Shine533
junior member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2018
- Messages
- 49
- Age
- 66
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday!
I had my first left hip replacement (posterior approach) on 18 December and wanted to take a moment to update my experience.
Going in I had real concerns on how mobile I would be, how dependent on others, the level of pain. I have been very pleasantly surprised! Of course, everyone's experience is different but I wanted to post on how it went for me to maybe calm others who are facing the surgery.
I was a bit worried about having the posterior approach rather than the anterior. Don't be. As so many have said here, it's not the approach, it's the surgeon's skill and experience.
Spinal: No big deal. They numbed me a bit beforehand and I hardly felt the needle. After that I remember nothing and woke up in recovery under a pile of warm blankets. (If you are worried about waking up during the surgery, don't. You'll be in good hands; they have this thing down to a system!)
The actual surgery took just over an hour and I was up and walking the length of my room using the walker about 4 hours later. No low BP or nausea, nurse had the bag ready just in case, but I was very careful and deliberate taking those steps. Also used the bathroom about that time without aid.
Time in hospital: Everyone was very nice but you do get interrupted frequently at night to check vitals, take blood, give meds, etc. Be prepared to give your name and date of birth date about a hundred times. Don't expect to get much sleep! Bringing your own nightshirt gives you more modesty than the gown and a comforting sense of wearing something familiar.
PT while in hospital: Wear shorts and a tee shirt (mine was coed). Did some walking on the walker and shown some simple exercises like tightening the thigh muscle on the op leg.
Released with the usual restrictions (don't bend over, cross ankles, etc.) and weight-bearing as tolerated.
At home I did fine on the stairs, one of my biggest concerns. In fact, because I was used to going up/down one foot at a time and then bringing the other foot up/down, it was actually easier after the surgery than before.
Showering by myself, another concern, also went well (but how I miss my bubble baths!).
My biggest issue the first three days at home was a terrible sinus-type headache in the mornings. Maybe a lingering affect of the spinal. It went away and I haven't been bothered by it since. Also had a bit of nausea the first few mornings, but that went away as well.
Now just over a week out I am mostly using the cane and sometimes walking with nothing at all, only because I feel very sturdy on my feet. I don't advise anyone else tries it this early! I haven't experienced much pain except tightness at the surgery site (but still on pain meds: oxy 2x/day, Celebrex 2x/day, Tizanidine 1x/day). I do rest a great deal every day but haven't had the energy drain hit.
I find I can lean down adequately if I use the golfer's reach, keeping the op leg extended straight out behind me.
Now, a few caveats/tips:
Please don't compare my experience with your own, everyone is different! I share it only to say things may not be (and probably won't be) as bad as you may be thinking. It's true that the worst part are the days leading up to the surgery. Try and relax knowing you will be in the hands of a seasoned team who does this on a regular basis.
Do your homework beforehand so you have an idea what to expect. This site is invaluable. Set up your house and freeze a few meals. Line up some help when you first come home. All of this will help you feel more in control and ready.
Get your aids ready: I have a grabber, walker, cane, and of course, ice packs. Designate a big comfy chair (I use a recliner) and keep diversions handy: books, water, blanket, phone/charger, CD player, etc. (The cat on the lap was a favorite aid!)
Keep your walking and other movements slow and deliberate. Make sure you don't trip. Cconsciously lift your feet and walk heel-to-toe.
Most of all, trust in your surgeon. I attribute my recovery so far to his skill. Dr. Ranjan Maitra of Orthro Carolina, in Charlotte, NC.
You will be amazed because all of the energy-sapping arthritis pain will be gone!
Wishing all of my fellow hip travelers a wonderful, healthy New Year!
I had my first left hip replacement (posterior approach) on 18 December and wanted to take a moment to update my experience.
Going in I had real concerns on how mobile I would be, how dependent on others, the level of pain. I have been very pleasantly surprised! Of course, everyone's experience is different but I wanted to post on how it went for me to maybe calm others who are facing the surgery.
I was a bit worried about having the posterior approach rather than the anterior. Don't be. As so many have said here, it's not the approach, it's the surgeon's skill and experience.
Spinal: No big deal. They numbed me a bit beforehand and I hardly felt the needle. After that I remember nothing and woke up in recovery under a pile of warm blankets. (If you are worried about waking up during the surgery, don't. You'll be in good hands; they have this thing down to a system!)
The actual surgery took just over an hour and I was up and walking the length of my room using the walker about 4 hours later. No low BP or nausea, nurse had the bag ready just in case, but I was very careful and deliberate taking those steps. Also used the bathroom about that time without aid.
Time in hospital: Everyone was very nice but you do get interrupted frequently at night to check vitals, take blood, give meds, etc. Be prepared to give your name and date of birth date about a hundred times. Don't expect to get much sleep! Bringing your own nightshirt gives you more modesty than the gown and a comforting sense of wearing something familiar.
PT while in hospital: Wear shorts and a tee shirt (mine was coed). Did some walking on the walker and shown some simple exercises like tightening the thigh muscle on the op leg.
Released with the usual restrictions (don't bend over, cross ankles, etc.) and weight-bearing as tolerated.
At home I did fine on the stairs, one of my biggest concerns. In fact, because I was used to going up/down one foot at a time and then bringing the other foot up/down, it was actually easier after the surgery than before.
Showering by myself, another concern, also went well (but how I miss my bubble baths!).
My biggest issue the first three days at home was a terrible sinus-type headache in the mornings. Maybe a lingering affect of the spinal. It went away and I haven't been bothered by it since. Also had a bit of nausea the first few mornings, but that went away as well.
Now just over a week out I am mostly using the cane and sometimes walking with nothing at all, only because I feel very sturdy on my feet. I don't advise anyone else tries it this early! I haven't experienced much pain except tightness at the surgery site (but still on pain meds: oxy 2x/day, Celebrex 2x/day, Tizanidine 1x/day). I do rest a great deal every day but haven't had the energy drain hit.
I find I can lean down adequately if I use the golfer's reach, keeping the op leg extended straight out behind me.
Now, a few caveats/tips:
Please don't compare my experience with your own, everyone is different! I share it only to say things may not be (and probably won't be) as bad as you may be thinking. It's true that the worst part are the days leading up to the surgery. Try and relax knowing you will be in the hands of a seasoned team who does this on a regular basis.
Do your homework beforehand so you have an idea what to expect. This site is invaluable. Set up your house and freeze a few meals. Line up some help when you first come home. All of this will help you feel more in control and ready.
Get your aids ready: I have a grabber, walker, cane, and of course, ice packs. Designate a big comfy chair (I use a recliner) and keep diversions handy: books, water, blanket, phone/charger, CD player, etc. (The cat on the lap was a favorite aid!)
Keep your walking and other movements slow and deliberate. Make sure you don't trip. Cconsciously lift your feet and walk heel-to-toe.
Most of all, trust in your surgeon. I attribute my recovery so far to his skill. Dr. Ranjan Maitra of Orthro Carolina, in Charlotte, NC.
You will be amazed because all of the energy-sapping arthritis pain will be gone!
Wishing all of my fellow hip travelers a wonderful, healthy New Year!