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THR THR 6 Feb 2025 Gladtobediff UK

Thanks @Jamie - thanks for your suggestion re pillows behind me. I had actually got hubby (who is still sleeping in a separate room since the op) to snuggle up next to me in bed yesterday morning when I was on my non operated side (effectively acting as pillows propping me up) and after 10 mins I could no longer feel my back ache. So great suggestion!
Re pain meds - in the UK you are generally brought up to be anti any pain meds. I had no pain meds in hospital other than paracetamol/ibuprofen. Then Codeine for 3 days when I got home and stopped paracetamol/ibuprofen on day 6 post op.

One thing that is working for me is taking 2x 100g Magnesium Glycinate before bed. A non med supplement that has really worked in helping me sleep.

Thanks @myglasshalffull

Both - i have 10 kidney stones (6 more than 1 cm diameter) in my right kidney and actually realised that this is likely what is causing my back pain. Need to get them out ASAP when hip surgeon says procedure won't risk infecting my new hip joint!

This morning I managed to roll onto my operated side for a few mins. Not the most comfortable but feels like another milestone! I have a recovery tracker where all my issues/milestones/activity are logged (sad but true!).

Thanks again much appreciated
 
These days kidney stones sometimes can be broken up with a non-invasive ultrasound treatment. If your doctors haven’t suggested that, I would ask about it. An ultrasound procedure should pose no risk of infection for your new hip.

You are likely right that the stones are contributing to your back pain.
 
Question....for those with posterior hip replacement when were all restrictions removed.

I am being told that at my 6 week post op checkup with my surgeon he will remove
- 90 degree rule (ie i can tie laces, lean forward when working etc)
- requirement to sleep on your side
- remove the need to use pillows between you legs on any side when sleeping
- any restrictions on playing golf again - but build up to 18 holes!
- restrictions on sitting low chairs/using raised toilet seats
- commuting
- remove any restrictions on stretching, core workouts and upper and lower body strength training with weights (again building up slowly!)

Whats is people's experiences? Is the above realistic ?

Thanks
Mandy
 
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Every surgeon has his/her own protocols, @Gladtobediff, so it's really important to ask very specific questions about how much you can do and when.

My experience is this: I was told at my six-week follow-up that all restrictions were lifted. HOWEVER, my surgeon cautioned me that I was still very early in recovery and that I should slowly resume these movements/activities and be careful not rush to try to do everything all at once. I was specifically cautioned to avoid any extreme twisting motions -- e.g., certain yoga postures -- until I was further recovered (I was able to do these things at about 4 months).

Stretching and upper body work is fine, but six weeks is much too early to for lower body strength training. It takes tendons and ligaments a full 12 weeks to recover from the surgical trauma and you could cause injury or prolong recovery by moving into strength work too soon.

As to some of the other things are your list: Personally, I was too uncomfortable to sleep on my side without pillows until a couple of months post-op and I continued to use risers on chairs (and the toilet) for quite a while. It took me several months before I could comfortably put on sock and shoes myself. It took my until about eight weeks post-op to feel comfortable driving.

Everything did go back to normal, but it took time.

My advise is: don't rush it. Slow and steady is the best way to recovery fully from hip replacement.
 
benne68 said:
Stretching and upper body work is fine, but six weeks is much too early to for lower body strength training. It takes tendons and ligaments a full 12 weeks to recover from the surgical trauma and you could cause injury or prolong recovery by moving into strength work too soon.
Click to expand...
This truly can't be stressed enough! We see members develop tendon problems or bursitis from advancing exercise too soon, too much.
 
The 6-week milestone is a big event in most hip surgery timelines, but keep in mind that everyone is unique in their healing process. As mentioned above, listening to your body and taking things slow is advised always. But this is a big milestone and one to be celebrated for you.
 
Thanks very helpful. Be interesting to see what my surgeon says. The insurance physio trotted out rubbish generic advice re returning to Exercising more that you would give my parents in their 80s. But that's due to the insurance companies, as I understand it.

I am really bored - so glad I went back to work early (from home) or mentality I would have been in a really dark place....it has really helped give me a purpose with all these restrictions.

Let's see what he says on Thursday!
 
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Hello! I hope your week is off to a good start.
I experienced the posterior approach and had zero restrictions. Only cautioned to move slowly, thoughtfully and if anything hurt, STOP.
Side sleeping took me longer than many, for some reason the thought of it made me feel anxious for a few months. Crazy, but I felt like I'd feel the implant while lying on my side. :yikes:
Side sleeping is my preferred way to sleep now and I still use a pillow between my legs because it feels most comfortable to me to have my hips level.
I never used as raised toilet seat. Vanity...I hate the look of them and it would make me feel older than my age, mix in a measure of stubborn with that vanity :wink: Personally, I avoid low chairs because I have long legs and find them uncomfortable.

Best wishes for your visit on Thursday, GTBD. Please let us know how it goes.
@Gladtobediff
 
Ok....6 week check up post posterior hip replacement today...all restrictions removed. Surgeon very happy with progress.

He said I can now do lower body weight training, core training, tennis, golf, skiing, cycling in or outdoors etc

Jogging i can do from 12 weeks.

He said the only thing I cant do is bungee jumping and skydiving.

He was very clear for me to just build up to my normal levels over a period of time (ie don't go out tomorrow and play 18 holes of golf).

My questions are:....how do people get back from this point to:
- being able to tie shoe laces (how long)
- get my knee going to chest,
- learn to sleep on side without pillows and letting operated leg slide past mid line while on top of non operated leg,
- adjust to sleeping on operated leg

Much appreciated
 
Glad to read that your appointment went well, @Gladtobediff!

Gladtobediff said:
My questions are:....how do people get back from this point to:
- being able to tie shoe laces (how long)
- get my knee going to chest,
- learn to sleep on side without pillows and letting operated leg slide past mid line while on top of non operated leg,
- adjust to sleeping on operated leg
Click to expand...
There's no simple answer to this because we are all different and our bodies (not us) determine when we are able to do these things. It took me about 3 months to be able to tie shoes (thank goodness for slip-ons!) or give myself a pedicure without discomfort. As I mentioned previously, it also took a long time to get comfortable side sleeping again.

I'm sure others will stop by to share their experiences. In the meantime, you could pop onto the threads of some folks who had their surgeries a month ahead of you. You can find information on our January THRs here.
 
A different question.....after my 6 week sign off I was desperate to have a bath. Getting in and sitting down on base of bath, before filling it, was all good - i made sure hubby was in the room just in case!

Getting out was a lot harder!. I drained all the water out (maybe that was a mistake) then with a shower mat put underneath my legs and arms on sides....and hubby helping lift me...I got out.

Any technique people can share for getting out of a bath easily (without equipment). Looked on line and can only find stuff that uses equipment. Thank you x
 
Did your surgeon clear you to actually get in and out of a tub? Frankly, it doesn’t sound like a good idea to me at your early stage of recovery. I know your surgeon indicated you could get back to normal activities, but I would double check with his office about getting into a tub this soon.

If your do try to use the tub, I think you need to continue having your husband’s help in and out for quite some time. You really don’t want to slip and risk damaging the good work your surgeon did for you. If your tub is big enough for you to roll over so you could get on your knees, that might help. Or, they make small plastic step stools that you might be able to place behind you so you could hoist yourself up and down on that before sitting in the tub or trying to exit. If your don’t have grab bars around your tub to hold on to, please get them immediately for your safety. Do NOT use the kind with suction cups. They must be screwed into walk studs and strong enough to hold all your weight should you start to fall.
 
A lot of advice on the knee side of things was: literally do a dry run: fully clothed, no water, a sturdy helper right with you!

I agree with checking with your surgeon.
Also reiterating that as tendons and ligaments are absolutely NOT healed at 6 weeks it's still very easy to develop tendonitis or bursitis from overdoing activity.
 
Hi there

Here are my answers ......

Tie shoe laces
- about 3 months without any discomfort

Knee going to chest
- honestly I tried it just now for the first time since surgery (4 months) and I felt a twinge so I'll say I can't really do this yet without discomfort

Learn to sleep on side without pillows and letting operated leg slide past mid line while on top of non operated leg
- never tried this but I never slept with pillows as i found it too uncomfortable

Adjust to sleeping on operated leg
- about 3 months without discomfort

Hope this helps.

Oh! As for the bath I'm afraid I have no tips as I haven't tried it.

:loveshwr:
 
Thanks for all the replies....just to reassure folks i specifically asked the surgeon about a bath and a jacuzzi. Both of which he said were all good. I cannot tell you how amazing and lovely it was to have a bath and it made me feel SO much better. But I support the points about having a helper.

We have a jacuzzi (not very common to have in the UK) and my husband will refill on Monday (we empty for the winter) and i will focus on using that as it has steps and easier to get in and out of.

I did a bit of chipping and putting at my golf course across the road (I walk there cause it's so near!) and did a couple of practise shots with my hybrids and one with my driver. I checked with my surgeon i was OK to do all those. Will continue to build up and aim to walk round 9 holes next Friday with my club mates and play shots for real. Building up gradually.

Thanks again for all your replies and input. Very much appreciated

Thanks for all your replies.
 
Thanks @myglasshalffull @Jamie.

I haven't taken any pain killers simce 7 days after op...and with no large intestine they make my stomach issues worse so avoid them unless I am in 3 or 4/10 pain.

Re pillows and putting them behind me...my husband is back sharing our bed so not sure i can the positioning of pillows. Like someone else on this thread said I actually find pillows between my legs uncomfortable....but i understand the point about the back pain. Let me reflect on that one. The surgeon did say i don't need to use any pillow now between legs during sleep but can if I want to.

It is very weird sleeping on operated side.....let's see how long it takes before I dont feel I have a block under my leg!

Kidney surgeon was going to put me in to have my troublesome stones next week but I said it is too soon mentally for me to have more surgery just yet. With Easter holidays in the uk (schools out for 2 to 3 weeks) we agreed on 2 May where I will have the joy of a General Anathestic (Spinal block not an option) and after 2 hour operation plus a stent in (they are awful) for a week.

Can't wait til all this medical stuff is finished.

Hip starting to feel really like part of me. Really feel I am heading back to normality!

Thanks again for your comments and support. Means a lot.

Right had to have.amother bath tonight so with the water left in will try and diff way to get out!

Happy recovery everyone! Xxx
 
Thanks for the additional information. It sounds like you have everything under control! A hot tub is going to be a lot easier for you to use since it has the steps. Go for it!!! After all you’ve been through, you deserve to do those things in life that give you joy. I’m so happy to read your latest post as the good feeling do come shining through.
 
@Jamie thanks so much.

Btw I did work out how to most easily get out of a bath provided your restrictions have been removed.

With the water still in, sit face up with legs on the bottom of the bath (as you would to have the bath) . Then turn 180 degrees so you are facing the bottom of the bath. I did this by reaching my left hand out to the side of the bath on my right whilst at the same time turning onto my knees. Once on my knees I stood up onto my non operated leg first. I waited for hubby then stepped operated leg then non operated leg over side of bath and I was out. Much easier than I thought it would be once I worked out how!

Enjoy !
 
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