THR THR Follows Unsuccessful ORIF - Keeping Fingers Crossed

[copsham]

I have started to use a single crutch and I'm getting around pretty good. Working towards no aids but it's been 5 months since I last walked.

Hi @lalo
In reading your posts I forgot that it was so long since you last walked. You seem so calm and accepting of all of this. i am impressed!

 

[lalo]

Hi @Josephine
As always I highly value your input
I do design work; sit at desk working on a computer.
My boss has been out on vacation and have not been able to talk to him yet but he is real reasonable.
The Insurance Co that handles the disability is the one that is pushing

I read the ref link and saw the guidelines for a phased return.
I'm fairly confident that I can work a phased return with some work for home included.
Thanks

 

[lalo]

Hi @copsham
I don't even know how to reply without rambling;
The whole ordeal has been a huge emotional roller coaster.
The 1st part of this consisted of the emergency surgery and the subsequent recovery that didn't pan out.
The pain associated with the attempted fix was excruciating.

I never saw it coming; for 3 months I was told that all was going well and then the Dr pulled the rug out and told me I needed a hip replacement.
To make matters worse, the Dr told me that because he had drilled 3 long holes into the femur, the hip replacement was risky and may not hold.
The disappointment followed by depression was terrible.
It was only thru prayer and my wife's support that I was able to get thru it.

The decision to get the hip replaced was made somewhat easier by the fact that once the femur head started dying from poor blood supply, the pain became unbearable in a matter of weeks. I went to a different Surgeon for the hip replacement.
Going into the THR I was very apprehensive about the combined effect of replaced knee and hip on the same leg.
I'm still pretty concerned and my knee feels very tight but I'm confident that I will be able to walk again.
I think that when faced with the possibility of not walking again it is easier to develop the patience to get thru this.

Like other posts I have seen, I could not have gotten thru this without the help of my wife, family, friends and prayer.
And by friends I include all if the wonderful people that I have communicated with on this forum.
That's as short as I can reply to your compliment and I thank you for your kindness.

 

[Suzette]

Hi I do hope you knee loosens up and your hip is on the mend now too. I am starting the phased return to work next week, very similar plan to the one josephine mentioned. Although my boss wants to change it already and I am not even there yet.

The problem I have is the bursitis causing problems when I sit too long and am pretty sure that I have piriformis syndrome. As my butt hurts in the same place yours does. Take a look at piriformis syndrome on here https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/piriformis-syndrome-a-pain-in-the-butt.9837/
or on the net.

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/symptoms-and-diagnosis-piriformis-syndrome. It causes a sciatica pain too, mine runs down the back if the legs, mainly that pain occurs more when I lie on my sides.

I hope your depression is easing too.

x

 

[lalo]

Hi @Suzette
Thanks for the links on piriformis.
My symptoms sure match the description.
I remember seeing the bone smart link maybe a month ago and I dismissed it because I did not have any muscle spasms.
I also didn't have any radiating pain down the leg.
Well since my weight bearing restrictions were removed last Fri I have been doing a lot of walking using 1 crutch and I have felt a pain radiating down to my knee but on the inside not outside (not sure it matters)
The Web link does not limit the muscle condition to spasms
So after further review ....... I bet that that is what I have.
And it started before my THR
Sounds like the fix is rest, light exercise, ?????
Maybe you can send me a couple of the expired tubes of Advil cream and at least I'll feel like I'm treating the cause.
I can thankfully say that I'm past the depression. I had that after The 1st surgery went bad and I had to accept that I had to have the hip replaced.

You know I will be keeping up to see how the return to work goes along with everything else. I tell you, this is no fun. I had heard that hips were easier than knees and I would say not in my case. My TKR was a cake walk compared to this
Every time I think you had both done I just cringe, God bless you!

 

[pamac]

Just read thru your story and truly hope you are on the way to recovery. With the added time and turmoil of the accident, you have been thru the ringer! Please keep posting so we know how you're coming along. I also have appreciated your input on my posts.

 

[AndyH99]

@lalo I've just read your thread and you've really made me stop and reconsider how I plan my return to work. Up to my op I was pretty gung-ho about it thinking that as I work in IT I could just work from home and dive straight back into the meter. Now two weeks post-op I'm having a bit more of a sense check and this has helped.

I hope your recovery & return are still on track and under control. Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[lalo]

Hi @AndyH99
Just read your whole thread
Hats off to all of you bi-laterals !
I can't imagine dealing with 2 hips at a time.
As you saw in the thread I got a pretty good scare when I started trying to work from home without adhering to good practices.
All I can say is don't underestimate the recovery.
Ill be keeping up with you and wish you the best.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo, I too don't have 'proper' spasms but more like an aching cramp. And today I took the dog for a walk with out a stick, and I had the pain you describe, down the inner thigh to my knee. Then when I sat down in a higher chair than normal, the pain went down the outside of the leg then down the back of the leg.. I have no idea if these pains are related to the same thing, but the good news is, I emailed the surgeons secretary with a description of all the aches and pains and he wants to see me Friday. So fingers crossed I will find out a bit more about what is going on.

I think my little walk has irritated quite a bit, as the right leg bursitis is now really stinging! That will teach me.

I will let you know how things go. Keep well
X

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo how are you? Are you still getting those aches? X

 

[lalo]

Well you read my mind. I just hit the post reply button on your thread.
I'm OK but disappointed on the progress ; want to be further along.
Been trying to practice walk with a cane and as I increase the distance it seems more pains show up. They are not terrible but it hurts.
Today I went all day with no pain Med's ( been down to a min anyway) to see what it felt like.
Took 2 Advil in morn and 1 around 3. Pain tolerable but notice effects of no Med's.
I'm suppose to go back to work next week at maybe 3 half days and I just don't know if I'm up to it.
Mentally I'm more than ready but between the drive and hike to my desk I just go Awwwww!
This whole experience is kicking my behind. Oh and I'm lying on a pack of ice as I type because the piriform Aja ps in in the butt is still alive and well.
@Suzette

 

[Suzette]

Hi I just replied to you on mine I have noticed a dull ache and stabbing in my hip area if I have pushed the walking too much so I cut it back again, tonight I have the deep throbbing feeling in the upper thighs and I too have the pain in the butt lurking around. Also a deep throb.I always have a stick in the car and one by the front door, I can now tell when days are going to turn painful. Were you still using crutches rather than a stick?

I also dropped some meds and decided it hurt too much and went back on them.I am seeing another GP on thursday to discuss pain relief and the apparent 'normal' pains in the butt and hip. It may be normal to an OS but it is depressing to the patient, so surely that is detrimental to the healing process and general wellbeing ?

Maybe for a while longer you should work a bit longer at home? Luckily the office where my main base is, isnt to far from my home. But if you have that driving distance and then a good walk too..then having to sit in an office chair before the trip back, maybe this will be too much and push you back again?

Oh I do wish Drs and surgeons knew the other side of hip op recovery. ..

 

[lalo]

Well today is my birthday, I turn 62.
Yesterday wife and I drove up to see our 3 daughters and 5 grandkids. I drove for about 1 hr (out of 2.5 total) on the interstate and did good. All went out to dinner to celebrate.
My butt pain (think it is piriformis) was acting up by the time I went to bed so I put myself on ice and took a pain med.
I went all last week with Tylonol during the day and pain Med at night only.
Monday will be 9 weeks since THR and Things are definately looking up.
My knee is starting to loosen up and I can get around with a cane pretty good. When I try to walk without any aids my balance is terrible; I hope my balance improves with time.
I'm beginning to think there is light at the end if the tunnel.

 

[Suzette]

Well Happy Birthday to you so glad you had a great day and you feel everything is now moving in the right direction xx

I too drove a bit further than I have done so far and I have a fair bit of thigh pain from the breaking and accelerating etc and also my bone feels achy and throbby.

9 weeks monday and 10 for me...feels ages ago since the op!!

Hope you slept well x

 

[lalo]

Well I thought I might be able to defer returning to work till next week but I'm going back this week.
The good news is that I'll do 2 half days this week and ramp up gradually the following.
Since my accident on Feb 10th, I have only worked approx half of April and all of May. The rest of the time has been preparing or recovering from surgery. It's scary going back; I have read all of Suzzets and Tweefishys posts on the subject and I just avoided thinking about it. Oh well! Hope my butt cooperates.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo...it is scary , I think it's the not knowing how things will be when you get back to your job...I still feel like I am a sort of Newby even though I have been there 6 years!! When is your first part day back??

I managed 5 whole hours today and it wasn't so much my butt throbbing, as I kept standing up and also swapping chairs every hour to change the sitting position.I am finding keeping focused and absorbing info, a little tricky. As is the massive urge to lie down after about 3 hours...I seriously wish I could work part time permanently.

do let us know how it goes and we will be thinking of you xx

 

[lalo]

Well I returned to work today! I was so anxious anticipating the return that I was a nervous wreck. I was scared about the drive, scared about my leg holding out while walking, and scared about the "butt pain". I may be jumping the gun (hopefully when I wake up tomorrow I won't be too sore) but it went a lot better than I expected. My most pleasant surprise is that I ended up walking a lot and did very well (used a cane). My replaced knee continues to bother me as much as the new hip but it did pretty good. My piriformis butt pain was minimal for the 1st 4 hrs and gradually increased; I worked 6.5 total hrs. When I left for home , just got to the car when the sky opened up. It was a typical South Fl late summer storm with lightning, high wind gusts and blinding rain. I started to drive in it and before I left the parking lot I realized that my best bet was to stay put and ride it out in the parking lot. After it calmed down a bit I started for home and drove in pretty heavy rain. After the initial anxiety I gained my confidence and drove home without incident. The drive is all 2 lane country road with no shoulder and with a heavy rain the outside tires are in and out of puddles; it can be dangerous.
I was planning to return to work next week but my boss applied sufficient pressure to make me come in today. He made a vague reference to a group meeting I needed to attend. Well in this meeting I was awarded a 30 year anniversary plaque and gift. Then I understood why he wanted me to come in; nice surprise.
That's my 1st day back. I'm drained.
Now keeping an eye on the Tropical Storm Erika. The latest forecast has it showing up on Monday as a category 1 hurricane in our area. If it continues to hold the course I will be helping my wife put up storm shutters and do last minute hurricane prep.

 

[Suzette]

Hi congratulations on your first day back. So happy for you to get the 30yrs award, that is a fantastic surprise for you.
I managed 5 hours today, it too tires me out, and I don't do the driving, in rain, and all the walking you do, so you did well. I still have the butt ache too.

How do you find sitting? And when are you next back?

I hope the hurricane doesn't arrive but if it does at least you will be prepared.

Have a great rest later x

 

[lalo]

Hi @Suzette
Regarding sitting, I did ok for the 1st 3-4 hrs.
I tried to shift positions while sitting and get up every hr.
I also have several xtra cushions.
By about the 5-6 hr my butt was hurting
As soon as I got home went for the Ice pack and Tylonol

If weather permits will go back Monday and try for 3, 5 hr days next week.

 

[lalo]

We got lucky here in South Florida and the Storm Erika has dissipated and will have a minimal impact, if any.
To celebrate I bought me a 3 wheel bicycle. I have not been on bike since my accident and I have been dying to go poking around the neighborhood. I tried it out and it will take some getting use to but what the heck, beats staying indoors. I hope to be able to ride a regular bike (with my wife's permission) but this will do for now.
I'm slowly starting to walk without an aid but in the meantime I just put my cane in my rear basket and go.
My current dog is too big to go in the basket so I'm gona have to go looking for a small one so I can have a riding buddy.