THR Wingy THR recovery progress

[myglasshalffull]

Top of my right foot was so painful once I was walking more (which is hip replacement side). I broke my left ankle six years ago & started to get concerned that something might be going on with right foot & thought of having any more surgery was terrifying.
I was worried that if I didn't get the foot looked at I might be damaging it further with the walking I was doing so I made appointment with OS that did my left ankle. Explained to him what was going on & he did X-rays & just turns out it's arthritis on top of the foot. I was relieved. The pain comes & goes, I get "foot rubs" when it's sore from my amazing partner! But just soaking in Epsom salt also helps. It's not as prevalent now as it was when I first started my longer walks.

 

[Jamie]

@myglasshalffull … I also have arthritis in the bones on top of both my feet. The right is worse than the left. It impacts my gait most of the time even with using Tylenol and Voltaren and massaging the tops of my feet. But so far it’s not been bad enough to drive me to the orthopedic surgeon to talk about options. My podiatrist tells me it’s quite common in us “older” folks.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Jamie, "us older folks" Aren't we lucky?!?
I was relieved it was only arthritis cause as I said I didn't want to damage that foot if I had torn something in it & keep walking & do further damage. And my OS gave me all my options, insert for my shoe ($70), shots, and drumroll...surgery...NO thanks!
Many days it doesn't bother me, then some days it's so painful, but I use the BioFreeze, or Epsom salt soak when it's really bad. I've not had good results with Voltaren, not sure why.

 

[benne68]

I start with PT in three days.

Have you started yet? How did it go?

 

[Layla]

I think I might have nerve pain in my foot on the operated side. After I walk, it aches bad on the side of my foot and sometimes up to my little toe.

Our gait changes as our joint deteriorates, then changes one again as our body adjusts to the prosthetic. This can put extra strain on different areas of the foot including where you mentioned. I've read there can also be nerve irritation as the peroneal nerve rubs down the outer leg and foot and if irritated from swelling, or positioning during surgery, or from muscle tightness it may cause pain, tingling or burning. If you're wearing unsupportive shoes it may also be putting pressure on your outer foot. We do always suggest a new pair of supportive shoes that do not hold your old wear pattern. Any lingering swelling can also compress small nerves and cause pressure in our feet. A good PT should be able to assist you in your gait. Also, if you're not already, use icing snd elevation to reduce inflammation. Hopefully your session today proves beneficial and you find a perfect match in a PT.
Please keep us posted.

 

[wingy]

I seem to be walking better with my cane, and more and more I am forgetting to use it, but I go get it as soon as I remember.

Yesterday I did 6,500 steps during the day. I did not do these all at once, and the longest walk I have yet taken is 15 minutes total.

I had not been taking any ibuprofen or Tylenol except one Tylenol at night, but I wonder if I should be.

I had bad shin and foot pain last night. I attribute that to the 6,500 steps which is the most I have done since surgery. I have been dealing with pain by using ice and not taking pills; however, it takes time for the ice to alleviate the pain. Should I be taking ibuprofen and Tylenol around the clock as I have read?

I start outpatient PT this Friday.

I haven't been very active, but I could be more so if I wasn't afraid to put in more steps to avoid pain.

I would like some feedback as to how others have dealt with taking stuff for pain. I was off the Oxy after three days, and pretty much stopped all pills soon thereafter. I know I am probably repeating myself, but would I be better off by taking the combo of Tylenol and Ibuprofen regularly.

 

[Layla]

Hello wingy,
The goal is to get off the pain meds, if possible, and the timeline in doing so varies from person to person.

Great that you're walking better without your cane and walking away from it more and more is usually a signal you no longer need it, unless you are limping, in pain, or were instructed to use it for a specific reason.

If you're interested in increasing your walk, do it little by little, slowly adding time / distance.

If you don't feel the need to take meds, then certainly don't. There is no reason to be taking meds around the clock if you aren't in pain.

Please do not take meds before PT since it can mask pain signals. Pain is an important indicator in how your body is responding to the exercises or movement. If you take the meds before your session, you run the risk of pushing yourself too hard without realizing you're causing harm, then you'll suffer later.

I hope this helps. Let us know how your PT goes on Friday. All the best!
@wingy

 

[Jamie]

Your pain in the shin a foot may be coming from a combination of the number of steps you’re doing and a gait that is not quite what it should be right now. It does take a while for your body to adjust to your new hip and gait issues are common.

First thing is to make sure you are wearing supportive shoes. That means a good pair of shoes made specifically for walking or running. If your supportive shoes are not new, check the soles for wear patterns. If your supportive see wear in one portion of the sole, you need to replace the shoes. That would be an old wear pattern from your pre-surgery days. That can cause leg and foot pain.

Then when you’re walking, make sure you are not trying to walk too fast and concentrate on your gait. You should start each step with your heel, then roll your foot to the toes where you push off for the next step. It’s all about how you’re doing the steps and not how many you do until you are sure you have a good strong stride with a proper gait.

If you have pain, take a 1000mg dose of Extra Strength Tylenol. You can also take an NSAID with it if you like and you have no problems with NSAIDs. It would be overkill if you don’t have pain that is pretty constant to take them around the clock. Just be sure you’re not trying to push too hard with your activity and exercises. You’re still early in recovery. If you listen to your body, it will tell you if you are overdoing it (you’ll have pain). That’s your signal to slow things down just a bit.

All that said, you’re doing GREAT!!

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, wingy!
Hopefully transitioning from the cane is becoming a little easier. If not, that's okay!
It will come. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey here. It is appreciated.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
@wingy

 

[wingy]

I started PT yesterday. PT said my gait looks pretty good. I tend to compensate for the 1/2 inch leg length difference (which PT measured), and he gave me a lift to use. I will try it tomorrow. I live in the tropics, and I must wear sandals.
I bought some recovery sandals from Amazon, and since I have been walking in them I no longer have the foot pain I was getting. I plan to continue wearing sandals, and will either have to find a way to put a lift in them, or I will go without a lift and hope for the best.
As long as I don't have pain due to my gait, I am not going to worry about the leg length situation.
I was out and busier this past week more than any time since surgery. All of the sitting in the hair salon made my leg feel heavy and the long drive to the salon got uncomfortable because I wanted to elevate my leg.
I am taking things slowly. I am in no rush at all.

 

[Jamie]

Good for you on the “no rush” plan. That is exactly the best way to approach recovery. There is still lots of healing and readjusting to go with your body and it’s always best to allow the adjustments to come slowly over time. It sounds like you have a helpful therapist and that will make things easier.

 

[benne68]

I plan to continue wearing sandals, and will either have to find a way to put a lift in them, or I will go without a lift and hope for the best.

I would encourage you to go without the lift for as long as possible. Your body needs more time to adjust to its new, improved structural alignment. Using a lift before your body has had sufficient time to adjust could actually interfere with your body's ability to re-align.

It took me at least six months for my leg length difference to disappear. I'm glad my surgeon encouraged me to wait it out.

If your sandals make a difference in your pain, I agree with your plan to stick with those for a while longer and let recovery happen.

 

[wingy]

I would encourage you to go without the lift for as long as possible. Your body needs more time to adjust to its new, improved structural alignment. Using a lift before your body has had sufficient time to adjust could actually interfere with your body's ability to re-align.

The funny thing about this leg length situation is that I am not the one who noticed it. My physical therapist who came to my house during the first three weeks post-op is the one who noticed it by the way I walked.

I am going to "ignore" it for now. I may never have realized I had this if it had not been pointed out to me.

 

[benne68]

I may never have realized I had this if it had not been pointed out to me.

Isn't it amazing how the "professionals" can put things in our heads!

Trust yourself. You know how your body feels.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Sunday!
Regarding the Leg Length Differential, many feel this sensation post op. In most cases it eases with time. We advise giving it 3-4 months as it can take that amount of time for things to balance. If at that point, you are still concerned we suggest you visit a reputable podiatrist or PT for a measurement.

Here's an article from the BoneSmart Library Leg length differential - LLD.

A wonderful week to you!
@wingy

 

[wingy]

I am almost 9 weeks post surgery. Have had 2 sessions of PT so far. Been having hamstring pain for a few days.

At what point were you all able to get up and down from the floor?

 

[benne68]

Have had 2 sessions of PT so far. Been having hamstring pain for a few days.

It's not unusual to have pain in odd places during recovery. Muscles and soft tissues all up and down our legs our traumatized during surgery and it can take 10-12 weeks for everything to "reset".

Do mention the hamstring pain to your therapist, though. He/she should be able to give you some targeted stretches/exercises to help with that.

At what point were you all able to get up and down from the floor?

I didn't even try until I was about 3 months post-op because I was worried that I might dislocate something. Once I finally tried it, I found that getting down wasn't too bad -- but I couldn't get up!

A tip: when you decide to try getting down on the floor, do it near a chair, sofa or bed so you have something to help you pull yourself back up (if needed).

 

[wingy]

I will wait a few more weeks. I will ask the PT for advice.

 

[djklaugh]

@wingy Another consideration re: the leg length issue -- IF you did not do this just before or right after your surgery do it now. Check the bottoms of the shoes you wear frequently. IF you have not gotten new shoes (or new soles and heels) then that may be part of the problem. Old wear patterns are from when you were limping on a deteriorating hip and that old pattern can keep you still walking in that old pattern .... and that is NOT good for new hips.

As already mentioned it can take time for the feeling of having one leg too long to fade. I had both hips replaced in one surgery and my surgeon assured me he'd gotten both legs the same length. But it took me several months for it to really feel that way. I had one hip that was worse than the other and the muscles in that leg were very weak and shortened because of the limping I'd done for several years. So it took time (and getting new shoes too) to strengthen those muscles and get the leg back in to the fitness it needed.

 

[benne68]

Been having hamstring pain for a few days.

Checking in to see how you are doing with the hamstring pain. Has your therapist been able to help?