THR Now recovery

Manabo53

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Had thr on1/19/23, had spinal fusion surgery 9/19/22, it's like I cannot catch a break. I wasn't able to do much physical therapy with back because it affected my hip to where I couldn't walk. I have been in pain, and just hating that I have been unable to do anything for months and months. I look forward to just being and feeling normal. I am trying desperately to be positive and hoping this forum will help me
 
Aww, you have had a rough time of it. Sending a hug your way. :console2:

I'd like to welcome you to BoneSmart and thank you for joining us. I do believe you'll enjoy the encouragement you'll find here. I am sorry you had to endure these surgeries so close together and I can only imagine how exhausted you are due to pain and the inability to live your life. Brighter days are on the way and hopefully not too far away. Stop by often for advice and support, we'll be here. :SUNsmile:

I'll leave our Recovery Guidelines below. Please let us know which hip you had replaced for your signature. Thanks in advance!

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
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

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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.
 
@Manabo53, if it makes you feel better, you are not alone. I have had a 3 level lumbar spinal fusion and had my Left THR done in Dec 2022. I truly hope your road to recovery is easier than mine because mine has been very slow compared to the majority I have read on here. Feel free to ask me anything. I hope I can be of help.
 
I start outpatient physical therapy today and hoping recovery is fast I have been laid up too long, can't wait to do things I haven't been able to in so very long. I hope your recovery goes better for you.
 
I'd suggest reading the recovery guidelines, recovery is what it is and it usually isn't fast. You mention outpatient PT, I hope they don't try to make it fast for you it usually doesn't work out well.
 
Hi Manabo53,
Is the physical therapy mainly for your back?
I wish you all the best. Take it slow and steady, hopefully avoiding any setbacks stalling your recovery. Let us know how it goes.
A great week to you!
@Manabo53
 
Physical therapy is mainly for thr but they are incorporating pt for back as well since I had to stop physical therapy for back after back surgery because of my hip. Today was my first outpatient physical therapy, it felt great to be out, great to get this show on the road and back to a real life
 
Pt seems like they aren't going to push it, they stress the importance of resting, of knowing to stop if you are in pain. I've been through to much to rush this, I want to be back to feeling great but I will take my time getting there
 
It's been almost 3 weeks since my THR, I just can't find anything comfortable to sit in. I have been sitting on a dining room chair with arms but it's awful. My neck and shoulders hurt so bad and it's impossible to be comfortable. Any suggestions? I look so forward to sitting on a couch, rocker, anything that is if comfort.
 
Hello @Manabo53.
You'll notice that I have merged your two threads together as it's best if members in recovery only have one thread. We find it much easier for everyone.
This is because:
  • That way, you have all your information in one place. This makes it easier for others to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you start new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
  • Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread. We won't miss your new question as, between us, the staff read all new posts each day.
If you need an urgent response to a question, tag a member of staff.
Tagging other members and answering tags

If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.

Here are the instructions for finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts?

A helpful hint - Many members have found it useful to bookmark their thread so they don't lose it.
 
I am sorry you're struggling with discomfort due to firm seating that is uncomfortable. I think you need to wait until you're six to eight weeks post op before attempting a sofa, rocker or softer upholstered chair.

You need to avoid low chairs, chairs on wheels, deep chairs, too soft chairs that you sink into and chairs without arms. Are you able to use bed pillows on the arms of the chair for more comfort while you're sitting in it, and a flatter soft bed pillow placed behind your back for more comfort?
@Manabo53
 
I feel your pain about not having a comfortable chair. I was recliner shopping on a walker as I needed to get comfortable.
As far as what PT said about stopping if you're in pain unfortunately that's not how THR recovery works for most of us. The pain doesn't come until the next day usually as we do things that don't hurt but exceed what we should be doing. If you make it to pain while you're doing something strap in because it's going to be a rough ride!
 
Oh I know the pain after pt, it's some if the muscle exercises that at the time of attempting them the pain was horrible do she tried a less strenuous exercise. I had spinal surgery a few months ago, now hip replacement so my muscles are in bad shape but pain I know we'll. But yes, the pain the day after pt is actually tolerable because I feel accomplishment
 
@Manabo53, I still find it very difficult to get comfortable in a chair and I’m at 8 weeks. I think you’ll find your back is protesting a lot, as well. There are days I’m well aware of the fact I’m sitting on my implant and was told that’s completely normal. I’m getting a little better each week as to how long I can sit for. I’ve built up my seat on our lounge by placing a pillow and a carefully folded blanket underneath me. Is it truly comfortable? No, but it is tolerable. Remember you have a double whammy in dealing not just with a THR. That means you might be a little behind the curve when it comes to being able to sit.
 
Honestly most of my pain sitting is in neck and shoulders from sitting straight in an uncomfortable chair but back and hip are fine. I'm just very stiff from all the can't do's but the horrible pain I had previous to my surgeries is gone, now to loosen up my muscles etc and get rid of the surgery pain itself will be a blessing and I think in no time I will be and feel like a whole new person
 
the pain the day after pt is actually tolerable because I feel accomplishment
That's dangerous to think that way after THR. Sorry the no pain no gain theory doesn't work well with THR recovery. The thing that's hard to grasp is how badly our muscles are damaged from being dislocated. We all think the trauma is the work done to the bones when it's the dislocation that strains everything.
 
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Exactly. No pain no gain is not the way to think. They are working with my muscles that have been basically abused and unused. I actually had first outpatient physical therapy yesterday and did not hurt a lot today but if my body says owe, that really hurts then I stop and we try a different approach, at least this is what I have learned.
 
Hello and Happy One Month Anniversary!
Keep this in mind -
It is not necessary to exercise your injured hip to promote healing. The controlled trauma sustained through THR will heal on its own. Often though, we're impatient and want to move the process along. In doing so we run the risk of struggling with pain and setbacks stalling the healing process. The best therapy for recovery is walking, but not to excess. Start slowly increasing time and distance incrementally in an effort not to overdo it. Give yourself the TLC you deserve and reap the benefits of a successful recovery.
A great week to you!
@Manabo53
 
My new hip, (beginning of week four for me) seems to be doing well. Some pain but as long as I keep up the painkillers totally OK.
in the last few days my back pain has started up, I have had problems with it for about 50 years. Not exaggerating.
Usually getting fitter sees it on its way. I hope it will ease as I become more active.
I have taken to lying flat on my very solid Chesterfield sofa.
Sitting seems problematical at present.
 
Finding a comfortable sitting spot/position is very difficult early days. It's part of the recovery.
I have big rattan chairs in dining area with comfortable cushions and arms, I added big pillow to back of chair to get comfortable. Also put time limit on sitting in same spot for too long, found laying down or being up those beginning days was best position for me.
 

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