Revision THR Recovery following RTHR 10/20/20

[rowergal]

Hi. Thought I'd give another update...
This past Monday, 7/10, was eight weeks since my revision surgery. On July 12 I saw my surgeon. Got x-rays as usual. Surgeon told me that while my femur with the 2 vertical fractures is healing, the healing is still in the "callus" stage, meaning the new bone is still spongy. He wants me to continue using the walker for 5 more weeks! Ugh. He also said I still can't drive or start PT. I mentioned that in the past week while at home, I occasionally walk away from the walker (forget to use it) and is that OK? He said that's because your body is thinking you are capable to do that. However, since the broken fragments are the trochanters where tendons attach, he still wants me to be very cautious not to use muscles that will pull on those fragments. Therefore, I need to try to always use the walker. I also still have to go up and down stairs one at a time.
Sigh. I was not expecting that much of an extension on using the walker (5 more weeks), but after all, I'm 66 and have osteopenia, so it's not that surprising that my bone is not super fast at healing!
I'm still having a lot of muscle pains. Lately it's been in the periformis (middle of butt cheek). He says that's because we are not allowing usage of all my muscles of the hip, so they are unhappy. He says this will resolve once I am able to move freely and start PT.
So...I just have to be patient. A lot of things are much easier now, such as getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, showering, moving about. In the scheme of things, this isn't that long, right? I'm calling this my "lost summer"!!

 

[hopnfox]

Wow, you've had a rough go of it!!! 5 weeks is really not that long! I'd go sit outside and get some vitamin D-unless it's super hot!! I hope you find something fun to do....cross stitch/good book. Take it easy, it will be worth it in the long run. You are definitely in my prayers! You and I went through it together the first time

 

[Layla]

Aww, your lost Summer. I am so sorry.
I hope the next five weeks on the walker fly by.
There is always next year, so….wishing you the best Summer ever in 2024!
@rowergal

 

[myglasshalffull]

It's no fun to have to use walker for extended period but it will be worth it in the end. I had small fracture still present after surgery as well and had to continue using walker for 4 more weeks light weight bearing and fracture did heal.
Yes, lost summer, but next summer you will be in tip top shape so hang in there!

 

[rowergal]

Wow, you've had a rough go of it!!! 5 weeks is really not that long! I'd go sit outside and get some vitamin D-unless it's super hot!! I hope you find something fun to do....cross stitch/good book. Take it easy, it will be worth it in the long run. You are definitely in my prayers! You and I went through it together the first time

I had forgotten that you had your THR back in Oct 2020, too! How are you doing, @hopnfox ?

 

[hopnfox]

I'm doing pretty good. Had my right THR this past January, so trying to get back to normal with that one now.
I have hip bursitis, had an injection last week, and it didn't do a thing. So back to the exercises in hopes they help.
Take care, and keep your chin up. I know it's hard to do sometimes.

 

[rowergal]

I'm doing pretty good. Had my right THR this past January, so trying to get back to normal with that one now.
I have hip bursitis, had an injection last week, and it didn't do a thing. So back to the exercises in hopes they help.
Take care, and keep your chin up. I know it's hard to do sometimes.

Good luck!

 

[HipButSquare]

How is it going? My ears perked up when you mentioned rowing.

I ran for many years and switched to rowing, on the machine and some on the water.

My recollection is that my surgeon said before surgery that I could go back to rowing but now, after surgery, the answer seems to be no.

They are concerned with the angle of the hip at the catch. I am struggling with pain and depressed, to say the least.

I have a beautiful RP3, the dynamic rowing machine, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to it. I need to do something as I have gained weight.

 

[Layla]

Hi there on this three month anniversary of your revision.
By rough calculation your five weeks must be nearing and hopefully you’ll be released from the walker soon and able to regain your independence behind the wheel. We’re rooting for you!
@rowergal

 

[rowergal]

How is it going? My ears perked up when you mentioned rowing.

I ran for many years and switched to rowing, on the machine and some on the water.

My recollection is that my surgeon said before surgery that I could go back to rowing but now, after surgery, the answer seems to be no.

They are concerned with the angle of the hip at the catch. I am struggling with pain and depressed, to say the least.

I have a beautiful RP3, the dynamic rowing machine, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to it. I need to do something as I have gained weight.

Hi there! Yes, I've been a rower for many years. Last year, I was only able to row 10 times, and this year with so much pain followed by revision followed by recuperating, there will be no rowing for me. However, my doctor has never told me that I won't be able to row again, so I'm intending to next year.
So sorry to hear that they are telling you that you shouldn't row. Did you get anterior approach? I did, because there are no muscles cut and less chance of dislocation. Perhaps you should get a 2nd opinion? Good luck!

 

[rowergal]

Hi there on this three month anniversary of your revision.
By rough calculation your five weeks must be nearing and hopefully you’ll be released from the walker soon and able to regain your independence behind the wheel. We’re rooting for you!
@rowergal

Hi Layla!
Thanks for checking in. I ended up having to use the walker for THREE MONTHS. My femur was not healed enough to go without it at 8 weeks. It was a slog, but I just kept telling myself that in the length of a life, 3 months is not that long. On Aug 16, my doc cleared me to ditch the walker and switch to a cane. I've been rapidly building muscle back in the past 3.5 weeks. I don't use anything in the house, take a cane for short outings, and use hiking poles when I go for walks. I'm not up to 2 - 3 miles of walking about 5 days per week!! I'm thrilled. I still get achy but I think this revision is finally going to solve my issues. I no longer have "start up" pain when I stand up after sitting/squatting/bending/lying down, etc. And my limp appears to be gone except when I'm tired at the end of the day! I see my doctor this coming Tues, and leave on a 2-week trip to Seattle the next day. Feeling optimistic!

 

[Layla]

Wow, three months must have felt like a long tine with the walker. I can imagine your elation in kicking it to the curb!
I am so happy to read things are looking up for you and that you have confidence in the revision.
I hope you have a great visit with your surgeon on Tuesday. Safe travels to Seattle...Enjoy!
@rowergal

 

[Eman85]

It was a slog, but I just kept telling myself that in the length of a life, 3 months is not that long.

That is a great line and a description of what joint replacement recovery is.

 

[HipButSquare]

How is it going? My ears perked up when you mentioned rowing.

I ran for many years and switched to rowing, on the machine and some on the water.

My recollection is that my surgeon said before surgery that I could go back to rowing but now, after surgery, the answer seems to be no.

They are concerned with the angle of the hip at the catch. I am struggling with pain and depressed, to say the least.

I have a beautiful RP3, the dynamic rowing machine, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to it. I need to do something as I have gained weight.

Hi there! Yes, I've been a rower for many years. Last year, I was only able to row 10 times, and this year with so much pain followed by revision followed by recuperating, there will be no rowing for me. However, my doctor has never told me that I won't be able to row again, so I'm intending to next year.
So sorry to hear that they are telling you that you shouldn't row. Did you get anterior approach? I did, because there are no muscles cut and less chance of dislocation. Perhaps you should get a 2nd opinion? Good luck!

I got the posterior approach. My understanding is that since the ball was force fit into the socket, it can come out.

Is it true that there is less chance of dislocation with the anterior approach? Too late now.

My doctor had to do a revision on a patient who jumped up and down on his leg so, running is out too. Sigh. I had a 5:57 mile at 45 years of age.

What in the world do I do raise my heart rate? The legs are the biggest levers on the body and raise the heart rate the most.

 

[benne68]

Is it true that there is less chance of dislocation with the anterior approach?

I want to correct the misconception!

There are 3 different surgical approaches -- posterior, anterior and lateral -- because no single approach that works for every patient. Each has advantages and disadvantages. The surgical approach is chosen based on your anatomy, body type, medical history, etc.

As far as risk of dislocation, it's true that with the posterior and lateral approaches there are usually more restrictions during the first 6 weeks of recovery to prevent dislocation. But after that, there is no difference between the approaches!

By the way, the posterior approach is used in the majority of surgeries performed in the United States, so you are in good company!

 

[HipButSquare]

Is it true that there is less chance of dislocation with the anterior approach?

I want to correct the misconception!

There are 3 different surgical approaches -- posterior, anterior and lateral -- because no single approach that works for every patient. Each has advantages and disadvantages. The surgical approach is chosen based on your anatomy, body type, medical history, etc.

As far as risk of dislocation, it's true that with the posterior and lateral approaches there are usually more restrictions during the first 6 weeks of recovery to prevent dislocation. But after that, there is no difference between the approaches!

By the way, the posterior approach is used in the majority of surgeries performed in the United States, so you are in good company!

Thanks for that information. That was my understanding as well.

My doctor called the posterior approach the “gold standard.” He has been doing them for decades.

The hip cool doctors do the anterior but I’m not hip, lol.

 

[benne68]

The hip cool doctors do the anterior but I’m not hip, lol.

That would make you a not-hip hippie?

 

[HipButSquare]

The hip cool doctors do the anterior but I’m not hip, lol.

That would make you a not-hip hippie?

I was never a hippie so I think that would be a not-hip non-hippie.

 

[Eman85]

How is it going? My ears perked up when you mentioned rowing.

I ran for many years and switched to rowing, on the machine and some on the water.

My recollection is that my surgeon said before surgery that I could go back to rowing but now, after surgery, the answer seems to be no.

They are concerned with the angle of the hip at the catch. I am struggling with pain and depressed, to say the least.

I have a beautiful RP3, the dynamic rowing machine, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to it. I need to do something as I have gained weight.

Hi there! Yes, I've been a rower for many years. Last year, I was only able to row 10 times, and this year with so much pain followed by revision followed by recuperating, there will be no rowing for me. However, my doctor has never told me that I won't be able to row again, so I'm intending to next year.
So sorry to hear that they are telling you that you shouldn't row. Did you get anterior approach? I did, because there are no muscles cut and less chance of dislocation. Perhaps you should get a 2nd opinion? Good luck!

I got the posterior approach. My understanding is that since the ball was force fit into the socket, it can come out.

Is it true that there is less chance of dislocation with the anterior approach? Too late now.

My doctor had to do a revision on a patient who jumped up and down on his leg so, running is out too. Sigh. I had a 5:57 mile at 45 years of age.

What in the world do I do raise my heart rate? The legs are the biggest levers on the body and raise the heart rate the most.

@HipButSquare I didn't see your thread so I'll respond here. There's a lot of misconception about this procedure that we've had done to us. Best thing to do is do the google anatomy course and see how the hip joint is constructed. There's a reason why you don't hear of people dislocating their hips in every day life, including sports and bungee jumping. Understanding what they do to perform this procedure will go a long way to knowing what you can do. it will also explain the difference in the approaches and what the differences are as far as dislocation risk. We move more in the direction that would force a dislocation from posterior than anterior which is why posterior has this stigma about restrictions. Anterior has the same risk but we generally don't force our leg as much in that direction. Dislocating from jumping up and down would have to be a pretty rare freak occurrence. If you ran you surely understand your body. The only "restrictions" I have are my risk assumption restrictions. Do I want to risk the damage I might do and accept the consequences.

 

[HipButSquare]

How is it going? My ears perked up when you mentioned rowing.

I ran for many years and switched to rowing, on the machine and some on the water.

My recollection is that my surgeon said before surgery that I could go back to rowing but now, after surgery, the answer seems to be no.

They are concerned with the angle of the hip at the catch. I am struggling with pain and depressed, to say the least.

I have a beautiful RP3, the dynamic rowing machine, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to it. I need to do something as I have gained weight.

Hi there! Yes, I've been a rower for many years. Last year, I was only able to row 10 times, and this year with so much pain followed by revision followed by recuperating, there will be no rowing for me. However, my doctor has never told me that I won't be able to row again, so I'm intending to next year.
So sorry to hear that they are telling you that you shouldn't row. Did you get anterior approach? I did, because there are no muscles cut and less chance of dislocation. Perhaps you should get a 2nd opinion? Good luck!

I got the posterior approach. My understanding is that since the ball was force fit into the socket, it can come out.

Is it true that there is less chance of dislocation with the anterior approach? Too late now.

My doctor had to do a revision on a patient who jumped up and down on his leg so, running is out too. Sigh. I had a 5:57 mile at 45 years of age.

What in the world do I do raise my heart rate? The legs are the biggest levers on the body and raise the heart rate the most.

@HipButSquare I didn't see your thread so I'll respond here. There's a lot of misconception about this procedure that we've had done to us. Best thing to do is do the google anatomy course and see how the hip joint is constructed. There's a reason why you don't hear of people dislocating their hips in every day life, including sports and bungee jumping. Understanding what they do to perform this procedure will go a long way to knowing what you can do. it will also explain the difference in the approaches and what the differences are as far as dislocation risk. We move more in the direction that would force a dislocation from posterior than anterior which is why posterior has this stigma about restrictions. Anterior has the same risk but we generally don't force our leg as much in that direction. Dislocating from jumping up and down would have to be a pretty rare freak occurrence. If you ran you surely understand your body. The only "restrictions" I have are my risk assumption restrictions. Do I want to risk the damage I might do and accept the consequences.

I never said the man dislocated his hip from jumping, I believe he loosened the stem. The doctor did not say he dislocated it. By the way, the man was a mailman and he was back to walking his full route.

I don’t believe the location of the incision makes the likelihood of dislocation more likely for one or the other approach. Please show me a source.

I think the movements you make can make it more likely to dislocate the hip. One physician’s assistant volunteered to show me a move that has a higher chance of dislocating my hip. He wanted to show me the move on my good leg. I begged off.

The ball is force fit into the socket. The fact that the ball can be put into the socket means that it can come out. If it could not, the surgeon would not be able to put the ball into the socket. It’s as simple as that.

As for high impact smarts like running, I think there is a higher chance of wearing out the hardware. The question is whether running is worth it because of that. I had a 5:57 mile at 45 and now I feel like running is forbidden, as it is not recommended by most orthopedic surgeons. I don’t know if I should risk it.