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Newbie to the board, THR planned for August 4

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@muckingabout I found walking up and down stairs no problem at all once I came home. I was shown how to do it at the hospital and It really was easy and without pain ...you will be surprised! The worst is keep dropping things that you can't pick up ...a grabber is essential as everything drops to the floor . Take care x


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lee0605 said:
You really do need a lot of support for the first month because if you don't have it you end up doing to much or not resting enough or paying attention to the rules or managing your pain well.
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@lee0605 Please remember everyone reacts differently to recovery. I had no help the first weeks and was just fine. Just put the things that you use with reach. If you have someone call in once in awhile to check on you or drop off groceries - all the better.

I was also climbing stairs from day one at home - a full flight. They will teach you everything you need to know about getting around on your own before you leave hospital. And they won't discharge you until you can be independent.

Tip - get 2 grabbers. One to pick up the one you dropped! Can't tell you how many times that happened!
 
Here are things I am worried about.


1. I currently have so many different kinds of pain that I worry it could be from something entirely separate that is undiagnosed and the surgery won't actually relieve the pain. Current pain includes (not all at the same time):


· Actual hip pain, ranging from stiffness to clicking to burning.

· Groin pain

· Pain in the upper inner thigh in the back (this is new)

· Pain in the back, which I can tell is the hip joint area (new)

· Pain in the thigh that feels like a charlie horse (2-3 months old)

· Knee pain

· (here's the weird one) pain above my ankle, outside of leg that can only be relieved by counterpressure from the heel of the opposite leg.


2. I worry a lot about DVT, even though they take a lot of counter-measures because I have had it before -- in the surgical leg. I am particularly concerned because my doctor's protocol is to use an epidural as well as general, which they leave in and I will likely not be walking until day two after surgery.
 
@muckingabout

I think you should really listen to @Jaycey who has much more experience and met many more people who have undergone this type of surgery.

I know that the one thing you have to think about is safety. And also, like @Jaycey says, she was climbing staira right away where I couldn't have done that. Different people. Different bodies. Different places BEFORE surgery. There are many variables. The one thing I feel badly for is that you are worried about so many things that haven't happened. And while worrying is natural (of course!!), in a way you are anxious about things that are not there. So it's like worrying about them twice.

I know this will sound trite but it really works for me. Get one of those silly yoga/meditation tapes you see at the endcaps at the big stores like target/walmart/kmart/whereever....and play them softly. They kind of put my mood in a more relaxed place. The worry is still there but the sounds are soothing.

And like I said before, you were SMART EMOUGH TO COME TO THIS SITE SO THAT PUTS YOU MILES AHEAD OF THE POOR SOUL WHO DIDN'T!

I know you will worry but look around this site and notice how different everyone's experience has been.

And when I awoke after surgery that one deep, burning, never-goes-away, makes-your-leg-so-weak pain was gone. The post operative pain was there but thats where you have to jump in any follow the advice of your OS and PT.

I can't say enough how smart enough you are to be right here at BoneSmart
 
@muckingabout

I wish I could have done yoga. I waited to long and I personally regret it. But I thought all I would need was a cortisol shot. When my OS said "hip replacement" and I saw the X-ray I didn't even remember anything he said! Not even his name :heehee:
 
Great to read all these positive stories! I am a dance/exercise teacher ... and actually changed careers after my first hip replacement 7 years ago. Now I need the other one done, but I've been told it's going to go much more quickly this time because of Exparel (long-acting anesthetic in the wound after surgery) and no opioids. Has anyone had this?
 
@muckingabout, good that you found these forums before your surgery. I was so desperate after for accurate info, on Day 3 is when I got the Internet. Feel free to read my story, Rough Hospital Stay, for a less than positive view.

My key considerations for you:

Understand beforehand what the medication schedule is when you get out of surgery, and if it is "on request only" then make it clear you want to be on a four hour schedule in the hospital .

Toes above nose when you elevate.

If they give you a TED, wear it. If not, get the compression socks that fit over the heel. Helps immeasurably with the swelling.

If they put you on Percocet, get the non stimulant stool softener which is OTC, so you can buy before your surgery.

Get crackers for nausea and when you don't want to eat, but have to.

Oh, and did I mention,stay ahead do the pain by staying on a schedule for first two weeks. Don't try to be brave,

Good luck.
 
Hi @muckingabout, I too was able to move up and down stairs on day 2 post surgery. I took my time and followed the advice given by the PT. It is difficult to know whether to attribute the pain you have solely to the hip or not. In my case I had a lot of pain in my feet for years I had tests, X rays ect but the issue with my hips was not picked up. The pain in my right foot has eased almost totally but if I move about it comes back to me left. I can only imagine some of the pain may be wear and tear and some due to the hip or referred pain. Hopefully in your case those odd pains will disappear.

As for risk of DVT I am sure that given your history you will be monitored extra carefully. No one would take any unnecessary risks or take any chances.
 
Hi @muckingabout , I am currently waiting for THR number 2. Do I have the same pains?
muckingabout said:
Current pain includes (not all at the same time):
· Actual hip pain, ranging from stiffness to clicking to burning. Yes
· Groin pain Yes
· Pain in the upper inner thigh in the back (this is new) Yes
· Pain in the back, which I can tell is the hip joint area (new) Yes
· Pain in the thigh that feels like a charlie horse (2-3 months old) Yes
· Knee pain Yes
· pain above my ankle, outside of leg that can only be relieved by counterpressure from the heel of the opposite leg. Yes
Click to expand...

I'll add to the list
  • pain when sitting for any length of time
  • pain when trying to get up from sitting for any length of time
  • pain when standing for any length of time
Our hips are shot! We are walking all wrong trying to avoid putting pressure on that sore hip. What I can confirm is that post-op all this will be GONE!

I was also confined to bed overnight after my THR. I had a spinal and my surgery was in the afternoon. No feeling in my legs for several hours post op so they waited until the next morning to get me up and moving. No problem at all. I was doing laps around the ward the day after and left the hospital on crutches AM day 3.
 
Hi @muckingabout, I can't see on my phone app where you are! I'm from Dublin originally but now live in the Midwest. ... as usual the weather is the main topic of conversation raining one minute warm and sunny the next. . A nightmare for drying clothes!
Again I agree with @Jaycey for pain when sitting ect. .. I still have to have left hip done so I continue to have that pain. I have found the cushion I use post op has been a life saver or in my case bum saver (I had severe coccyx pain). I'll be hanging on to it for a while!

After the op..once I had an x ray the next day I was moving about and going to the bathroom ect. I was nervous but the PT team and nurses were great. I had my op Tues pm and was discharged Fri am on crutches once they knew my blood count had started to pick up. I had to have a bone graft too to build up the acetablum but that didn't hinder my recovery or discharge plan.
 
I'm in Buffalo NY @NoraJ

Yes, when I went to my pre-op testing and my hip class, I had to say, "excuse me, I have to get up and stand for a while." In both of them.

@Jaycey I'm glad it's not just me. I would not be a happy camper if I had five different things wrong with me that each needed to be addressed.
 
Worry not! It's all pre-op pain and there is an end to it. Not long now!
 
So, here's what I've been thinking. I've been pretty frustrated because I would like to run around getting things done in the 11 days I have left before surgery, but my condition has deteriorated to the point where it's difficult to get as much done as I would like.


I realized that it reminded me of when I had my children (bear with me here).


1. You can't get much done the last month or so of pregnancy because you're big and uncomfortable.

2. Your fear of giving birth diminishes as your due date approaches because you just want to get it over with.

3. You know there is going to be pain, but it can be managed and won't last forever.

4. It may take a few weeks or months until you are 100% yourself, but the results will be worth it.
 
[Bonesmart.org] Newbie to the board, THR planned for August 4
@muckingabout, I think you have the right mind frame here so close to surgery. So just relax and roll with the flow---I hate to mention it, but all those things you just can't mange to get to right now----they'll still be there waiting for you when you do feel up to them. I suspect that most of them are not really as important in reality as they are in your mind.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.
 
Hi @muckingabout, I have family myself in NY mostly on LI... I've been over several times over the years but never made it upstate.

In relation to preparing you can only do what you can do but make sure you have what you need for hospital together so there is no panic. It was one of the few times i made lists and managed to be the most organised i could be. I was finishing up work too so i had set my deadline for the Friday before the op to finish work entirely. After that i just had to sort my house and pack... i paced myself...ish. I was a bit wreaked by the time I got to hospital but being busy kept me focused! Be open to whatever support is on offer and accept it if it helps... good luck!
 
So, should I practice sleeping on my back or just enjoy my last few days of side sleeping?
 
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