Bilateral THR New Hips, Jan 17th/2012

[Matsan]

Good points bottomshollow and Mary Beth! Hypervigilant is a good word!
This "ache" has been present for a while with any wt bearing, and feels like its in the bone. But I guess thats normal given what they have done to those good old bones! Of course in my mind I'm thinking my surgeon let his resident do the second hip and he was off on his placement of something....I am getting better at shutting out all that but its still there at times! Also have noticed my right leg IS longer than my left...I know there is swelling still needing to settle out but I am pretty certain. Guess a little lift in a shoe is the thing to do? Gail

 

[puddle fish]

Hi Gail, its still eaarly days I know my legs felt different lenghts at times but the 6 week xray showed a level pelvis. When I stand up those pesky muscles tend to pull it about a bit s i feel as if the left leg is slightly shorter. I have now noticed when looking back at photos of me over the last couple of years even before I knew I had bad hips I was never standing level. So Im concentrating on standing level and working the muscles to lenghten them again.

 

[cnydutch]

isn't it coincidental that we all seem to have our right hip give us more
whining than our left? (us bilats)

 

[puddle fish]

Are we all right handed? Although my right is more painful it has the greater range of movement mainly as I can stand on my left more than the right.

 

[Matsan]

Hhmm that is interesting....my range of motion is not as good with my right hip yet.
Pre-op any given day a different hip would be bothering me more, but over all the 2 years prior my left was more of a problem so I would have guessed it would have been the harder to rehab!

 

[bottomshollow]

Oh, these hips are just like knees after surgery---they have a life of their own---never can be quite sure what they'll be doing from day to day.

 

[dtmbf]

I thought I picked up a right hip trend amongst the bilats. My right was was more painful pre-op but the left had way more limited ROM. And post op - the left doesn't even know it's been operated on, but the right is just lagging behind. ROM is normal in both.

 

[cnydutch]

Yes, I am right handed. but my ROM is similar, and what pain i do have is more
of a discomfort than anything. Feeling better and better on the skates too!

 

[cnydutch]

Before my surgery, my left side was worse, to the point that the knee pain in my left leg
kept me up at nite, and i had gotten to the point I elevated it in bed (had to sleep on my
back for the 18 mos prior to surgery anyhow)

and like you Mary Beth, the left side feels like it's been part of me forever, except for the
general weakness that I'm working hard to rebuild.

 

[Matsan]

Goodmorning! ||A couple of more questions......
I am wondering how soon I can get into the pool. My incisions look great at almost four weeks post-op but I sure don't want to rush it and cause a problem. Does anyone have expierence with this? Another question, although the incisions look fantastic I seem to be having more discomfort from them when something hits them....could have always been this way and I did not notice as was on more medications.....just wondering if others expierence this.

 

[bottomshollow]

Gosh, Matsan, of course it hurts when you put any kind of pressure on the incisions---they're not even 1 month post op. My incision sight is 2 years and 1 month post op and is slightly tender when pushed hard---and would be a bit more uncomfortable if I got hit with something in that area. And I'm sure the meds masked some pain and discomfort.

You need to check with your OS about hitting the pool. It's a bit early yet. But you need his okay to be on the safe side.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[puddle fish]

Hi I had hydro sessions from about two weeks, as for a normal swimming pool the main concerns are access in and out of the water as the normal ladder steps are not ideal and the wound must be fully healed. As for the incision site it was 3 months before I could lie on my side in bed on a memoray foam mattress. Lying on the floor on an excercise mat is still uncomfortable it takes a while for the incision sites to settle down.

 

[Matsan]

Thanks puddle fish! Our local pool has great access in and out, so I should be ok with that. My incisions look great but the though of infection frightens me so I wll probably wait another week or two....being an competitive swimmer a lifetime ago I am most comfortable in the water and can't wait to get started! Great feedback regarding the incisions thank-you.
Can you elaborate on what your hydro sessions consisted of? Gail

 

[puddle fish]

Warm up walking forwards and backwards through the water. Then almost exactly the same excercises as the standard on land ones the water helps provide support and resitance. To make it a bit harder as I progressed they added floats to my ankles. Standard knee raises, side lifts, and extension of leg backwards and arm forwards one legged superman type. I did squats with sideways steps and swinging leg backwards and forwards quickly. They also made me do step ups on the steps this was the most benificial as it took away some of the weight I wasnt having to use the banister to haul myself up, and yet still getting that pesky glutus medius? muscle to fire. Cycling with the legs kicking with fins on and then assesing to see if I could do breaststroke legs (I needed OS permision for this one). I was in the pool on Saturday and I dont think my diving has suffered at all Im still fitter than most of the guys (and I think I can beat my instructor in a race).

 

[Matsan]

Good Morning! Week 3! Day by day I see an improvement. Pain is well controlled on tylenol around the clock with the occassional Percocet. I am able to walk around our home without an aide, my gait is funny, I have to work hard with my core and really concentrate not to walk like a drunken sailor! I also believe my left leg is close to 1/2 an inch shorter so this may add to that. I am able to Shower, the hot water feels SO good, and do some meal prep, laundry and iron my hubby's work shirts.
Starting to feel a little house bound. Although our weather here is warmer than ususal this time of year, its not safe to be walking outside due to ice/snow build up. Starting some physio next week, partly to get out of the house. I still feel pretty weak, on iron as my Hgb had gone down to 69 (normal canadian labs 128-140). Need to get to the lab to have this repeated, however I know it has to be slowly increasing!
Curious as to what other hippies have found works best on their badges of honor...bio oil? Scar guard? Vitamin E? And the timing of using these products.
Have a Fantastic day everyone! Gail

 

[Matsan]

Puddle fish you ROCK! And I bet the instuctor and all those boys "eat your bubbles"! Gail

 

[dtmbf]

I have been using Vitamin E oil, 30,000 units twice a day on my incisions. I must say I am impressed with how they look. But tht may be more a function of how well I heal as I do not scar easily. So the Vitamin E oil may do nothing other than make me feel better for putting it on, but I am using it religiously & I do like the way the scars look. so I'm keeping at it!

 

[Matsan]

32 days post-op today. The first 3 1/2 weeks post-op were marked with improvement everyday, come the forth week I have noticed a slow down in accomplishments. Getting aches and pains when I try to up my exercises so I am going slow with them. Got to the pool today, now this felt good! Going to make this a daily outting if I can!
Still can't sleep on my sides, incisions are too tender, hope this gets better sooner rather than later. I see my OS in a week and half and am hoping to get the ok to drive! Greatful everyday for my painfree hips! Have a great week all! Gail

 

[bottomshollow]

Things do seem to slow down, but healing is still going on---and then one day down the road you do something and suddenly realize that it's the first time in a long time since you'd done it! The milestones in recovery can just sneak up on you---but they're still wonderful!

You are very wise to keep the new exercises in bounds and not allow yourself to overdo with them. And the pool is a good thing---but be careful---the weightlessness can allow you to do more than you should.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Matsan]

Thanks bottomshollow, your posts always have a kindness and sensibility to them.
Sincerely greatful for the support! Gail