THR RedbirdFL's Recovery Thread

[RedbirdFL]

I had a good 10 day checkup with the PA at my ortho's office. He said everything looked good and released me from any restrictions on sleeping positions - yay! He said I can do pretty much anything I feel like other than jumping, running, any repetitive motions with the hip, or soaking the incision in a tub or pool. He said I can drive when I feel like I can easily get in and out of the car.

Oh, and he released me from PT and said that walking is the best therapy! Woo hoo! Before my hip problems worsened in mid-December, my husband and I were walking almost 2 miles each day together. So the plan is the start tomorrow with a very short walk and add a little more each day. I've already walked a couple of times down the driveway and to the house next door. I'm still using the walker and he recommended I stay on it for another week or so, and then could move to a cane if I felt like I was ready.

He ripped my mesh bandage off (ouch!) and replaced it with steri-strips that he said will come off on their own in about a week.

I will go back in a month for another check.

 

[Layla]

Wonderful update, especially for only 10 days post op. You're wise to s-l-o-w-l-y increase the walk so you don't overdo it and end up in the dreaded ODIC (over did it club) You can also always ice preventively afterward.
I hope you enjoy and have a lovely Easter weekend!
@RedbirdFL

 

[RedbirdFL]

It's been two weeks since my surgery and I think I'm doing pretty well. I'm using the cane more than the walker. I've had some outings in the last few days - a trip to Lowe's on Friday, a visit to my daughter's on Sunday (she and her family lived down the street from us, but left yesterday to move to Portland, OR - clear across the country from us! ), and a trip to the grocery this morning. I'm taking it easy otherwise, but am feeling pretty good. I am still icing after these adventures.

I'm only taking a 1/2 hydrocodone at night, and could probably do without that. During the day, I'm taking celebrex, aspirin, and acetaminophen.

Most of the time, I'm able to get my operated leg in and out of bed and the car by myself. Next goal is to be able to get my left shoe on. I was able to get it off by myself when we came back from the grocery using the grabber for my sock!

 

[CricketHip]

You are doing well! Very well.. just try to remember that slow and steady is the way to a great recovery.
Gosh, you really are doing super!

 

[RedbirdFL]

What's your best advice for how to get the adhesive from the bandages off my skin?

 

[benne68]

Hi @RedbirdFL. It will come off eventually on its own, although I helped it with a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Just keep it away from the incision--or it will sting like crazy!

 

[CricketHip]

I agree that it will come off eventually on it's own, but if it is bothering you then maybe try what @benne68 suggested. I found a little bit of oil, like coconut or almond oil worked when put on a cotton ball and rubbed very carefully around the area.. Just avoid the incision! It's not worth worrying about if it's too close to the incision.

 

[RedbirdFL]

Over the last 24 hours or so, I've had a sharp, sudden stinging pain in my incision. It generally comes and goes pretty quickly. The incision doesn't look red or swollen or anything.

Is that the nerves in the incision area coming back to life, the steri-strips irritating my skin, or something else?

 

[RedbirdFL]

I think I've injured my incision. I'm 3 1/2 weeks out from my anterior THR and had been doing great. I didn't have any restrictions from my doctor except no running, jumping, or soaking the incision in a pool or tub.

Maybe I joined the ODIT club today - I hope that's all it is. I was sitting on a low stool this morning, helping my husband fill our bird feeders. My husband helped me up (gently), but when I got up, my incision started hurting badly. And now that area looks a little swollen. It doesn't appear to be open or infected, but it hurts. I've been icing it.

Thoughts?

 

[thepuckhead]

Hi, @RedbirdFL -

Not a professional here, but my understanding is that nerve pain around the incision is generally characterized as burning, stinging, pinching, zaps and zings....it's very different from muscles or other soft tissues, which are usually achy, sore, maybe sharp or deeper feeling.

It wouldn't surprise me if, at 3 weeks, your nerves around the incision were waking up a bit with not entirely pleasant comments about what they've experienced.

My suggestion would be to see how you feel after icing for a bit. Determine whether the pain is getting better, worse or staying the same. The guidelines I got from my surgical care team in the first few weeks after surgery were to call anytime, but especially if there was any sign of infection, including fever, weeping, redness and any sharp, new pain that stayed above about a 6, didn't respond to pain meds or ice and seemed to be "setting in."

The incision site is still very tender, so even a gentle lift from a low seat can aggravate it.

Give your team a call if it doesn't seem to be calming down or if your concern is keeping you up at night.

So, which red bird in Florida does your name represent? A fellow birdfeeder wants to know.

 

[RedbirdFL]

So, which red bird in Florida does your name represent? A fellow birdfeeder wants to know.

LOL, my name is Robin, and growing up, my uncle called me Redbird, so that's generally the name I use online.

But, I do like birds, and have a lot of cardinals at my feeders!

@thepuckhead , what interesting birds do you get at your feeders?

 

[Gloucestergal65]

@RedbirdFL - I’m four months post op and the only slight pain/discomfort I have is tenderness around the incision site which is slowly getting less. I got it checked several times thinking it might be infected. I also ‘spat a stitch’ from the scar. I believe it is just muscles still complaining (not really surprising after being pulled about and. cut through) although I do sometimes get the nerve zaps and zings too. It doesn’t interfere with activity, I just notice it from time to time when it rubs against something (chair, seatbelt etc).
I hope you notice some improvement soon but as always, if you are really concerned, get it checked out. Good luck.

 

[thepuckhead]

Oh, gotcha, @RedbirdFL - funny, I immediately thought cardinal but then wondered if they were that far south. They are named "northern" cardinals, so I didn't know what they considered "north," LOL!

Despite our rotten spring so far, we just saw our first warbler trying to eat some suet. A yellow-rumped warbler was determined to help himself even though he has to balance on the top of the suet log, tip over and grab a bite. Looks awkward to me, but very glad to see him. Otherwise, we have the usual backyard array of chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and, of course, red birds. ;)

They really do make recovery so much brighter.

 

[MissFanny]

I am a birder, too! I have my back to the window with the feeders tho, so I am missing the spring activity! Some of my favorites I get are yellow-shafted Northern Flickers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and goldfinches. I spent a month in Arizona this winter with my son and daughter in law and saw so many new species!

Anyway, I hope your incision calms down soon, Redbird. With my first surgery, it was pretty sore for a few weeks after the staples were removed.

 

[RedbirdFL]

My surgery was 4 weeks ago yesterday, and I'm doing well. I'm walking most of the time without my cane. As some of you said, I just started doing it without thinking.

There's still a bit of muscular and nerve soreness in my left leg, but that's gradually getting better. Most of the steri strips are off my incision and it has a little swelling and pain that comes and goes. I still ice it often.

All in all, I'm really pleased with my recovery.
Also, I am really thankful for this board for all the excellent advice and information you provide!

 

[CricketHip]

You are most welcome! All of us on Staff have been there and done that and most of us came here for advice initially, so we know well, how wonderful the guidelines are on BoneSmart.

So happy to read your latest update. Things will only get better, isn't that a great feeling?

 

[myglasshalffull]

I have several bird feeders as well and love seeing all of them come each day. We have bluejays, cardinals finches, (they are now bright yellow), squirrels, a very chubby gopher, nuthatches and we have a nesting pair of hawks it our pine tree. They return every March and have a baby. They are excellent parents/caretakers.
I also have 4-5 bird houses and the birds are beginning to "house" shop. So cute.
Hope the incision issue has resolved. I'm still icing after overdoing it last week! Ughhh....you think I would learn.

 

[Layla]

We're happy you are grateful for BoneSmart and the wealth of information shared here through members.
I found the support next to none during my recovery. Thanks for your kind words in regard to the forum.

It sounds like your recovery is coming along nicely. May it only get better!
Happy One Month Anniversary!
@RedbirdFL

 

[RedbirdFL]

I had my 6 week check up with my ortho yesterday and he has released me from any restrictions and from his care! I still have a slight bit of swelling in the left thigh, a mild amount of discomfort, and some numbness around the incision, and he assured me those would disappear soon. And I know from reading the threads of those of you that are a few months ahead of me, that will be the case!

One thing I've been experiencing lately is some insomnia. Hopefully, this too will pass.

 

[Layla]

Great news! Thanks for the update. Sleep issues are common and it should regulate in time. Here is a article from the BoneSmart Library -
Sleep Deprivation
Have a nice rest of the week!
@RedbirdFL