THR Ocean’s recovery story.

[Boofit]

I was really tired after being out even though I didn’t do anything so I slept when I got home

Hi @Ocean I felt exactly like that in my earlier days, just feeling tired but not doing anything much. I felt it was so good to just lie there icing with my leg elevatedso spent a lot of time just doing that...

Glad to hear you feel your hip is strong, I am only starting to feel this since a few days ago and I had my THR more than 5 weeks ahead of you! Just goes to show we all recover differently!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Ocean,
Some days I could go on forever and other days, (like last night after dinner), I was whipped. In bed by 8:30 pm and slept like a baby.
I'd just keep doing what you've been doing, sounds like you are able to get around pretty good.
PT in 2 weeks will give you time to do your walking and puttering.
Stay well.

 

[Mojo333]

Good Thursday @ Ocean
Thought I'd share my favorite recovery chart with you.

At 3 weeks out, I believe I was at the big left hand squiggle which is going a bit sideways, but yet it still going up.

 

[Layla]

I was really tired after being out even though I didn’t do anything so I slept when I got home.

This is normal. You certainly are not alone in experiencing this.
Our body's energy supply isn't limitless. So when we're in healing mode after major surgery
our energy will be used for healing first, not leaving a great reserve for all the other activity of daily life. It is completely normal to feel tired for quite some time. How long....most likely relates to your body's rate of healing. Making our best effort to get adequate sleep and rest is beneficial.
Our body does the best healing while we're sleeping. So snooze away and when you're not sleeping, have a lovely day!

 

[Ocean]

Well , it’s three weeks today and it’s going well, I think.

I spend my days resting etc., walking, reading and eating. I am cooking and washing up some meals but I’m still leaving the housework to my husband which in reality means not much housework is getting done but I’m ignoring it.

I go outside to walk using one crutch, still limping so trying to concentrate on heel to toe walking like recommended on here. I limped so badly for so long before surgery so I’m not surprised that it’s taking a while to resolve. My non operated leg still hurts from walking funny but is getting easier, and I know that I will have to have that hip replaced at some point.

I can walk unaided in the house but use walls and furniture to steady me if needed.

I’m only taking paracetamol as necessary, which isn’t very often at the moment, but will take more if needed.

I’m glad that I had the operation.

 

[Mojo333]

You sound as if you are doing really well @Ocean
I had to be very mindful about my gait also... I was deemed a "toe-walker" by my OS, likely developing the habit to keep the weight off of my sore back and hips.
Hope you have a good week... lots of improvements to come.

 

[Ocean]

Well, it’s four weeks today and my new hip feels good. I’m doing lots around the house and I go outside for short walks a couple of times a day.

I could do longer walks if it was only up to my operated hip but the non operated side is getting more painful, especially at the side and under the buttock so it’s holding me back. I had this pain in that leg before my op and I’m still limping so maybe it’ll get better in time. I’m a bit worried about it though and my operated leg feels a bit longer than the non operated one which I know can settle.

I’ve decided to do what walking I can do when I can do it rather than worrying about how far and how long.

I see my surgeon on the 16th and will see what he says.

I’ve got physio on Wednesday too.

 

[Mojo333]

@Ocean
I certainly was still dealing with limping, and plenty of aches and pains at 4 weeks postop.

I'm sorry righty is making it tougher on you... perhaps some heat on those muscles on right side would help?

Would love to hear your update after your follow-up.

I’ve decided to do what walking I can do when I can do it rather than worrying about how far and how long.

Smart lady...
I reviewed my recovery thread at one month and I certainly overdid the walking and paid the price.
Slow and steady is definitely the fastest way.
Hope your Monday is marvelous!

 

[Layla]

I’m a bit worried about it though and my operated leg feels a bit longer than the non operated one which I know can settle.

As far as Leg Length Differential goes, you're not alone, many feel this sensation post op. In most cases it eases with time. We advise giving it 3-4 months as it can take that amount of time for things to balance. If at that point, you are still concerned we suggest you visit a reputable podiatrist or PT for a measurement.
Here's an article from our Library Leg length differential - LLD.

I hope you have a good appointment with your OS next week. Best wishes for Physio on Wednesday too.
Thanks for the update, enjoy the week!

 

[Boofit]

the non operated side is getting more painful, especially at the side and under the buttock so it’s holding me back. I had this pain in that leg before my op....... maybe it’ll get better in time. I’m a bit worried about it though and my operated leg feels a bit longer than the non operated one which I know can settle.

Hello @Ocean

I share your experience. Xrays of my right (unoperated) hip also show moderate OA, so I think sooner or later I will need THR on that hip as well.
The pain seems to be mirroring what my left hip went through over the last few years before the surgery -- "some good days, some bad days", until it progressed to "few good days, lotsa bad days" and eventually to "all bad days" before the THR.
For my un-operated hip, it is now in the "some good days, some bad days" stage.

A few weeks ago, I was experiencing pain in the right hip when I walked (using a crutch).
These two weeks (touch wood), the pain in the right hip has subsided, so I am cutting down on my painkillers and walking for longer distances.

Hope the pain in your non operated side goes away soon and you continue to have a great recovery with your operated one!

 

[Ocean]

I had my physio appointment yesterday and it was good. Mainly just talking and asked me to lay on the bed and raise my leg in the air which surprised me that I could do. I mentioned the pain on the outside of my non operated leg and he said it’s still compensating for the operated leg, then he said about piriformis muscle and getting a tennis ball to massage it and stretch it. He briefly mentioned leg length difference before dismissing it.

I’ve got a new handout with a few more exercises which involve ankle weights and a squeeze ball between my knees. I haven’t got either of those so will have to either send for them or improvise/not do those exercises.

I drove the car on Monday, it’s a manual transmission and managed ok but I only went a short distance to my Mum’s house. It’s a milestone achieved though isn’t it?!

Another milestone is that I went up and down the stairs yesterday properly, one foot after the other.



@Boofit, I’m glad that the pain from your right hip has settled down, I hope mine does because although I know that I’ll have to have it replaced at some point , I’m in no hurry. Saying that some days I think I should just get it over with!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Ocean,
Happy one month anniversary!
Celebrate each milestone, you earned it.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Ocean
Driving like a grown up well done It does feel good to get a bit of independence back!

This really is the boooring stage of recovery
I was assigned some of the exercises with ankle weights and found that doing them without the weights, slowly and mindfully to be helpful and not too hard on still healing soft tissue.
Hope today is a good Day!

 

[CricketHip]

Another milestone is that I went up and down the stairs yesterday properly, one foot after the other.

I wonder, were you smiling broadly afterwards? I know I was! Some days I still needed to revert back to taking one step before moving on, but after the hip begins to strengthen it feels so normal again.
Another good sign of progress.
I agree with Mojo that exercises without the weights was much more comfortable at your stage currently.
So don't worry if you find it better without.

You are doing very well! Slow and steady does win the THR race, congratulations!

 

[Layla]

Congrats on getting back behind the wheel, it is a good feeling and great milestone!
Navigating steps as an adult as opposed to a toddler is another boost along the way.
Wishing you many more little surprises and a very Happy One Month Anniversary! I hope you're having a great day.
@Ocean

 

[djklaugh]

@Ocean About those weights ... when I had to do that I used 1 lb bags of uncooked rice and slipped the bag into my socks. Worked quite well Congratulations on the other milestones! Driving, stairs, leveling up on PT exercises!!

 

[Ocean]

I went for my follow up appointment with my surgeon today. Everything is good, he said that it was one of the worst hips he had done in a long time and had collapsed. I asked him what my new hip was made of, Titanium, ceramic and a polyethylene liner. Uncemented.

I mentioned my non operated leg and he said that between my X-ray in April and the X-ray on the day I left hospital my right hip had deteriorated significantly. I can feel that this is the case and that it is holding me back. I am having my right hip replaced on October 10th. Happy and nervous.

 

[Jaycey]

@Ocean So glad your appointment went well. And well done for getting the other hip scheduled. You will be so happy when you join the double hippie club. No more hip pain!

 

[wander03]

@Ocean I'm glad you have scheduled your second hip replacement. My right hip joint had collapsed, the one I had done first. I think it's great that you're having the second one done before it get to that point .

 

[Ocean]

Thank you @wander03, I was thinking of waiting until after Christmas but my consultant said that he could fit me in in October and he strongly recommended that I don’t wait because it is in a bad way and will compromise the result from the already operated hip. I’m happy with the decision now.

I went to physiotherapy on FrIday and told him about my next op. He showed me my X-rays from April and the day I left hospital in July in more detail and he said that my hip is in a very bad way and it’s a good decision to have it done as it has deteriorated significantly between the two X-rays.

I’m having a lot of pain and discomfort just below my knee on the operated side, it coincides with a bruise that I still have post op. The physio said that it’s because I’m still limping because of the non operated leg and won’t go away until that one is replaced (boo). This pain only started this week, I’m using ibuprofen gel and taking paracetamol.