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THR Ryan's Hip Recovery

Hey everyone,

I am now two days post op on my second hip replacement in under 3 months. My first one went very well. This one is starting off very different.

My pain is definitely worse with this hip. I have swelling down to my knee that started today. Everything in my right leg feels like it is getting more stiff as well. Maybe I overdid it?

I was also told that right around now is when all of the good meds they gave me during the operation will start to wear off. I am hoping that today is the low point of my recovery. About ready to take all of my pills and relax the rest of the night.

Sooooo......after my first hip I thought that this would be an easy journey. Today definitely reminded me that it will not be. This struggle will make me appreciate my new hips even more though.

Crossing fingers for a better day tomorrow.

Ryan
 
You are correct about those extra special nerve blocking meds wearing off.
The swelling sounds pretty normal, too. I had swelling clear down to my foot.
Hopefully you are icing and elevating that leg?
That is so important at this stage.I hope you are able to sleep well.
 
Your body has gone through a lot of trauma within a short space of time. Give yourself plenty of time to rest, ice and elevate, you know the drill.
One day at a time...you will get there.
 
myglasshalffull said:
Your body has gone through a lot of trauma within a short space of time. Give yourself plenty of time to rest, ice and elevate, you know the drill.
One day at a time...you will get there.
Click to expand...
I always need to remember this and realize that it is amazing that we can even walk 24 hours after surgery.

I currently have a feeling like there is a giant knot in my upper thigh which is restricting movement. I also can barely lift my leg. Doc said this is very normal with the anterior approach.

I’m just an impatient person. I’ve been dealing with AVN for a year and a half now. I don’t remember what it feels like to walk with no pain. I can’t wait to get there though.
 
It sounds like a bit of “log leg” and it usually doesn’t remain that way for long.
It’s the strangest feeling though, isn’t it??
Were you able to get some decent sleep last night?

Impatience isn’t your friend during this time, it just keeps you chafing at the bit, but I certainly can imagine your frustration. AVN robbed you of your ability to enjoy things, for sure. Then having two surgeries in a short amount of time would try even a saint’s patience!
I tried to focus on my gratitude of having such an amazing surgery available to me. It sounds trite but I believe it helped me.
As one of my colleagues likes to say, it’s only a snapshot in time.
 
I think in both of my cases, it lasted less than a week but I've seen many members here saying tht it took up to two weeks. If you do a search on "log leg" you can read many versions of it.
I'm guessing you didn't have it with your other THR?
I had it worse with one hip but it made an appearance in both.
How is it bothering you the worst? We can maybe give you some tips on how to navigate it better.
 
This might help with navigating with Log Leg

then there's this great explanation, too:


Log Leg - Why Does My Leg Feel So Heavy?
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.
 
Do you have a leg lifter, Rebelguy?
If not, many use the belt from a bathrobe which will work just as well.
Feels like a tree trunk, doesn't it? :heehee: Maybe not funny when your in the midst of it, but realizing it was normal made me feel better. Hope it eases quickly for you, I believe it didn't last too long for me.
@Rebelguy
 
It is making it very painful to walk. A normal step of mine has my knee raising a bit as I step forward. With my operated leg, it’s like my muscles don’t want to raise my leg at all.

Also, if I’m sitting in a chair with knees bent 90 degrees, it’s almost impossible for me right now to lift operated leg up.

I remember the weakness on my last procedure but not this extreme.

I’m guessing ice, elevation, patience and walking will work this out….just frustrating. And I always have the thought that this is how my leg will be permanently.
 
Rebelguy said:
And I always have the thought that this is how my leg will be permanently
Click to expand...
No...It will be okay, and sooner than you're imagining I'll bet.

It's so easy to allow our minds to go to the bad place early on when we're feeling weak, vulnerable and incapacitated. But I'll bet if you give your first recovery some thought you'll recall that in the early days it seems there is one temporary issue, normally replaced by another until you finally throw your hands up and just roll with it all.

Keep this little scribble in mind and also remember that no two recoveries are alike, even with the same person...that be you! :wink:
[Bonesmart.org] Ryan's Hip Recovery
 
I think it took me about two weeks before I could get my surgical leg out of bed on my own.
I'm not patient either but this surgery made me learn patience.
Of course you are very young and I'm sure you would like to recover as soon as possible, I'm retired so days I'm not up to doing something I just don't! LOL!
That being said I was living a very active lifestyle prior to my accident.
Although now I can do everything I want, it's amazing how it does all come together.
Still have days I overdo but fewer now.
I remember when Layla sent me that recovery scribble, it's so true.
Hang in there, we are all here for you, very brave getting two hips in three months.
 
I had trouble immediately with my leg leg when trying to walk. I would literally try to "walk" my leg forward by pulling with my toes..:heehee: The nurse noticed and suggested I try to kind of rock/swing my leg to get it going and it helped a lot. Not a perfect gait but helped me to walk and get loosened up until I could do better.

Hang in there Ryan, it will improve.
 
@Rebelguy sorry you're dealing with the dreaded log leg, such an annoying little glitch! And as you've already noticed, no two THRs are the same, even on the same person. Icing and elevation are wonderful, I pretty much iced anytime I wasn't up moving around. Some of us even took ice packs to bed with us. And patience is the hardest muscle you are going to have to use during this recovery. Our bodies heal in their own time and if we push it there's a good chance of ending up in the Over Did It Club (ODIC) and setting your recovery back. Just try to relax and go with the flow and before you know you'll look back and this will be a distant nuisance.
 
I found using my good foot to move the bad one around helped, as did a yoga belt. Doing things that seem like you “should” be able to do, like lifting your leg up while in a chair are difficult for most of us. But it will get better. You’re only three days in…heck, I barely got off the couch on day 3. I’d force myself to walk every hour, with the walker, then it was back to the couch and the ice machine. Also, it’s easy to sink into post-surgery blues these first few weeks. You know the drill — patience, ice, rest, and be gentle with yourself. It gets better.
 
I had trouble lifting my knee right after surgery, too. My home pt guy was happy if I could get 1/4 inch in the first days. He had me try seated, and also standing facing the kitchen countertop (he said that was usually easier). It got better on it's own. I can't remember when I was able to fully lift that knee, but I think it was with a couple of weeks.
PT guy told me it was a lack of communication between my brain, the nerves involved, and the muscles, all due to the trauma of surgery, and they all needed time and practice to reconnect.
 
Day 6 update

I am slowly able to lift my leg a little more each day. My thigh muscles are still a disaster. Going to take a while for all of that to normalize.

I do have this strange pain in the shin on my operated side when I try to put too much weight on the new hip. This never happened with my other leg. Has anyone dealt with pains in your lower leg on your operated side?
 
Rebelguy said:
Has anyone dealt with pains in your lower leg on your operated side?
Click to expand...
All normal at this stage of recovery. Your leg gets man handled during the procedure. Many of our members report bruising all the way down to the feet on the op side.

Very early days for you @Rebelguy !
 
Good morning Ryan - my doc asssured me that pain,bruising and swelling anywhere on the OP leg is normal.

It can also happen in waves (more than 1)

Best tool to quiet it down is ice+elevate. And dial back on activities!
 
Hey everyone,

I am post-op 11 days now. Swelling and pain are now reduced a good amount. I have been driving a bit and going to the grocery store. I can walk without any assistance for short periods.

I have felt like this hip has been more painful and my recovery slower. I just saw my surgeon yesterday for my first post-op appointment and he said that is far from the truth. He told me I am in the upper 90th percentile he has seen. I am guessing my younger age helps a lot.

I am hoping this all continues. I guess the biggest thing I would want anyone to take from this post is that all recoveries are completely different. All of us also have different expectations. I have had terrible anxiety because I wasn't recovering as fast as I was during my first replacement. I had times I was on the verge of a panic attack. When I actually spoke to my surgeon he told me I was light years ahead of most people.

For everyone with any worries during recovery, relax. Speak with your surgeon and give your hip TIME.

I wish everyone happy holidays and happy recovering.

Ryan
 
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