THR Third Hip Surgery/1st THR

[CoffeandCrafts]

Hello there,
I’m here post-op a posterior THR on my right hip on 9/26/24. Prior to this I had two other surgeries on the same hip that were generally speaking failed/unsuccessful.

I’m almost to 5 weeks post op and still having quite a lot of pain and limited mobility. I’m nervous, of course, for a third failed surgery and that I will be even worse off than I was before.

Hoping to glean some hope from others who are in recovery mode and perhaps have had multiple surgeries on the same hip as well.

Wellness wishes!

 

[msart]

I completely understand. I had 2 surgeries on my left 7 weeks ago, 3 days apart. I think I was mostly in shock at first. I am 7 weeks out now & am feeling so much better. Wishing the very same for you!! It’s a SLOW SLOW process, sadly. You will make it. Listen to your body, rest & don’t over do it!! Happy healing ‍

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

Thank you so very very much! I really appreciate your kind words and I wish you continued wellness and recovery!

 

[mendogal]

Welcome back @CoffeandCrafts !
It's understandable that with your history you're concerned about pain and mobility issues.

I want to reassure you that as a joint replacement is a lot more traumatic than arthroscopic procedures it's quite normal to have a significantly longer recovery (I had knee arthroscopic surgeries years before my knee replacements, so have experienced the difference).

If you'd like to share with us what your current mobility is and what you're doing/taking for pain management, we'll be better able to provide specific suggestions.

 

[mendogal]

Welcome to BoneSmart. Here are some resources to get you started.

HIP RECOVERY 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.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

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 these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs

The recovery articles
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.

 

[niknak79]

Hi @CoffeandCrafts,
I think you're still at the very early stages of recovery and healing- great advice above.
I had 5 surgeries including two femoral osteotomies on my right hip before my THR. But by four months post THR I was so, so much better than from previous surgeries, and very quickly I had more movement/flexibility than I'd had in years. I think with all the scar tissue etc. the THR (which was posterior) was quite tricky, & I had been told it would take a full year before I was totally recovered (but I was very young at the time, so I feel like I was pretty much fully recovered by 6 months)
Thinking of you!
Trust in your body's ability to heal & I hope you are managing your pain /getting sleep x

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

@mendogal Thank you so much for your response and sharing your experience! I am still using the walker - I have attempted to use my cane but it just causes too much pain and my leg is just so very weak. I think I didn’t have my expectations for the timeline of my recovery set properly from the outset so that has contributed to my anxiety and nervousness.
I had stopped taking the prescription pain meds for a few days but the pain has increased again and the last 24 hours or so I have started taking them again. I see my surgeon in one week so definitely will be asking about pain management again. I’m open to any suggestions. The pain is disruptive to my sleep etc and I don’t like taking the “hard stuff” but feel like I almost have to at this point for any real relief.
Hope this helps give a clearer picture! I sure appreciate the reassurance and reminders you e given. Thank you!

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

@niknak79 Thank you for sharing your experience! I really appreciate it! Like I mentioned above to @mendogal i think I really had my expectations for a timeline of recovery all wrong in my head! The weakness in my right leg is probably contributing the most to my pain and limitations- I am guessing… but it’s so hard to build stamina when there is a high level of pain.
Again! Thank you! Hope all is well for you!

 

[myglasshalffull]

The advice from doctors has always been to try & stay ahead of the pain. But I certainly understand some of the pain meds make you feel nauseous. Oxy made me sick to my stomach so I took Extra Strength Tylenol, They are 500mg per tablet.
Helped but Icing can help just as much.
Be sure you are icing the area off & on during the day.

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

@myglasshalffull Thank you! I really appreciate your comment and suggestions! I will work on getting back to icing more!

 

[mendogal]

The advice from doctors has always been to try & stay ahead of the pain. But I certainly understand some of the pain meds make you feel nauseous. Oxy made me sick to my stomach so I took Extra Strength Tylenol, They are 500mg per tablet.
Helped but Icing can help just as much.
Be sure you are icing the area off & on during the day.

Our recommendation with Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is to use it on a schedule rather than in response to pain:

Two 500 mg extra strength = a dose

Taken every 6-8 hours = 3,000 - 4,000 mg per 24 hours; 4,000 mg is considered the maximum daily safe dose.

If you're using oxy or similar prescription pain meds, they normally DO contain acetaminophen, so it's really important to do the math and reduce the over the counter acetaminophen to stay within the 4,000 mg.

 

[msart]

I completely understand. I had 2 surgeries on my left 7 weeks ago, 3 days apart. I think I was mostly in shock at first. I am 7 weeks out now & am feeling so much better. Wishing the very same for you!! It’s a SLOW SLOW process, sadly. You will make it. Listen to your body, rest & don’t over do it!! Happy healing ‍

I still don’t feel great!! Sore sore sore. I’m exhausted by this.

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

@msart I feel that exhaustion too!!! So sorry you are experiencing the pain as well!

 

[msart]

Hopefully, each day will improve for us both.

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

Yes, hoping! @msart

 

[Layla]

Hello C&C!
I hope your stamina has increased since you last posted, as well as your strength.
Wishing you a Happy Two Month Anniversary and a Happy Thanksgiving too!
Hope to hear from you again soon.
@CoffeandCrafts

 

[CoffeandCrafts]

Hello @Layla ! Thank you so much! Things have improved… at a very slow rate… but improvement is good! I’m walking with a cane most of the time now, occasionally using the walker when I’m really tired. But I remember thinking this day would not ever come so I’m pleased and hopefully it won’t be too far away until the day I’m free of the cane, too! I still have pain and discomfort but it seems to be improving gradually as well.
Thanks for the visit!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are well!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Morning coffee & crafts,
I was on walker & cane much longer than most but in time you will be walking aid free. Just take your time & even after I didn't need the assistive device I still kept cane by my bed for those late night bathroom trips!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!