THR Recovery after sudden pain at 5 weeks post-op

[Sparks22]

Hi, I'm a week behind you but hear what you are saying. Some days I feel like it's brilliant and walking fab, then the next day I have to stop as my body reminds me I've just had part of my bone sawn off and replaced with a foreign object!! This group is great, so much info and combined wisdom <3 and the main thing to remember is we are all different and listen to what our bodies are telling us!

 

[benne68]

Have to keep a grabber (my favourite gadget) in every room!

Oh yes! I loved the grabber so much that I still use them -- and I am five years post-THR!

 

[flamingoprint]

What a reassuring day. Went to hospital, had an x ray and saw my surgeon's registrar. X ray is fine and registrar had a good look at my hip and the incision. Seems both issues are connected with internal stitches. The incision had one internal stitch top and bottom - one has healed over but the other working its way out. No infection and he expects it to heal very quickly. He also said the hip pain is almost certainly due to stiches round the joint beginning to break up at this stage post op and as activity is naturally increasing can get small stretches/give which can be painful temporarily. Basically said I'm doing very well. Such a relief!

Also asked about numbness/tngling in my non operated leg but he said he hasn't come across this but would expect it's a passing reaction to the spinal. Has anyone else had this?

 

[Supersonic]

Glad you're feeling reassured Flamigoprint, I have my 6 week check with my consultant on Friday.
My scar looks like someone has drawn a line with a burgundy felt tip. It sometimes looks pale depending if ive neen sitting or what I've been doing.
I still limp and can't fully weight bear but I think that's down to a dodgy knee and ankle on my operated side.
So time will tell how that resolves.
I don't fancy a knee replacement any time soon. I don't have pain unless I over do things but again it all about giving it time to adjust.
Since learning that the body is dynamic and will adapt, activity is the way to go.
Last night, I dreamed I was walking perfectly, almost catwalk ! In heeled boots i haven't been able to wear heels in years so that was a little ambitious.
It did highlight the need to improve my overall balance though as there's mo way I could wear a heel.
I own several.pairs of sketcher, two i got specifically for post op. The others I guess I will have to bin as they fit my old walking pattern and unlike shoes can't be re- soled wihch is a pity.

 

[Layla]

Also asked about numbness/tngling in my non operated leg but he said he hasn't come across this but would expect it's a passing reaction to the spinal. Has anyone else had this?

Seems your OS wasn't concerned so thankfully you feel reassured. My surgeons PA explained to me how our gait changes as our hip deteriorates, then changes once again as our body adjusts to the prosthetic. So when you consider inflammation, favoring or overcompensating, our poor strained muscles and nerves aren't happy!
When you stop and ponder the progress you've already made, think how good you'll be feeling at Christmas.

 

[flamingoprint]

Glad you're feeling reassured Flamigoprint, I have my 6 week check with my consultant on Friday....
Last night, I dreamed I was walking perfectly, almost catwalk ! In heeled boots i haven't been able to wear heels in years so that was a little ambitious.
It did highlight the need to improve my overall balance though as there's mo way I could wear a heel.
I own several.pairs of sketcher, two i got specifically for post op. The others I guess I will have to bin as they fit my old walking pattern and unlike shoes can't be re- soled wihch is a pity.

I love the dream! Still have my heeled boots and still intending to wear them...Wasn't able to wear them before the op so hoping they haven't registered the bad gait! You're right about the Sketchers, will have to buy a new pair as I wore them pretty constantly.
Good luck for tomorrow, let us know how it goes. I'm gradually recovering from my soft tissue issue, hopefully will be back where I was shortly.

 

[Supersonic]

Hi
My 6 week check got cancelled, due to my surgeon being off sick ( hope he's on the mend).
Went to a shopping centre instead used just the 1 crutch and was fine. Feet felt heavy due to slow pace of browsing in the shops. Very enjoyable seeing all the Christmas decoration.

Rescheduled for 20th December so will be 9 weeks post op. I still have physio on the 4th December. Feeling guilty that I haven't done as much as I should have, some daysi walked instead. I will keep it up though only I can do it .
Had son , partner and 8mth old granddaughter over this weekend. Loved seeing them , it's been almost 5 weeks!
Missing them already but they will be here over Christmas.

I hope I'm able to do more by then. Still use one crutch outside for walks but using walking stick on / off around the house.

Trying not to compare to my last THR over 5 years ago but think this time might be slower.

 

[flamingoprint]

Hi Supersonic

Sounds like you're at much the same stage as me! I'm walking outside mostly with a stick still, but with nothing in the house. It can be a bit painful now and again since the soft tissue issue a week ago and I'm still walking with a limp (which is really frustrating since I wasn't before that!) It is improving again every day though so I shouldn't complain - especially as I was almost certainly overdoing it before.

Sorry that your surgeon check up didn't happen, it must have been disappointing (in spite of the shpping trip!) I haven't got my formal check up with my surgeon till 10th Jan which is 3 months post op. Seems long to me but perhaps that's an acknowledgement of the fact that 6 weeks is not the end of recovery! I did see his registrar last week because of worry over the pain (and also incision problems) last week but he just did an x ray and a quick exam which was reassuring and I'm grateful.

Don't feel guilty about the physio! Sometimes seems you can't win - too much and you get blamed for consequences of overdoing it, too little and you feel you're holding up your progress! I asked the physio about it when I went to the hospital and she just said 'Don't overthink it.' <Sigh>

I had a hip resurfacing on my right hip 16 years ago - the experience of the op and immediately afterwards was horrible (it was completely different this time) but the recovery was definitely easier and quicker.

Lovely to spend time with your grandchildren - we have 2 boys, 2 and 9 but we don't get to see them often enough.

 

[msart]

@Supersonic take a look at my post. I had posterior 9/3/2024-revision of surgery 9/6/2024-i am I think 11 weeks-and I am finally starting to feel like my old self. However, I am currently sitting on ice-lol. I have learned by end of day I have to listen to what my body is telling me. I over did it a lot!! Hang in there-hope your appoint goes well.

 

[Phoebie]

I have my six week check next week and it is a telephone consultation! I was surprised that the only times I have seen my consultant was the initial appointment and the morning and afternoon of the operation. Thanks for the money, bye and 'your recovery is in your own hands'. But, on reflection, they did say I could go in if I really wanted to and could call anytime 24/7 if I was worried. My minimally invasive procedure is supposed to be relatively free of complications and quicker recovery.

This place has been such a great place and support. More so than the private hospital I attended.

Something I will take from this is that the research I did was, for the most part, confusing, scary and inaccurate. There are different techniques for this operation and we react and recover differently. Most of all I wish the standard advice was that rest and walking is the best recovery for a hip. Sure, drop in a few of the exercises they recommend but the very words 'your recovery is in your hands' seems to imply we need to be exercising three times a day and walking a mile etc. Then when we feel pain and have swelling we feel we have done something wrong. Maybe not trying hard enough. It is difficult enough recovering from a major operation without the guilt thrown in.

 

[myglasshalffull]

I so enjoy all these posts, really brings me back to my recovery. I fell on ice & fractured my hip so I had no time to prepare or even think about what hip replacement surgery entailed.
And about 10 days after my surgery & home I found this group.
Thank goodness!
I was being told by PT in hospital in 30 days you will be doing everything you were doing before the surgery. Not! Sure would have been nice but some dreams don't come true.
Then the OS I was assigned after my surgery (he didn't perform the surgery) was less than helpful with my questions & concerns. I get it, you didn't do the surgery so you don't feel like getting involved. Then the nurse practitioner I'd see said really dumb stuff to me when I asked different questions. Like "I think my surgical leg is a little shorter than my other leg." Answer: "well if doctor So & So had done the surgery he measures legs before finishing the surgery." Well he didn't do the surgery so that's a really dumb answer. Do you think surgeon that did my surgery didn't measure???
I eventually changed doctors.
But back to bonesmart. I garnered more information & support here.
So all of you in first few months of recovery hang in there it does get better & one day you won't even realize you have an implant.

 

[flamingoprint]

Something I will take from this is that the research I did was, for the most part, confusing, scary and inaccurate. There are different techniques for this operation and we react and recover differently. Most of all I wish the standard advice was that rest and walking is the best recovery for a hip. Sure, drop in a few of the exercises they recommend but the very words 'your recovery is in your hands' seems to imply we need to be exercising three times a day and walking a mile etc. Then when we feel pain and have swelling we feel we have done something wrong. Maybe not trying hard enough. It is difficult enough recovering from a major operation without the guilt thrown in.

Couldn't agree more Phoebe. We're given so little information (apart from basic restrictions), left to find our own way and then blamed if anything goes a bit wrong. And as you say, info on the net is confusing and contradictory and very little warning about differences of technique and how that might affect progress. This site should be recommended to all new hippies!

 

[Layla]

@flamingoprint
Thank you for the kind words above and also a big thanks to @myglasshalffull a great supporter here, as well as @Phoebie We thank you all for joining us, for your willingness to share your journeys, for support of others and for your kind sentiments.
Many blessings to you all this holiday season and beyond!

 

[Phoebie]

I also remember one of the things I really stressed about was wearing compression stockings. Every piece of online information and the booklet given to me by the hospital told me I would need to wear them for two weeks. I live alone so was on the point of booking a carer to help me dress and undress every day. Impossible to put on compression stockings and not break the 90% and sock aids are not suitable. I really fretted.

Then at my pre-assessment I was told by the TP "Oh, we don't use those anymore as they are not necessary". I was relieved but I could have made expensive arrangements.

 

[flamingoprint]

Share your relief about stockings Phoebie, I had a similar experience re blood thinners. 16 years ago I had a hip resurfacing on my other hip and had to not only wear the dreaded compression stockings but also inject myself with blood thinner in the stomach every day for 4 weeks....I never ever got used to it, it was horrible and I dreaded it every day. I can still remember my relief at the end of the 28 days!! So glad to learn this time (though not until surgery) thatI could take pills instead!
Things do progress. My whole op and hospital experience was out of all recognition better. Pain relief is so much improved and effective now. But I spent months worrying myself sick beforehand, dreading the pain I'd suffered first time round.

 

[Supersonic]

Hi
great to read other members experiences. I'm throwing my very own pity party, thinking nothing will ever improve.
My limp is still very evident as my my knee is stiff and bows inwards then the ankle on that side has a funny angle too.
Not helped when pointed out as if I wasn't aware that my leg isn't perfectly straight.
I have physio tomorrow and I don't feel like going walking with one crutch.
Funny how the slightest thing can throw me off track.

 

[flamingoprint]

Hey Supersonic
Sorry to hear you're feeling not so good today. I know how it feels sometimes, one step forward two steps back and you just get fed up with it all. Doesn't help if people say stupid things either!
Hope the physio visit goes well.

 

[flamingoprint]

I had a great day out with friends today and the sudden pain I had nearly a week ago is almost gone now. Nearly back to what I was so being very careful. But can't help being jealous of people already driving, still difficult to imagine feeling loose enough to handle the movements required. Even just turning round in the seat to look behind me...still seem to be very cautious and stiff in lots of my movements. Finding that in bed at night too. Maybe I just lack confidence.

 

[Supersonic]

Glad you had a great day Flamigoprint. Finding the new normal and transitioning from a post op person to the new version of us is so weird.
Having lived with physical limitations for so long, lots of meds and bad sleep. I'm terrified now that only further surgery on my knee and ankle with give me the type of mobility I want.
Still I'm no longer in pain, I sleep well so just need to hang in there.
Spent the day googling knock knee excercises for the future.
Also been analysing why /how, I've ended up in the ODIC. Three things i can say for sure
* wore old shoes for my walk while waiting for new to arrive.
* I've not been walking everyday
* felt confident I could do a few foot over foot going up stairs

My knee and ankle thought otherwise.
Oh well, need to be patient & find some balance.

 

[flamingoprint]

Morning Supersonic
I think blaming yourself for any setbacks, or what seem to be setbacks, is the last thing you should be doing. You've been doing the absolute best you can and made considerable progress - I've really admired how you've coped in the face of added difficulties with your knee and ankle. You put me to shame quite honestly!
It's impossible really to know always whether we're overdoing it or not isn't it - there are multiple factors at work and who knows which are leading to which effects. For what it's worth I've done all the above on your list, and probably a lot more! I do sympathise with that frustration though and the need to identify what 'caused' something - I do it myself all the time and probably drive my poor husband mad with it.
Seems to me you've been sensible and just trying things out and building yourself up, nothing wrong with that and how else to find a balance? As long as you dial it back a bit when your body tells you to that's the main thing. Things will gradually change and improve. That patience bit is the hardest, I know!