THR Post Op March Hippy Story

[greeneyedjan]

Hi All.

I had the surgery Wed 3/15. All when well, but afterwards, not so much. I was in so much pain I could not pass the PT test and stay overnight. I came home yesterday and still in excruciating pain. I had an excellent doctor, and nearly everyone I know had little to no pain, even with this doctor.
I was on NO way prepared for this. IF anyone had said, hey, you might be in agony for a few days, I think I would have been better prepared. Im exhausted, miserable, and in way more pain that I thought. Am I being unrealistic? Have others had extreme pain afterwards? Does it get better? PLEase advise :(

 

[sistersinhim]

@greeneyedjan, this is your new recovery thread. Please post all your updates here.

Here is some reading to help you manage your recovery:
Hip Recovery: The Guidelines

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
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when the 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

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post-op therapy

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for THRs

6. Access these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital


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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Layla]

Hello greeneyedjean,
Welcome to recovery. I am really sorry you had a rough start. Hopefully you're feeling a bit better since you last posted and are establishing a routine for the day. Lots of rest, taking meds on schedule, icing and elevating.

Please understand that just because you know of other's that experienced the same surgery, under your surgeon, with a better result in regard to less pain, is / was no guarantee you'd follow in their footsteps. Each recovery is as unique as the individual. Unfortunately your view of post op is unrealistic. Feeling exhausted and miserable is the norm for many. You just experienced the controlled trauma of major surgery and there is pain involved. It will get better week by week, but if you feel the meds you were prescribed are not bringing you enough relief to remain comfortably mobile, its time to speak with your surgeons care team to see what they'd advise.

I wish you comfort and invite you to share further updates on your progress. We're here for support and encouragement whenever you're in need.
Sending a healing hug your way with wishes for a good day!
@greeneyedjan

 

[Eman85]

Pain, yes I had pain. They tore my leg off, lopped the bone off and drove a spike into it. I had terrible pain with my first right after surgery when they got me up to walk and I didn't take any pain pills. What's funny is with my first I was able to pass the PT tests with flying colors. With my second I was wise enough to take the pain pills and couldn't pass their PT test.
Yes it gets better and yes it's all worth it. Yes it hurts and for me the first 2 weeks were not fun, not terrible just not fun. Read the recovery guidelines, rest ice and rest and ice some more. Read posts on here and accept that it's a slow steady recovery with odd quirks. As far as people telling you they had no pain I think that's selective memory. It's been quite some time since my THR's but I do remember the recovery.

 

[Jamie]

I‘m sorry to hear you’re having so much pain. Can you tell me what you’re currently doing for it in terms of icing and medications?

 

[myglasshalffull]

Sorry to hear you are in a lot of pain, hopefully you get your meds on a timely basis and the pain will begin to subside or at least be tolerable.
Read some of the others posts and you will come to see you are in "good" company here.
Welcome and please keep us updated as you progress.

 

[Hip4life]

I was in your boat as well: no one said anything about this kind of pain! That first week was pretty rough. I did eventually figure out that my biggest source of pain was swelling. Once that started to improve, so did my pain. Unfortunately, I didn't find BoneSmart until a few weeks after my surgery. Regular icing and elevation continued to be my friend for a long time. I also agree if you don't have enough pain meds or the right ones, a call to your surgical team is warranted. I hope this finds you feeling a bit more comfortable. Please keep us updated.
@greeneyedjan

 

[greeneyedjan]

Hi,
I haven't posted since before the surgery on 3/15. Long story short, the surgery went beautifully, but I had a l LOT of complications afterwards. Basically I am allergic to penicillin and also very sensitive to corticosteroids, I somehow had a terrible reaction to medication for swelling and had to stay on the hospital overnight instead of coming home. I knew when they released me the next day I still was not ok, but thought I would get better.

Again, I went home, and got worse, pain was unbearable, couldn't walk without walker more than a few feet, and 911 had to be called twice. I went back into the hospital the following Monday-after coming home Thursday. It's sort of a blur of, pain, crying, and scaring the **** out of my wonderful hubby and had me crying that I had made a terrible mistake with the surgery and ruined my life and body and would never be the same again,,,) what happened but bulging discs in my back- had ongoing back pain my whole life, which I thought the surgery would help.

Anyway, the bulging back discs put terrible pressure on my sciatic nerve and caused incredible pain down both sides of my legs, causing most of the pain. They had to find a new set of drugs that I would not react to, to control the pain, and once it was under control and and an MRI confirmed there were no DVTs, I was finally able to go home-5 days in the hospital, more than I have spent in one in my entire life. (I am skipping over a lot of stuff that happened in the hospital, not really important but a lot of it not good)

I am in much less pain, and recovering slowly. I am basically 10 days behind where I wanted to be, but grateful to be out of the hospital. I wanted to post earlier but have been too tired to, and frankly, I was still a little, traumatized, (if thats not too strong of a word) about the whole thing. I wanted people to know in case something like this happens to any of you. Meaning, you can have a successful surgery (which, outside of the other issues,) mine was, but be prepared in case there are other issues.

Now that I am at home, I am still having pain and swelling - especially after doing the prescribed exercises (which I know I need to do) and am finding it difficult to sleep with the pain. I know I need to do these exercises, but can anyone tell me if they have had pain like this? I am trying not to slide into any sort of depression-I know I am luckier than most, I am basically ok, and was in great shape before, and I have a wonderful husband who has helped me do everything someone could ask, shower, dress, get up and down steps, and generally help out. I am not sure why I am feeling this way, but if anyone has any stories similar to mine, and any thoughts about "whats next" (other than trying to recover) please share.

Please know, I know now that the surgery was certainly not a mistake, and I am grateful that I am ok. I hope to hear from you, your stories kept me going when I was in the hospital

 

[Layla]

Hello greeneyedjean, Welcome to Recovery, I am sorry you had such a painfully disappointing start.

I am not sure why I am feeling this way,

You are feeling this way because you recently experienced the controlled trauma of a major surgery. It will pass as you become stronger and regain stamina. Look for weekly progress, not daily, or you will be disappointed. Each weekend, reflect back over what you're currently able to do with greater ease than you could do the week before. Post Op Blues is common also, as you'll read in the Recovery Guidelines, but only temporary. Follow the advice in the guidelines for icing and elevation, both will help with pain and swelling.

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.

Stop back often, we'll be here for support. Wishing you lots of comfort!

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.

 

[Eman85]

Now that I am at home, I am still having pain and swelling - especially after doing the prescribed exercises (which I know I need to do) and am finding it difficult to sleep with the pain

What exercises are you doing that you need to do? Anything that causes pain isn't doing you any good.

 

[Jaycey]

Anyway, the bulging back discs put terrible pressure on my sciatic nerve and caused incredible pain down both sides of my legs, causing most of the pain.

I have a history of lower back issues and my LTHR did cause a sciatic flare. So sorry you experienced this. It is truly horrid pain.

Finding the right pain management cocktail is critical. And in most cases this settles fairly quickly. I found icing also helped.

I agree with Eman - you really don't need specific exercises. Walking is the best PT for a new hip.

 

[hopnfox]

I too have back issues, and have had 2 micro -discectomies, and both hips replaced-just had my right one replaced 8 weeks ago. I had sciatica, piriformis syndrome, and all sorts of back/leg pain. I did not do any exercises as I felt it aggravated already angry muscles. I did find that walking slowly with smaller steps, with my walker helped. Then over a few weeks, I would extend my steps until I got back to my normal gait. This gradually stretches muscles. My back did not like all of the lying around, so I was up walking every hour or so, even if it was only for 10 minutes. I also realized I was leaning into the walker instead of standing up straight, so I had to pay attention to how I walk, and really concentrate.
Hang in there, it does get better! Everyone on this forum is AWESOME and will help you through the tough times.

 

[Chef]

I'm so sorry you've had these setbacks, especially after the misgivings you had over surgery to begin with! I wish I had something substantive to add that might actually help you forward.

 

[Layla]

Hi @greeneyedjan
How is it going for you? We haven't herad from you in awhile. I hope you're doing well.
Happy One Month Anniversary! Best Wishes as you continue the journey.

 

[greeneyedjan]

Hi all.

Over last weekend it was a month since my RTHR. I haven't written largely because some personal things unrelated to the surgery - that I could have never expected, were dropped on me within a week after getting out of the hospital (see my separate sciatic nightmare post) I won't go into them and I am not asking for sympathy, but I mention these (in my case, multiple. bombs being dropped on me,) to make folks aware that getting devastating emotional news or having a relationship fracture, especially during this time, I am convinced has negatively affected my ability to heal :(

That being said, I am overall doing better. The sciatica has largely subsided, and I have started some PT- Originally the doctor had not prescribed any other than walking, but I have been going and stating to be able doing exercises. I can walk without a cane for most of the day, but towards the end of the day I get sore and lean on it. I also take it my walks ( try to do a mile daily) but its more as a social barrier- we live in an urban residential neighborhood with uneven brick sidewalks, people on scooters, and dodge being walked, so its more to keep people from running into me :P

I do have pain low in my thigh, and often ache in my knee. My scar is largely healed, which is good, and I have started to do some upper body work ( sitting down). Its been difficult because I dont know what pain is "normal" at this stage, versus the pain that the sciatica brought. In truth last week was the first week that I considered that I had not made a permanent mistake and ruined my body ( anyone else feel this way?)

On the positive, I am off of all meds with the exception of advil and baby aspirin, and I can ( mostly) sleep soundly, albeit not on the surgery ( right) side, but I do often wake up in the night with the leg aching.

I dream about skiing/golfing/ or hiking,( or even driving again!) and I know, I know, everyone heals differently, but this has been an uphill battle. I would love to know how anyone else is doing a month out, and any suggestions as how to make things better. I also am not sure if I am posting in the right place, so please point me to it if I am not doing so.


Thanks!

 

[djklaugh]

@greeneyedjan Yes this is the right place to post any and all updates, questions, and commentary! Sadly life events do drop in our laps no matter what else we have going on at the time. And yes stressful events can have a negative impact on healing and general health of body and mind. I am sorry life has thrown you unexpected curves and added to your already challenged situation. But it is good to hear you are doing relatively well! There have been several threads recently of new hip folks getting back onto the slopes for skiing, going hiking, and getting back to other physically demanding activities! So maybe not this year .... but perhaps, if all goes well, next year for you!

The knee and thigh pains are fairly typical of this stage of healing. The operated on leg has been through lots of trauma that extends past the hip area. Continue to take things slow and just gradually work up your activities and exercises. You still are early days in the recuperation process. Icing the knee and thigh may help ease the aches and pains in those areas.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I am sorry you've had to face some challenges as you're healing. I do hope your uphill battle has begun leveling out. Best Wishes for brighter days soon!
@greeneyedjan