lthr63014
junior member
United StatesI haven't updated my thread in a while, and thought it was about time since Monday will be a full 8 weeks since my surgery. Decided to change my thread title and I think it reflects my recovery....it has not been a fast recovery, but I really have improved dramatically over 8 weeks. I never felt a dramatic change from one day to the next, but gradual improvement just seemed to happen. I don't picture myself running a race (not that I ever did!) or even playing golf for a while, but I definitely can move around pretty well and am not in constant pain anymore.
It's been a busy month getting back to a full time work schedule, or close to it. Since I am self employed and work based from home, I never really stopped working, just did very little, relying on an assistant to do all the leg work and I was able to review reports from my recliner and take naps as needed. There is NO way I could see going to an work for a set time in the am...I still cannot wake up and get moving much before 9 and am usually wiped out by 4 or 5. I can't imagine how so many of you return to full time jobs with set hours at 4-5 weeks! No matter how strenuous a job, I still get exhausted from very little activity at times. Wish I could sneak in naps still, but it’s almost impossible now. Since I am now driving I am out doing my own inspections (real estate appraising) which is a little tricky since I have to do stairs, basements, and sometimes attics as well as tromp around in fields, woods, etc. Everything is still at a very slow pace, but my hip is pain free.
Sleeping is still somewhat of a challenge...I am able to sleep on my non-op side or my back, but still can’t sleep on the left side...it hurts still and just keeps me uncomfortable. I think that I don’t change positions when I’m sleeping now..I think I am subconsciously nervous about my new hip and afraid I will dislocate it while I am asleep. My wife always complained I take up the whole bed since sprawl out in my sleep. Maybe she’s sleeping a little better since I’m not moving as much.
I also had my 8 week follow up with the surgeon on Thursday. Everything looks good from his point of view, other than some LLD which I could tell was there. He gave me a couple lifts to even me out...it really feels better to stand evenly and walk without a "rolling" gait. No longer using a cane, although I will keep a walking stick/trekking pole with me for long walks or uneven ground since I am still a bit unsteady at times. I am still taking Norco 7.5/325 1 or 2 times a day. Typically in the morning and evening when every ache and pain is magnified. Pain is mostly the outside hip, stiffness and pain in the knee area and quads with some muscle pain/pulling towards my groin area...but that seems better after using shoe lifts and not feeling unbalanced when I stand or walk. The bad news from the doc is that he could see significant OA in my other hip and thinks I'll be looking for some relief within the next 2 years. I have already decided that I won't wait so long for the 2nd one since I know what to expect.
I had PT for about 5 weeks and they told me early this week that I should be able to continue on my own without formal PT. At $50/visit for co-pays, I am really glad that it's not a necessity at this point. My PT insists I was ahead of the curve the whole time even though I didn't feel that way. Just now realizing I really have improved dramatically.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading!
It's been a busy month getting back to a full time work schedule, or close to it. Since I am self employed and work based from home, I never really stopped working, just did very little, relying on an assistant to do all the leg work and I was able to review reports from my recliner and take naps as needed. There is NO way I could see going to an work for a set time in the am...I still cannot wake up and get moving much before 9 and am usually wiped out by 4 or 5. I can't imagine how so many of you return to full time jobs with set hours at 4-5 weeks! No matter how strenuous a job, I still get exhausted from very little activity at times. Wish I could sneak in naps still, but it’s almost impossible now. Since I am now driving I am out doing my own inspections (real estate appraising) which is a little tricky since I have to do stairs, basements, and sometimes attics as well as tromp around in fields, woods, etc. Everything is still at a very slow pace, but my hip is pain free.
Sleeping is still somewhat of a challenge...I am able to sleep on my non-op side or my back, but still can’t sleep on the left side...it hurts still and just keeps me uncomfortable. I think that I don’t change positions when I’m sleeping now..I think I am subconsciously nervous about my new hip and afraid I will dislocate it while I am asleep. My wife always complained I take up the whole bed since sprawl out in my sleep. Maybe she’s sleeping a little better since I’m not moving as much.
I also had my 8 week follow up with the surgeon on Thursday. Everything looks good from his point of view, other than some LLD which I could tell was there. He gave me a couple lifts to even me out...it really feels better to stand evenly and walk without a "rolling" gait. No longer using a cane, although I will keep a walking stick/trekking pole with me for long walks or uneven ground since I am still a bit unsteady at times. I am still taking Norco 7.5/325 1 or 2 times a day. Typically in the morning and evening when every ache and pain is magnified. Pain is mostly the outside hip, stiffness and pain in the knee area and quads with some muscle pain/pulling towards my groin area...but that seems better after using shoe lifts and not feeling unbalanced when I stand or walk. The bad news from the doc is that he could see significant OA in my other hip and thinks I'll be looking for some relief within the next 2 years. I have already decided that I won't wait so long for the 2nd one since I know what to expect.
I had PT for about 5 weeks and they told me early this week that I should be able to continue on my own without formal PT. At $50/visit for co-pays, I am really glad that it's not a necessity at this point. My PT insists I was ahead of the curve the whole time even though I didn't feel that way. Just now realizing I really have improved dramatically.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading!
