Right hip surgery 8/16/07

[Cptn.Jeff]

After having my third back surgery, two being fusions. I just found out that I need both hips replaced. The problem was they were not placed properly as a child at birth. So I have been told that all should go fine by friends and not to worry, I have heard that it can be painful. I have a 8 week old baby boy and I'm so woried that I will not be able to have fun with him as he grows up. I'm 45 years old and they are doing the ceramic replacments on both hips.
How much pain will I be in and for how long? How long will it be before I can pick up my baby boy? I'm going to write as much as I can. I can't sit for long and I'm in a lot of pain right now.....Hello everyone, I'm Jeff

 

[Josephine]

HI there, Jeff. Nice to meet you.

I am sorry to hear about your condition. I do recommend that you read as much as you can of the other threads, as I've just told another new member, there's so much "been there. done that" information from people who've actually been through this procedure.

If you still have unanswered questions, I - and others I am sure - will be very happy to do what we can to address them.

But the bottom line is that you will be able to have fund with your little one and you will be able to resume your loving relationship with your wife in time. And not nearly as long a time as you might supposed. I have several friends who have had hip replacements - some older than others! - and to tell the truth, I would have a hard job now remembering who has had THR and who hasn't! And I'm talking about weeks and months rather than anything longer. Once you've got the first few weeks out of the way, you'll get along in leaps and bounds - if you'll pardon the analogy!! LOL!!

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

Thank you Josephine,
I thank the second hip surgery will be worse than the first because I will know what to expect...LOL
I have always had a hard time finding a med. that will help with pain in the past back surgerys, I would just go without. I hope they try some thing different that works. It sound like this surgery pain will be more intence that my other ones......frown

 

[Josephine]

Well, not necessarily. Pain in a back is quite a different scenario altogether from hip pain or hip surgery pain. In a back, you're talking about major nerves being involved by being constricted or under other pressure. Also muscular spasm from those problems.

In hips - and in knees - the pain is from a debrided (worn) bone ends so is more akin to a sort of bruise. The pain preoperatively is from the joint moving bone on bone and postoperatively is from the bone being refashioned and the soft tissues being cut. In both these situations, the pain is much more easily remedied and controlled. It is also a pain that is going to recede as healing takes place.

The usual procedures employed are primarily spinal (regional) anaesthesia. This numbs the entire body from the waist down and lasts for approximately 6-8 hours.

After that, it is very common for a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) - more commonly referred to as a morphine pump - to be used. This device is linked into your IV and you have a button to press to get the machine to deliver a small dose of morphine into your IV. The dose is quite small - usually 1 mgm every 5 minutes - thereby employing the best technique of all which is preventing the pain from surfacing in the first place. The device automatically locks itself afor the 5 minutes after each use of the button thereby making it impossible for the patient to overdose themselves. This therefore means that pain control is in the hands of the patient which is much better psychologically.

The alternative is treating the pain once it has manifested which usually means giving patients an intramuscular injection of 10mgs once every >4 hours which can take up to 20 minutes to become effective. The delay in making a decision to ask for pain relief, then waiting for the nurse to get the medication and administer it, all add to the anxiety which exacerbates the pain tremendously as has been revealed in many research reports.

There are also rare occasions when morphine does not seem to work too well on some people but there are alternatives such as intravenous paracetamol or Voltarol (diclofenac) which I personally have observed to be very effective where morphine has failed.

I hope this treatise has reassured you somewhat!

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

Thank Josephine,
That helps alot.
Jeff

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

Its getting close and I could not be happier.
What should I expect on my post op visit? All this " One leg is longer than the other " is making me a little nervios. Its a good thing I'm having the other one done in December, that way they can adjust it!!!! LOL
I'm in so much pain still I can't wait to get my hips fixed. I don't like to stay in hospitals for a long period of time so I hope I can go home in 4 to 5 days after. Well I'm going to the vampire people now and will write soon, Thank you for all the help, I'm sure I will have lots more questions.
Jeff

 

[Josephine]

Don't worry about the leg length.

a) very few people have legs the exact same length even without pathology
b) it's also very common to find that when the new hip has been put in, the shortening that the arthritis caused has been corrected. Do not see this as a negative but as a positive
c) any disparity in leg length will be corrected when the second hip is done and
d) you will adjust to it! The body is designed to adjust.

Glad to have been of help and do keep in touch.

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

Well its down to 5 days and counting, I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am
That means i'll have to leave my house at 4. I had my pre-op appointment and the doctor and I went over every thing about my surgery. This being my second surgery this year not much shook me up. So, I have lots to do over the next few days as far as hospital stuff and getting the house ready for my return home. I would like to ask everyone how talks to our Lord to say a little some thing for me...For that I thank you.
I will be writing all about my surgery and up dates on my recovery.
Thank you all for the help in my prep for this first THR, the second will be in November/December
Thank you,
Jeff

 

[Josephine]

Oh I'll be praying for you, Jeff. Have no fear on that! I pray for most folks on here at one time or another. May you have peace a plenty when you go for your surgery and a speedy and uneventful recovery.

I'll be looking forward to your next report.

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

I went to the hospital today and they drew my blood and put my wrist band on my right hand. I was instructed not to get it wet or take it off, by this sweet little nurse that you justed wanted to pinch her cheeks. The hospital is giant!
I had valet park my truck. Sweet!
I have been getting myself ready physicaly and mentally. So I am all ready for my surgery on Thursday. Last night I was a little out of sorts, I went to bed at 7pm because I was feeling lousy, My hips hurt, my back hurt and my legs hurt. I thought I was comming down with some thing, That made me mad, because if I was I knew that my surgery would be put off. My doctor said that he did'nt want not even a razor cut or he would not do the surgery. Infection is my worst eneny. I have my stuff all packed for my surgery and my cell phone charged up and the wall charger just in case. I have really enjoyed reading all the posts on here, Its has help me out so much. Thank you all.

 

[Josephine]

Tomorrow's the big day, huh? Be thinking of you, pet!

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

Home on Sunday !!
Its over and I'm feeling OK. The surgery was 4 hours long with a 2 hour recovery, The Doc said all went well. They sat me up on Friday AM and from there I moved to my chair in the room for about one hour. The pain after surgery was not to bad and was kept under control with meds. I got out of bed for all my meals after that. I was able to sit up and walk longer every day. Sunday came and the doc said I needed one of my units of blood I gave for myself before going home that afternoon. I felt so much better after the blood and my wife loaded me up and 2 hours later we were at home.
The first night was a little shakie, I started feeling a little sweaty so I called the hospital. After I told them what I had been doing they said I should drink more water. Two hours later I felt fine. Today I some thoeapy and I'm feeling sore so I had to up my meds just a little. I'm taking Norco 7.5/375 2 every 4 hours. I found that crutches worked a little for me to get around on. Its hard not being able to do any thing by myself, I will go back to the doc's office on Wednesday to have the staples removed and then of the same after that. I will not be able to put weight on my hip for 5 more weeks, after that i should be in good shape.
I'll write more tomorrow, Time to go lay back down.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Cptn.Jeff]

Saturday, 9 days after my right hip surgery.
I'm feeling much better and i'm getting around on my cruches well.
The doc finely has my blood thinners corect and my pain med's are doing there job.
I have been doing my excercises and I can tell that my hip is getting stronger all the time.
My wife is driving me to see my doctor on Wednesday to have my staples removed. I'm glad about that because they are bugging me. I'll be non-weight bearing on my right leg for 5 more weeks. Thats been hard to stay off of.
Thats all for now. Good luck!
Jeff

 

[Josephine]

Wahey, Jeff!! Fantastic!! You came through with flying colours. Well done! I have been thinking of you this last few days and praying all would go well for you. It seems like prayers have been heard, eh!

There'll be no holding you now.