THR Solar7's LTHR Recovery Thread

[Solar7]

Hey from the other side about 7 hours after the procedure. It went as well as possible, I'll say. I slept right through the whole thing, without remembering anything. The anesthesiologist was going to go with a general, but I stood my ground that it wasn't what my surgeon and I discussed, and I wanted the spinal/sedation, and boy am I happy I did. I woke up completely alert. Most everything was very stable. Oddly, even though there was no intubation, they're making me breathe deep breaths out of a plastic device to prevent pneumonia, and I have these nose tubes pumping in CO2 (they won't stay in). But, orders are orders, until 3 AM.

The surgeon called my parents and let them know it all went very well, my leg length is perfectly aligned, and the cup and everything went in well with no fractures. Interestingly, my thigh muscle strength was very high so he said the procedure was a little "harder" than usual, as my leg fought back against him, so I may end up more sore than some.

Spinal lasted a long time so when PT came, they didn't walk me to the bathroom, just had me stand. But that went well, and I got my operated leg back into bed without a leg lifter or any assistance.

I didn't get everything done in time to be sent home, so I'm in the hospital, but the care has been solid. Hopefully by noon I can go home. I'm lucky enough right now to be bored, but I don't see sleep coming tonight. The meds aren't making me even the slightest bit tired.

I'll update as I can! Hoping for relatively calm seas.

 

[Jaycey]

@Solar7 Welcome to the other side! Easy does it now! Slow and steady is the way to go.

I'll leave your recovery guidelines here for you:

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.

 

[SurreyGirl]

Getting your operated leg back into bed so soon without a strap or aid is amazing. Took me around 6 days to do that. Shows your muscles must be in great shape. Best of luck with the recovery..

 

[Hippie Chick]

Glad to hear it went well! The forum is a wonderful resource to have!

 

[Mojo333]

Glad to see you all Done & Dusted.

Healing thoughts coming at you.

 

[Solar7]

Definitely a step back overnight. As the spinal wore off, I didn't realize how much I needed to pee. They didn't have a walker ready for me, so we had to improvise and use a bottle instead of getting up and moving. Then I was too close to a pain med dose to walk when it became time to go again. So I haven't been up to move at all because PT hasn't been here. Waiting on more meds in about 40 mins.

Didn't sleep, and a nurse took my ice pack then took 45+ minutes to replace it. I had to call the desk again and of course both nurses showed up at once with two packs.

Also no sleep all night (not even dozing off a moment) and the automatic curtain in my room is broken so there's no hiding from the sun.

But what's scaring me the most is that I've developed a pain on the back calf of the operative leg, right below the knee. I'm concerned about DVT. Nurses haven't done much besides ask me to keep them updated and poke at it... but I suppose that's at least something because it's not hot and I otherwise feel fine. Just spooked I suppose! I want to go home and sleep around noon today.

Maybe too much negativity when things are going well, maybe just tired and sore. Keeping up with ankle pumping and they took me off of all other monitoring/IVs (the port is still in).

Anyways, the surgeon popped in to see me mid-post and was enthusiastic I'd be out of here today.

 

[Jaycey]

But what's scaring me the most is that I've developed a pain on the back calf of the operative leg, right below the knee.

Nearly every new hippie has this complaint. They grab your knee pretty aggressively when dislocating your hip joint. Ice the area as well. Most of us had bruising along with this pain.

Be sure and get your pain medication arranged before you leave for home. Getting that pain management cocktail just right means you can focus on gaining mobility versus catching up with discomfort.

 

[Solar7]

But what's scaring me the most is that I've developed a pain on the back calf of the operative leg, right below the knee.

Nearly every new hippie has this complaint. They grab your knee pretty aggressively when dislocating your hip joint. Ice the area as well. Most of us had bruising along with this pain.

Be sure and get your pain medication arranged before you leave for home. Getting that pain management cocktail just right means you can focus on gaining mobility versus catching up with discomfort.

Yeah, I definitely expected soreness, just worried about the very specific positioning of this pain. My surgeon didn't really react to the news, but that's his nature, lol. My bruising is already getting started up. I did get an ice pack under that knee for now, and when I have better ice options at home I'll get it on.

My parents have all of the pain meds at home so we're set up for me to take them in the car, more or less. I'll probably listen to my nurse and take two pills in the first 24 hours like they've been giving me in the recovery room. Thanks!

 

[myglasshalffull]

My knee hurt more than my hip, agree with others comments about how they manipulate your leg to get implant in.
Hope you get to go home.

 

[Solar7]

About 24 hours later, I'm at home (well, my parents' house), recovering. So that's at least nice.

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi @Solar7

Glad you were able to advocate for yourself while you were in the hospital. I hope everything at home runs smoothly for you!

 

[Hippie Chick]

I peeked back and you mentioned moving your surgical leg without assistance- could that have contributed to your calf pain? I needed assistance for a few days. When numbness wore off a bit I started using my leg lifter. Hope all is going well!

 

[cold_brew]

Lots of my muscles were burning and sore for weeks, but it all went away, so hopefully it’s nothing to worry about…! Good luck

 

[Solar7]

I peeked back and you mentioned moving your surgical leg without assistance- could that have contributed to your calf pain? I needed assistance for a few days. When numbness wore off a bit I started using my leg lifter. Hope all is going well!

It definitely could have contributed, but I think at the end of the day it was just trauma from the surgical process, my left calf had suffered some pretty significant atrophy due to the way I (wasn't) using it before. My mom massaged it some last night and I was able to get about 6 hours of sleep.

I would say I probably need to get up and walk more. I haven't really walked besides my two PT sessions in the hospital, walking into the bedroom, and two bathroom trips. I definitely am hesitant to do so - walking hurts more right now than it did pre-op, which isn't a crazy thought since I didn't have arthritis, just AVN. Pain outside of motion right now is nonexistent, which is nice. I'm icing, elevated, and have my next dose of pain pills in about 45 minutes.

It's a shame the living room isn't set up with more to do... there's a recliner in there I could walk to, but all of my entertainment is in the bedroom. The family room only has my mom watching really fringe news channels all day and night, so I don't have much incentive to walk over there.

Edit: Realizing I should ask for more direct advice here. How much walking should I really be doing in the first three days or so?

 

[Jaycey]

How much walking should I really be doing in the first three days or so?

Get up and walk around your house regularly. This will help you increase your mobility and prevent blood clots. Just short walks to get a drink, use the bathroom or just a change of scenery. New hips do not like sitting for long periods of time. But you don't need to be in bed.

Be sure you are taking your pain medication as prescribed, around the clock. This will further aid increasing your mobility.

 

[Solar7]

How much walking should I really be doing in the first three days or so?

Get up and walk around your house regularly. This will help you increase your mobility and prevent blood clots. Just short walks to get a drink, use the bathroom or just a change of scenery. New hips do not like sitting for long periods of time. But you don't need to be in bed.

Be sure you are taking your pain medication as prescribed, around the clock. This will further aid increasing your mobility.

Anything more specific in terms of distance or time? I'm currently in a pretty big house where a walk for a drink is a lot, and there's nothing else to do in terms of a change of scenery. I can set a goal, but it has to be specific... everything I need is in this room.

 

[Jaycey]

In the early days, 5 minutes every couple of hours. Then increase the time and distance as it gets easier. Use any walking aid until you are no longer limping.

 

[Solar7]

In the early days, 5 minutes every couple of hours. Then increase the time and distance as it gets easier. Use any walking aid until you are no longer limping.

Thanks! I just did a bathroom trip and came back a little lightheaded, got some pedialyte in me and I'll try again later...

This is a pretty weak leg since I broke my pelvis last year, so that might be why it's seemingly hard.

 

[Layla]

Oh goodness...please be careful. I hope you sleep well tonight and have a good Thursday.
Congrats on your new hip!
@Solar7

 

[Solar7]

Update 5 days(ish) into everything, and I have to say, I'm likely one of the lucky ones having a top recovery. It's been difficult to define exactly how many days in I am because of a late surgery and staying up all night after, but as of Friday evening from a Monday surgery, I'm dealing with minimal pain and swelling. My lower legs aren't swollen at all, although my thighs/butt are retaining fluid, probably from the elevating. Icing has been very common, and I've stayed ahead of my pain with the meds, plus just got a refill. I'll probably go through the weekend with my normal pain schedule and start to taper down at the one week mark.

I don't have much in the way of bruising, and not many shocks or jolts or weird feelings in the thigh. (A few, and maybe they're coming, but so far so good.) My sleep has been mostly normal. I was having trouble walking early, and I'm still probably not walking enough (I keep mentally beating myself up over this, but there's nothing to walk to), but walking has become much easier. Getting up and down into the walker is effortless, and I'm using the leg lifter as a precaution, but could probably go without. Getting in two uses of the toilet and my first shower was a good thing, especially since I took the shower standing instead of seated in my chair. I still haven't tried any stairs yet, mainly because they're a pathway to nothing in this house for me right now.

PT seemed happy with progress on my first visit today, and I'll be going 3x a week starting next week. I'm going to make sure we take things very light, but they help advise me on my next move. I don't want to join the ODIC.

A few questions:

- When did you take your first attempt at doing something without the walker? Did you wait for clearance from a professional, or is it okay to try using a cane/single crutch if I'm feeling confident?

- When did you start going outside and walking on new surfaces and such?

Anyways, so far, so relatively good... but I'm still trepidatious that I'll do what I need to do for PT.