THR Megsmum75's Recovery

[Megsmum75]

Many thanks everyone - I had the op on Tuesday and came home yesterday. The first night was rough - I opted for a general which did make me quite sick, but once over that it was fine. I was scared of moving and trusting my new hip - I had 2 flights of stairs to go up to get home - but an amazing physio let me cry on her shoulder and was nothing but encouraging - I didn’t need to be scared at all and had just built it up to be bigger in my head than it was. Last night was much better in my own bed and although stiff I have no hip pain, and remarkably little bruising yet although I expect that will come! It’s hard to get comfortable as you put pressure on the wound whatever you do, so I am wandering around quite a bit and have resorted to crutches as more comfy, but will move onto sticks very soon.
We are moving out of school into an air bnb tomorrow so I can fully switch off as it’s hard here - as lovely as everyone is they do assume because you are back you are available! The hospital signed me off for 6 weeks but I anticipate returning on a phased return for a few extra weeks with a focus on teaching, not boarding.
Interestingly, as I was leaving yesterday, 2 more
Patients my age if not younger came in, 1 for a hip and 1 for a knee replacement. It seems to be round here they are working hard to get people in before they get too bad which is amazing. I haven’t seen my X-ray yet - back to see the consultant in 8 weeks - and am really interested to see what they have done! Can’t quite believe I have a new hip in there!
Not sure how to move this to the recovery forum, but I am sure the admin can help me.

Thanks for everyone’s support - it’s been invaluable. I’ll keep updating as it’s great to hear from you all.

 

[Mojo333]

@Megsmum75
Glad to see you are all done and doing well.

I can imagine you will feel better at the airbnb for a bit so you can concentrate on you and rest as much as you can.

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines.

Each article is short but very informative.
Following these guidelines may help you have an easier recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

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 to these pages on the website​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

​

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.

 

[Klassy]

Well done! Welcome to the happy side. Wishing you a great recovery.

 

[Caison113]

Welcome to the bionic club! It does take a while to get used to the new hardware and how it moves. Right now, be gentle on your soft tissue as it took the brunt of the damage. The hip itself is fine, just needs time to settle in and become truly permanent.

 

[Layla]

Can’t quite believe I have a new hip in there!

I get it, its strange initially, but the incision is a good confirmation, lol.
Sounds like you're off to a good start. I wish you all the best and will look forward to your updates.
Happy Thursday!

 

[Megsmum75]

A quick update as can’t sleep that well - just because I haven’t done much I think! I am incredibly lucky and seem to be healing well - I have no bruising at all and although sore I am moving well - I can manage on 1 stick around home and went for a walk outside yesterday using 2 crutches and was fine - even on stairs.

I am a bit confused as was expecting much worse - as i said I think I am just really lucky with age on my side and getting the hip replaced before it became too bad. My bum is sore as the incision is right where you sit - going to the loo is agony as the plastic seat digs in!! Getting off the sofa and into bed is a challenge and I have to grit my teeth and just do it, despite extra cushions to raise the seat etc.

It’s frustrating dropping things and not being able to pick them up - silly things that you take for granted! Putting pants and socks on - I have to ask for help and just keep laughing at myself. I managed a shower - wasn’t sure how I would get in as over the bath, but with a step and hubbys help was fine.

Have seen a few folk today which was nice but we move into an air bnb tomorrow - I am slipping back into work mode which is a good distraction but I recognise I need to give myself some me time. There are lots of advantages to suddenly having to slow down - lots of cuddles with my daughter tonight (she is 15 and not always cuddly as it’s not cool!) and hubby is not driving me as mad as I thought he would - although the opposite might not be true as eldest daughter has bought me a bell which says ‘ring for tea’ which I put to good use! It says ‘ring for gin’ on the other side but will give that a week or so!!

Hoping that everyone else from the Feb club is seeing progress too!

 

[Megsmum75]

Ok - so l was a bit optimistic. Woke up this morning stiff and sore, got up, took meds, went faint and back to bed. I know - listen to your body …

 

[Jaycey]

@Megsmum75 Very early days for you! Did you have something to eat before taking your medication? Are you on blood thinners?

 

[myglasshalffull]

Get yourself a grabber and sock assistant both are sold on Amazon. I used extra long kitchen tongs to pick stuff up that I dropped and it seems I dropped more stuff after I had my surgery.
There's an entire "help" kit available for sale with everything you will need to get through these early days of recovery.
Hang in there, you will have some setbacks here and there and then you will have great victories!

 

[Gloucestergal65]

A long handled shoe horn and a between the toe dryer are also very useful

 

[Megsmum75]

Thanks - I have just woken up and feel much better - in typical Emma fashion I assume I can do too much too early - lesson learnt. Will get on Amazon now!! I am on blood thinners - my 15 yr old takes great delight in injecting me every morning! I hadn’t eaten this morning but did realise and had a piece of toast - food is not massively appealing at the moment (unless chocolate raisins!) but I was daft to take meds on an empty stomach - I didn’t realise they would work as fast as they did! Onwards and upwards.

 

[Caison113]

The first week is the worst and the weirdest. Basically your body getting over the shock of the trauma that it has experienced. Then it can begin to heal. There will still be ups and downs along the way, but you should see marked improvement week-to-week.

 

[microwv]

I too am a 2023 February Valentine. My procedure was a day before yours. So far, what you have experienced seem to mirror mine. My worst night was the 2nd one. I'm on day 4 now and things are much better, so hopefully you are doing better. Hang in there!

​

 

[Megsmum75]

A quick question - I have now had 2 episodes when I have woken up fine, got up to the loo, then gone really faint, cold sweats, want to throw up. I thought it was the meds but I haven’t taken them yet - I assume it’s just my body protesting to getting up and moving. I feel ok - obviously stiff and I dont like getting out of bed and trying to get going again, but I am really worried about fainting as I don’t want to fall and it’s been pretty dam close. I assume this is pretty common? Otherwise all good - I feel very lucky!

 

[Gloucestergal65]

I felt like that for the first few days. I had low blood pressure so they upped my fluids intravenously and they gave me something for the nausea. I was still in hospital. I think it is just the trauma of the operation, the loss of blood, the after effects of the anaesthetic and the meds. Keep hydrated, take your time before moving, get someone to come with you just in case. It will pass.

 

[Klassy]

You are doing really well but please be careful. The procedure tends to lower blood pressure, and if yours was healthily low to start, it can cause dizziness and even blackouts. I was feeling fine and making my own breakfast on about day 5 to give my husband a rest, came over woozy while waiting for the toaster and came to on the stone floor. No damage luckily, but it was scary. We had to get paramedics to get me up, who then insisted on taking me off to A and E where husband and I spent the day while I was observed for concussion. My husband would have been much better off if I had rung for breakfast!

The lessons Iearned for me were
Don’t rush to be independent too soon
Don’t get up too quickly - get to a sitting position, wiggle what you can, get the blood moving .
If I was going to the loo by myself in the night, I would stand and sit 10 times before heading off. I had a high bed and could do this, obviously you only want to do what is easy for you at this early stage.
Don’t stand still - if you have to stand eg brushing your teeth, or washing your hands, continually flex your knees or march on the spot or whatever you can safely do to keep the blood moving.
If you feel dizzy, get to a position which would be safe if you did pass out - flat on your back is good, or leaning back in a secure chair with arms.

It’s usually worse on an empty stomach, but don’t be complacent, because having something to digest can divert blood supply from the brain.

 

[myglasshalffull]

As already mentioned it's probably low blood pressure, mine was very low first few days after surgery, and many here have experienced low BP as well.
If you are using a walker be sure and have that right next to your bed or wherever you are sitting. Even after I was independent of the walker I kept it next to my bed for night time bathroom trips.

 

[Mojo333]

Agree with the other folks... I too experienced some light headedness....and used my walker even for short trips because of this.
The body is busy re-regulating, regenerating blood loss....in hyper healing mode.
All the above advice is great.
Stay hydrated and give yourself some sitting up time after laying before standing.

When you get some appetite back, try to concentrate on some iron rich foods as I was slightly anemic for a short period after surgery.

All temporary, friend.
Just no falling down and going boom.
Against the rules.

 

[Megsmum75]

Many thanks everyone - message understood - I won’t break the rules!! It’s very reassuring to hear similar stories as you are pretty much discharged and expected to get on with it - as much as I like my independence it can be a little isolating!
I don’t have a walker - I have sticks but use crutches if outside and first thing in the morning as they make me feel safer. Can’t stand feeling faint/sick - those cold sweats are just awful - poor hubby daren’t come near me as I can’t stand to be touched
Day 4 nearly over - have settled into a routine of sleep, sleep, TV, short walk and more sleep! Codeine just makes me zonk which is actually quite good. Leg feels heavy and solid - I read somewhere it being described as log leg - so true!
Looking forward to being able to support others in the future - off for another snooze now!!

 

[Eman85]

Are you eating? Our bodies are traumatized by this operation and need all of the nutrition we can give them to rebuild the damage. Too many things can cause feeling faint to speculate but you mention taking your meds nd only eating toast, toast isn't going to fuel a recovery. do you have a blood pressure cuff and or someone that can check it for you? Falling down is a big no no especially if there's no one there to assist you.