THR Massage post THR

[Celle]

Congratulations on your second new hip. I hope things are going well.

I've added your second THR to your signature, @Ric A .
Please will you tell us which hip was done each time?

I know you had these the first time, but here's a refresher for you of the recovery guidelines:
Hip Recovery: The Guidelines

People are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help, but YOU are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

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:

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rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

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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

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BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. Try to follow this

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Activity progression for THRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Care In Hospital​

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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Going4fun]

Well congrats!!!!!!

One of my close friends just got her second hip done about three months ago. She's feeling really good and so proud of herself.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
How is your second recovery going? Hopefully well.
We’d love to hear how you’re doing with both the new hip and the nine month old hip also.
Hope you’re enjoying steady progress.
@Ric A

 

[Ric A]

Hi Layla, and thanks for asking. Hope you are well.

9 month hip is fine, twinges every so often, especially if I over do it. It can stiffen up if I dont keep up with a daily stretching routine inc walking I find.

The new hip had more problems than the first. It was definitely more worn from sport, squash in particular. And so post op swelling and bruising was twice as bad as hip 1. But after 4 weeks it is now settling down. Mainly because of a 4 times per day icing and elevation routine, and the regular exercises we do in this period.

Stupidly my brain seems to think, come on you have had one of these done before and therefore this one should be twice as quick to recover lol. Not quite.

However in the 5 th week things have changed for the good. My physio says she is happy for me to go down to 1 stick, which I can do easily. I have also noticed that I can get up and down stairs without any stick... yeah maybe I shouldn't etc. Nor should I walk 75 yards without any limp or sticks. But I can. But I wont overdo this until ligaments and tissues are a little stronger.

My 6 week surgeon check is due, and Im sure he will sign me off to swim again as the wound has healed perfectly. Im looking forward to that. Lane swimming for me, and distance will be around 2 miles within a few weeks. I could do that after hip 1 last year.

I will also buy a static bike, and start some supervised gym work soon. Sleeped on the op side is also fine now, and i've ditched the meds too.

So all in all feeling pleased.

Now, my surgeon also said I could go back to squash and running next year. He is a UK expert of 35 years experience, and I know others say stay away from impact exercise, but that's what he is saying.

 

[Layla]

Great to read your update, Ric. Thanks for sharing your progress. You’re doing well and seem to be on your way. I hope you have a lovely Spring!
@Ric A

 

[Ric A]

Great to read your update, Ric. Thanks for sharing your progress. You’re doing well and seem to be on your way. I hope you have a lovely Spring!
@Ric A

Thanks, and you.

 

[Mojo333]

See you snuck in when I wasn't looking and became a double hippy.
All the best for quick healing.

 

[Ric A]

See you snuck in when I wasn't looking and became a double hippy.
All the best for quick healing.

Yeah. Lol. I'm glad I did too. The right was spoiling the progress the left has been making over the last few months. So it had too be done. Tougher than the first because of more damage to the joint. But at least I'm done now. I m in rehab zone again.

 

[Mojo333]

Well, you know the drill.
Slow and steady and let that soft tissue trauma heal and that new prosthetic get firmly affixed before you start of and running...
This is the hurry up and wait part.
Glad to hear you are on the mend.
Double hippy happy

 

[Ric A]

Grrr did too much yesterday, and i'm meant to be a seasoned campaigner lol.

Walked for 2 miles, not too far at my stage, but it was on uneven ground. So now both hips and back hurt now.

Cure for this is a day or 2 off the exercise.

 

[Layla]

Oh, so sorry. Easy to overdo when we’re feeling good.
Ice and rest and hopefully all feels well soon. Happy Thursday!
@Ric A

 

[Ric A]

Another thing I did in error, I think.
Yesterday a stood up for 2 hours supervising my builders. Felt ok at the time, but the hips tendons etc didnt much like it a few hours later. Really sore now.

Just a warning for others. Overstanding can be as bad as over walking etc.

 

[Mojo333]

Good Morning @Ric A
(For me)
I went back to work way too early and standing can definitely cause discomfort.
The traumatized soft tissue...mainly my quads...demanded ice and elevation.
This is such a boring part of recovery...
Assume the position and keep that patience muscle flexed.
All temporary.

 

[Ric A]

Welcome to the healing side of the forum. Congrats on your new hip!
I‘m sorry you’re dealing with nausea...that‘s no fun. I hope you’re feeling better today.

Here‘s a little info on Log Leg -
The first stage of healing is the inflammatory phase. During this time it is very common to notice swelling. After lower extremity surgery, or trauma involving bleeding and inflammation, there will be fluid in the leg causing the sensation of heaviness. Gravity pulls the fluid downward and since the patient is less mobile the fluid is not pumping back through the heart as quickly. The swelling gradually eases, but can persist for up to 3-6 months in some cases. Regular movement will assist in the reduction of swelling, as will elevation and ice. Your surgeon may prescribe compression stockings for a short period of time.

Following joint replacement, you may benefit from the use of a Leg Lifter. The Leg Lifter is a mobility aid that can assist in getting in and out of cars, wheelchairs, beds, recliners and much more. The Leg Lifter is an inexpensive option that helps provide safe movement in the early days, to weeks, of recovery.

Another option to use as an assistive device is a belt from a bathrobe. Works well and since most of us have one, it’s FREE.

Best wishes as you begin healing!
@BigDon

Layla, I mentioned it on another thread.

But should we continue to take anti inflammatory meds after the first couple of months after the op.
Being as the old inflamed joint has been replaced now?

How does this fit in with the first stage of healing when the body is putting out inflammation to help heal? It's a bit confusing.

 

[Jaycey]

@Ric A No need to take anti-inflammatory meds if you do not need them. However, some patients use this medication for pain relief post op. All I took after both THRs was anti-inflammatory meds. Be warned, long term use is not advised.

What pain relief did your surgeon prescribe for post op?

 

[Ric A]

@Ric A No need to take anti-inflammatory meds if you do not need them. However, some patients use this medication for pain relief post op. All I took after both THRs was anti-inflammatory meds. Be warned, long term use is not advised.

What pain relief did your surgeon prescribe for post op?

Codeine phosphate or just paracetamol. Or low dose morphine... small amount, which I didnt use.

So the anti inflams not required for pain so much as stopping inflammation build up I was thinking.

Pre op I was taking cox 2 Celecoxib as anti inflam.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Ric A
Hope the weather is allowing you to get some outside time as you continue to heal and strengthen.
After a month, cabin fever was getting to me and the recovery regimen was getting Old!
Slower and steady is still the best way and this is only a snapshot in time....
Hope your weekend is sweet.

 

[Eman85]

Only anti inflammatory of sorts that I took was an aspirin a day for a blood thinner.

 

[Ric A]

Hi @Ric A
Hope the weather is allowing you to get some outside time as you continue to heal and strengthen.
After a month, cabin fever was getting to me and the recovery regimen was getting Old!
Slower and steady is still the best way and this is only a snapshot in time....
Hope your weekend is sweet.

Yes, I can get out for walks along the Sea front where I live. I can also start swimming in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Ric A]

Hi Layla.

Could you answer this one. Normal hips with cartlidge cushions the joint when running etc as a suspension. But our hips being a solid joint if we run will it feel kind of harsh and un cushioned and therefore hurt the feet? I know many hippys do impact sports.