Core Decompression Post Op Core Decompression<

[Josephine]

So, I'm 6 weeks post op and I'm in so much pain suddenly over the past 24hrs.

I'd like to ask you some questions if you don't mind, and it would be very helpful if you would answer each one individually - numbered as I have done - in as much detail as you can then I'll come back as see where you are.

These questions are about the last week only.

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine)

2. what pain medications are you taking (in mg please) and how often? - that means at what times and what doses

3. are you icing your painful area at all? If so, how often and for how long?

4. are you elevating your leg. If so how often and for how long?

5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and .... weight bearing!

6. are you doing any exercises at home? If so what and how often?
This is the most crucial question so please help me by using the format I have left as an example
(which means please make a list and not an essay!)

Exercises done at home
- how many sessions you do each day
- enter exercise by name then number of repetitions of each
etc., etc.

Anything done at PT
- how many times a week
- enter exercise by name then number of repetitions of each
etc., etc.

 

[baclectic]

I'm 2½ months after anterior THR and was in terrible pain until a few days ago. The awful groin pain finally stopped. In reading the posts it seemed I was the only one taking this long to be pain free. Just want to add my two cents that my hip is healing beautifully and is very strong yet the pain was intense. I iced and elevated constantly and took the pain Meds on schedule. Good luck. Ice, elevate, rest, take your Meds, and try not to worry.


Sent from my iPhone using broken link removed: https://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=75543

 

[danabanana]

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine)

Currently a 4. Has been a 7.

2. what pain medications are you taking (in mg please) and how often? - that means at what times and what doses

Tramacet: Per tablet 37.5mg Tramadol / 325mg acetaminophen
Dosage is 1-2 tablets every 4-8hrs.
I was doing well, my pain was being managed with extra strength Tylenol during the day, and I'd take 2 tramacet before bed.
The past couple days the pain has increased again and then grew to a 7, beginning last night I am now taking 2 tramacet every 4 hrs.

3. are you icing your painful area at all? If so, how often and for how long?

I'm icing constantly during the day, approx half of every hour.

. are you elevating your leg. If so how often and for how long?

Anytime not up on my crutches or sitting, Im elevating my leg with pillows on my bed or couch.

5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and .... weight bearing!

Fairly minimal. I'm still confined to my crutches. I'm allowed to weight bare on my surgical side at 25% of my body weight. So I can stand at the stove long enough to scramble eggs or toast some bread. I sit in a chair at the stove to, for instance, make pancakes or fry hamburger. I would say I'm elevating and icing 80% of the day and trying to weight bare and do things around the house 20%.

6. are you doing any exercises at home? If so what and how often?
This is the most crucial question so please help me by using the format I have left as an example
(which means please make a list and not an essay!)

I am not doing any real exercises and don't attend PT.
I've been gently increasing range of motion via stretching while laying down.
Knees to my chest then to each side together and apart.
2x a day, 5-8 reps.

 

[Josephine]

Currently a 4. Has been a 7.

Okay ...

Tramacet: Per tablet 37.5mg Tramadol / 325mg acetaminophen 1-2 tablets every 4-8hrs.
I was doing well, my pain was being managed with extra strength Tylenol during the day, and I'd take 2 tramacet before bed. The past couple days the pain has increased again and then grew to a 7, beginning last night I am now taking 2 tramacet every 4 hrs.

Are you also taking extra Tylenol. You can take as much as will not exceed 4,000mg per 24hrs but I don't expect it will be much!

I'm icing constantly during the day, approx half of every hour.
Anytime not up on my crutches or sitting, I'm elevating my leg with pillows on my bed or couch.

Good!

Fairly minimal. I'm still confined to my crutches. I'm allowed to weight bear on my surgical side at 25% of my body weight. So I can stand at the stove long enough to scramble eggs or toast some bread. I sit in a chair at the stove to, for instance, make pancakes or fry hamburger. I would say I'm elevating and icing 80% of the day and trying to weight bear and do things around the house 20%.

that's okay

I am not doing any real exercises and don't attend PT.
I've been gently increasing range of motion via stretching while laying down.
Knees to my chest then to each side together and apart 2x a day, 5-8 reps.

Can't say I like the knees to chest exercise. If you really have to do them, just do a couple first thing in the morning and leave it at that.

 

[danabanana]

Little update.

Doing better this week. I'm managing the pain better and getting more mobile. I'm using one crutch around the house but use both crutches when I go out to assist my walking as it's very icy out.

I began a daily exercise regime last week. I searched up some post hip surgery exercises and made the necessary adjustments seeing as I still can't fully weight bare. It's helped me feel more normal and nothing like some naturally created endorphines to boost the spirit.

I saw my gp last week and he prescribed me Flexiril for the spasms in my leg that continue to plague me. Like my OS, he's unsure why I'm having them. I'm definitely not pain free either....still having to take the Tramacet at times or the very least Tylenol. It's a stabbing and throbbing pain deep in my hip and groin...and the ache will run down my leg. Hoping it's just part of the healing. My gp isn't feeling very confident about the CD since I'm still having pain. We shall see.

Ive started to cook some meals and do some light chores. I've gotten good at balancing most of my weight on the right leg. I've also been out for some errands a few times, which was fun. Quite the ordeal though, hobbling and crutches...Makes me laugh because I imagine it's how a dog feels going for a car ride...infact, if the weather were favourable I'd have stuck my head out the window too! Hahahaha

Cheers friends!

 

[danabanana]

Just thought I'd post a other update. I'm walking unassisted now however, still having hip pain and occasionally sharp pains and spasms. I see the OS March 28 and should be getting an mri to see if this CD has improved the hip. I don't know...I mean, I am certainly not feeling all better however I am not even certain what I should be feeling. I was hoping I'd be pain free by now, that's for sure, so I am feeling somewhat discouraged.

So I just rest it when needed. Ice or heat as needed. I have been doing the exercises my OS told me to start doing when I saw him end of January. The rest we just wait and see I guess and hope for the best.

Cheers to you all,
Dana

 

[Clipper]

Sounds like you're improving! Good for you and keep posting to keep us all updated. Good luck with the MRI!

 

[Horseshoe]

Congrats on walking unassisted! Good luck on the MRI this month, I'm not familiar with Core Decompression recovery periods but do hope the pain subsides soon, you are very patient. Ever consider stopping all PT for a week or two and see if the pain resolves?

 

[danabanana]

Thank everyone. So...I saw my OS March 28. He didn't do an Mri. He did xrays. Then decided he couldn't tell if there was any improvement or change so ordered an mri that I'm now waiting for an appt for so not sure when that is going to happen. What he did say is that what I'm feeling pain-wise is AVN pain. It's worse in my groin and front of thigh. I'm not "babying" my hip but I'm definitely feeling no better and infact worse, so I'm quite discouraged at the moment.
That all being said, I'm presently in a chrohns flare so have been dealing with extra arthritis pain above and beyond the usual so,it could he lending to more hip pain than maybe I'd be feeling otherwise? Hard to say at this point. I really just need to wait and see what the radiologist says after the mri. If he sees a positive vascular change then that will he great!
In the meantime.....I use pain as my gauge. I take Celebrex 2x a day, ice and elevate, and walk. I don't know what else to do.

 

[Jaycey]

Gosh - this has been a long haul for you! I think the MRI is the right way to go. You really need to see if this has done the job for you.

AVN is very nasty! So sorry you are suffering. I hope you get some answers soon!

 

[stephie33]

Oh goodness @danabanana discouraged is putting it mildly I think. I've been reading your posts and wanted to send you some positive vibes. You and I are both 40, fighting autoimmune battles and dealing with the monster that is AVN. It really freaking stinks and is unpredictable and debilitating.

I really hope that you can get some relief soon and that your MRI indicates things moving in a positive direction AVN wise. I'm rooting for you and if you need anything we're here.

Hang in there...
Steph


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[danabanana]

Update!

It's been ages, I realize but that's because I've been dealing with this hip and depression. The Core Decompression I had in November did not work, my MRI in June showed continued avn, and my pain has been awful. 2 weeks ago, I had a diagnosis injection along with a cortisone injection. The freezing relieved my pain but it came back in full force in a few hours. The cortisone did nothing but disrupt my menstrual cycle, making it last 16days. So today after meeting with my OS, the decision was made to do a THR. I'm feeling bittersweet....and a little overwhelmed.

 

[Jaycey]

@danabanana Thanks for checking in! Unfortunately we see many members go this route. The good news is THR is an easier recovery and once you have that shiny new hip - no more hip pain! I hope you can get a date for your op soon.

Stick with us here. We will help you through this journey as well.

 

[Rkeilb]

Hi
I was diagnosed with bi lateral avn 11 ago. For the first 6 or 7 years I really didn't have any pain. The only way I knew I had it was it was discovered by accident.
Anyway this past April I had a THR on right side, the worst side.
The left is pre collapse and I have some pain but not too bad
I have had some difficulties post op such as bursitis and problems with the Piriformis muscle and for the most part pain. I know everyone is different but I wish I would have read some of the articles and links on this site earlier. I may not be having the problems I'm having now if I would have.
Good luck

 

[Krista]

@danabanana, yikes, how awful it is that you had to go through all of that, only to now be in need of a THR! Wish they had just done that from the get-go for you. Like Jaycey, I hope they can get going on the THR soon. I know how you feel, since I had a THR in July 2015 and then had to wait until Oct 2016 for a another hip operation to deal with a complication. Life was on hold and painful and it was so hard to deal with. I am hoping the THR will be easier to deal with than what you've been through so far.

 

[danabanana]

Thank you all for the encouragement. I knew going into this that there was a chance the Cd wouldn't work but I had really been hopeful it would have at least given me some more time. It's been painful all the way through...pre Cd, post Cd, and has just continued to get worse.
So, now the decision is to go COP or COC. Unfortunately I'd have to cover some of the cost if I go COC-$1000. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Rkeilb]

That really is a very technical question that should be determined by the surgeon who you will put your trust in. Mine is cop but it's not like I had a say in it. You trust them and their decision or you need to find someone else.
I can tell you in hind sight I think I had a great surgeon but a lousy Dr. His post op care has not been good. I guess if I never had a problem I never would have known.
I am very disappointed to say the least with how I have been treated and am still being treated.
I just hope his surgical skills are excellent!
Give some thought to this, there's no right or wrong it's just so important to feel confident and sure with your choices.

 

[danabanana]

I'm in BC Canada. I have an excellent Surgeon. He is from Ontario. So the thing is, Ceramic-on-ceramic would cost me $1000. BC is the only province in Canada that an Orthopaedic Surgeon can't put in what he deems appropriate for the patient at no extra cost to said patient. He can absolutely go Ceramic-on-Polyethylene. So...I'm just looking at pros and cons.

 

[Jaycey]

Not sure there are really any pros and cons. It's all based on your own medical situation and lifestyle. Is your surgeon recommending COC? If so, I would go with his recommendation even with the cost (assuming you can).

 

[Sbrummer]

Did they just drill holes in your decompression or did they fill the holes back up with healthy bone and synthetic bone?