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lilrif

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I just stumbled upon this useful board! I wish I would have two months ago, but better late than never right?
I am 34, had Legg-Calve Perthes disease as a kid. I had my right hip replaced 6 weeks ago. I was in the hospital 3 days, off pain meds within a week. The only thing that is getting me is my back, sleeping only on my back is a pain, literally. The doctor said it was because "things were going into place", as in my legs are the same length for the first time in 21 years.
They used a new titanium and poly cup, will find out more tomorrow at my 6 week check up.
The question I have is...Will I get range of motion? I was told by my Ortho that i would not be able to go past 90 degrees, however, will I be able to tie my shoes and the like?
I have read your amazing stories on here, and have been inspired, as I am young, well younger than most that have had this procedure.
Thank you for any feedback you may have, and if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask! I still feel this is the best decision i could have made!
 
Hi and Welcome

I had my right hip replaced about 4 months ago. I can't even tell now that I had anything done.
I know my doc told me I have excellent range of motion when I crouched down , he told me most hip replacement patients can not do that. It may be because I started swimming at 4 weeks and do a lot of the frog stroke.

At 6 weeks when he commented on my flip flops, I said there is no one in my family that will tie shoes for me. He told me at that point it was ok to tie shoes just as long as my leg was turning out, not in.

As far as sleeping, I did not like sleeping on my back either. The nurses in the hospital had helped me get on my side and put pillows behind me. I think at 6 weeks I was sleeping on my non operated side.

I am glad your recovery is going well and you are happy !!!
Welcome
Judy
 
Hi new member!
I too had a hip replacement just over 6 wks ago (Aug 26). I found that sometme after 4 wks I almost amazingly could sleep on my stomach and then on my operated side (still feels most comfortable with a pillow between my legs). I was so glad as I too found sleeping on my back almost impossible. A body pillow has also helped with the side sleeping.

Earlier this week I tied my shoe and put on my sock lifting my knee straight up (not the contorted way I had been doing it before my surgery). Very big deal for me.

I say all of this knowing that my Dr. told me that at 1 month my hip restrictions were lifted (I have a biomet metal on metal, so far the results seem nothing short of a miracle) . I have been easing into things depending on my comfort level.

Good luck. You certainly have age on your side!!! (I am 55 and have been considered "young" for this procedure.....)

Laurie
 
Welcome,
I'll add to your range of responses. This morning I was able to stand on one leg then the other whilst putting my pants on. The day after surgery I had more range of motion than the day before on my right side. Getting in and out of the tub, Shaving, putting my shoes and socks on and drying my toes are no longer an Olympic event, all back to normal. ;)
I am 3 weeks out from bi-lats. But I didn't have any restrictions, so I have been moving to my limits since the first day.
Once you have your restrictions lifted you will be amazed at how every day is a little better.
Oh try a little heat on your back in the morning, I find it works wonders.

Best wishes,
Donna
 
Hi lilrif,

I had my hiip replacement 8 months ago at 35. I dont know anyone who didnt have trouble sleeping on their back . I feel like i'm too stretched out. I still have trouble sleeping every now and then but I have found sleeping on my front the most comfortable and a little bit of light exercise when I cant sleep. I find I cant just sit still any more, if I dont have a small walk or a little exercise cleaning the hip gets restless. After 34 years of giving up on me half the time it wants to work now!!! Having the hip done was the best think ive ever done. I still get frightened of it popping out and wouldnt say its completely perfect but at least I have a life now. The only thing I cant get back too is swimming like I used too. Funnily enough My o/s says no frog leg kick. Its about the only thing he said is a definite no no for me. I wouldnt say my range of motion is brilliant but it doesnt get stuck like it used to. Although I dont push it too much. It was about 4 months before I would say I felt confident enough to lift my knee up without any support and without thinking about it. I would think you would definitely be able to tie your shoes. Before my op I was home after a night out at 11 absolutely aching and shattered and had to spend the following day in bed after having spent most of the night sat down. Two weeks ago I rolled in at 4am having been the last one to leave the dance floor so you should get better if all is well. The hardest thing has been to get used to recognising new signs when I have done too much

Take care of yourself and listen to your hip
 
Welcome to BoneSmart! and to answer your question - YES you will get your ROM back!
 
Hi, and Welcome!

As far as sleeping my back is concerned, I found it harder in the hospital than at home, but mainly because I was in a noisy ward with snorers and a couple of distressed patients who needed quite a bit of nursing attention – and my bed was too short!

Now (4.5 weeks after surgery) I wake up about 3-4 times a night, and I find it helps to move and change position a bit, either further up the bed, kind of half sitting up with an extra pillow behind me, or down in the bed a bit more, or even just moving my head from one side to the other. Also, I have a bit of sheepskin under my feet to reduce the pressure on the back of my heels. I find that lying on my (non-operated) side (with pillow) is not comfortable for more than 10 minutes or so. But when I wake up during the night I remind myself, that although my sleep is interrupted, it is still better than before the surgery when I woke up as often, but with my fists clenched from the pain in my hip!

Thanks Josephine – I had wondered about ROM, but I haven’t had much of a range for so long it wasn’t worrying me unduly. I’ll be happy just to be able to walk, swim and cycle reasonably well again, and I am Very happy to be pain free, the operation is worth it for that alone.

All the best, I hope you continue to progress well.
Monica
 
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