Really trying not to complain!!

[tahoe1009]

Hi again everyone! I know you have got to be tired of hearing me complain, and I am getting really tired of doing it. I have a couple of questions...
1. When did you stop having marked swelling??
2. When did you stop using your walking aids (crutches, cane, walker...)??
3. When did you stop hurting?? I mean enough that narcotics were unnecessary.
4. When was your limp completely gone??

I know that everyone heals differently, and I am trying to be patient. I am simply trying to do a little unscientific study to find a mean time for these landmarks.
As it stands I am just over three months now and I am still having swelling, lots of it; pain, lots of that too; I am attempting to ditch the cane, but the limp is not gone.
I am just seeking your experiences. I know our cases are not the same. Just want your times to compare.
I am getting married in a week, and then I will be seeking out another OS to get another opinion. Anybody have any suggestions in the Northern Nevada or Utah area please feel free to throw those in too.

I just want it to be known that I am not trying to be the town crier!! I want the same results you all are experiencing, that really is all. I am still upbeat and positive about the whole situation. Which is more than can be said for my fiance' who thinks this is the most vile situation ever. I try not to be that dramatic, but at the same time she has had to be the one watching the person she loves in constant pain. Hell, she had a toothache last week and I hated that she was in pain.

Thanks again you guys!

 

[loggon]

Tahoe
You are not complaining but if you want to here is the place to do it.
I will be 4 months out in two days. I stopped using my cane around 2 months or so. I did use it when needed, but have not used it since about a little before 3 months.

I have not had a lot of pain so I stop taking the pain med a little after 1 1/3 months. I would take an advil though. On ocassion I have had to take a pain pill but when I did too much. But not more that 5 times in past month or so.

My PT says I am doing great rom and all. I still have pain esp. where the IT Band stops at the knee and up a little ways. On the right side of right knee. I have a naggin pain on the inside of the
knee just below the kneecap and about the bend. That seems to be the worst pain. I did a lot yesterday so I had to take 2 advil during the night. But today has been good.

My problem is the darn UTI. I seem to be plaqued with one.
But we are all different so I really don't think there is a mean
time table. Oh you asked about limp. You need to concentrate
Heal toe Heal toe when you are walking for a while. Seems stupid but it works. I only limp when I get tired and don't concentrate on my gate.

Congrads on marriage.

 

[Steph]

Hi Tahoe

Don't worry about moaning - we all do it about different things and need somewhere to vent where people understand what we are going through. As you say, we are all different and we will all heal at different rates depending on what our issues were before the op, and how long we had been in pain or limping etc. As for your questions, I am 8 weeks out on Tuesday and this is how I am going at the moment.

1. When did you stop having marked swelling??

I still have slight swelling near the incision area, but have been very lucky compared to a lot of people in that I have had hardly any swelling and a very small bruise anyway.

2. When did you stop using your walking aids (crutches, cane, walker...)??

I still take a cane with me when I walk, but only use it if I get tired. I haven't used one indoors for a long time.

3. When did you stop hurting?? I mean enough that narcotics were unnecessary.

I still take an anti imflammatory (Diclofenac) each day, plus often take 2 paracetomal in the mornings when it at it's most uncomfortable - quite stiff and difficult to get moving after sleeping. I also find it is important to not sit still for too long as it can be very uncomfy for a while afterwards - so the secret is to move about as much as you comfortably can. To be honest I didn't have any pain at all after my op just muscle aches which are something I am pleased about cos that means everything is all working properly now.

4. When was your limp completely gone??

Still have a slight limp/waddle when I am tired or not concentrating on walking properly - this is when the stick comes into play. My physio told me to concentrate on walking from the hip and not the pelvis, to bend the knee and to do the heel to toe motion as loggon says - it really does help.

Many congratulations on your marriage - have a wonderful day.

 

[kangaroo]

A wedding in a week.....thats wonderful....try not to focus on the pain and stuff right now and focus on your beautiful gorgeous bride....right now she is your focus....

Champagne all round....
Rachel

 

[Judles]

Tahoe! Nature is wonderful! Everything will resolve on its own! We all heal differently! So happy you're tying the knot! Now THAT'S the joy you deserve!!

 

[Texas]

Hi Tahoe Long time no see. I know what you went thru with your surgery. I remember. You had a rough time for awhile. Thats a lot of healing to do. I had a lot of fliud in my knee yest got that drained. I do have swelling now. It does hurt. I know what you mean. but at the same time your right everyone heals different. I also think when we do to much that has a big effect on us. I just tried to move paint the inside of my home etc. I paid for it. Maybe we need to slow down a lil and let it heal.....Good Luck to you and good luck on your wedding...Yea your getting married !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I does get better then we may hit a bump, then just move on...I was doing great till this, but this will go away as well......

 

[DianeC]

Tahoe,

I'm sorry to hear that you're still dealing with pain and swelling.

To answer your questions:

1. My severe swelling stopped very abruptly at 2 weeks. My incision still feels lumpy and numb though.
2. I stopped using the walker at 1 week, crutches at 3-4 weeks, and a cane at 5 weeks.
3. I stopped the narcotics at about 4 weeks and now rarely take advil or tylenol.
4. My limp is gone now unless I get really tired.

Hopefully a new OS will be able to help you get the swelling and pain under control. It seems like you'll have trouble not limping as long as you're in pain.

Best wishes to you and your bride-to-be.

Diane

 

[Texas]

You know Tahoe I know you are going thru alot right now. But since I am on restriction..lol. I went back thru your threads . You really have been thru alot.....You have gotten better just not the results yet that you want and deserve. It is a very tough surgery. ...I sure hope you post some picture's of the wedding. Its probably going to be amazing you both DESERVE it.

 

[brs0660]

As you said everyone heals differently...yet at the same time I understand your concerns. Congrats on your upcoming marriage..I wish for you many years of happiness.

1. When did you stop having marked swelling?? Each day the swelling has decreased. Only swelling is at my knee cap..and it gets puffy with home exercises and walking at work.
2. When did you stop using your walking aids (crutches, cane, walker...)?? I am still using my cane. It has become part of the family--it even has a name--Fred. Anyway I use my cane for stability. I still have a knee that needs surgery. I looking forward to not havingto use the cane.
3. When did stop hurting?? I weanedmyself slowly until the narcotics were unnecessary. I weaned my self from hydrocodone at eight weeks. Went back to work at six weeks--whole pill at bedtime..half at breakfast..half at lunch. Then got rid of the lunch pill...the breakfast. Then at eight
weeks dropped the night drugs. Take mobic daily.
4. When was your limp completely gone?? I do not know this answer...but I look forward to the day!

 

[Nancyo]

Hi Tahoe!
I really do understand your frustration. Things are just not moving fast enough for you, but slow down. As everyone has said; we all heal at different rates for different things. Each issue you mentioned has a different time table for you. You have been through so very much. Much more than most of us ever experienced so it's going to be a bit longer for you.
Pain management is so important too.. don't let anyone tell you different. You can't heal when you are hurting badly.
You said that after your marriage (CONGRATS btw to you and Leslie) your going to try and find a new OS? That's a good place to start, but Tahoe, please, please don't compare yourself to others on the forum. There is just no way to make that work out to any advantage. Yes, because of all the hammering, banging, and digging to remove the old cement the trauma to your femur is extensive and it WILL take you longer to heal. Try to have patience my friend and faith, lots of faith. I'm sure that Leslie is as loving and supportive as a woman can be and this is hard on her too. Give her our love and a great big thank you for her support!
Given time all these issues should begin to fade and your life will begin again for the better this time. Please do keep us informed and up to date because we do care and are praying for the most positive outcome ever.
BTW..block off a large section for the wedding. You will have tons of Bonesmartie friends there in spirit for your wedding, cheering you on and wishing you well!
Blessings to you~~
Nancyo

 

[Josephine]

I think you asked before the op about recovery, etc., and I think I told you that a revision will take a lot longer to settle and recover than a primary. Therefore you most definitely should not be asking other's their recovery history to compare.

Why are your getting a second opinion? I would have said this is far too early to be thinking there's anything amiss. Even a primary can sometimes take months to settle down. Be patient yet awhile. It's early days yet.

 

[tahoe1009]

My surgery was a primary!! I had lots of surgery on the hip to put it back together after an accident, but this was my first replacement. They had extra trouble getting the stem in my femur because of the old injury and had to drill it out. This is a primary, although the OS said it would hurt more like a revision.
Thanks for all the well wishing. We will have a wonderful wedding!!
Also, thanks for the well wishing about the healing.

 

[TBONE]

Hi again everyone! I know you have got to be tired of hearing me complain, and I am getting really tired of doing it. I have a couple of questions...
1. When did you stop having marked swelling??--
-----3 weeks

2. When did you stop using your walking aids (crutches, cane, walker...)??
-----walker-6 days; cane-4 weeks
3. When did you stop hurting?? I mean enough that narcotics were unnecessary.
-----7 weeks
4. When was your limp completely gone??
-----6-7 weeks

I had a very good recovery. However, lest you think it is all good, recently, I have experienced right hip and knee pain. My PT thinks it may be too much exercise, so i took a week off with modest improvement. I don't think it is overwork, and I don't think it is any thing fundamental. Rather, I think it is related to lack of stretching. So starting today, I will start working out again, slowly at first.
Hang in there Tahoe!

 

[JudyS]

Tahoe
Congrats on the upcoming wedding. That is very exciting. I guess a move is happening as well?
I don't remember my particulars in recovery. I know as far as pain meds at 4 months I still had them. I also had a fracture in surgery so maybe needed them longer. I went right into using them for my back after the hip so hard to say.

My wonderful pt said a good 9 months of healing with aches and pains though . So you really are very early still. Hang in there.
judy

 

[Judles]

Hey Tahoe!
You have so many wonderful things to look forward to! It'LL HAPPEN!!:wub:

 

[Texas]

Hey Tahoe. I hope it gets a lil better for your, for your wedding. You know we want pictures right !!!!!! Have a great day ...You both deserve it!!!!!

 

[tahoe1009]

Thanks you guys!! Just tired of hurting!! I will get you lots of pictures - that is what that high priced photographer we hired is for right??

 

[Texas]

I still hope you can get the pain under control. Good Luck Tahoe....

 

[loggon]

Yep we will be waiting for pics for sure.