THR Wobble49's recovery thread

[Jaycey]

will I go off going through security at airports \ cruise security \ shops etc.

Best I can offer is sometimes. I just did a long international trip and set off every alarm in every airport.

These days scanners are a bit more sophisticated. Just allow time through security as they will need a female officer to do any pat down. In most cases if you tell then you have had a hip replaced they will just do a quick check and send you on your way.

 

[Wobbly49]

I'm glad i won't go off in shops it would be a pain i work in the retail sector i guess they will be able to judge with their wand that its a hip replacement or 2

 

[Layla]

Hubbie changed my dressing yesterday think I might have to go for a wound check i have an area that's wet and still open - not a massive area and no idea if this is normal, possibly just because the dressing was stuck. Had to change it I'd got it a little damp during washing and every time I stood up it was pulling and stinging like mad as though it was ripping open again fingers crossed its all normal looked nice and clean

Please do call and see if they feel the need to check your incision. Possibly they'll let you send a photo you take with your phone of the area you've described. Most likely all is well, but better safe than sorry.

My airport experience was benign, no alarms went off. I did get scanned with outstretched arms, only my arms and clavicle area. Not sure why, but who's going to get inquisitive with airport security anyway? Not me.

I hope you're having a great Wednesday!

 

[Carriemay60]

I generally signal the security people at a airport just before walking through the scanner by tapping my hip. I have been given the choice a few times whether I want to wait for a female pat down or step into a chamber that just gives a very short burst of air.
I've been out of commission for just over 5 years now and like you am most excited to enjoy my 8 granchildren. Mine range from 2 months to almost 12 years. I haven't even met the new one yet but am flying out there in about 2 weeks. The two just before him I wasn't able to walk in their buggies so this one is going for a walk with Nanny!!! I also look forward to some nice walks and easy trails and just living life without so many limitations and pain.

 

[Wobbly49]

I'm really lucky my cousin is a district nurse - I always forget as she qualified abt 3 yrs ago age 50 so i sent her a pic of my wound and she said it all looks good so I've booked in at my Dr's for a wound check on monday which will be day 15 and any issuses in between i can bug my cousin again
Before the op i had TRENDLEBURGH GAIT I haven't walked without my crutches yet but i don't seem to have this anymore I'm so relieved its an exahusting way to walk I'm just wondering if anyone else had it and if it transferred to the other hip after you had the worst one replaced - hope this makes sense ? At the moment I feel really afraid of going out in public and being around people incase i get knocked but on friday its my hubby's swing round shift so I'm going to get him to take me out in public so I can get over this i guess its just a natural reaction after major surgery - feel like I want a neon warning sign on my chest and my back just ao people steer clear

 

[Wobbly49]

Thank you so much for all your replies and good advice you've been so helpful and I'm only 10 days a hippy

 

[HipsterKat]

i guess its just a natural reaction after major surgery - feel like I want a neon warning sign on my chest and my back just ao people steer clear

Yup!! That's why I'm still on my rollator when I go out.

 

[SarahBee]

Even now, when I only use my cane to ward off mobs of people, going out in public makes me nervous. I've come to think, for me, it is not only the surgery but the long time spent inside, with all I encountered aware and cautious of my limitations. This too shall pass. It just may take a bit.

 

[Wobbly49]

Hi everyone hope you're all doing well?
So I think I'm now a member of the over done it club my husband had to take me for a wound check last monday at the Dr's and then we went to hand in my fitnote at work while there we did a bit of shopping and then we went to another shop then we came home the following day my husband looked after our 18mth old grandson and we went to a garden centre and the next day my husband looked after the 2yr old grandaughter and on thursday i did some washing drying ironing & cleaning and on thursday night i was in agony and that continued all day friday only just getting over it now. Will i overdo it again NO WAY I really thought I'd done some serious damage I couldn't weight bear on it had to get hubby to lift my legs into bed WHAT A MESS I got myself into. I think I'm further on than i really am coz i had a weeks hols before the op so I'm fooling myself into thinking I'm nearly 4 weeks post op and I'm not I'm 3 weks on monday and I need to get a grip so just a tale of woe to remind us all to walk before we can run and don't be as stupid as me - I've definately learned my lesson and i hope my sorry story will put anyone off doing as I did

 

[HipsterKat]

@Wobbly49, thanks for the cautionary tale. I’m sort of there myself, having gone out with friends the past two nights. Hope you are feeling better soon. Ice, ice, ice!!

 

[Mojo333]

I'm so sorry you had to learn the hard way...I certainly did some of that myself.
Just to remind you...
Your surgeon did major carpentry work and disturbed every millimeter of soft tissue in our hip area.
We Must listen to our bodies and it seems most often it never hurts until we stop.
If a long full step right now is causing pain and limping, don't take long full steps. Take smaller steps. Take a short walk several times a day, instead of longer walks. Use your cane. Use ice. Rest a lot. Yes. Still.
When we are getting past the initial surgical incision healing, and generally are starting to feel reasonable again. People are itching to get back to their lives....to get on with their lives. To be active. And a lot of us are so driven to be active again, that we promptly overdo it as soon as we start to resume some activities. Once we can walk a quarter of a mile without pain, we figure we're good for a mile or 2. And a week later, why not 3 or 4? We get on a cycle...stationary or otherwise....and instead of ten minutes, we do an hour. Or 2. We go out to run an errand, and end up shopping for 3 hours. We return to work and then go to PT and then stop at the grocery store and then go home and work in the garden.
So really, this isn't the time to do anything to excess. Baby steps now, and lots of patience, pays off big time later. Recovering from self-induced tendinitis can end up taking weeks or months. Or you can consider yourself as still recovering from surgery and structure your return to your life as a slow, gradual process where you introduce very small increments in activity, and then give yourself time to see how your body reacts to it. Your body is in charge of healing, not your mind. You can't will yourself to heal faster. But you can stay out of your own way to let the healing happen.

Hope this helps. We all go through it.

 

[Wobbly49]

Hi Mojo
Thanks for your reply i have so learnt my lesson i am seriously resting up and not pushing myself thought i had ruined all the surgeons hard work baby baby steps for me

 

[Layla]

Happy Monday!

I hope you're feeling better since Saturday, resting and icing often. The forum nurse recommends icing several times per day, for 40-60 minutes each time, no less. Target 4x daily.

It may be best for you to follow the Activity Progression for THR from the Recovery Guidelines to keep yourself in check and out of the ODIC -
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-thrs.13187/

Wishing you comfort and a peaceful week.
@Wobbly49

 

[Mojo333]

You will come back from your short trip to the ODIC (overdid it club)
I'm guessing you will be back on track very soon.
Hope you get some good restorative rest!

 

[Ryesgma]

I really hope your recovery stays good , I'm glad that your going to be getting your cake I have had some cravings as well , one of the biggest has also been home made chocolate cake , unfortunately I haven't had it yet I'm really scared of putting back on the weight that I lost maybe one day . Sending you healing vibes for a smooth recovery

 

[Wobbly49]

Hi
Hope everyone is doing ok? My new hip is amazing the reduction in pain for me has been amazing. I'm slightly worried that I'm still on 2 crutches but I need the other one sorted, I am pottering around the house without the crutches not all the time I think I'd say 50% of the time, I cooked a full meal yesterday I was backwards and forwards chopping and preparing in bits and bobs so I didn't have to stand for too long a time all in one go. I was shattered when I finished but pleased to have achieved making a proper meal I'm just going with the I'm doing what I can philosophy without going back to the ODIC

I'm just wondering if anyone on here has lipoedema? And has had hips or knees replaced?

Those that have had hips and knees replaced which is worse recovery and pain size - I know it's quite a difficult question as we're all different.

Many thanks

 

[Wobbly49]

Hi guys,
Advice needed please so I have a real sharp pain in my knee just started today guessing it's because I'm more mobile and not using my crutches all the time? the pain is in my operated let

 

[HipsterKat]

@Wobbly49, I had a sharp pain in the knee of operated leg last week. It came and went, but when it came it was pretty unbearable. Mine was on inner side of knee. It felt like a twisted muscle or something. I eventually rested it, iced it, and massaged with arnica cream — all of which seemed to work as it went away for good (knock wood) after a few days. I think our knees take more of a beating than we realize during and after a THR.

 

[Mojo333]

I'm just wondering if anyone on here has lipoedema?

I'm not sure if we have anyone on the forum with this condition.
If I'm not mistaken it is fairly rare. Knee issues not so uncommon after THR.
Do you have this condition?
It may be a little early to spend too much time without walking aids if it is stressing your knee...do you think a compression bandage would help? Can you check with your OS?
Wishing today will be a good day!

 

[Wobbly49]

Hey Mojo333,

Hope you're well?

Thank you for your reply I've gone back to both crutches all of the time, I didn't realise knees could be a pain after THR - I guess I should have really as they're working extra hard with hips that don't work I see my surgeon again in 14 days so will see what he says hopefully it'll be gone by then I can check with my physio or gp if I get desperate

Yes unfortunately I have lipoedema in my legs - maybe my arms but I'll cross that bridge as and when. It's quite rare but I think it's got something to do with lack of recognition in the medical field, my condition sat as swollen legs on my medical record for 2 years i had been diagnosed by a specialist nurse through persistence I got my record changed, most women are told they're overweight and to go lose weight, I've lost 3 stone but I only lost 1cm off the bottom of each leg the rest came off above my hips. They say there's many women out there that remain undiagnosed - it's usually brought on by hormones - puberty pregnancy or menopause -lucky ladies
Thanks again