THR My journey, if only I had known<

[HipsterKat]

I have 2 long 5 day camping weekends coming up, and lots of other plans. Yes, life is good

Yay!!! I'm also jealous of the camping trips -- sounds wonderful!

 

[Fit4Family]

Happy belated birthday!!! @Hip4life Happy to read your update. Sounds like you are doing really well four months out. Hope your return to 12 hour days is easy and that you have a fun summer camping! Grateful to have shared this journey with you.

 

[Hip4life]

Thought I’d check in on my 5 month anniversary. It’s interesting the perspective that time gives you. Some of this journey seems like yesterday and some like a lifetime ago. Luckily the horrible pain has fallen into the latter category and no matter how hard I try, I can’t replicate that ludicrous limp I had before surgery. The truth is very real about the variance in individuals’ recovery as I am still stiff and sore on occasion. My iliopsoas is still causing me some grief but I am being patient and coaxing it along. If it continues beyond a couple of more weeks, I’ll consult with someone again.
Most of the time, I am not thinking about the hip. Life is settling into a wonderfully normal state and I’m doing almost all the activities I could do before. Before and right after surgery, I could not imagine that. I’ll continue to hold the space here as I can to help others get to this same point because it is so worth it to work hard and not give up. Blessings to all.
Happy anniversary hipster-sister @SE Florida!

 

[lotusbuds]

So wonderful to read your latest post! I too am 5 months out and my hip is good. I remember my OS saying at 9 months you won't even notice you've had it as it takes that long to heal. Yes some things seem like so long ago and some like yesterday. I don't take anything for granted in terms of my hip. So grateful. Still have 'good' knee issues but they are slowly improving. Nice to read your post. Take good care!

 

[HipsterKat]

Thanks for the update @Hip4life (and @lotusbuds). So encouraging for those of us earlier on. Tomorrow is my 10-week anniversary and I have been feeling really frustrated due to stiffness and scar issues. Nice to get a reminder that there is still a whole lot of healing to be done.

 

[Mojo333]

Happy 5 month hipversary @Hip4life ...
Hope all keeps getting easier and better!

 

[Hip4life]

Happy 5 month anniversary a couple of days early @lotusbuds! I’m kinda reliving a few things as a good friend’s husband just had his second hip done. It been great having this community to share with both victories and frustrations.
Speaking of which, I’m walking right beside you @HipsterKat! I remember being majorly frustrated and in a huge panic because I was supposed to go back to work at 8, then 10 weeks and I was so stiff and sore that it wasn’t happening. So it was 14 weeks, with still a lot of soreness and stiffness. Yes, still a lot of healing to be done. Hopefully you have great people who help you through and keep your spirits up like I did. Hang in there and keep us in the loop.

 

[CricketHip]

@Hip4life what a wonderful 5 month update! I am at 5 weeks and can already tell that this hip may be a little grumpier than my LTHR almost 4 years ago. We take what they give us and it eventually smoothes out. We are so lucky to live in this day and age. I shudder to think what people did 100 years ago!
Please stay around and check in, we all love to hear the updates and see how that hip is treating you!

 

[Hip4life]

Hello friends. 24 weeks today. That seems so surreal to say. I contacted my OS this week because I am still having groin pain and decreased ROM with hip flexion despite gentle PT and trying not to overdo. He is referring me to one of his colleagues (which disappointed me but this doctor specializes in this) for ultrasound guided cortisone injection of the iliopsoas tendon next Thursday. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. It would be nice to get rid of this nagging pain and limitation. Otherwise, I’m happy to say, all is pretty normal. I’ll keep you posted.

 

[Mojo333]

@HipsterKat
Glad you have a pro dealing with this.
I hope all goes well next week!

 

[Bergame]

@Hip4life Thanks for your update. Although i'm sorry to hear that you're having discomfort, it's valuable that you're logging your experience here. At almost 5 weeks post-op, it's reassuring for me to look ahead and see the variety of normal recoveries. And it's thanks to people like you who continue to share their journeys with us that I am able to have that prospective outlook. Hope you get a path forward on this pain.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Friday to you!
I'm sorry you're experiencing pain and have to endure the injection.
Hoping it provides the relief you're seeking. Please stay in touch and let us know how you're doing.
A great weekend to you!
@Hip4life

 

[Hip4life]

Thanks all for your kind support. Yesterday I caught my right leg on the edge of a box and it aggravated everything in my hip big time. It was hard to walk on and move. I felt like I stepped back in time two-three months. I took some pain meds and iced, iced, iced. It is better today, still sore but I can walk on it and move. So, yes, @Bergame, it can be an up and down road at times. That’s why this sight is so invaluable. Who really knows what you’re talking about and experiencing than others who have lived it? Thursday can’t come soon enough for me.

 

[CricketHip]

Oh no, sorry to hear that @Hip4life
It happens so quickly too!
Hopefully it hasn’t set you back that far and several days of rest and ice will have you re covered.
Good news about the guided steroid injection, I’ve found them to be very effective and might actually help with your recent soreness from stumbling.
My OS doesn’t do them either and refers me to another Dr who is a real whiz with them!
Will be good to hear how you are doing after!
Hopefully smooth sailing!!

 

[Hip4life]

Thought I’d drop by to update. Seems appropriate as this is 6 month anniversary. The Iliopsoas injection went great. It appears to be helping. It’s just overshadowed by the pain of this muscle strain/tear (that’s what the specialist said he thought it was) in the inner thigh. It’s frustrating because I really had hoped I’d be done with major pain by now. The fatigue still sets in as well. Looks like more icing and elevation for my near future. Lol. But in perspective, it was almost exactly a year ago that this journey started when I saw my family doc for pain in my hip. It really is sooooo much better now. It just goes to show you that every recovery is unique and you need to be patient without comparing to others’ recoveries.

 

[Supersonic]

Hi Hip4life
Really enjoyed reading your recovery thread. I'm literally 9 days post THR.
Lots of ups and downs in your thread and l really relate to the looming going back to work date.
I've said 12 weeks but like yourself l have to do a phased return and hit the ground running.
Right now that seems impossible but hey 2 days ago l could lift my leg unaided !
Decided to elavate and ice for the first time tonight. My thigh looks very swollen. Not sure if it always has been post op if l'm noticing more subtle things.
Must do more of this.

 

[Mojo333]

Decided to elavate and ice for the first time tonight.

Oh my stars...
For the first time tonight?
Or for the First time...tonight!?

 

[Hip4life]

Thank you for reading and healing blessings to you so soon in your recovery @Supersonic. I like to try and pay forward the kind encouragement I have received from this site. There is so much the OS and staff fail to tell you even though they try. This forum is invaluable for all the “little” stuff that is very important to those of us living the THR journey. I will start to follow you. Please let me know if I can be of any help.

 

[Fit4Family]

Hello @Hip4life

Truly amazing to think it’s 6 months already. Mine too in a week. Really glad your injection is providing relief but very sorry you are dealing with pain again. The good news is forward progression, even if slow. It is so true that no two recoveries are alike. I have learned so much here and like you feel very blessed. Have met some wonderful people here. So much great advice and encouragement. Hope you feel like new very soon. Ice and rest have helped me out of many a rough day. Heat too now and again for tight muscles. Sending

 

[Layla]

Hello @Hip4life
With any luck the last couple weeks have brought more relief. Since it can take up to a full year for recovery, even longer for some, you still have lots of room for improvement. Catch up on some rest and take it easy, you'll get there. Hope your week is a good one!