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THR RHR January 21, 2025

ElanorG

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Hi everyone!

I'm not new to BoneSmart having participated on the knee side of things for both my knee replacements. But I just had my right hip done and I have been surprised at the amount of pain I am having as I can't tell you how many times I have heard "hips are so much easier than knees!" The first bit of walking after being in bed or in the recliner is absolutely excruciating, particularly first thing in the morning or late afternoon or evening. I'm at a rehab facility so they aren't quite as on top of pain control as I was when I had my knees done and was at home. But I didn't have anybody who could stay with me this time so rehab it was.

It's funny about these things. I know it isn't a "race" but you would rather not be at the bottom of the barrel. The OT and PT say my ability to function is very good but I just was not expecting the level of pain I'm having. When does the pain improve? When does it become easier to get your legs on and off the bed? I would love to hear about other's earlier experiences with pain. TIA!

ElanorG
 
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain during your recovery. I’m not that much farther along than you, so I can only share what I’ve experienced so far.

I am on Day 8 of recovery (LTHR). I am still experiencing quite a bit of pain (more soreness) & stiffness when I first get up from being in my recliner. It seems like, sometimes, the longer I’m up & walking for short periods of time, it does loosen up. But then, of course, I sit back down & go thru it all over again the next time. My soreness right now is mostly in my quad area, so I tend to focus my icing in that area after I’m up & about.

Hang in there….after reading the many recovery stories on this site, I have to believe that, even tho it will be slowly, we will make it to the pain-free zone, eventually.

Take care!
 
Hello Elanor and Welcome to the Hip side of the forum! Thanks for joining us.
I am sorry the pain you're experiencing is more than expected, or at a level that's keeping you from being comfortably mobile. Please speak to the medical professionals there about this if it continues. The third and fourth days post op are the most difficult for many and that's where you are currently. I hope they providing you with ice and you're elevating also, it will help with the Log Leg sensation yore dealing with.

The first stage of healing is the inflammatory phase. During this time it is very common to notice swelling. After lower extremity surgery, or trauma involving bleeding and inflammation, there will be fluid in the leg causing the sensation of heaviness. Gravity pulls the fluid downward and since the patient is less mobile the fluid is not pumping back through the heart as quickly. The swelling gradually eases, but can persist for up to 3-6 months in some cases. Regular movement will assist in the reduction of swelling, as will elevation and ice. Your surgeon may prescribe compression stockings for a short period of time.

Following joint replacement, you may benefit from the use of a Leg Lifter. The Leg Lifter is a mobility aid that can assist in getting in and out of cars, wheelchairs, beds, recliners and much more. The Leg Lifter is an inexpensive option that helps provide safe movement in the early days, to weeks, of recovery.

I will leave our Recovery Guidelines along with best wishes as you begin your healing journey. Please let us know if you have any questions and we'll do our best to advise.
 
HIP RECOVERY GUIDELINES
As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs
The recovery articles
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

Nutrition is of paramount importance. Available here are dietary tips, nutrition basics and additional food supplements. These articles are both general advice on food and specific guidelines aimed at people both pre- and post-surgery.

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
I can't tell you how many times I have heard "hips are so much easier than knees!"
While this is true in the long run, the early days post-op are just as hard! I found the first two weeks post THR really hard, but with rest, ice and elevation, the pain levels went down quickly after that.

Be patient -- you are still very, very early days!
 
@ElanorG I'm sorry that you are feeling down about your physical situation. Those first few days to week are rough. It will get better. The other thing I might add, as per the guidelines above, make sure the PT personnel that may be working with you understand what rehabbing a hip entails: walking and not to excess. Anything other than that right now is doing you an disservice. Getting up to the bathroom and regular little walks is sufficient for now. Like you mentioned, not only getting pain meds regularly but getting up to move regularly is somewhat compromised when you are relying on busy personnel to do so. Both those scenarios are likely contributing to your pain right now. Also, when you are restricted from getting up by yourself, whether it's orders or protocols, it can be frustrating and make you feel less in control. I stayed two nights in the hospital and I felt those things when they always wanted someone with me to get up. I understood why but... At least they made sure I had my ice pack full. We'll take our wins where we can get them, right? Lol.

You're somewhat at a disadvantage due to your circumstances than a lot of us were. We still understand. We're always here for you with advice and/or encouragement. Blessings for comfort in the coming days. Keep us posted.
 
@Layla Thanks for the resources! I had read a number of them but had missed a few. In the US, PT at a rehab facility is nothing like outpatient PT that your surgeon would have you do. At rehab, the goal is to get you able to function safely at home. So you provide a list of the things you feel you will need to be able to do like get in and out of bed, take a shower, do stairs, get into and out of a car, feed your pets, etc. You tell them about the layout of your house, where the stair railings are, etc. and they work with you to figure out how you can do all of this so they can safely discharge and then you practice these things with the therapist. It's a totally different mindset than regular PT. When you live alone, it's really helpful to figure all these things out ahead of time. And they will order any aides (chairs, canes, etc) that you might need at time of discharge. Outside of these things, you mostly lie in bed and get up to go to the bathroom, eat meals, etc. It's very boring.

@Leedogmom2 @benne68 @Hip4life thanks for all the encouraging words! Not being able to control when I take my meds drives me nuts because I did it for my knees and I am perfectly capable of managing this on my own. The loss of control is big time frustrating. I brought an ice machine with me so at least I don't have to rely on them for that. Pain is a bit better yesterday and today and I'm feeling a bit less stiff although getting the leg on and off the bed.

They have already set a discharge date of January 30 for me. I think I should be ready by then.

Thanks again everyone!
 
Nights at a rehab facility are very long. I've never slept well after any of these major surgeries but at least when I am in my own house I could get up and walk a bit, putz, play with my cats, etc. At rehab, if you are designated to be a fall risk, you can't go to the bathroom alone, get out of bed, take a walk, etc. Someone has to come to watch over me, even though I am getting around pretty well with the walker. And the nurses aides frequently make me feel like we need to "hurry up" so they can get on to help the next person. I know they are busy but the pain meds have me not thinking as clearly as I normally do, definitely not on my A game yet.

So it is now my 6th night from surgery coming up and I am just so not looking forward to it. I want to go home, even though I'm not quite managing well enough yet. Today has been an emotionally up and down day. This is my 4th major replacement or reconstructive surgery. I now know very well how the healing process goes for me, and how boring it can be. Today I tried to sew for awhile but the pain meds make me kind logy all day long and my eyes keep wanting to drift shut.

The pain that is there when first walking has abated a bit, partly because I figured out a couple of tricks that seem to help. When I first stand, I try to stretch out the front of my body a bit, lean my head back and just get a good stretch through the abdomen and upper thigh. Then I find that walking a few steps backward seems to also help. At least I am no longer yelping on those first steps.

I had a day of no OT or PT so I took a few walks up and down the hallways and bathroom breaks and that was about it. A friend came to visit which was very nice. This healing process can be very hard sometimes because we aren't sick, so you often feel well enough to do things that your joint replacement really can't allow you to do yet. It can make things frustrating.

Just some Sunday night musings.
 
Hi @ElanorG
I have been on professional staff at skilled nursing/rehab facilities...

I'm guessing your surgeon didn't release you with an ice machine, and the staff isn't interested in making sure you can ice pack that hip in order to keep it well chilled 45 minutes at a time day and night.
That right there, on top of spotty pain meds adminstration, is going to add to your physical distress.

I would focus only on walking, that little stretch you found helpful, and short bouts of those PT/OT skills sessions with zero additional exercises. And home you'll go!
 
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Welcome to hip side of recovery. Recovery is recovery no matter what the surgery. Our bodies still need the time to heal & rebuild. Take it slow & easy & you will get there, having your own ice machine is priceless! Many of these rehabs & hospitals in general are so short staffed so sorry you feel rushed but the nurses & CNA's are overwhelmed on many shifts.
Hope you might have a good friend that could come & stay a few days once you are home?
I was able to manage making a pot of coffee in AM once home as well as basic hygiene & using bathroom with raised toilet seat. It can be a boring recovery but it was winter here so didn't feel that I was missing out on much. Lots of Netflix, talking on phone or texting with friends, naps, walks around house.
I wish you well, let us know how you are doing once you get home. (or any other time as well)!
 
@myglasshalffull Thanks. This is my 4th major surgery (2 knees, a foot and now a hip) and I know the extreme boredom. In some ways this makes this time much worse because I know what I am in for. I had the knees done during the summer months so at least I was able to get outside but the foot and hip were during winter. A part of me is having a temper tantrum about so not looking forward to the the games, streaming, texting, etc. to while away the time because I have already done this 3 times and my inner child is screaming "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!".

Unfortunately this time around I don't have any friends who can help, so I will be hiring some home help to come in for the first couple of weeks, expecially since this is my driving leg. I'm looking forward to having a decent cup of coffee and better food once I am home and of course having my cats take care of me.
 
@Layla all of a sudden I can't open any of the links in the recovery guidelines. It says I don't have permission. Can this get fixed please?
 
I am sorry, Elanor.
Change is in the air and with it comes the opportunity to enhance your experience here on BoneSmart. We've made some updates to how we'll be sharing insights / information. This shift will provide more exclusive content and added benefits for those interested. We'd love for you to be a part of this next chapter and hope you'll thoughtfully consider joining the Insiders Club.

I hope you're doing well, Elanor, and have the help you need as you begin healing.
May this weekend be a good one! :)
@ElanorG
 
@Layla I purchased one month of the Insider but I still get the same message on those links.
 
Hi ElanorG, I apologize.
Please let me report / check for you...
@ElanorG
 
@Layla I guess I had to logout and back in in order for it to recognize the upgrade so now things are fine.
 
Great!
Thanks for letting us know. :thumb: Thank you for your support!
@ElanorG
 
I got home from rehab this past Thursday. Getting around the house was easier than I had expected so that was nice. Friday I had my first post-op appointment where they removed the dressing. I felt pretty good after the doctor's appointment so I had the caregiver drive us to the grocery store and I walkered in and got in the electric cart and we grocery shopped. It was nice to be out for a bit and do something "normal". I have been using the cane in the house but they want me to continue with the walker outside for awhile. But I was tired out when I got home, but hot rotisserie chicken and a prepared salad and an orange hit the spot for dinner and didn't take much effort.

Sleep sucks, a few good hours, then awake for awhile, just feeling kind of twitchy, and then maybe a few more hours of sleep. Not enough but this is the most boring, oldest part of recovery to me, the sleep issues.

I'm on my own this weekend since no OT/PT has started yet and I'm getting some help for a couple of hours 3 days a week during the week. So it gets boring. Today the sun is out (whereas tomorrow it is not) and I am so tempted to take the walker out this afternoon and just walk a bit in my neighborhood. I'll see how warm it actually gets to as I don't really want to have to bundle up.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend!
 
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