THR Shadowstar just on the other side.

[Shadowstar1951!]

Hello everyone, I had my Right THR yesterday. All went well and x-ray today is fine.
I've struggled today with my mobility. When I use the frame and start off walking I feel very light headed and anxious. It hurts like ****!
I haven't attempted stairs or progressed onto sticks so they're keeping me in.
I've managed to get to the toilet and use the raised toilet seat. An issue which was worrying me.
I'm being well looked after.
Tomorrow is another day...

 

[subie2021]

Welcome to the good side!
It's great that you're getting good care, and hopefully it won't be long until you're up and around more easily.
Best wishes for an easy recovery.

 

[Ocean]

Congratulations on your new hip, I hope you are having adequate pain relief and are feeling more comfy now.
The walking and stairs will all come together and you’ll be home soon. I had low blood pressure after surgery which made me feel light headed and faint, so you are not alone in that.
It’s a great feeling that it’s all done now and you are on the healing side.

 

[Brookeer]

I’m so glad you’ve had it done.
I started on crutches on day 4 I think. They sent me out of hospital with them but the first thing I did was buy a walker which I used for nearly two weeks. I felt safer with it and had no pain when using it.

I didn’t attempt the stairs in hospital because I was too nauseous and lightheaded. I still haven’t attempted them as I live in a ground floor flat.

The painkillers make you feel lightheaded and also drop your blood pressure.

 

[Jaycey]

@Shadowstar1951! Welcome to the other side! Don't be in a rush to leave hospital if you are not feeling up to it.

Here are you recovery guidelines:

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
We are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help. But you have the final decision as to what approach you use.

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​

elevate​

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 this BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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 that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Mojo333]

@Shadowstar1951!
Good to see you on the healing side!

These first days are tough... all temporary.
Short walks to the necessary places are all that is necessary at this point.
Keep the faith, new hippy.

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Thank you Mojo. Hopefully I'll be discharged today if I can do the steps and use sticks.

 

[Creampuff]

Best of luck and take your time. I had a left hip 2 years ago and a right knee 2 days ago!
I passed out the first time I got to the bedside commode with the hip. It was a couple uncomfortable weeks then miraculous!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Congrats, take it easy no rushing, little trips to bathroom, grab snack, etc. Rest, ice, elevate.

 

[beachgal]

These are the days you get to be spoiled and indulge yourself with comfort and care. Rest, ice, elevate, and drink plenty of water. It’s your body’s turn to take over now so listen to what it needs. No need for heroics! Stay safe and best wishes on an easy recovery!

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Thank you everyone. My first full day at home and my mobility is not as painful as yesterday.
I slept fairly well. Needed the toilet and managed to get my sore side back into bed unaided.
My husband in the next bedroom slept on oblivious.
My body does tell me when I need to rest. Suddenly it feels like I've hit a brick wall and I feel exhausted.
Enjoy your weekend everyone...

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Help!!! I had a dreadful nights sleep. I'm getting lower back pain when I'm sleeping on my back.
I'm taking my meds regularly and rubbing in some soothing gel.
This is only my 4th day post surgery so what can I do? I just want to turn over and sleep on my side but I can't.

 

[Jaycey]

@Shadowstar1951! put a small pillow under your knees when you are back sleeping. It takes the pressure off your lower back.

Or, if you have a recliner sleeping in it during these early days might be more comfortable.

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Thanks Jacey, I do sleep with a pillow under my knees. I'm used to that as I do have lower back issues.
We do have a recliner so I may give that a try.
We have 3 other beds so I might try a different bed later on.

 

[beachgal]

With my most recent hip surgery, I placed a pillow between my legs and slept on my non-op side with no trouble. Just be sure to keep that separated knee position in place. It was heaven to side sleep. If you do not feel ready to try this, a recliner will help. I did that with my first hip. Rest is super important so keep experimenting until you find that sweet spot. Good luck!

 

[Brookeer]

I put a lumbar support I used in my car under my lower back and it just gave it some support. I found a pillow was too much.

I also had three pillows behind me and slept semi upright.

I couldn’t get on my side at first but I used my daughter’s pregnancy pillow (which was like a hard bolster) behind me and sort of half tipped myself over. It just took the pressure off my back and was quite comfy.

Eventually I put a feather duvet folded up underneath me and that was so comfy. I wished I’d done that first. If I have my other hip done I’ll buy the deepest mattress topper I can find and use that.

You’ll get quite creative.

 

[Eman85]

It's a temporary situation, what I did was just do the best to get comfortable and know that this will all be a memory soon.

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Hello everyone, it's almost a week since my surgery and I am finding it challenging. Also my poor husband is looking after me well but he's struggling with his back and in pain too.
One thing I am noticing is my heels are getting sore from the friction with the sheet. I'm worried about developing sores.
I looked on Amazon and found some sheepskin bootees that you wear in bed
Has anyone else had a similar problem?
T I A..

 

[Woodstockhip]

I wonder if lightweight socks might do the trick?

 

[beachgal]

@Shadowstar1951! See if your hubby can take a soft bath towel and make a "jelly roll" out of it and position it on the back side of your ankle joint so that your heel is off the bed. It doesn't have to be particularly high in the air but just enough to clear the sheet that is giving you angst. You may be more comfy, too, without the top sheet on the top of your toes/foot in this position and if you're chilled, maybe just a throw over your legs to keep you warmer. The key is to prevent that connection between your heels and anything under them. I would also avoid any type of lotion or such that may keep your feet too soft as that will encourage skin to break down, too. Best I can do....and the first week is nuttin' but yuckies so power through it! Brighter days are just around the corner!