THR SAPPER-RET Recovery Thread

SAPPER-RET

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Week 1 day 1 went to the hospital at 0600 they took me back to the operation prep room and like an assembly line, everything from anesthesiology to blood work they got me wrapped up and pain block my legs, then roll me down to the operating room and once inside they prayed for me and then I was told to take two deep breaths, and I was out. I was in the operating room for two hours and came out in the recovery room with no pain and after 3 hours they wanted me to get up and take the Walker with assistance from physical therapy and walk around, it felt amazing, no pain at all. Week 1 Day 2, I was in my room and was told to rest and watch TV, and with the help from my wife, stay on the walker and only go to the bathroom which was in my room and back to bed. Later on, in the morning the occupation specialist came in and showed me how to shower get dress without violating the 90-degree rules. This afternoon the physical therapist came and gave some instruction on how to negotiate steps and now I am back home recovering. Well that is it for now, up and walking every two hours and ice ice baby.
 
Welcome to Recovery! Congrats on your new hip.
You’re right, it is like an assembly line once you check in to prep for surgery. I love that they prayed for / with you! I believe this is the first time I’ve heard that. What a blessing along the way! Glad to hear you’re resting comfortably at home with your wife as your caregiver. I’m sure you’re in good hands.

We moved your update from the pre-op side to the Hip Recovery side where you’ll meet friends and receive lots of good wishes and support. Hope you’ll stay in touch with updates on your progress. Wishing you comfort as you begin the journey!

Let us know if you’d like a different title for your recovery thread and we happily
oblige. :)

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.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
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

2. Control discomfort:
rest
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

5. Here is a week-by-week guide

6. Access to these pages on the website

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?

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 the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
Yay,:happydance:
Glad you are home and on the recovery road back to healthy and happy.
Stay chilled, friend:ice:
 
Week 1 Day 3, last night I believe the leg block was all gone but I was ready, once I came out of the surgery I have been icing and elevating my leg, it is very stiff and some pain but since I have read what others had said about their experiencing, I knew what to expect, I told the staff about this forum hopefully they will recommend it. Well time for some more ice/peanut butter crackers and meds, WHOA
 
Welcome,
So far so good! Ice is your best friend.
Sounds like all went perfect at the hospital and happy you have someone at home to help out.
Took me maybe week to ten days to be able to get out of bed on my own.
The funny thing now is that I really can't remember each hurdle in the early days, guess that's a good thing.
Happy you found this forum it has been invaluable to me.
Keep us posted and stay well.
 
Good Morning @SAPPER-RET
Thanks for sharing BoneSmart with staff at your surgery site. We appreciate that.
You will have stiffness and some pain, but it’s healing pain rather than the pain of a deteriorating joint. Taking meds on schedule, icing and movement will help with that.
Week by week you‘ll feel stronger and steadier on your feet. I found in choosing a particular day of the week, let’s say Monday, then every Monday reflect back over the previous week, you‘ll realize your progress more so than looking for it daily. It seems you’re off to a great start.
Happy Healing!
 
I remember well that incredible stiffness! It eases by the day.

The best trick I learned from Bonesmart was the plastic trash bag trick. By sitting on it, on the edge of my bed or car seat, and then I could slide back and swivel into position quite effortlessly.

The PT who took me out to my car to show me how to get in was amazed! So was the home PT when I showed her how easily I could slide into bed.

So keep doing well and keep reading here!
 
Who knew those trash or bags from the store had multiple uses, lol.
Another thing I learned bags were good for is heel slides early on when they’re sometimes difficult. Placing a bag under the heel eliminates the friction, just as it does under your rear end on the bed as you use it to effortlessly swivel into place before removing it.
 
Week 1 Day 4, its 0100 in the morning and I feel good but I still have a lot of stiffness, it seems my stiffness is getting better, and the pain is subsiding a little. I believe I need to walk more and do more of the home exercise, I maybe walk 4 to 5 times a day no more than for a couple of minutes at a time, I finally scooted outside yesterday and absorb some vitamins D, it felt so good. Note: When I first was taken to the recovery room they started with the opioids, and I knew I needed to make sure I kept up with the fiber, so every time I take my meds, I drink a very small amount of prune juice, so far so good! Just one moment so far that still has me shivering, the hospital was extremely cold, with me icing all day I could never warm up so for those who are going on their recovery journey bring a thick robe (LOL). Well back to the recliner and ice.
 
I am doing toe raises, tighten knees, tighten gluts and release, put a small cushion in between the legs and squeezing, side lifts, and squats, all while using the walker. I am to do these three times a day per Dr. Orders. I have not had any pain while performing them if I do, I will stop. Finally, the Home in care personnel are coming to evaluated my home and me hopefully they want kick me out LOL. This morning I was having some muscle spams in my back and my leg was swollen, I figure this was from the surgery and me laying on my back all day but other than that I feel good.
 
My leg was very swollen days 2, 3 and 4. Bruised for at least a week.
In hospital with PT all I did was use walker up and down corridor and learn to use stairs.
Don't rush it, things will get back to normal, it takes time and patience.
Stay well
 
Hello and Happy Friday! :wave:
I want to caution you about the squats.
Squats can cause generalized tendinitis particularly in quads, glutes and hamstrings.
I will leave an article from the BoneSmart Library in regard to sensible post op therapy. It’s your body, so you decide what you’re comfortable with. You’re doing well and I don’t want to see you land in the ODIC (over did it club)
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/bonesmart-philosophy-for-post-op-therapy.37103/

Sorry about the muscle spasms. If they continue, you may want to consider magnesium.

Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

If you’re not already, try elevation for the swelling.
I hope you have a great Friday and weekend. Thanks for sharing an update. Keep in touch! :)
@SAPPER-RET
 
Yes Layla!! I was doing great until PT came and had me doing squats, no more. I am doing ankle pumps, leg slides and squeezing glutes..thats it. I feel better today not doing anything but that and walking.
 
Its 1400 and I feel very stiff and achy, The Home Care people came by and check all my vitals and all good have PT at 1530 for the first time, will do what I can but want let them push me to far want go backwards. (I want be the ODIC)! I tried to get comfortable in the bed but it did not work, that recliner is a godsend, will go between my computer chair and recliner and keep elevating and icing. I guess it is true some good days/hrs and some bad days/hrs. Not going backwards for anybody!
 
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I feel you! We had surgery about the same time I believe. I was great 1st day post op then soreness from PT on 2nd day or just soreness anyway. Last night was difficult to sleep, how do you lift your leg onto the elevated pillows? I struggled getting my leg up onto the pillows. My operated leg feels so much longer, its making my back hurt but was told I had a right tilt to my pelvis and it should level out over time? I know its way too early but when people ask how you are and they are like oh so and so was walking around the block on day 2....I am lucky to make me some soup and get to the bathroom!
 
:goodpost:

This is true! Remember the BIG TIP we shared with you in the recovery guidelines? I will share it again, just to remind you. :yes:

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.


I hope you have an easy evening with some good sleep.
 

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