THR THR Posterior - Slowly Healing

[myglasshalffull]

msart,
When I was in my teens I took dancing lessons along with acrobatics. I could do back bends, flips, cartwheels the whole 9 yards.
Once summer came lessons ended for the summer but started again in fall. Those first few lessons I'd go home so sore & next day feel even more sore.
Even today if I go for nice long walk I feel great but then once I get home & relax for a bit when I go to get up I'm stiff for a bit.
I think what you are experiencing now is temporary & muscles you haven't used have been awakened???
At 6 weeks you are still very early in your recovery.
And 2 surgeries in short period of time will also add to that recovery so try & take it easy on yourself.

 

[Eman85]

Instead of pain meds I hope you're icing when you overdo. The recovery from THR isn't about the bone and implant, it's all about the trauma to soft tissue when they dislocate us. In your case trauma to already traumatized muscles. We all succumb to the I feel good so I'll do more today deal and it usually leads to the ODIC.

 

[Layla]

Hi msart,
Thanks for the update. I think you'll have some ups and downs as it's still early into your recovery from two surgeries, within only three days. Consider using the Activity Progression for THR as a rough gauge for activity.
I feel it can keep you in check, remaining comfortably mobile, without overdoing it. https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-thrs.13187/

Best wishes for your labs tomorrow and x-rays next week. Let us know how it all goes. Happy Tuesday!

Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread since it is the same hip and surgeries were only days apart. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting. Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.

I've edited your thread title to one that's less time specific because soon enough you'll be beyond six weeks post op and that title may have limited the number that will read / respond here.
@msart

 

[msart]

Thank you so much!! This is helpful. I was released to drive yesterday, short trips only. Took 2 trips out & I was completely worn out. This is a game changer on sleep for me. I don’t think I have slept this well since this started. Progress!!

 

[msart]

Thank you so much. I agree & I think it is what it is. This recovery is slow slow going. I’m sure I’ll get there, being an over achiever-I’d rather sooner than later. However, I see you don’t really get a choice in this one. lol
Feeling pretty good mostly, have my moments. Am icing & resting when my body tells me too. Struggling with-doing too much & resting. Trying to find a balance here.

 

[msart]

FYI-I’m not sure if I am posting correctly-so maybe someone can lmk how to get on my thread.

Tomorrow is 7 weeks and tonight-I feel SO MUCH BETTER!! I am usually laying here watching tv at this time and am miserable. So I’m thrilled. I did break things up today & rested between-and am noticing what is making me uncomfortable-such as sitting too long, bc there has been many moments I have questioned if the hip is healing at all. Whatever it is-I sure hope this keeps up. Have X-rays tomorrow I am hoping for good news!!

 

[Jockette]

@msart I merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread, as we prefer that members in recovery have only one thread.

This benefits you because all your information is in one place, easy to find, and maintains a nice journal for you.

This also benefits our staff, as your information is all in one place, and we often go back through your thread for previous details, so we know what you‘ve been through which helps us advise you better.

So, please keep all your posts in this thread. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.

How can I find my threads and posts?

There are a couple of ways you can find categories of threads on the forum. You are able to use links in the main forum toolbars at the top of the screen to quickly access certain types of threads: your own threads, threads with your posts in them, and watched threads. You can also use links...

bonesmart.org

Best wishes on your continuing recovery!

 

[Morgan Le Fay]

This is what I've come to think of as the Great Structural Reset.

Our arthritis-affected weight bearing joint, over time, creates a lot of structural changes as the body tries to compensate. Some muscles and tendons lengthen and stretch while their counterparts contract and tighten. This can happen slowly and below our level of consciousness even as these forces start tugging at bones, skewing our pelvis, our posture, our gait.

All at once in surgery everything is essentially reset by the surgeon. Part of recovering from a hip or knee replacement, besides the actual healing, is a re-modeling of our structure to adapt to our new improved structure.

This is absolutely spot on. I always thought this but could not articulate it so succinctly. Thank you.

 

[benne68]

How was your appointment today, @msart? Hope the news is good and that the xrays show everything is in place.

 

[Layla]

I have questioned if the hip is healing at all.

Yes...it is healing. It's a process and it takes patience. You've been through a lot in a very short period of time. Take the time once a week, same day each week, and reflect over the past week, you will realize the strides you're making. Hope you received some good news today after x-rays. It will be a mood booster.
Have a great week, msart!

 

[msart]

Thank you. All is well-I can now do “nose to toes” which is wonderful. Can not twist YET, but making progress. I am thrilled. I know this is still going to be tough, but I think the hardest part is over. Thankful & blessed.

 

[msart]

@msart I merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread, as we prefer that members in recovery have only one thread.

This benefits you because all your information is in one place, easy to find, and maintains a nice journal for you.

This also benefits our staff, as your information is all in one place, and we often go back through your thread for previous details, so we know what you‘ve been through which helps us advise you better.

So, please keep all your posts in this thread. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.

How can I find my threads and posts?

There are a couple of ways you can find categories of threads on the forum. You are able to use links in the main forum toolbars at the top of the screen to quickly access certain types of threads: your own threads, threads with your posts in them, and watched threads. You can also use links...

bonesmart.org

Best wishes on your continuing recovery!

I just can not figure out how to post. I see my thread, so confused. Obviously not a blogger-lol & I’ve posted before, so idk. I do not see an avatar only my initial on top of toolbar. Can u help?

 

[Jockette]

@msart The above post you just wrote is in your thread, right where it should be, so you did fine!

I do not see an avatar only my initial on top of toolbar.

Your avatar is the initial “M” that you see. Have you ever uploaded a photo into your avatar spot? If you don’t, the system automatically assigns one with an initial.

Here is some information that might help you:

How To Use This Forum

Short articles to help you navigate BoneSmart and better use all the features available.

bonesmart.org

 

[msart]

Ok let me see if I can figure out how I did that & read up on it some more.

 

[msart]

I wish this was a faster process. I go through all kinds of emotions daily. I know & I feel much better than I was, I just wish my mind & body could get on same page here. My mind wants me to be the same pre surgery, my body has different ideas. Nights are still rough, sleeping better but not a full 6-8hrs as I would like. I am completely spent after an outing, drive to & from. Sitting is just not comfortable. I don’t feel like myself yet, but I’m getting there.

This is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. I wonder if this is easier on people that get to plan and maybe people that don’t live alone. I am extremely thankful for this group, I am glad to have found this community of others that understand what I’m going through. Happy ‍ healing.

 

[Jockette]

@msart Great job with your avatar! Nice photo!

 

[Jockette]

Yes!! It is major surgery!! And I forgot to mention at the beginning of this, I had to have TWO SURGERIES in 3 days time.

I am completely spent after an outing, drive to & from.

I wonder if this is easier on people that get to plan and maybe people that don’t live alone.

Joint replacement is a slow recovery, and the fact that you had it done twice within 3 days means your body is having to work a bit harder to recover from two surgeries. Being completely spent is normal, due to the energy drain from healing.

Energy drain for THRs

Someone recently said something that gave me this idea to demonstrate what post-op hippies are always experiencing: we called it an energy drain also known as fatigue or acute tiredness. All perfect descriptions! And I thought of these illustrations demonstrating how much of your body's energy...

bonesmart.org

Living alone means you have to do everything yourself, so do what you can to pace yourself with the things you have to do. Doing these things is also a form of, what I like to call, “natural PT.” And, if anyone asks you if there’s anything they can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask for some help.

 

[Phoebie]

I wish this was a faster process. I go through all kinds of emotions daily. I know & I feel much better than I was, I just wish my mind & body could get on same page here. My mind wants me to be the same pre surgery, my body has different ideas. Nights are still rough, sleeping better but not a full 6-8hrs as I would like. I am completely spent after an outing, drive to & from. Sitting is just not comfortable. I don’t feel like myself yet, but I’m getting there.

This is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. I wonder if this is easier on people that get to plan and maybe people that don’t live alone. I am extremely thankful for this group, I am glad to have found this community of others that understand what I’m going through. Happy ‍ healing.

Hi! I too live alone with my family thousands of miles away but in touch daily. I am fiercely independent and don't like asking for help. This is a mistake. I have wonderful friends and neighbours all offering help and I am paying for some domestic help. My problem is I am too exhausted to issue instructions of what needs to be done. I have started writing lists. I am sure you felt the same when a friend offers to pop by for coffee and help and you just feel too tired to sit and chat. I LOVE WhatsApp as it allows you to chat when you feel like it with little effort.

You are doing so well after two surgeries. Eye on the prize......your mobility and independence back in the future.

 

[msart]

Awe-thank you!! I do feel the same way. I hate asking for help & I almost feel like I have asked plenty at the beginning of all this. I don’t know if people actually understand that this recovery is not like breaking your arm or a toe. Not being able to reach your toes & take care of daily things has been frustrating. ESP since I live alone, I know u understand this. However, I am making progress. Today I did laundry, weeks ago I could not do that-so yay for progress. I just have to figure out now-how to not over do it. Happy you responded!!

 

[Phoebie]

Imagine being joyful at doing laundry! But I completely get it.