Hong Kong
Hello everyone,
I live in Hong Kong and my left THR is scheduled to take place in 3 days' time (on 2 June). Ever since January this year when I knew I would be having this surgery I have started preparing for it both mentally and physically. Finding this forum has been so VERY helpful in my preparations, and I am truly thankful!! I have joined this forum in the hope that I may also share my experiences (e.g. drugs taken, pre-op preparation, post-op experiences etc).
A bit about me and my condition. I am an "average" person. Not too fit, but not terribly unfit either. Of average height and average weight. In the year 2000 I decided to challenge myself and train for a full marathon (I have never been a runner though and everyone thought I was nuts to do it). Started training in April for a December marathon and around September started having sharp pain in my left hip. Decided to take painkillers and continued with my training and eventually completed the full marathon (and have not run since
). Silly, right? But I have no regrets and am happy to have done it. But since then, I have had on and off pain in my left hip. Had MRIs and X rays and these showed acetabular labral tears, cysts and osteoarthritic degenerative changes. I had good days and bad days and the good days were more than the bad days originally.
Since many years ago, the pain has been increasing. It had always seemed to be a very slow process, and I always thought I could make my hip “last for a few more years” before I needed the replacement. That said, in recent years, this process seemed to speed up in deterioration and in the last year or so the pain has increased almost exponentially, catching me totally off guard and causing my other joints (knee, shoulder, other hip and back) to be affected as well. Since last year, the Xrays show that my left hip joint is "bone on bone" with moderate to severe OA changes. My quality of life had reduced significantly and these days I walk with a severe limp and in pain unless I load up on NSAIDs (e.g. celebrex, naproxen) and sometimes on Tramadol first. Where necessary, I also add on 1000mg Paracetamol (max 3 times a day).
My surgery date is 2 June. My surgeon initially said I should do it in March but because of my volunteer work commitments, I told him the earliest I could do it would be in June. Since January, I have been trying to keep in shape as much as I can in preparation for my surgery and recovery. I walk 4 to 5 times a week for about an hour each time, and try to do simple yoga stretching and simple strengthening exercises for my gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, quadriceps and calves around 5 times a week (for 30 to 45 minutes each time). I started trying to lose weight and have shed around 18lbs (not an easy task at all, as I love food, especially chocolates and cake). My BMI is around 22 (but I am pretty certain that after the surgery it is going to shoot up!!). My upper arms are not in good shape though, especially my right shoulder. Whenever I use a stick for walking I end up with inflammation of my right shoulder muscles (rotator cuff syndrome) and have to take additional painkillers..
So, I am looking forward to this operation but not without some trepidation. From reading the many posts on this forum I know the recovery process can be rollercoaster-esque and that everyone's recovery experience will be different. This is most helpful because I will be reminding myself that I must not compare my recovery process to anyone else's.
I am lucky to have met with some excellent and caring doctors and will be having the operation in a public teaching hospital.
I am told that the approach is likely to be antero-lateral (and that the gluteus medius and minimus will be cut).
I have had my pre-op tests and assessments (urine, blood, plain x-rays and 3D x-rays and MRSA tests). I have had a detailed interview with my anesthesiologist.
On 1 June I need to submit my Covid tests. Two days before my operation on 2 June I need to shower with special soap called chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
I have attended pre-operative physio classes.
I will check-in for my operation at 7am on 2 June. I am told I will probably be staying in hospital for 4 to 5 days.
I have bought the following items:
This forum is GREAT, it contains a wealth of information and is a place where people are able to post their success stories, their fears and their set backs. It is so good to read posts where some fellow-being has done well and achieved some progress, be it big or small, and also good to know about what difficulties people encounter on their journey. I am so thankful to everyone who has shared their experiences here and also thankful to the forum staff and administrators who have been there to guide and encourage people along the way.
I live in Hong Kong and my left THR is scheduled to take place in 3 days' time (on 2 June). Ever since January this year when I knew I would be having this surgery I have started preparing for it both mentally and physically. Finding this forum has been so VERY helpful in my preparations, and I am truly thankful!! I have joined this forum in the hope that I may also share my experiences (e.g. drugs taken, pre-op preparation, post-op experiences etc).
A bit about me and my condition. I am an "average" person. Not too fit, but not terribly unfit either. Of average height and average weight. In the year 2000 I decided to challenge myself and train for a full marathon (I have never been a runner though and everyone thought I was nuts to do it). Started training in April for a December marathon and around September started having sharp pain in my left hip. Decided to take painkillers and continued with my training and eventually completed the full marathon (and have not run since
). Silly, right? But I have no regrets and am happy to have done it. But since then, I have had on and off pain in my left hip. Had MRIs and X rays and these showed acetabular labral tears, cysts and osteoarthritic degenerative changes. I had good days and bad days and the good days were more than the bad days originally.Since many years ago, the pain has been increasing. It had always seemed to be a very slow process, and I always thought I could make my hip “last for a few more years” before I needed the replacement. That said, in recent years, this process seemed to speed up in deterioration and in the last year or so the pain has increased almost exponentially, catching me totally off guard and causing my other joints (knee, shoulder, other hip and back) to be affected as well. Since last year, the Xrays show that my left hip joint is "bone on bone" with moderate to severe OA changes. My quality of life had reduced significantly and these days I walk with a severe limp and in pain unless I load up on NSAIDs (e.g. celebrex, naproxen) and sometimes on Tramadol first. Where necessary, I also add on 1000mg Paracetamol (max 3 times a day).
My surgery date is 2 June. My surgeon initially said I should do it in March but because of my volunteer work commitments, I told him the earliest I could do it would be in June. Since January, I have been trying to keep in shape as much as I can in preparation for my surgery and recovery. I walk 4 to 5 times a week for about an hour each time, and try to do simple yoga stretching and simple strengthening exercises for my gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, quadriceps and calves around 5 times a week (for 30 to 45 minutes each time). I started trying to lose weight and have shed around 18lbs (not an easy task at all, as I love food, especially chocolates and cake). My BMI is around 22 (but I am pretty certain that after the surgery it is going to shoot up!!). My upper arms are not in good shape though, especially my right shoulder. Whenever I use a stick for walking I end up with inflammation of my right shoulder muscles (rotator cuff syndrome) and have to take additional painkillers..
So, I am looking forward to this operation but not without some trepidation. From reading the many posts on this forum I know the recovery process can be rollercoaster-esque and that everyone's recovery experience will be different. This is most helpful because I will be reminding myself that I must not compare my recovery process to anyone else's.
I am lucky to have met with some excellent and caring doctors and will be having the operation in a public teaching hospital.
I am told that the approach is likely to be antero-lateral (and that the gluteus medius and minimus will be cut).
I have had my pre-op tests and assessments (urine, blood, plain x-rays and 3D x-rays and MRSA tests). I have had a detailed interview with my anesthesiologist.
On 1 June I need to submit my Covid tests. Two days before my operation on 2 June I need to shower with special soap called chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
I have attended pre-operative physio classes.
I will check-in for my operation at 7am on 2 June. I am told I will probably be staying in hospital for 4 to 5 days.
I have bought the following items:
- raised toilet seat with side rails
- walker with shower seat
- crutches
- stick
- large ice gel packs
- instant ice packs (because in Hong Kong where I am, ice is not provided at the hospital for hip surgeries I am told, so I will be bringing my own into hospital)
- heel protectors
- maternity pillows (for placing under the waist/back as I understand I may need to sleep in a supine position for some time post op)
- wedge shaped elevation foam
- grabbers
- shoe horn
- back scratcher
- larger sized easy slip on shoes (in anticipation of swollen feet)
- firm cushions to raise the level of my chairs
- boxer shorts
- hospital cup with flexible straws
- prunes and dissolvable Vit C !!
This forum is GREAT, it contains a wealth of information and is a place where people are able to post their success stories, their fears and their set backs. It is so good to read posts where some fellow-being has done well and achieved some progress, be it big or small, and also good to know about what difficulties people encounter on their journey. I am so thankful to everyone who has shared their experiences here and also thankful to the forum staff and administrators who have been there to guide and encourage people along the way.
Last edited:
. Given the Covid restrictions, I am told patients will not be allowed to venture out of the Ward/Room, so am thinking I might not be able to get my "daily fix". Am also waiting to see if I get lucky and manage to get a private room. Was told the private wards in public hospitals were converted for other uses due to the Covid situation, but now some private wards are beginning to re-open as such, but that demand is high.
