RoosterRick
Insider
United States
Howdy all! I am almost 3-weeks post-op RTHR (direct anterior approach) and 3.5 years from my LTHR… so not my first rodeo, as we say. That story is here https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/rick’s-new-hip.73766/ Different surgeon this time, and a slightly different approach. The incision for this procedure is approx. 10cm longitudinal (vertical) and located laterally on side of the hip. The incision from my first surgery, also the anterior approach, was smaller, horizontal and located right on the “bikini line”. Does it matter? So far, this recovery has been easier and faster.
I arrived at the Surgery Center, a 60-mile drive, on October 7th at 7:00am for a 9:00am surgery. Same Orthopedic Group as hip #1, same Surgery Center, different surgeon. I noted my surgical team had a THR scheduled every hour from 7am to 5pm. Busy shop. My pre-op prep began about 8; shave and IV, both the Anesthesiologist and Surgeon popped in to say “hi” and ask if I had questions. Nope, let’s get this thing going. No complications. I was discharged at 12:35pm and daughter drove me home. The pain meds and nerve block very effectively controlled the pain until about 4pm, and a spectacular fall day on the high plains of SE Wyoming sure helped my mood. Daughter stayed until about 5pm, then on my own.
Primary pain management for the first several days was exactly as prescribed; 1000mg Tylenol every 6 hrs, 50mg Journavx every 12hrs, 5mg Oxy every 4-6 hours … and as much icing as possible. Found the Tylenol was sufficient for pain and stoped the Oxy after day 2. Surprisingly, post-op instructions from the surgeon, beyond instructions for the meds, were lacking. The surgeon’s notes did state “Weightbearing will be WBAT. No precautions will be required.” I interpreted this literally; this would be an active recovery.
I ditched the walker when I arrived home from the hospital and used a cane, or no aid, the rest of that day. This was intentional as I believe reliance on walking aids slowed my the recovery the first time around. I was a bit surprised I was able to walk without any aid beginning the day after surgery. It was, however, a slow, purposeful pace… and intentional focus on correct mechanics and trying not to limp. My improved mobility and less pain/swelling early on compared with my previous recovery is notable. Surgery day was 1800 steps post-op, about 1/2 mile, short walks every couple of hours, then ice. Rinse & repeat, this became my daily routine, gradually increasing the duration of the walks.
At one week post-op I was walking 4 miles/day, broken up into 3-4 shorter walks always followed by rest and ice. This daily distance increased to 6+ miles/day by the end of week 2, with several days of 8 to 10 miles… just to see how I felt. I’m pleasantly surprised at how quickly my return to normalized activity has progressed. l had been walking as much as my hip could tolerate pre-surgery, averaging 4 miles/day. Also regular strength training workouts including squats & stretching. I have to give some credit to my pre-surgery work, as well as the surgeon, of course, for the apparent relatively quick recovery.
I was able to drive at 5-days post op, and returned to work (office) 10/19. The initial challenge was getting in/out of the vehicle; this is significantly easier now, of course. The swelling and bruising from the surgery are now mostly resolved, but I suspect some swelling will linger for an awhile yet. I continue ice for 60-90 minutes daily, both at work and when I’m home, and I continue to walk 4-6 miles daily. When sitting, my pain is 0-1, 1-2 when walking; both are now less than my daily pre-surgery pain and continue to improve. I was also able to resume upper body resistance training at 2 weeks post-op with no issues. I intend to work in body-weight squats as soon as I have a bit more flexibility.
Sleep remains somewhat challenging, and currently consists of a series of 2-3 hour naps. I’m not a back sleeper and that’s been the only option since the surgery. Flexibility continues to improve, but I am not yet able to manage shoes & socks without an aid. Very close, but not quite there.
Finally, I cannot overstate the importance of sufficient rest and icing in my “active recovery”. The rest and icing allowed me to be more active, which accelerated my recovery, IMO. I highly recommend a cold therapy machine that circulates ice water through an anatomical hip pad. Ice packs/wraps/frozen peas etc are just not sufficient. I’ll also give a strong endorsement to the Lounge Doctor leg rest. I didn’t have one of those for hip #1, but I wish I had. Game changer.
My first post-op followup appointment is the end of this week and I assume my care team will have no concerns. I’ll continue to report my progress in the coming months, but so far, so good
I arrived at the Surgery Center, a 60-mile drive, on October 7th at 7:00am for a 9:00am surgery. Same Orthopedic Group as hip #1, same Surgery Center, different surgeon. I noted my surgical team had a THR scheduled every hour from 7am to 5pm. Busy shop. My pre-op prep began about 8; shave and IV, both the Anesthesiologist and Surgeon popped in to say “hi” and ask if I had questions. Nope, let’s get this thing going. No complications. I was discharged at 12:35pm and daughter drove me home. The pain meds and nerve block very effectively controlled the pain until about 4pm, and a spectacular fall day on the high plains of SE Wyoming sure helped my mood. Daughter stayed until about 5pm, then on my own.
Primary pain management for the first several days was exactly as prescribed; 1000mg Tylenol every 6 hrs, 50mg Journavx every 12hrs, 5mg Oxy every 4-6 hours … and as much icing as possible. Found the Tylenol was sufficient for pain and stoped the Oxy after day 2. Surprisingly, post-op instructions from the surgeon, beyond instructions for the meds, were lacking. The surgeon’s notes did state “Weightbearing will be WBAT. No precautions will be required.” I interpreted this literally; this would be an active recovery.
I ditched the walker when I arrived home from the hospital and used a cane, or no aid, the rest of that day. This was intentional as I believe reliance on walking aids slowed my the recovery the first time around. I was a bit surprised I was able to walk without any aid beginning the day after surgery. It was, however, a slow, purposeful pace… and intentional focus on correct mechanics and trying not to limp. My improved mobility and less pain/swelling early on compared with my previous recovery is notable. Surgery day was 1800 steps post-op, about 1/2 mile, short walks every couple of hours, then ice. Rinse & repeat, this became my daily routine, gradually increasing the duration of the walks.
At one week post-op I was walking 4 miles/day, broken up into 3-4 shorter walks always followed by rest and ice. This daily distance increased to 6+ miles/day by the end of week 2, with several days of 8 to 10 miles… just to see how I felt. I’m pleasantly surprised at how quickly my return to normalized activity has progressed. l had been walking as much as my hip could tolerate pre-surgery, averaging 4 miles/day. Also regular strength training workouts including squats & stretching. I have to give some credit to my pre-surgery work, as well as the surgeon, of course, for the apparent relatively quick recovery.
I was able to drive at 5-days post op, and returned to work (office) 10/19. The initial challenge was getting in/out of the vehicle; this is significantly easier now, of course. The swelling and bruising from the surgery are now mostly resolved, but I suspect some swelling will linger for an awhile yet. I continue ice for 60-90 minutes daily, both at work and when I’m home, and I continue to walk 4-6 miles daily. When sitting, my pain is 0-1, 1-2 when walking; both are now less than my daily pre-surgery pain and continue to improve. I was also able to resume upper body resistance training at 2 weeks post-op with no issues. I intend to work in body-weight squats as soon as I have a bit more flexibility.
Sleep remains somewhat challenging, and currently consists of a series of 2-3 hour naps. I’m not a back sleeper and that’s been the only option since the surgery. Flexibility continues to improve, but I am not yet able to manage shoes & socks without an aid. Very close, but not quite there.
Finally, I cannot overstate the importance of sufficient rest and icing in my “active recovery”. The rest and icing allowed me to be more active, which accelerated my recovery, IMO. I highly recommend a cold therapy machine that circulates ice water through an anatomical hip pad. Ice packs/wraps/frozen peas etc are just not sufficient. I’ll also give a strong endorsement to the Lounge Doctor leg rest. I didn’t have one of those for hip #1, but I wish I had. Game changer.
My first post-op followup appointment is the end of this week and I assume my care team will have no concerns. I’ll continue to report my progress in the coming months, but so far, so good
