THR tcdc135's Hip Recovery Thread

[tcdc135]

Hi Layla! Thank you I am 5 days po! Doing good. 1 night in hospital, then home. Walker for 2days and now a cane. You all were right...hips are SO much easier than knees! So far! My only issue is constipation from the opioids. Good Lord please just let me poop!! I am taking the colace and a few other things.....have used 2 out of a 4 pack of enemas and had 2 very small bm’s. I remember this with my knee also. So today I am trying to go with the mobic and XS Tylenol (1000 mg 4x in 24 hrs) and tons of time icing. So far so good! Thanks for checking on me and for all the great info!

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
Please consider starting a recovery thread so we can leave you some Guidelines even though you're One Month post op, many will still be relevant. I hope you're doing well. We'd love to read an update on the Recovery side.
Please join us. You'll receive lots of support over there. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
@tcdc135

 

[tcdc135]

Sooooo.....I am partly venting,and probably just being impatient....but anybody at almost 6 mos PO ( L ant THR) and have groin pain (sharp 7/10)? Enough that I limp quite often. I did great after surgery and went back to light work at 2 wks. (With permission from OS and PT) The only time I have pain is walking. When I load and unload the hip I get a sharp stabbing pain in my groin, occasionally down into my femur. If there were a problem with my new parts I think it would hurt with other motions/activities! Ice doesn’t seem to make a difference.
I called to ask my surgeon about it, they said it sounds like a muscular weakness? They were a bit peeved early on that I didn’t do weeks of formal PT. They Refilled my Mobic and said keep taking my XS Tylenol (Which I don’t think they help at all) they will see me in Jan.
The only thing I think maybe helps is stretching inner thigh and hamstrings. I ride a recumbent trike, and it doesn’t hurt at all on the trike. Last weekend we did a 30 mi ride.
I really thought....ok, I am just doing too much. But we are on vacation this wk, I have walked A LOT more, and have done water aerobics daily and it seems better, go figure? !

 

[Celle]

Hi @tcdc135 - I've moved your post-op posts about your THR into the Hip replacement Recovery Area and started anew thread for you.

Unfortunately, because you didn't come back after your surgery, you missed getting the post-op advice, so I'll start by giving you the Recovery Guidelines. even though they're a bit late, the articles are still helpful.
Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
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:

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rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

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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 these

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BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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Activity progression for THRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Care In Hospital​

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.

 

[Celle]

From what you've said, it does sound as if you overdid things after your surgery. We recommend taking about 12 weeks off work, rather than going back at only 2 weeks post-op. Hip replacement is major surgery and recovery can't be rushed. In fact, complete recovery can take as long as a full year.

If you're still doing exercises, stop. Hips don't need a lot of exercise to recover. Just normal use is enough.

Listen to your leg - and if doing something makes it hurt, don't do it again for a while, or cut back the amount you do.

If your pain doesn't settle down, do go back to your surgeon and ask for an appointment for him/her to examine your hip.

 

[tcdc135]

Thanks for moving me! I was back after my replacement, mainly reading, not posting much. Thank you for the guidelines!

 

[Layla]

Hello @tcdc135
Wondering if you shared with your OS that your groin pain is 7/10 when it occurs? A thirty mile ride on a recumbent bike sounds excessive even if it didn't hurt while riding. You mentioned you're on vacation this week and with lots of walking and water aerobics it feels better. Give it a few days and see if it's still improving, if it's not, consider stepping back from all of the Activity for a time, then slowly begin engaging again. Stop by in a week or so and let us know how you're doing.
Take care

 

[tcdc135]

Sorry Layla! I thought I posted a reply!? But I can’t find it! I did call my Dr and moved up my appt. I also requested an XRay. The xray showed my implant had dropped/shifted a tiny bit down further into my femur, but he said not uncommon and it appeared stable now. If I still had problems I was to call him in 1 month. Well, in a few days that pain completely went away!? Funny, like when I knew all was good my brain just quit worrying about it! Thanks again!

 

[Layla]

Hello @tcdc135
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
Hopefully you’re doing well one year after your surgery.
Leave an update next time you drop by if you have the time. We’d love to hear what your up to these days.
All the best to you!

 

[Layla]

Best wishes for your Right THR tomorrow!
I hope you’ll share your healing journey with us. We’ll be here ready to cheer you on. Take Good Care!
@tcdc135

 

[tcdc135]

Thanks Layla! Finally home! So, was worse than what was expected. The acetabulum was VERY soft...surgeon said like butter...had to use 5 screws to anchor it and I am toe touch only with a walker for 6 wks. Hopefully this will allow the bone to grow and solidify the cup. Had to get CT to double check screw placement, he was afraid it was too far into the pelvic cavity. Luckily all was good or he wouldve had to go back in. Had some BP issues (80/40) and I had to wait to get that to come up before being released, but I am finally home! All in all I am just glad it's done! Will try to update after a week!

 

[Hippie Chick]

Welcome ! Glad you were able to go home!

 

[Layla]

Welcome to recovery! I'm glad you're home where you can hopefully rest comfortably. I am sorry it was rougher than expected this time and that you have the weight bearing restrictions for 6 weeks. I hope the time flies for you.
Whew! Thankfully all checked out and there was no need for further surgery. The BP issues seem to happen to many, you're in good company here and we will look forward to your updates and supporting you on the journey whenever you're feeling up to it. Lots of comfort to you and a healing hug coming your way!
@tcdc135

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
How are you doing? By rough calculation, it is getting closer to losing the weight bearing restrictions
We'd love to hear how it's going next time you're around. Wishing you all the best and hope to hear from you soon!
@tcdc135

 

[tcdc135]

I am not a patient patient! The 6 wks of no weight bearing was tough...so boring! I am at 8 weeks now, still on my walker. Having a problem with iliopsoas tendonitis. I did the 2 rounds of oral prednisone (medrol) and it did not help. This morning I went in for an injection and am praying it helps! I had to do 2 injections for the same problem after my L hip was replaced and had good results, so fingers crossed. I am working half days on my walker until this issue is resolved. I have not done any "formal" PT but do my at home exercises and ice. I am also still taking OTC for pain daily.