THR Surgery done and recovering - yay!!!
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Juneanng
junior member
Well, I can't sleep, so I thought it would be good to write a bit.
Today was find of tough. I may have overdone it a bit going out yesterday and was just sooooo tired both yesterday eve and again throughout the day today. I took a shower mid day so that I could get ready for my daughter's swim banquet. It was good to get out and it was close by. I was able to walk well and am getting in and out of the car better.
Once there, I knew I might be in some trouble as the chairs were low bridge chairs. I was able to sit in these for just about 2 hours, but got really stiff. I also seemed to get so tired that I thought I could fall asleep right at the table. I believe I have experienced that "energy drain" that everyone talks about.
Here is the other thing I noticed on both of these days... I can right home and got into my electric recliner and was just soooo cold (shivering on Sat, not as bad today). I did not have a fever, but just could not get warm. Anyone experience this? Thanks!
Today was find of tough. I may have overdone it a bit going out yesterday and was just sooooo tired both yesterday eve and again throughout the day today. I took a shower mid day so that I could get ready for my daughter's swim banquet. It was good to get out and it was close by. I was able to walk well and am getting in and out of the car better.
Once there, I knew I might be in some trouble as the chairs were low bridge chairs. I was able to sit in these for just about 2 hours, but got really stiff. I also seemed to get so tired that I thought I could fall asleep right at the table. I believe I have experienced that "energy drain" that everyone talks about.
Here is the other thing I noticed on both of these days... I can right home and got into my electric recliner and was just soooo cold (shivering on Sat, not as bad today). I did not have a fever, but just could not get warm. Anyone experience this? Thanks!
Dashinghippie
junior member
The only time I got cold like that was on the evening of surgery, before the night nurse had figured out how best to control my post-op pain. I was shivering (which I never do...I run hot most of the time) and could not get warm.
proper drugs, with *two* warmed blankets did the trick. Later that night, the pain management was figured out and I felt fine after that.
Maybe you're reacting to the extra pain today in a similar way?
proper drugs, with *two* warmed blankets did the trick. Later that night, the pain management was figured out and I felt fine after that.
Maybe you're reacting to the extra pain today in a similar way?
Constanze
graduate
Hi @Juneanng and welcome to bonesmart. You have two very nice daughters. My 4 daughters are also very supportive, but they no longer live at home - they are grown up and have all moved out.
I think you're doing fine with your recovery. Regarding being cold- yes I have experienced this before. In fact I experience it often even regardless of operatoin and recovery. I think it's caused by exhaustion - and if you are slim, you may also get cold more easily.
What helps me of course is movement/exercise. If that's not possible because you'r exhausted and need a rest, the thing to do is indeed wrapping up warmer, a warm blanket, a hot drink or maybe a warm shower - that helped me. Or, you may just want something substantial to eat because this freezing might be caused by hunger - that was often the case with me.
Keep up the good recovery work - good luck!
I think you're doing fine with your recovery. Regarding being cold- yes I have experienced this before. In fact I experience it often even regardless of operatoin and recovery. I think it's caused by exhaustion - and if you are slim, you may also get cold more easily.
What helps me of course is movement/exercise. If that's not possible because you'r exhausted and need a rest, the thing to do is indeed wrapping up warmer, a warm blanket, a hot drink or maybe a warm shower - that helped me. Or, you may just want something substantial to eat because this freezing might be caused by hunger - that was often the case with me.
Keep up the good recovery work - good luck!
@Juneanng at only 7 days out of major surgery you are doing way too much. All you should be doing is resting, walking around the house or a few steps outside, icing and elevating. I know you want to be active with your family but unless you allow your body to heal you won't get there. Constanze is right, you are exhausted. Read this thread again Activity progression for THRs. Don't forget, you are discharged from the hospital TO recover - not recovered.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Well, he's out of step with all the other joint replacement surgeons I know who actually give people ice machines in hospital! Some US hospitals actually give their patients an ice machine to tak homeas part of their insurance! In the UK the wards have ice machines (usually Cryo-cuff) in stock and just get a new wrap for each patient. So 'her per' to him!
You need to read these articles - there's one on activity progression that advises on walking
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
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
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
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?
Juneanng
junior member
High everyone...ok we are at day 9 after surgery. Feel a bit better and incisional pain has gone down to almost nothing, but groin/thigh pain still continues at a pretty high level. Is this normal? I feel like I will never NOT have groin/thigh pain. It makes it difficult to even get up and do that periodic walking that is needed. Hurts so much that I can't get leg up and into bed. Have been sleeping on electric recliner (which might be prolonging the problem? ). Any helpful tips are appreciated!!
Are you still taking your pain meds around the clock as prescribed? Icing would help but you say your OS does not want this. How active you are at the moment?
Sleeping in your recliner will not do any damage.
Sleeping in your recliner will not do any damage.
Suzette
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Hi @Juneanng I too had that groin pain for 2 to 3 weeks after my op. I even went back to the hospital as I thought something was wrong it was that painful.
I literally stopped all PT exercises and it settled down. I didn't do any PT exercises again after that and just practised walking very carefully as not to trigger it off again. It has not come back which I am very happy about as it was very very painful.
Are you exercising?
I literally stopped all PT exercises and it settled down. I didn't do any PT exercises again after that and just practised walking very carefully as not to trigger it off again. It has not come back which I am very happy about as it was very very painful.
Are you exercising?
Juneanng
junior member
Thank you for the feedback @Suzette and @Jaycey. I do think I pushed it a bit yesterday. I was walking faster than usual doing "laps" around my house and I also did leg stretching exercises while I was resting often during the early part of the day. It was only around dinner time when I rushed a bit to answer my door that I felt the pain. My teen daughter was home with me but seemed to scatter to the upstairs for a long period of time and was not a help when the doorbell rang (a wonderful neighbor surprising us with dinner at 5p!).
After this, I took it easy and went ahead and iced for a good hour which helped a lot.
I have also had to switch my pain meds away from the oxycodone as that Rx ran out. I am now taking tramadol which just does not seem to help me. I called the dr and they have written another Rx for 20 oxy pills to help me get through this week. They are not a very " pain friendly" group, but expect me to be walking pretty far by now (the mall, etc). I just can't do that yet. Now I see what happens to me when I push myself.
Thanks again for your feedback though. At least I know that I am not the only one.
After this, I took it easy and went ahead and iced for a good hour which helped a lot.
I have also had to switch my pain meds away from the oxycodone as that Rx ran out. I am now taking tramadol which just does not seem to help me. I called the dr and they have written another Rx for 20 oxy pills to help me get through this week. They are not a very " pain friendly" group, but expect me to be walking pretty far by now (the mall, etc). I just can't do that yet. Now I see what happens to me when I push myself.
Thanks again for your feedback though. At least I know that I am not the only one.
this just make my blood boil! It is very obvious that no one in that office has ever had joint replacement surgery. One size does not fit all! If I were you I would have a very frank discussion with this office. Their approach is not helping you as a patient in recovery (climbs down off soap box).
Juneanng
junior member
Thank you @Jaycey for the soapbox talk! I do plan on discussing with them on Monday at my post op appt. I also found another member on bone smart who had the same surgery with my same dr and she iced the 1st 2 weeks. She didn't care what they said. I am finding I don't really need the ice that much, but will be adding it now immediately after any longer walks or other exertion. Thanks!
Oh but you do @Juneanng because they are not properly managing your pain with medication. Good luck on Monday. Be your own advocate and ask for what you need. Please let us know how it goes.
Juneanng
junior member
Any tips on how you got back to a good routine in weeks 3 and 4? My dr said that I should be getting back to regular activities, but my regular activities for the past 2 years were getting to a desk job and then living such a sedentary lifestyle after work and on weekends.
I am now home for a few more weeks from work, but still can't drive. I have 2 young children as well to worry about. What tips do you have on what a regular day should look like? I have been able to walk a good 30 minutes outside at least once each day.
Thanks!
I am now home for a few more weeks from work, but still can't drive. I have 2 young children as well to worry about. What tips do you have on what a regular day should look like? I have been able to walk a good 30 minutes outside at least once each day.
Thanks!
gazelle7777
post-grad
I am on week 5. Walking is probably the best thing we both can do. I started also to ride my inside exercise bike.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
"Regular routine" post op is not the same as your regular pre-op routine.
Here's some reading ...Activity progression for THRs
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
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
Home physio (PT)
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?
Also remember, hips actually don't need much 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.
Here's some reading ...Activity progression for THRs
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
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
Home physio (PT)
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?
Also remember, hips actually don't need much 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.
Juneanng
junior member
Thank you both! But in between the limited walking, I find I just have energy and ability to sit with my legs elevated, even now. That's normal, right? I was thinking of starting a routine this week that included a 30 minute walk in the morning, rest with getting up and walking around the house every hour or so and then a 30 minute walk in the evening. I can do the 30 min now as I have been working up to this. I know that if it is too much, I will stop. All of this using the cane and taking 1 tramadol (was 2 last week and weaning down) plus 2 extra strength Tylenol every 6 hours.
Thoughts on this plan of action?
Thanks!
Thoughts on this plan of action?
Thanks!
gazelle7777
post-grad
Suzette
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Hi I agree with @gazelle7777 , stick to just the 30 mins or break it into 2 x 15 minutes for a little while. I have done lots of walking but mainly in the house and I have still managed to irritate my muscles and get bursitis and I am fairly sure piriformis, which is my butt muscle spasming/cramping .
I still feel exhausted too but it is tricky to know how much to do and what to expect, I suppose it really is different for each one of us. But don't push yourself too hard and don't cut down the pain meds if you still hurt. I have found I cut them down, then have to increase them again.
Hope all keeps going well x
I still feel exhausted too but it is tricky to know how much to do and what to expect, I suppose it really is different for each one of us. But don't push yourself too hard and don't cut down the pain meds if you still hurt. I have found I cut them down, then have to increase them again.
Hope all keeps going well x
copsham
post-grad
Hello @Juneanng
If i were you I would not have a formal plan. For the first two weeks I was careful to do a few minutes and then a few more minutes but once I was walking fluently I just let it happen. You can walk for half an hour which is amazing, at this early stage I would just do that until more comes naturally. Well done though!
If i were you I would not have a formal plan. For the first two weeks I was careful to do a few minutes and then a few more minutes but once I was walking fluently I just let it happen. You can walk for half an hour which is amazing, at this early stage I would just do that until more comes naturally. Well done though!
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