THR Second replacement completed and home now

[Bearen61]

Re: Second replacemant completed and home now

Even with my 2 THR so close together I notice differences between the 2 recoveries. This time on the left side there has been zero bruising, but the right side turned every color imaginable.

 

[DaveGM]

Week three update

Although at the begining of this thread I said I would post weekly updates, I think this has the makings of boring the pants off everyone, so from now I think I will limit posts to when I have some news good or bad to report.

So at three weeks+....

I've cut out the Tramadol and cut down on the paracetemol. I am getting fairly minimal pain /discomfort when exercising and none at all when resting, so I feel comfortable with that.

Now walking with one crutch for the majority of walks although I still take two with me on a longer walk but just carry it most of the time. Can walk a little around the house unaided but know I'm not ready for that yet.

The first hip has stood up really well to the added work it has been doing - I was quite worried about that prior to hip No 2, but its been brilliant.

The AVN pain in the hip/groin and down the leg has gone:yes 4:

I hope I'm not speaking too soon with any of the above!

Still get a bit frustrated at times but I do appreciate there are a number of people here having a really difficult time of it - so I count myself fortunate.

All the best to everyone in your recoveries or forthcoming surgeries.

Dave

 

[Jaycey]

Updates are not boring Dave. Please post whenever you like. I found posting regularly a good tool. When I was having a bad day I could look back and see how far I had come.

Glad you are doing so well! Long may it continue!

 

[Josephine]

Excellent!

 

[Jamie]

I agree with Jaycey.....it's never boring to hear from one of our BoneSmarties!!!

 

[nannyles]

Hi Dave, At 11 days post op I am a bit behind you, so I have found your posts really encouraging. Are you really only taking paracetamol at 17 days? No NSAIDS as well? that's fantastic if you are. I am still on strong co-codomol and although I am okay in bed and not bad walking I find sitting in a chair uncomfortable in the butt area. Keep up the good work, sounds like you are doing really well.

 

[DaveGM]

Hi Dave, At 11 days post op I am a bit behind you, so I have found your posts really encouraging. Are you really only taking paracetamol at 17 days? No NSAIDS as well? that's fantastic if you are. I am still on strong co-codomol and although I am okay in bed and not bad walking I find sitting in a chair uncomfortable in the butt area. Keep up the good work, sounds like you are doing really well.

I cut out the tramadol I was prescibed when I felt comfortable to do so as I felt they were really upsetting my stomach. I seemed to be fine on just the two paracetemol four times a day.

I recently cut those back a bit to two twice a day and one twice a day which again seems to be ok.

I am in fact now 25 days post surgery, so a bit further along the road than you noted.

I increased my afternoon walk yeaterday from round the half mile block to the extended block of about three quarters of a mile and I did feel it on the way back - so I realise it needs to be a gradual process or I'll end up overdoing it again.

We keep hearing we shoiuld not compare our recovery to others although that I think is the natural thing to want to do to try and see if we are doing ok.

In fact looking at youtube and seeing patients walking unaided the day after the surgery got me thinking "what the ......!!" and brought me to Bonesnmart in the first place.

So the message is we all heal at different rates and its an up and down process.

You sound to me as if you are doing just fine

All the best on your individual recovery journey.

Regards

Dave

 

[nannyles]

Wow, even half a mile seems a long way off at the moment, let alone three quarters, well done.

 

[DaveGM]

5 Week update
Its now just over 5 weeks since the last op. So i thought i wold post an update on progress.

Well, it seems to have slowed a bit after what I thought was a good and rapid start - but having said that is now at a pretty similar stage to whrere the first hip was after 5 weeks.

So I shouldn't complain!!

I am now walking in and around the house without any aids and also not using any pain meds. I still have some discomfort/ weakness in my buttock area where the incision was. This is not when standing or sitting but when taking a step forward.

This is just the same as last time so I think its a matter of more healing time and building up strength.

I have been taking walks of about a mile ( with my avatar friend!) along the footpath by the side of the nearby golf course. Although i still take a crutch, i don't really need to use it. Both of us are inceasingly enjoying the walks even if it has recently been blowing a gale off the Irish Sea!

I see my consultant for the follow up appointment on the 9th December when I am sure i will be signed off to drive again.

I note that in the US you seem to be able to drive after a couple of weeks!

I haven''t yet watched day time tv (can't really stand it!) but its quite relaxing watching old films on dvd.

Anyhow, my very best wishes to all those in recovery. Sorry for not posting on your threads but will view them in the next few days

Regards to all

Dave

 

[NYLiz]

Hi Dave, thanks so much for continuing to post of your recovery with the 2nd hip. I'm scheduled for hip #2 in two weeks and it is always comforting and encouraging to read of others' experiences who have gone through it already.

Keep up the good work with your recovery!

Liz

 

[Poppet]

Hi Dave

Great to hear from you at your five week mark!

Love your dog by the way, what breed is it ?

 

[nanamac]

Way to go Dave! Slow and steady is the name of the game. You are doing so well for having two major surgeries so close together! Congratulations on a great job well done!

What a fantastic Christmas present to yourself!

 

[Jamie]

Excellent report, Dave. It sounds like you are right on track in your recovery.

 

[Jollyroger]

5 Week update

Its now just over 5 weeks since the last op.
. . . . . .

This is just the same as last time so I think its a matter of more healing time and building up strength.
. . . . . .

I haven''t yet watched day time tv (can't really stand it!) but its quite relaxing watching old films on dvd.

Hi Dave

Good to hear you are making good steady progress, in line with the first time around. I'm hoping for the same after my second in February. At least I'll have some idea what's in store!

I agree re daytime tele but have you got a video recorder? We've got one of the new fangled digital things now and watch nearly all programmes from recordings rather than live. You can skip through all the boring bits, especially the ads and even repeat bits if you want. You can also record good films that are on late and watch them next day, or whenever. A digital recorder has been a worthwhile investment.

I hope your recovery continues 'on schedule' and you can really start to enjoy your new pain-free mobility in 2012.

Roger

 

[DaveGM]

Thanks for your support

NY Liz. Having the two done - no worse than the one. Its not too bad!!
Sjma. Bertha is a blac labrador. would eat you out of house and home - cupboard love!!
Nanamac and Jamie . Many thanks for your continued support. what would I do without you guys!
Roger. Don't worry about a second hip op. You must be physic (spelling?) we were only looking at DVD recorders in Currys on Saturday!

Regards to all

Dave

 

[Poppet]

I so want a Labrador, hubby has been promising me one for years.... Maybe when we retire

 

[Jollyroger]

Roger You must be physic (spelling?) we were only looking at DVD recorders in Currys on Saturday!

Regards to all

Dave

Hi Dave

DVD's are getting to be old technology now - the latest removable video discs are Blu Ray. I'm also not sure if DVDs can handle HD TV.

Unless you really want to be able to save programmes to a DVD take a look at the latest hard disc recorders. Ours has a 500GB disc and can store several hundred hours of standard definition tele. You can even record to an external drive (USB) if you want to move programmes to a computer for instance.

I've already started saving stuff to watch when I get No 2 done! :wink1:

 

[DaveGM]

7 Weeks and Post Op appointment

Today I had my follow up consultant appointment and physio appointment. It is 7 weeks to the day since I had the second hip replaced.

Over the past two weeks the strength in the hip has been noticably increasing, the discomfort decreasing and general stamina increasing.

First appointment was with the physio for assessment. I've not had any physio at all since being discharged after the op apart from the excercises i was advised to follow. Walking was the primary order of the day from the begining.

I have not been using any aides for pain meds for the last week and a half and whilst I can still feel the muscles in the area of the incision which makes me limp if I overdo things, generally walk without a limp.

The physio seemed to be very pleased. Initial comment on entering the room was "You are walking very well". Well, that was a confidence booster.

She could only detect a little stiffness and said continue what i have been doing and everything should improve futher over the coming months and suggestd a couple of additional exercises if I wanted.

Next appointment was with the consultant. He was really happy with the progress. Everything is in pllace as it should be and it is just a matter of time over the next months ( up to twelve) for everything to fully settle down.

I asked about restrictions again and his advice was to be sensible. Wouldn't recommend kick boxing or any activity where the hip is put into more extreme angles or stress (or running a marathon as he had previously said) but otherwise carry on and they should last a lifetime.

Fit to drive, and return to work, "come back and see me in 6 months"

Unfortunately the restrictions did not include hoovering, loading the dishwasher, decorating, going up ladders etc!! - but I guess thats a small price to pay.

All in all I am really happy and feel after a fairly long 12 months I am begining to get back to normal.

In many ways I know I have been extremely lucky and many of my fellow "smarties" are having a much more difficult time.

Although I have not commented on everyones individual threads I wish you all good fortune and speedy resolution of issues and my best wishes on your individual roads to recovery.

Your support has been invaluable

Thankyou

Regards

Dave

 

[nanamac]

Well! I can onyy add my sincerest of congratulations to those comments! Well done Dave. You are an inspiration to many! Keep up the fantastic work and wish you a world of good health and happiness in the years to come!

 

[charlie cyborg]

Great stuff Dave, hope you go from strength to strength!
Strangely there is a great You Tube site that features a kick boxing THR patient
he was a champ and post operation he seems almost back to his previous flexibility so ..... over to you:th_heehee:

Charlie