THR Tricky Recovery from 2 THRs

[Tiare]

Hi @Lester.Frea! Glad to hear that your surgeon thinks things are going well. I’m a fellow on-the-younger-side hippie as well - and just had a bilateral THR on April 2. I read through some of your pre-op thread, and it sounds like you’ve been through a lot! So happy that you finally took the plunge. I’ve had osteoarthritis since I was a teenager, and finally got the courage to move forward with thr surgery this year, but it was definitely a long time coming.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and hope your recovery is continuing to go well!

 

[Layla]

Hi @Lester.Frea
Happy One Month Anniversary, Lefty and Righty!
I hope the icing has helped ease any discomfort you had. You’re a brave soul going back for more after only two days post op. I can’t even imagine.
With any luck you’re doing well and enjoying progress week by week.
Happy Friday!

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Lester.Frea
Just checking to see if you had left an update.
Hope all is contributing to improve...
This was primetime in my recovery for some post op blues and cabin fever....
Hope you are staying positive and keeping things slow and steady.
Continued wishes for healing and patience.

 

[Lester.Frea]

Hey all!

Really sorry for showing up after so long!

Things are going okay, making good progress. On walker, but really I can walk (although there is tightness etc.) for a bit without even that - but yeah not gonna take any risk since I really don't want to add a fracture risk now :P It's been difficult enough already lol

Totally off pain meds btw, except nerve pain meds. Not even acetaminophen. I do experience pain now and then but doctor has not prescribed anything. Haven't complained excessively, I have good pain tolerance and generally the pain's well within my level of tolerance so it's all good And oh, I do ice! It does help.

One thing that bothers me is this snapping sound and discomfort from my left knee (which was on partial weightbearing for weeks post surgery unlike my right leg) - the doc had checked my knee and there's no arthritis related tightness or anything there. He said the snapping sound could be owing to some muscle wasting - and I do feel it's muscle related since the snapping happens when I bend and straighten my leg (it's a dull snap and not a boney crack which I know since I have chronic arthritis related issues) - this is super irritating and aches a bit too. But lets see, hope it gets better with time. Trying to increase my walking slowly now.

PS: Had a consult after 4 weeks and while it's early to show up on X-rays, doc showed me some bone growing into my implant - so that's looking up! Really gave me a lot of confidence

 

[Lester.Frea]

Thanks a bunch for checking up on me guys! @Tiare @Mojo333 @Layla et al! Really cheers me up , was just a bit lazy to type all that lol

 

[Ric A]

Should we expect our surgeons to review our hips x ray etc every year or 2 or 5 Years?

Is there any rule?

Also, should we be expected to be able too stand on our operated leg after 6 weeks?

 

[Lester.Frea]

Should we expect our surgeons to review our hips x ray etc every year or 2 or 5 Years?

There's no rule as such, but I'm planning to consult mine once in a while (at least once in one or two years). While in general, I think you only need a consult if you're feel any discomfort or your surgeon asks you to. From what I've read, it's a do it and forget it kinda procedure, once you've eased into normalcy, I think you'll carry on as if you have a normal hip.

Also, should we be expected to be able too stand on our operated leg after 6 weeks?

If you'd gone through my thread here, my case is a bit unique and even then the doctor allowed some weight bearing right away. Some minor walking was on cards after week two and I'm walking about (with walker) after four. Hoping to switch to a cane after six and eventually lose everything, once I'm confident enough!

And mind you, mines bilateral.

 

[Layla]

Thanks for updating. It was nice to hear from you. I’m happy you’re doing well and that you’re pleased with your progress. May it be smooth sailing from here on out for you!
@Lester.Frea

 

[Lester.Frea]

Update: It's been almost 2 months in and I'm doing just fine! Pain's almost gone, I'm walking around without any support (albeit indoors, haven't tried outdoors yet owing to COVID) and doctor's allowed me to do everything besides squatting/sitting on the floor etc - which according to him is gonna be a lifetime deal. It's a bit too restrictive for me since my spinal movements are super limited and I have to basically squat if I have to, say pick something up that I've dropped. But not complaining too much tbh, pain free in itself is a huge deal and also full ROM! Exciting and looking forward to swimming, light biking etc!

 

[Celle]

That all sounds good, @Lester.Frea .

 

[Layla]

Thanks for the update and Happy Two Month Anniversary, Righty (today) and Lefty on Tuesday.

Are you able to use the golfers reach to pick things up?

There is also this tip to pick things up from the floor - it's called the 'golfer's reach'!
Make sure you have one hand on something stable like a kitchen counter
Put your operated leg back as far as you can so it is in line with the straight of your back
Bend your good leg and reach down with your free hand

As you can see, the operated leg is in a straight line with the body so not violating the rules. It's a very easy manoeuvre but do be careful the first few days and always hold on to something firm like the kitchen counter or an armchair until you are confident with it. "

I hope you have a great week!
@Lester.Frea

 

[Lester.Frea]

@Layla well, mine's bilateral so both hips are operated legs, there's no 'good leg' here. The only issue I faced browsing the quite awesome collection re: tips/support for hippies is the lack of such material for bilateral hippies. Had to dig in quite deep for me to get some stuff from other double hippies lol.

But yeah my problem is deeper though, right now I am kinda half squatting to pick things up (since as I highlighted, my neck/back has very little mobility due to calcification etc). I'm getting missus to help me out a bit too, but later on I can't really rely on that forever, I gotta kneel/do half a squat to pick things up when needed.

 

[Layla]

Yes, you’re right and your surgeries were close together, only days apart, which I even recognized in my post, before I forgot two seconds later, lol.
I guess more healing and time will help with flexibility. Until then, I guess you’ll have to depend upon your wife.
A great week to you!
@Lester.Frea

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary, Lefty and Righty!
I hope all is well and you are enjoying steady progress. Let us know when you have time.
Until then…all the best!
@Lester.Frea

 

[Mojo333]

Hope all is going well with you, my double hippy compadre.
Lots of improvement yet to come....