THR one week post-op, 39 years old

@ravenina fingers crossed that you get good news tomorrow at your doctor visit. :fingersx: :praying: Please let us know the outcome.
:xmas-wave-smiley-emoticon:
 
I’m booked for emergency surgery tomorrow afternoon. The femoral head is too big and my surgeon is going to replace it with a slightly smaller size. It’s my surgeon’s first experience with this kind of thing, he’s read research and case studies about it. He put a larger head in for greater range of motion due to my young age.

I’ll be admitted overnight and probably sent home on Friday. I’m told I’ll only need one crutch and will be pretty mobile and won’t need anyone at home to help me (a relief as I live alone and most people I know are away for the holidays or sick due to the triple threat of RSV, COVID, and the flu).

Not looking forward to being under the knife again. But I am optimistic. Optimistic enough I’m still hosting Christmas dinner, though I’ve made my guests aware I’ll need help with things.

I’ll let you all know how it goes!!
 
Hi @ravenina I hope you are confident in your surgeon and have great trust in him if this is the same OS that did your first surgery. Were you not interested in a second opinion? I don't like to be a Debbie Downer at the eleventh hour, but I am concerned.
I wish you only the best. Please stay in touch.
 
@ravenina you said: The femoral head is too big and my surgeon is going to replace it with a slightly smaller size. It’s my surgeon’s first experience with this kind of thing, he’s read research and case studies about it.

You should not let the same surgeon touch your knee. You say that he doesn't have a lot of experience with this type of thing. A doctor can not learn these techniques by reading about them. He/she needs hands-on experience. Well, here is where you need a revisionist. He/she is an OS that has much experience with fixing what other doctors mess up. Your current doctor messed up and you should run from him.

The brand or types of implants aren't that important for the success of a joint replacement. What is the #1 most important thing, is the skill of the surgeon. Please find another OS, preferably a revision specialist. It is YOUR knee and you will have to live with it for the rest of your life! :friends:
 
Thank you all for your thoughts.

The femoral head was broken. No idea how it happened. Yes, I trust my surgeon and I didn’t have the luxury of a second opinion anyway, as there were particles and gray liquid around the joint and YES another surgery was necessary to prevent further damage. I am impressed, honestly, with the speed and efficiency of the system and the fast and accurate response of my surgeon.

My hip is going to be great. I’m going to be back to my old self. I feel that some have a very American view (read: from the POV of a private system as I am working within a public system), and forget I’m in another country. I also feel like in my panic and rush I didn’t explain things well nor understand everything everything I was told.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support. Take care.
 
Broken? Wow!
I am happy you have confidence in your surgeon and trust his work.
It’s my surgeon’s first experience with this kind of thing, he’s read research and case studies about it. He put a larger head in for greater range of motion due to my young age.
This was the part of your post that concerned me. Hopefully you understand why this caused some apprehension on the part of those questioning your decision. I wish you only the best and hope you have an easy, uneventful recovery and get many, many years of enjoyment out of your new hip. Please stay in touch as you're healing and let us know how you're doing.

:merry-xmas-smiley-emoticon:
 
@ravenina
I'd like to update your signature and I'm guessing the date of your revision as December 22nd? Is that correct?
Also, which hip was it?
Thanks!
 
@ravenina
I'd like to update your signature and I'm guessing the date of your revision as December 22nd? Is that correct?
Also, which hip was it?
Thanks!
Left hip, and yes, December 22. Thank you!
 
Broken? Wow!
I am happy you have confidence in your surgeon and trust his work.
It’s my surgeon’s first experience with this kind of thing, he’s read research and case studies about it. He put a larger head in for greater range of motion due to my young age.
This was the part of your post that concerned me. Hopefully you understand why this caused some apprehension on the part of those questioning your decision. I wish you only the best and hope you have an easy, uneventful recovery and get many, many years of enjoyment out of your new hip. Please stay in touch as you're healing and let us know how you're doing.

:merry-xmas-smiley-emoticon:
I understand and thanks for clarifying. I can’t believe it was broken but didn’t hurt. The human body continues to fascinate me.
 
Wonderful to hear your surgery went well and hope you're resting comfortably. Enjoy your holidays. :xmas-wave-smiley-emoticon:
 
Hi @ravenina How is your recovery going? Would love to hear how you are doing. I'm sure you are looking forward to a new year with two strong and well healed hips!
 
I had my appointment to get the staples checked out and I’m healing well. January 9 I’ll get half of them removed and the rest taken out a week after that if all continues to be well.

My level of mobility has been incredible compared to my other two THRs. No foggy brain. Haven’t been too tired. I have to stop myself from doing too much. I’ve been able to be by myself and manage fine with friends stopping by for things like my first shower and first dressing change just in case, and the first night home a friend was here to make sure I could get in and out of bed okay. All things my surgeon said would be possible but it’s good to have people around just for be sure.

Friends came over and spent Christmas with me. I was able to make ziti and meatballs. I really only needed the painkillers the first couple of nights, if it’s bothering me now I just take paracetamol.

The challenge this time around is psychological. I’m paranoid something is going to break again, despite my confidence in my surgeon and how well I feel. I’m walking around a bit but not as much as I should be. I go into hyper awareness mode when I’m out; not wanting to trip or slip and watching who’s around me. I’ve had an anxiety dream or two about the other hip starting to squeak. I woke up and I had flexed the operated hip outward with my knee bent in my sleep, which freaked me out.

Managed to go out to lunch near me with a student and his mother on Wednesday at a restaurant near me where I knew the seating would be okay. It was good to get out. Took the metro today to my staples appointment and that was also fine. I have random pains that come and go, mostly around the incision.

Just trying to be patient and give my body the time it needs.
 
Hi ravenina,
It is wonderful to read that your level of mobility feels incredible compared to your other two THR's. I'm glad you have friends around providing loving care and it sounds like you're doing really well for only eight days post op!

It is understandable that you feel anxious about another possible issue, but try to focus on thoughts of an uneventful recovery which is the likeliest scenario and go with that. As we know worrying will not change anything and the mental stress isn't good for you while you're healing. I think staying busy, within reason, considering you're only eight days post op and keeping your mind occupied will hopefully lessen those negative thoughts and worries. Please know that we're here for company or encouragement as well if you're feeling the need. I'm betting 2023 will be a great year for you!
:happy-new-year-smiley-emoticon-4:
@ravenina
 
Hi ravenina,
It is wonderful to read that your level of mobility feels incredible compared to your other two THR's. I'm glad you have friends around providing loving care and it sounds like you're doing really well for only eight days post op!

It is understandable that you feel anxious about another possible issue, but try to focus on thoughts of an uneventful recovery which is the likeliest scenario and go with that. As we know worrying will not change anything and the mental stress isn't good for you while you're healing. I think staying busy, within reason, considering you're only eight days post op and keeping your mind occupied will hopefully lessen those negative thoughts and worries. Please know that we're here for company or encouragement as well if you're feeling the need. I'm betting 2023 will be a great year for you!
:happy-new-year-smiley-emoticon-4:
@ravenina
Thank you, Layla! I’m trying to stay busy video chatting, watching tv series and movies, and reading. But there are so many hours in the day! In a week or so more friends will start coming back and we’ll hang out and go for walks. I might make an appointment to get my nails done in a week…. We’ll see.
 
Well, that’s a good update! That is some happy news and I hope you lose some of that worry about the implant as you heal and continue to feel stronger and stronger.
Your ziti and meatballs sound delicious!
 
Well, that’s a good update! That is some happy news and I hope you lose some of that worry about the implant as you heal and continue to feel stronger and stronger.
Your ziti and meatballs sound delicious!
Thanks! An old family recipe. I could make them in my sleep!

Went for a short walk today, wallet fell on the ground and there was no one around to ask to pick it up - I did so very gingerly, no harm, no foul.... Trying to be patient and avoid anxiety.

By the way, I'm from PA, too!
 
wallet fell on the ground and there was no one around to ask to pick it up - I did so very gingerly, no harm, no foul....
What approach was used during your revision. If it was not anterior then you can use the golfer's reach to pick thing up without breaking any restrictions. Hold on to something stable if needed.
golfersreach.jpg
 

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