THR Reanda on the other side!
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Reanda
member
Hello everyone, in these disturbing times it seems trivial to complain about aches and pains and I consider myself fortunate to have had my hip replacement at all. I'm feeding back on my recovery which will be 4 months in a week's time.
Ups and downs. The downs often follow a movement or activity that I would consider normal like carrying a basket of laundry up some stairs - walking up a not too steep hill - playing with grandchildren - spending a day in London - sitting in a restaurant for 2/3 hours etc. My last 'misdemeanor' was walking my grandchildren to school up a slight hill and having to almost run the last bit as we were late - that was 5 days ago and it resulted in pain. It's depressed me as I have been waiting to restart my childcare duties for my single parent daughter who works.
The 'ups' are the fact I am able to physically achieve these activities and am supple enough to carry them out. But may be deluding myself as the outcome of such activities are painful.
I drove them to school today for that short distance, which seems crazy but the hill is a problem.
Today the pain in my thigh is really noticeable, so I can't imagine I'll even go for a short walk, just lay up and ice. It's definitely the worst it's been for a couple of weeks and I'm hoping I havnt caused some longterm problem. I get no further checks at the hosp here in Kent and was told to only contact them if there was an issue. Friends and acquaintances mostly are surprised I'm still in discomfort and site examples of others who had no such problems! (That really irritates me) they say go back to surgeon and ask what's wrong? I know from being on this forum just how long recovery can take so am choosing to ignore the advice from friends - am I correct??
Thank you all for reading this and love and support to all, no matter what you are going through.
Andrea.
Ups and downs. The downs often follow a movement or activity that I would consider normal like carrying a basket of laundry up some stairs - walking up a not too steep hill - playing with grandchildren - spending a day in London - sitting in a restaurant for 2/3 hours etc. My last 'misdemeanor' was walking my grandchildren to school up a slight hill and having to almost run the last bit as we were late - that was 5 days ago and it resulted in pain. It's depressed me as I have been waiting to restart my childcare duties for my single parent daughter who works.
The 'ups' are the fact I am able to physically achieve these activities and am supple enough to carry them out. But may be deluding myself as the outcome of such activities are painful.
I drove them to school today for that short distance, which seems crazy but the hill is a problem.
Today the pain in my thigh is really noticeable, so I can't imagine I'll even go for a short walk, just lay up and ice. It's definitely the worst it's been for a couple of weeks and I'm hoping I havnt caused some longterm problem. I get no further checks at the hosp here in Kent and was told to only contact them if there was an issue. Friends and acquaintances mostly are surprised I'm still in discomfort and site examples of others who had no such problems! (That really irritates me) they say go back to surgeon and ask what's wrong? I know from being on this forum just how long recovery can take so am choosing to ignore the advice from friends - am I correct??
Thank you all for reading this and love and support to all, no matter what you are going through.
Andrea.
Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
@Reanda 
You literally have described all the things that would cause me issues still at the same time in my recovery.
Stairs, hills, too much walking, carrying heavy items, overly repetitive bending and lifting(I was back to work)
When I felt soreness/tightress /pain after those activites, I would return to giving myself my ice and rest regimen to give my Still Healing soft tissue time to recoup... works great!
If it is second hand recollections, they likely don't know if the hippy they speak of would tell them about Small setbacks. Some of us are too proud, I guess.
If it is first hand...they either are super lucky or lying.
It can be frustrating to feel healed and then have annoying niggles crop up.
Just because you can doesn't mean you should... listen to your body and baby your hip when needed.
You literally have described all the things that would cause me issues still at the same time in my recovery.
Stairs, hills, too much walking, carrying heavy items, overly repetitive bending and lifting(I was back to work)
When I felt soreness/tightress /pain after those activites, I would return to giving myself my ice and rest regimen to give my Still Healing soft tissue time to recoup... works great!
If it is second hand recollections, they likely don't know if the hippy they speak of would tell them about Small setbacks. Some of us are too proud, I guess.If it is first hand...they either are super lucky or lying.
Yes ma'am!
It can be frustrating to feel healed and then have annoying niggles crop up.
Just because you can doesn't mean you should... listen to your body and baby your hip when needed.
Klassy
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Hi @Reanda
I feel for you. That frustrating stage where we think we can and should but the hip isn’t quite ready to let us.
And all those comments from the ignorant! Aaaaaargh!
Not from the experts. When my OS saw me for my single check up after 6 weeks and I asked him if my recovery was slower than other patients, he said it didn’t matter whether it was quicker or slower, because the hip was for life not just for a few months.
But when I walked down to my local hairdresser for my first haircut 11 weeks after my THR, taking one crutch with me for safety and feeling good about getting there at all, the stupid woman told me I shouldn’t have brought my crutch with me or I would never properly recover. I felt like asking which university of hairdressing did she get her medical degree from, but since she was about to take to my hair with a pair of scissors I just smiled through gritted teeth.
This is what I posted a couple of days after my 4 month anniversary:
“By the end of each day I am pretty exhausted and stiff all over, it’s like I am super active at the gym every day when actually I’m doing nothing but walk and gardening and a bit of housework and ringing, ie normal life.”
Normal life, that’s all we want. But normal without the pain and limitations we had pre-op. It will come.
I feel for you. That frustrating stage where we think we can and should but the hip isn’t quite ready to let us.
And all those comments from the ignorant! Aaaaaargh!
Not from the experts. When my OS saw me for my single check up after 6 weeks and I asked him if my recovery was slower than other patients, he said it didn’t matter whether it was quicker or slower, because the hip was for life not just for a few months.
But when I walked down to my local hairdresser for my first haircut 11 weeks after my THR, taking one crutch with me for safety and feeling good about getting there at all, the stupid woman told me I shouldn’t have brought my crutch with me or I would never properly recover. I felt like asking which university of hairdressing did she get her medical degree from, but since she was about to take to my hair with a pair of scissors I just smiled through gritted teeth.
This is what I posted a couple of days after my 4 month anniversary:
“By the end of each day I am pretty exhausted and stiff all over, it’s like I am super active at the gym every day when actually I’m doing nothing but walk and gardening and a bit of housework and ringing, ie normal life.”
Normal life, that’s all we want. But normal without the pain and limitations we had pre-op. It will come.
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That Klassy is a hoot. She had me laughing with her hairdresser story above.
Advice from friends - while they may mean well, it’s difficult to see it that way when they’re less than supportive. Try to let their useless comments go in one ear and out the other. Consider telling them that your doctor is satisfied with your progress and that’s the only opinion you value at this time.
The activities you mentioned are common offenders and when you think about it four months post op isn’t that long in the entire scheme of things. Give yourself a year and take it slow. As you realize what causes pain and discomfort, dial it back, then slowly try it again, avoiding the steeper hills, sitting for too long, that one in particular was difficult for me also. Let your body be your guide, keeping in mind that “Pain Is Your Body Asking For Change”.
Have a wonderful weekend, Andrea
@Reanda
She had me laughing with her hairdresser story above.Advice from friends - while they may mean well, it’s difficult to see it that way when they’re less than supportive. Try to let their useless comments go in one ear and out the other. Consider telling them that your doctor is satisfied with your progress and that’s the only opinion you value at this time.
The activities you mentioned are common offenders and when you think about it four months post op isn’t that long in the entire scheme of things. Give yourself a year and take it slow. As you realize what causes pain and discomfort, dial it back, then slowly try it again, avoiding the steeper hills, sitting for too long, that one in particular was difficult for me also. Let your body be your guide, keeping in mind that “Pain Is Your Body Asking For Change”.
Have a wonderful weekend, Andrea
@Reanda
Eman85
big-cheese
Just from my personal experience, no medical training at all, I'd say you haven't done any long term damage. Hills are tough after a THR so are stairs and any carrying. No 2 hips are the same and even on the same person as I had different things effect my 2 THR's so there is no exact comparing.
People don't understand what was done to our bodies during THR, even many that have had it done. I wasn't one that was going to watch a video of the actual operation but I did watch the animated version. That was enough to show me that it's a pretty traumatic event for our bodies. I then understood why my OS told me up to 1 year+ recovery.
People don't understand what was done to our bodies during THR, even many that have had it done. I wasn't one that was going to watch a video of the actual operation but I did watch the animated version. That was enough to show me that it's a pretty traumatic event for our bodies. I then understood why my OS told me up to 1 year+ recovery.
I think you’re definitely at the frustrating “transition” stage: where the people around you think you should be back to EVERYTHING and your hip is saying not yet. When I was first told I needed a replacement, I had the impression that I’d be back to normal in 6 weeks. Maybe that was wishful thinking because I hurt so bad or me misinterpreting that was the minimum time off work my OS was suggesting. In any case, I learned the healing process would continue for some time after that 6 weeks. I do remember my OS saying then, “It just takes the time it takes,” to reassure me. I was amazed my husband never stopped being supportive through my complaints.
I think you just need to keep doing what you’re doing to support you and your hip and ignore all the “advice” of your well meaning friends. If time doesn’t improve things or they get significantly worse, a call to your doctor is always an option. Keep us posted on how you’re doing. We always have willing and patient ears.
I think you just need to keep doing what you’re doing to support you and your hip and ignore all the “advice” of your well meaning friends. If time doesn’t improve things or they get significantly worse, a call to your doctor is always an option. Keep us posted on how you’re doing. We always have willing and patient ears.
Reanda
member
Thank you Klassy, Layla, Hip4life, Eman85. I honestly feel so much better having read what you all have to say. And I can see at this stage being so desperate to get back to normal I am forgetting that healing is not completed, and requires my participation for a lot longer yet. I have rested up for 2 days and the pain has eased, but will need to proceed with much more caution! I've also decided to limit my discussions with friends about my hip. None have had their hips replaced. All anecdotal.
One quick question to anybody - is swimming generally beneficial? I only do breast stroke and wondered if the movement of that stroke might be too much for the hip? Any swimmers out there that could advise? Thank you.
One quick question to anybody - is swimming generally beneficial? I only do breast stroke and wondered if the movement of that stroke might be too much for the hip? Any swimmers out there that could advise? Thank you.
Swimming is a great exercise post joint replacement. However most surgeons advise against the frog kick associated with the breast stroke after THR. If you can do a flutter kick with breast stroke that would be great.
Elf1
Staff member since October 2019
@Reanda I did a lot of water walking and gentle stretching exercises as I swim like a rock! I loved it and felt it was so good for me, unfortunately the gym we belonged to decided to shut down all their pools permanently.
Ah yes, the well meaning friends, gotta love them! At 4 months we hosted an Oktoberfest at our house, very scaled down menu from what I would usually make. And I actually grabbed people and said here, please carry this outside for me, etc. I had one couple that were chatting with me and were oh, you're still this, that, blah, blah. Well Al Roker had a THR around the same time and he's back to work, etc. I said well that's wonderful for him, he stands on screen for maybe 10 minutes at a time and I'm sure is given much more leeway than the average worker. But thanks for sharing that!
I loved it and felt it was so good for me, unfortunately the gym we belonged to decided to shut down all their pools permanently.Ah yes, the well meaning friends, gotta love them! At 4 months we hosted an Oktoberfest at our house, very scaled down menu from what I would usually make. And I actually grabbed people and said here, please carry this outside for me, etc. I had one couple that were chatting with me and were oh, you're still this, that, blah, blah. Well Al Roker had a THR around the same time and he's back to work, etc. I said well that's wonderful for him, he stands on screen for maybe 10 minutes at a time and I'm sure is given much more leeway than the average worker. But thanks for sharing that!
Hi @Reanda
i am a regular and fairly good swimmer. I returned to swimming 5 weeks after surgery, as soon as my wound had healed, initially only swimming front crawl and backstroke. I started to introduce breaststroke at about 3 months, initially with reduced power on the kick (in breaststroke power comes mostly from the kick whereas in front crawl and backstroke it’s the arms) and always making sure the kick was narrow. Over a number of weeks I returned the stroke to normal, playing it by how it felt. It’s going to be safer if you are able to swim breast stroke with good form, ie face going in the water, not head stuck up. If you swim with your head out of the water you are putting your body through lots of other strains.
i am a regular and fairly good swimmer. I returned to swimming 5 weeks after surgery, as soon as my wound had healed, initially only swimming front crawl and backstroke. I started to introduce breaststroke at about 3 months, initially with reduced power on the kick (in breaststroke power comes mostly from the kick whereas in front crawl and backstroke it’s the arms) and always making sure the kick was narrow. Over a number of weeks I returned the stroke to normal, playing it by how it felt. It’s going to be safer if you are able to swim breast stroke with good form, ie face going in the water, not head stuck up. If you swim with your head out of the water you are putting your body through lots of other strains.
Reanda
member
Thanks Elf1 and Coddfish.. Stretching - my unoperated side is desperate for a good stretch but other side definitely doesn't like it.. So I'm very gentle with all that.
Thanks for swimming advice Coddfish, I'll see how I get on.
I decided to contact surgeons office re worries about this lingering pain and have appt on 23rd March to see senior physio. (you don't get to see surgeon...). They may do an XRay, I hope so to reassure but they don't usually do post op Xrays unless there's a serious concern.
So I'll see how that goes.
Thanks for swimming advice Coddfish, I'll see how I get on.
I decided to contact surgeons office re worries about this lingering pain and have appt on 23rd March to see senior physio. (you don't get to see surgeon...). They may do an XRay, I hope so to reassure but they don't usually do post op Xrays unless there's a serious concern.
So I'll see how that goes.
Reanda
member
So it's 4 months today so thought I'd update.
Sorry to say I'm still getting considerable pain and soreness at front of thigh. I took Bonesmart advice and spent 2 days resting and icing followed by a gentle walk on the following day. But if anything the discomfort got worse . Yesterday on visiting a friend we went on a small walk and she commented I was walking lopsided, rather zombie like. I'd not been concentrating on 'heel toe' walking as I normally would by myself as we'd been chatting, so was walking along without paying any attention to my gait. She's right that I'm still limping a bit and guess she confirmed what i knew about my walking. So it depressed me to hear this. My operated foot appears not to be totally flat on the ground as I stand relaxed with feet slightly apart, the foot slightly turns over. I have noticed this since the operation took place. So now wondering if this could be causing escalation in my symptoms.
I have made an appt at the surgeons clinic on 23rd March to investigate but this appt is only with the same physio I saw at 6 weeks, she told me XRays of hips are undertaken only if serious issues like injury to hip..she asked have you bumped or fallen on hip?? Nope Mmm...however I will push for an XRay.
I'm trying to stay upbeat and think positive but its hard.
Should I reinstate the cane? As obviously I'm limping and gait seems off.
I don't think there's much advice you can give me Forum pals but any comments gratefully received. It can be quite a lonely journey. Best wishes to all.
Sorry to say I'm still getting considerable pain and soreness at front of thigh. I took Bonesmart advice and spent 2 days resting and icing followed by a gentle walk on the following day. But if anything the discomfort got worse . Yesterday on visiting a friend we went on a small walk and she commented I was walking lopsided, rather zombie like. I'd not been concentrating on 'heel toe' walking as I normally would by myself as we'd been chatting, so was walking along without paying any attention to my gait. She's right that I'm still limping a bit and guess she confirmed what i knew about my walking. So it depressed me to hear this. My operated foot appears not to be totally flat on the ground as I stand relaxed with feet slightly apart, the foot slightly turns over. I have noticed this since the operation took place. So now wondering if this could be causing escalation in my symptoms.
I have made an appt at the surgeons clinic on 23rd March to investigate but this appt is only with the same physio I saw at 6 weeks, she told me XRays of hips are undertaken only if serious issues like injury to hip..she asked have you bumped or fallen on hip?? Nope Mmm...however I will push for an XRay.
I'm trying to stay upbeat and think positive but its hard.
Should I reinstate the cane? As obviously I'm limping and gait seems off.
I don't think there's much advice you can give me Forum pals but any comments gratefully received. It can be quite a lonely journey. Best wishes to all.
@Reanda Good idea about reinstating the cane. We always recommend using a walking aid if you are still limping.
You might want to look into the OneStep program. Many of our members are using this app and seeing good results. There is also a webinar about gait issues on 19 March. Click on the box where it says Webinar in the top right corner of any page to register.
You might want to look into the OneStep program. Many of our members are using this app and seeing good results. There is also a webinar about gait issues on 19 March. Click on the box where it says Webinar in the top right corner of any page to register.
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Happy Four Month Anniversary, Reanda. I wish it was happier for you. I’m sorry you continue to struggle and wonder if all is well. Hopefully you’ll learn more through your upcoming appointment on the 23rd. I love, Jaycey’s, suggestion of One Step. I hope you’ll consider it.
A peaceful Sunday to you!
@Reanda
A peaceful Sunday to you!
@Reanda
Reanda
member
Thanks for advice re One Step, I'll look into it.
But I am getting more and more despondent and slightly panicked and have another 9 days till my hosp appt. My pain level has increased and I struggled to get round the supermarket today even though I had the trolley to hold onto. Its never been this bad since before my op. I had optimistically booked 2 small holidays the first is in 3 weeks. I have to hope the pain has eased up by then and will do whatever it takes to subdue this pain which can't be normal at 4 months surely.
But I am getting more and more despondent and slightly panicked and have another 9 days till my hosp appt. My pain level has increased and I struggled to get round the supermarket today even though I had the trolley to hold onto. Its never been this bad since before my op. I had optimistically booked 2 small holidays the first is in 3 weeks. I have to hope the pain has eased up by then and will do whatever it takes to subdue this pain which can't be normal at 4 months surely.
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I’m sorry.
I wish you didn’t have to wait another 9 days.Reanda
member
Alas my pain is continuing as I wait for the hosp appt in 4 days which I requested. Reading the threads of others who also have issues helps me to feel not alone with this problem as I have nobody at home to niggle at..! (maybe just as well as I'm sure it's not easy living with someone in pain).
As there's 4 days before I get to see a medical person I have a few questions: my pain seems to come from my thigh bone, a deep kind of pain, as if there's something wrong with the implant stem in my femur. The pain radiates all around the thigh and hip area, but eases when resting. The femoral stem is uncemented, and I was told I have 'some osteoporosis' although I have no idea how much but have to assume some bone thinning. I'm driving myself mad with all the possibilities chiefly whether 'loosening' has occurred.
If that's the case should I not be putting weight on that leg? And stop my walks altogether for the next 4 days? Has anyone else had loosening in the early months? (I'm 4 months + 1 week).
I am currently resting, icing and doing very short walks outside. It's beautiful weather sun is shining and I'm so wanting to get into my garden to do even the basics which is upsetting me.
Things were going so well up to 3 months, it's dispiriting and frankly depressing to be in this level of discomfort now and I am just hoping my fears are unfounded.
As there's 4 days before I get to see a medical person I have a few questions: my pain seems to come from my thigh bone, a deep kind of pain, as if there's something wrong with the implant stem in my femur. The pain radiates all around the thigh and hip area, but eases when resting. The femoral stem is uncemented, and I was told I have 'some osteoporosis' although I have no idea how much but have to assume some bone thinning. I'm driving myself mad with all the possibilities chiefly whether 'loosening' has occurred.
If that's the case should I not be putting weight on that leg? And stop my walks altogether for the next 4 days? Has anyone else had loosening in the early months? (I'm 4 months + 1 week).
I am currently resting, icing and doing very short walks outside. It's beautiful weather sun is shining and I'm so wanting to get into my garden to do even the basics which is upsetting me.
Things were going so well up to 3 months, it's dispiriting and frankly depressing to be in this level of discomfort now and I am just hoping my fears are unfounded.
