THR Now in Post-Op

[Peshay]

Had my scheduled 6 March left anterior yestery, Doctor tells me all went well and that I had strong bones. He showed me a post op X-ray of my new hip, looks amazing.
Pain has been non existent thanks I suspect to Morphine Epidural. Only negatives were post op yesterday blood pressure was very low, I developed quite bad nausea (not sure if it was a reaction to the Morphine or the Ephedrine shot they gave me for low blood pressure) and I’ve developed blisters adjacent to the surgical incision dressing.
Nausea seems to have settled down thank goodness.
Doctors believe the blisters are probably a bad reaction to the surgical dressing tape that formed a larger area around the actual incision. Has anyone experienced or heard of a similar experience? They tell me it’s nothing to worry about. My Mum says the same thing has happened to her.
Physio is planning on having me up walking on a walk frame later today. Hope that happens, can’t wait to test the new hip.
Very happy to be on the other side.
Will keep my post op progress updated

 

[Layla]

Hello and to recovery, Peshay! It sounds like you’re doing okay after a bit of a rough start with the low BP.

Regarding the blisters, yes, many have experienced the same and it is normally associated with the tape. Don’t worry, just follow your surgeon’s instruction on how to care for the wound and surrounding area after you’re discharged.

I will leave our Recovery Guidelines and hope you’ll stop back often to share updates as you’re healing. We’ll be here. Wishing you lots of comfort.

HIP RECOVERY GUIDELINES

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

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​

The recovery articles
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.

 

[Peshay]

Thanks again Layla, very reassuring to know the blisters can be par for the course. Nurse has just replaced the dressing.

Blood pressure has recovered well, upto 119 at last reading, was down to low 80’s yesterday. They don’t seem as interested in my diastolic?

Just got back from my first weight assisted walk. Felt better than I thought it would. Was great to get out of the hospital bed. Going to take it one day at a time.

 

[Jaycey]

@Peshay Slow and steady - don't feel rushed to do anything. You are on your way!

 

[Caison113]

Nice @Peshay! Glad to see you on the other side. Just a reminder your hip hardware is fine; your muscles around it are not. Even with anterior, you underwent some trauma so it will get a little worse before it gets better, but I bet in a week to 10 days, you are feeling loads better. Depressed BP is totally normal due to the drugs they give you. Be safe and enjoy the new hip!

 

[Eman85]

I had a rash from the tape they used on my incision. It didn't start right away but about a week in it was driving me crazy itching. OS told me to use hydrocortisone cream which I did and it cleared up and stopped itching. Ask your OS before using anything.

 

[Peshay]

Thank you guys and gals for the support it’s greatly appreciated. Now two days post op and feeling good. So happy I haven’t suffered with any pain, assumed it was going to involve terrible pain. Taking nothing more than panadol every 6 hours. Feeling very confident on my weight supported walker today. Not so sure about the transition to crutches but will take one day at a time.

 

[Bambi28]

Good luck @Peshay! I go in for my op in 2 days. Will be following your journey

 

[Peshay]

Thanks Bambi28, best of luck with your surgery see you on the right side of surgery.

 

[Peshay]

Just wanted to update my progress at day 4, post surgery day anterior LTHR,

What the doctors calling Fracture Blisters are still causing minor (I hope) problems in that they’re constantly weeping, requiring the very at least two times a day changing of dressing. Luckily not causing any pain or discomfort. But they are stopping me from getting in the pool this afternoon for PT which I’m a bit disappointed about.

On land physio sessions are going well, believe they’re definitely helping my progress. Have today moved to crutches which at this stage I’m a little ambivalent about but am sure I’ll get used to them.

Only other issue is a lot of swelling in upper operated leg? Have an ultrasound later today to hopefully confirm there isn’t a blood clot.

Will continue to update.

 

[Jaycey]

@Peshay Please do not get into any pool until your surgical wound is totally healed. There is a real danger of infection. In fact, it would be better to get your surgeon's approval on this. Do you have a follow up appointment scheduled?

 

[Mojo333]

@Peshay
I'm sorry about these early hiccups and I hope they rule out the blood clot.
Please let us know.

 

[Peshay]

@Peshay Please do not get into any pool until your surgical wound is totally healed. There is a real danger of infection. In fact, it would be better to get your surgeon's approval on this. Do you have a follow up appointment scheduled?

Thanks for your input Jaycey, surgeon and hospital rehab Doctor have both confirmed I shouldn’t be doing any pool rehab. So both my daily rehab sessions are done under physio supervision. They’re definitely helping and am enjoying them.

 

[Peshay]

@Peshay
I'm sorry about these early hiccups and I hope they rule out the blood clot.
Please let us know.

Thanks Mojo, ultrasound has thankfully ruled out a blood clot. Swelling has moved over last few days from Upper leg to calf and today foot. Hopefully swelling will be all but gone in another week.

 

[Peshay]

1 week post surgery and feeling very good, have today moved to one crutch and feel comfortable walking even without it. Walked about 300m around the grounds of the hospital. Felt great. Only inconvenience at the moment is the “fracture blisters” are still healing and require daily dressing. Hopefully in about 5 days they might have mainly healed. Can’t wait to see continued progress in pursuing weeks.

 

[Mojo333]

Good to see you are feeling positive and you sound to be doing very well.

This recovery business tends to have alot of ebb and flow, so slow and steady is definitely your best path.
Hope your Monday is sweet.

 

[Peshay]

Blisters have healed enough that Doctor is happy to go ahead with the other hip - RHTR. So ten days after LHTR I’m going in again to finish the job.

Hopefully this one goes as smoothly as the previous one without the post anaesthesia nausea and the annoying fracture blisters,

I’m hoping the fact that the physio has been working my non operated leg as much as my operated means the supporting muscles will be primed post surgery.

 

[CricketHip]

Wow! I wish you the best in your second surgery, coming so soon after the 1st. I understand wanting to get it done. it sounds like both of your hips were very painful. If I am doing the math correctly, you right hip surgery is on March 16? After you confirm this, we will have it added to your signature.

So glad to hear that the blisters have healed, I've never heard of "fracture blisters."

Wishing you continued good healing with lefty!!

 

[Peshay]

Wow! I wish you the best in your second surgery, coming so soon after the 1st. I understand wanting to get it done. it sounds like both of your hips were very painful. If I am doing the math correctly, you right hip surgery is on March 16? After you confirm this, we will have it added to your signature.

So glad to hear that the blisters have healed, I've never heard of "fracture blisters."

Wishing you continued good healing with lefty!!

Thanks CricketHip, yes right hip surgery March 16. Down here in Australia were almost a day or so ahead of most.

So I’m currently about 20 hours post surgery, all went well, though whereas left hip needed no pain meds, currently right hip does.

On the bright side looks as though I’ve dodged blisters this time. Hopefully swelling this time will be reduced-just finished icing.

Feeling very happy I’ve now got both hips done, looking to get back to a more normal life after pursuing Months of rehab and recovery.

 

[CricketHip]

Hey congratulations! Another new hip and no fracture blisters. You know what? My right hip was more painful than my left, too. But before you start fretting about it like I did, it healed up just fine.
One of our moderators will add the date to your signature.
Let the full healing begin!