THR Rhiannon89's recovery thread

[Mojo333]

Glad to know you are doing well.
Keep all slow and steady and you'll get through this recovery beautifully!
Healing hugs...

 

[Rhiannon89]

Had a good day but now I'm in pain... I'm not due any more painkillers for a couple of hours but will take some morphine. It feels like my femur is throbbing (who can blame it!) And I'm getting sharp shocks of pain in the joint :(

I haven't done an awful lot today and was pretty much pain free until this evening!

 

[trenna]

Hi Rhiannon!
It's nice to see another young hippie here. I'm glad to hear that you're coming along well. Take it slow and you'll be relatively pain-free.

The throbbing femur and referring pain sucked, but I only had it for a couple of days.

 

[Mojo333]

It's a learning curve dear Rhiannon.
It never hurts til you stop so you find your lines...and give it time...before you see where the lines are the next time.

Hope all eases soon...healing hugs

 

[Layla]

Hi @Rhiannon89
Hopefully today is brighter than yesterday and your pain has eased.
I hope you're still icing. It truly helps with pain and swelling. Josephine the forum Nurse recommends icing several times per day at 40-60 mins per session, no less. Try it, if you're not already, hopefully it helps.
Have a happy Wednesday!

 

[Rhiannon89]

Woken up today in a lot less pain thankfully!

I was icing and it really did help, my only question is where exactly should I be icing? Over the wound? I moved from there to the groin area yesterday and it seemed to help. Thinking my poor knee needs some too!

 

[Mojo333]

Good instincts...wherever you think you need it!
Ice was my new bestest friend.

Hang in there...

 

[Layla]

Great news that you're in less pain today. I hope it continues.
Ice your knee too. It's great for pain and swelling anywhere.
One week post op already tomorrow Have a great evening!
@Rhiannon89

 

[Rhiannon89]

Can't believe it's been a week already!

Not had any more bouts of that horrible pain so hoping that doesn't come back! Spoke to a physio this morning on the phone who told me i should be doing all my exercises at least once a day. It's very hard as on here I know you guys don't recommend it and then you've got someone telling you off for not doing it! I tried to do some and when i moved my leg backwards I got a stabbing pain in my bum cheek...

I've also got a heat rash across my whole back, I've been lying on my back for a week now, even when i'm sat in my armchair my back is uncomfortable. Not sure what is best now, I tried lying on my side for 10 mins and my hip didn't agree... that's all that's really annoying me, not being able to sit comfortably anywhere!!

Cabin fever has well and truly set in, I get bored so easily. I am going to meet my friends new baby tomorrow who was born whilst I was in hospital so at least I can look forward to that!

 

[Jaycey]

Spoke to a physio this morning on the phone who told me i should be doing all my exercises at least once a day.

It's not just BoneSmart telling you this isn't right. That hip is complaining. It's up to you - do the exercises if you feel you must. But I can confirm after having both hips done - all exercises do is make you sore and achy.

Cabin fever has well and truly set in

All part of this recovery I am afraid. Watch TV, post here, have friends come and visit. It's a short space of time for a lifetime of pain free living.

 

[Rhiannon89]

Thanks @Jaycey, I stopped as soon as it hurt, I'm interested in getting my ROM back as I had so little before the op so i don't mind doing the odd bit that will help with that but right now all i want is rest.

I'm a bit grumpy and achey and I've got a headache so today is a bit of a miserable one!

 

[GrannyC]

I think we all feel like we “need to work at recovery” by doing PT after surgery. My OS told me I didn’t need PT to heal but like you, I thought I knew better and would heal even better with PT so I went to a few sessions. However, after a couple visits, I stopped going as it didn’t help me at all and nearly everyone on this forum said it wasn’t needed. I also noticed that most of those on the forum complaining about pain were the ones who went to therapy. I got my range of motion back just fine with no PT and you will, too. As others have said, ice is a huge help. Ice all day if needed as it really helps with any pain you might have. Your walks to the bathroom and kitchen will be enough exercise and as you feel better, increase your walking distance gradually. You will do just fine but you will need to find a bit of patience - well maybe a LOT of patience during the early days of your recovery. You don’t want to try and rush things as it will only set you back on the recovery. Read a good book, call some old friends - whatever you need for quiet activity so your body can heal. Wishing you well.

 

[Rhiannon89]

Oh just should mention I didn't contact the physio, this has all been arranged by my hospital so I'm just having to go through the motions!

Managed to make myself lunch just by using one crutch which helped a lot and didn't cause me any issues

 

[GrannyC]

Good job on the lunch! I’m sure the whole physics thing can feel like a big dilemma. Do you follow your hospital recommendations or follow what a group of complete strangers are telling you.

 

[Rhiannon89]

Good job on the lunch! I’m sure the whole physics thing can feel like a big dilemma. Do you follow your hospital recommendations or follow what a group of complete strangers are telling you.

Exactly! It's very hard, I'm seeing a physio on Monday so will find out what they think.

Heading out this evening to the in laws to borrow their shower and have something to eat, I just can't wait to in a different house for a couple of hours!

 

[Layla]

Sorry your Thursday had such a miserable start. Hopefully things improved as the day went on.
To PT, or not PT? It is a tough decision for some. Been there, done that. I went to three sessions and it was enough. All I will suggest is that IF you go, don't do anything that hurts. It's not a No Pain, No Gain situation.

Your body was injured. Flesh cut, soft tissue disturbed, things pushed aside to get to the bone, then power tools were used. If you sustained the same injury from a car wreck, would you feel the need to go work out in PT? You don't need to answer, just something to think about. You could pick up a few sessions weeks down the road if there was an issue you felt you needed to work at.

I wish you clarity in making a decision and hope you'll continue to share your progress with us either way.
We're here for you.
Wishing you a great weekend and have fun visiting the precious new baby!
@Rhiannon89

 

[Mojo333]

Putting a light cotton sheet behind you and a light dusting g of cornstarch based powder on your back might help with that rash.
You are doing great...Happy One Week Hipversary.
Going hugs @Rhiannon

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Ooh know what you mean... nowhere is comfortable... neither sitting or lying down... I’ve just got home & trying every bed & chair! [emoji51]

On my last THR I took the advice of Bonesmart & only did the necessary to heal my new hip... it worked. This time the consultant seemed to agree... just enough & not too much... walk a little every so often... few exercises 2/3 times a day & enough for the first few weeks....
you’ve got the rest of your life with this new hip....baby it for a while... enjoy your time out!!!
take care xxx


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rhiannon89]

As you can see I saw my horse today! First time since my op and gosh it felt good just being out in the countryside and cuddling him made my mood boost!

I'm so lucky I have friends who will drive me around and bring him to me so my walking was fairly minimal.

Had a couple of busy days seeing friends and family and I am a bit achey now but nothing I can't handle, I have plans to do absolutely nothing for a couple of days now and embrace the recovery. I just feel like I've had a boost mentally and that was needed!

Heat rash has gone from my back and I'm finding I can get comfortable a lot easier now too, my knee has stopped seizing up and my wound looks great! Onwards and upwards

 

[Layla]

Wow! You're doing great. I don't know how you got those jeans on so soon. I was afraid of the weight of denim on my incision. It took me a heck of a lot longer than 12 days post op to brave that routine.

You look lovely sitting with your horse. Very happy and relaxed. It's important to get out. Its wonderful you were able to. It's wise to balance rest with activity as you plan to do. It's key to an uneventful recovery, in my opinion. Good to read the heat rash is gone and the knee pain has eased. It sounds like you're on a great path to complete healing.
Enjoy the rest of the day and have a great week!
@Rhiannon89