 

[Maryluibel]

Thank you

Hello. I may be stepping over the line but sounds like you might be on a mission against PT after this type of surgery. My physical therapist works very closely with my surgeon and is wonderful. I am never pushed or told how much or how long to do anything. Today, two weeks post op, she helped me learn how to walk with my hiking stick/ cane. I walked in my house for 5 minutes. It was an extremely moving and hopeful moment. I’m just saying not all PTs are nurse Ratchets.

I think it’s true that if it hurts, don’t do it! I’m glad I have not had a bad experience except for the YOUNG PT in the hospital who did push me right after surgery. Still so drugged on anesthesia and pain meds, and weak, I guess it was hard to say anything to her.

Also, my itching was an allergic reaction to steristrip adhesives. The doctor diagnosed and I removed them. Apparently very common. And they can cause a blistery reaction and it was important to get them off. My incision has healed well, as examined by my home PT, and I am now putting hydrocortisone on the edges of the rash surrounding the incision, careful not to get it in the incision, even though it’s healed. I’m also taking oral Benadryl. It itches like crazy.

But I’m telling my story in case anyone else might go through this. Apparently should get better in a couple of days.

Today I had a glimpse of my life after surgery and I am so hopeful.

 

[Mojo333]

Hope those itchies clear up soon...have enough to deal with without that!
Glad to hear you are doing well!

 

[Jaycey]

I’m just saying not all PTs are nurse Ratchets.

Absolutely not - there are some gems out there. Sounds like your PT is one! Well done!

 

[Layla]

Glad you're feeling hopeful about the future. It's so awesome!
This surgery gives us our life back in many ways.

I had a bright red area all around my incision also as an allergic reaction to the adhesive.
I don't recall how long it lasted, but I know it wasn't long.
As long as it's not increasing in intensity, or size, I wouldn't be concerned. Mine looked way more red than yours initially.

Your PT sounds reasonable and accommodating. Personally I don't feel BoneSmart is on a mission against PT. Many of us have experienced PT, ourselves. Myself included. Physical Therapy is a personal choice. All that's espoused here is that PT is not necessary for recovery. Many experience negative PT experiences and end up with chronic pain issues. Fortunately yours sounds measured allowing you to go at your own pace without pushing you, or forcing you to push through pain. If it's working for you, great!

Thanks for your update. The New Year looks promising. I hope you have a lovely Thursday and a great weekend!
@Maryluibel

 

[Josephine]

I may be stepping over the line but sounds like you might be on a mission against PT after this type of surgery.

Well you'd be right! I've seen so much misery and poor outcomes caused by over-zealous exercising that I really am in a campaign to eradicate it. Mostly because the hip will get better all on it's own anyway, as I and many members here have shown.

Also, my itching was an allergic reaction to steristrip adhesives.

Just reassure you here, this actually is not an allergic reaction as such. What happens is that staff have a tendency to place the adhesive on on side of the wound, then apply a stretch to the Steristrip before sticking it down on the other side. This means that the skin is under tension which after a short while, will result in damage and even blistering. The correct way to apply a Steristrip is to lay it gently down on the wound and just softly pat it down. Like you, I had a reaction under the strips, and blisters, and it was very painful and took quite a long time to heal, almost 1½ years.

 

[Mojo333]

Hope all is going well and you are continuing to see improvement week by week (which is a much better way to assess improvement due to the up and down nature of things)

All temporary and all worth the payoff!
Hope your weekend is Sweet!

 

[Maryluibel]

Thank you! I am. It’s week 5½. On walking sticks, practicing walking without a limp, which I still have. Have been off aspirin therapy since the end of week 3, due to eye hemorrhage, that was scary.

My 6 week check up is coming up. I have the normal aches and pains but rest when that happens. Watching out for the darn bursitis that creeps up now and again (had it for several years off and on before THR). It’s not due to overdoing it, just too bad form. So I’m focusing hard on the heel toe walking.

Still icing every now and then and taking Tylenol as needed. We had 18” of snow several weeks ago and between that and the VERY low temps here, my walking has been inside my house! That’s ok, but cabin fever does creep in. Lots of NETFLIX going on. And I’m ok with that. Good luck to all and thank you so much for checking in on me!!

 

[Mojo333]

Oh my stars...eye hemorrhage does sound scary
Guess it's all clear now?
We had a heat wave going on during my recovery and my meds weren't liking it...so I paced the hallway and rest of the house!

I'll bet they will be impressed at your 6 week check up!
Keep the faith, friend!

 

[prairienut]

I have read much on this forum on the harm that inappropriate PT can do, especially when the therapist is trying to move your limb for you, asking you to take pain medication prior to PT, or asking you to exercise through pain. This has made me more cautious and conservative about exercise during my early recovery. At the same time, I can see how advice from my PTs has been very helpful to me in learning to walk again and properly using the walking aids. I was also told that some of the lying down exercises such as ankle pumps and muscle sets were meant to help prevent DVT while a patient is inactive during the early recovery days. I am surprised to see opinions here that say don't do ANY physical therapy even if it is not causing pain. For myself, I use pain as the guide. Yes, if exercise or PT is increasing your pain level, it makes perfect sense to stop! I am 3 weeks post-op with no pain medications and no hip pain, just mild incision pain. In another 2 weeks I plan to start up with a local PT who is highly recommended. I believe it is important to stay out of the ODIC (over did it club), and I owe that wisdom to reading BoneSmart, but I also see the value in learning more about my recovering body from a skilled, experienced PT. It ends up being a personal decision. Each recovery is unique.

 

[Layla]

Oh my...An eye hemmorage sounds frightening. Glad to hear you're doing well. Let us know how your six week check-up goes. We'd love to follow your progress,
A great weekend to you!
@Maryluibel

 

[Maryluibel]

Now Im scared. Was just sitting and stretched my foot. I did turn my foot out and felt a pain in my deep groin, more under. I am 5 1/2 weeks post op. So scared I messed up something. I can walk but feel a little discomfort. I’m icing it but so worried I pulled or loosened something. Will be calling surgeon tomorrow. Any ideas?! Scared

 

[Hippielife]

Sometimes when our bodies are healing from what I call the great assault ... it can also take many twists and turns to decipher all the pain from movement that we go thru. I am sure it’s nothing serious because your still walking and the bone is still aligning with the prosthesis. Sending healing blessings thru your healing journey.

 

[Maryluibel]

I was worried that when I turned my foot out I pulled something. Groin sore now. Great. I was doing so well. You made me feel better. I just got scared that it was “loosening” that I keep hearing about

 

[Hippielife]

Very normal... I can’t tell you how many times thru three thr that I scared myself... tooo!

 

[Maryluibel]

 

[Mojo333]

I had groin pain and lots of other strange pains that came and went over the first months especially.
Hope you are still icing ...I iced in different places as the aches travelled about.
Hope all eases soon...

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
Wondering how you're doing?
We'd love to read an update of your progress. Please share.
We're here to support and encourage you along the way and your journey may be an
inspiration to those following behind you,
I hope you're having a good week so far and wish you the best moving forward.
@Maryluibel

 

[Maryluibel]

Thank you so much. I’m doing well. Off the cane. Still limp if I don’t think about heel toe walking. Going back at 3 month and doc will decide if I need a lift in my shoes. The only thing that has been concerning me is my right knee (same side as replacement). It hurts to lift and straighten. Has been this way since surgery. Quad is tight and I’m just wondering if that muscle has pulled on the knee cap and it’s “off track” as my pt said it could be. She has given me exercises to strengthen muscles that hVe “gone to sleep” in order to balance. This, I believe, and I’m sorry this may not be the philosophy here, but some PT exercises are really important after surgery to get those muscles stronger and awake. I’m going in next week for Ortho to check knee.
But my restrictions were lifted at 6 weeks, and I’ve been back to work for a week and a half. It feels wonderful to get back to the land of life. My hip doesn’t hurt anymore and it seems the little aches and pains that I get just come and go and change and go away daily.
That’s my 2 month update. Happy healing hippies!!

 

[Layla]

Hi, thanks for the update.
You don't have to apologize for your view on PT. We're entitled to our own opinions.
Wondering if you've iced your knee at all? Mine suffered some trauma also but I believe it was due to the aggressive manner in which it was manipulated during the dislocation process. I had mine x-rated at 6 mo post op and found out it's somewhat arthritic. Wondering if that could be the case for you also?

It's great to hear you're back to work / life and enjoying it. Losing that horrid hip pain is so liberating.
Let us know what you hear on your knee next week, if you don't mind sharing.
A great rest of the week to you!
@Maryluibel