THR Swelling<

[Layla]

Happy One Week Anniversary!
I hope you have a wonderful day.
@orange

 

[orange]

My log leg was around for two weeks and I used a dressing gown belt to lift it in and out of bed and getting on and out of the car. Too much physio hurt me and things got better when I scaled back. I could not do the leg abductions in bed for about 7 days but could manage them standing - just very small movements at first. Ice was a really good friend and did act as an extra painkiller. I still use it now
Sometimes if I have overdone it.

The glute squeezes for me were essential and the hockey putt feeling in my buttocks eventually subsided.

It will all get better!

Thanks for reply, yes I've found ice to be my new best friend , what a relief that is when it's on. Going to try the bathrobe tie thing later. I really must try and do more exercises, but slowly slowly

 

[orange]

The length of time you ice is important as many don't keep it on long. In my case I had a machine and the first days had it going continuously, even slept with it. My OS had me doing glute squeezes and ankle pumps and a few other movements in bed which helped me with mobility.

The length of time you ice is important as many don't keep it on long. In my case I had a machine and the first days had it going continuously, even slept with it. My OS had me doing glute squeezes and ankle pumps and a few other movements in bed which helped me with mobility.

I try and ice 4 to 5 times a day

 

[orange]

Hi again,had a friend come to visit today but I get tired very easily lately and when I get tired I feel sick , not a good combo

 

[Jaycey]

My friend you are only days out of major surgery. Please focus on resting. Read the article Layla left you on energy drain. It's real and you can't fight it.

 

[Layla]

I remember that feeling. When friends call or contact you to visit, if you're not up to it, consider telling them its not a good time, or day. You do feel kind of sick when you're weak and tired. Even too much talking can make you feel that way. I do recall that feeling in those early days.

Set perimeters as far as the length of time for the visit while you're arranging the visit, not while they are already at your home, making it more difficult. Any friends or loved ones who care about you should understand.

Or you can do what my mom once did after her THR...dropped her head and pretended to nod off that sends them off in a hurry.

Get lots of rest and have a good one!
@orange

 

[orange]

good old mum, thanks Layla

 

[Carriemay60]

I think people assume you want the company? I don't like even talking on the phone more than just a few minutes right now. My youngest daughter normally calls at least 2-3 times a day and chats a long time but thankfully being a nurse that often has to chase well meaning visitors away she gets it and is keeping one call a day short. It's funny because I can happily chat here all day

 

[orange]

Hi me again, when elevating my leg do I need to elevate both or can I just do the operated one? Thank you

 

[Layla]

Hi @orange
You don't have to elevate both.
You can elevate the op leg only, but it may be more comfortable to elevate both.
Following is the article on Elevating from the Recovery Guidelines, which includes photos on how to elevate properly.
Hope this helps -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/pain-and-swelling-control-elevation-is-the-key.7602/

 

[orange]

First trip to the nurse today to check dressing, it was ok to start with, easier getting in the car this time, but legs starting getting painful towards the end of journey ( even my good leg) which was only 20 mins drive away. Then had to wait in the surgery for another 20 mins, sitting then standing then sitting again trying to relieve the pain and numbness in legs, finally got to see nurse who said the dressing looked good so didn't need changing! Had to ask pharmacist for more pain killers then had to see receptionist about getting the doctor to sign me off work for several weeks, all in all, too long on my feet, then had the drive home to endure ( as passenger obviously) . Got home straight back upstairs and into bed, my partner said are you ok? You look very pale, that's me straight into panic mode . But starting to feel normal ish again now!! Never ever realised this would take so much out of me, thanks for listening to me

 

[Jaycey]

Your first journey out of the house and only days out of major surgery. You are bound to be very tired! Rest today - things will get easier with time.

 

[Bionic]

@orange
No matter how kind those around us are, unless they have been through the procedure they cannot understand what we are going through.
My first trip out left me exhausted but things do get better

 

[orange]

Your first journey out of the house and only days out of major surgery. You are bound to be very tired! Rest today - things will get easier with time.

Thanks Jacey

 

[Carriemay60]

I'm sorry Orange, that almost sounds cruel. I don't have to go out until Monday which is for staple arrival but then again the next day for physio assessment. May try to get out Saturday when we are expecting a sunny day but think I will do that outing in my wheelchair for the most part and put a higher level of importance on ice-cream than walking!
A major surgery like this can really knock you hard. Even a few weeks down the road you might feel similar to today if you overdo it. All the things you list in your report above are not the only things you were dealing with (which was more than enough!) but that whole time, there would have been a fair bit of stress building even if you weren't overly aware of it. Continue to rest the remainder of today for sure.
Because medical visits are so unpredictable for wait times, being shuffled from room to room, perhaps walking a little distance from the waiting room to the exam room and then the car - jeesh!! I would suggest taking a pillow, grabbing a wheelchair at the door and sit on your pillow.

 

[Layla]

You're not alone, so please don't panic. Just yesterday another memeber on the forum spoke about the ill effects of a short venture away from home. Your body has just been through a major surgery and all of your energy is being used for repair, not leaving you energy for much else. The best thing you can do in these very early days is to rest, sleep, ice, repeat.

Following is an article on Energy Drain from the Recovery Guidelines in case you haven't been able to get through the Guidelines yet.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/energy-drain-for-thrs.12415/

Wishing you a peaceful relaxing day!
@orange

 

[orange]

I'm sorry Orange, that almost sounds cruel. I don't have to go out until Monday which is for staple arrival but then again the next day for physio assessment. May try to get out Saturday when we are expecting a sunny day but think I will do that outing in my wheelchair for the most part and put a higher level of importance on ice-cream than walking!
A major surgery like this can really knock you hard. Even a few weeks down the road you might feel similar to today if you overdo it. All the things you list in your report above are not the only things you were dealing with (which was more than enough!) but that whole time, there would have been a fair bit of stress building even if you weren't overly aware of it. Continue to rest the remainder of today for sure.
Because medical visits are so unpredictable for wait times, being shuffled from room to room, perhaps walking a little distance from the waiting room to the exam room and then the car - jeesh!! I would suggest taking a pillow, grabbing a wheelchair at the door and sit on your pillow.

Thank so much for the reply Carrie may, I suffer so badly with anxiety and every little ache or pain panics me, I could feel it building in the car and there is nothing I can do to stop it , it scares the life out of me . I'm just sat on my bed watching tv and because my good leg Sartre to go numb I go into high alert panic mode and am now trying to calm myself down. I am my own worse enemy but nothing I try calms me, I do sniff a lot of lavender though that calms me slightly. I always think the worst , sorry for ranting on and on. You take care

 

[Eman85]

This is a major surgery, it's soft sold and most don't understand just how much you go through to recover. Everyone thinks because you get up and walk hours after surgery everything is good to go and it will be a couple of weeks and you're back to normal. It's not at all like that! I relate to people that I was as pale as a ghost for 2 weeks post op. My body had better use for the blood than to make my complexion look good. getting anxious about all of the odd pains you are going to have is normal. You will have some strange sensations and you will wonder what is going on. The hardest part is calming your mind and figuring out just what is the cause of the pain. Generally it's tissue healing or angry because you over did it.

 

[Layla]

Hi there,
I'm sorry you're feeling so frightened and uncertain. Please understand you're not alone in questioning each new odd sensation. I think you should familiarize yourself more with the forum. Read others threads if you haven't already. You'll realize quickly that you're not alone in some of your feelings. Most of the things you worry about will soon be gone and replaced by another strange and unfamiliar sensation. It's all temporary.

Below you'll find a little drawing of the reality of recovery. It's my colleague Mojo's and she shares it often but I notice she's not online so here it is -

Wishing you comfort, peace of mind and a relaxing weekend. Please don't be a stranger here. We'd love to support and encourage you on the journey!
@orange

 

[orange]

This is a major surgery, it's soft sold and most don't understand just how much you go through to recover. Everyone thinks because you get up and walk hours after surgery everything is good to go and it will be a couple of weeks and you're back to normal. It's not at all like that! I relate to people that I was as pale as a ghost for 2 weeks post op. My body had better use for the blood than to make my complexion look good. getting anxious about all of the odd pains you are going to have is normal. You will have some strange sensations and you will wonder what is going on. The hardest part is calming your mind and figuring out just what is the cause of the pain. Generally it's tissue healing or angry because you over did it.

Hi Eman85. I agree it is definitely soft sold!!!!! It's a lot worse than I thought it was going to be, but guess I have to learn to take each day as it comes, ups and downs. I know for sure that now being on day 10 after surgery the pain and stiffness are getting easier, so I can see slow improvements. Have a good day.