THR wolfpakfan's recovery thread<

[Layla]

Hi there
Yes, you can still have pain at 10 days post op. Consider what was done to your leg. Major surgery. Power tools were used.

If you don't feel what you've been prescribed is working, call the office of your OS and have a conversation with them about adjusting your meds. I'd ice more than 3 hrs a day. I'd ice anytime I was sitting, lying down or sleeping. I did and had minimal pain. I found ice to work wonders. I'd also stop all PT. Here's a refresher on the Big Tip -

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

Recovery takes time and large doses of patience. But you'll get there. I hope you have a good day!
@wolfpakfan

 

[Layla]

I guess Jaycey and I were thinking the same thing, at the same time.
Sorry you're hearing it twice, it's an important consideration though...

 

[wolfpakfan]

Lol...y’all sound like my wife and my mother!! Tag teaming me to hammer home the same message!

 

[Jaycey]

Sorry - just speaking from experience. At only days out of major surgery you should not be doing much at all. Rest that new hip. It's telling you to slow down. Plenty of time for strengthening when all the healing is done.

 

[wolfpakfan]

Thanks so much for the feedback and no need for appoligies. It’s was kinda funny. What about the actual hip pain? Is that normal?

 

[Jaycey]

What about the actual hip pain? Is that normal?

Yes, but as Layla says your medication might need tweaking. Call your family doctor and see if they have a suggestion.

 

[Layla]

Yep, that be us
I'll gladly be a nag if it keeps you from hurting yourself. I'm not sorry
Jaycey is more polite than me, lol.

 

[Josephine]

I’m on day 10 in recovery and still in a decent amount of pain especially at night when I’m trying to sleep. Is this common in your experiences?

You can have that pain for 10 weeks!

What about the actual hip pain? Is that normal?

What do you mean by 'actual hip pain'? You can't have any arthritic pain now, it's all been removed!

In your mind, where do you think this pain is coming from?

 

[Kevc02]

Hello wolfpakfan
I'm at the same been 12 day post and i still can't complete lifting it in my own. Something I learned here is take it slow. Funny I did the same. I'm a UM season holder and scheduled it around the games but doc rescheduled and throw it out the door . Missed two games already but not missing FSU..LOL...
I hope you are speedy recovery and good luck to u and ur wolvepack.will be watching. Take care

 

[wolfpakfan]

@Josephine the pain feels like the same pain I was experiencing in my hip before the surgery. It has gotten better the last couple of days so maybe something that was in my head.

@Kevc02 Well against the better judgement of most people here, I did go to the game today. However, before anyone lectures me, I rode in and tailgated on an rv that parks less than 100 yards from the entry gate and had tickets on the same side of the stadium as our parking space at the top of the lower section. I only stayed the first half and watched the second half from the lot. I was surprised that I was able to comfortably sit in the bleachers and stood up and sat down at least 10 times and not sore now. Tomorrow may be a different story and hopefully I haven’t done anything to setback my progress. I was whipped when I got home though and took a two hour nap! Next week is another home game so maybe I will be able to do a little more.

Too bad you didn’t get to see UM beat UNC the other night. We don’t like them much around here!

 

[Layla]

Warning - Lecture

Let's see what tomorrow brings....
You're tired because someone just cut your flesh 12 days ago, sawed your bone, reamed out your femur and your body is trying with all of its might to repair that assault. All of your energy is being used for healing not leaving a lot for all the other activities of daily living, let alone tailgating parties. Please help the process along. Don't fight it. It takes a short amount of time and has a big pay off if you do this right.
Consider icing preventatively tonight. Hopefully you feel okay tomorrow
@wolfpakfan

 

[wolfpakfan]

@Layla Icing now and I also iced before game, at half and during second half. Per your advice, I’ve been icing around the clock and last two nights have fallen asleep with an ice bag on my leg. It has definitely helped with the pain. Thanks!

 

[Layla]

Good! Hopefully it helps again tonight but I fear it will just let you get carried away, wild one.
Please just chill for a few weeks. Chill, haha! You know what I mean, rest, sleep, ICE, repeat.
Have a good one!!
@wolfpakfan

 

[Layla]

Good Morning
So....how goes the battle today?
Hope you slept well and aren't hurting or saying "Oil Can" like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.
Wishing you a pain free, peaceful Sunday and a great week!
@wolfpakfan

 

[wolfpakfan]

@Layla Thanks for checking in on me! I’m doing about the same as yesterday and slept about as good as I did the night before. Maybe I’m a little more sore but not in agony. I’ll definitely be resting big time today and pretty much the whole week. My post op appt is Friday so I want to be tip top for that...and for the football game the next day ;)

My goal this week is to be off the oxy. That stuff works great but is a terror to my digestive system. Tylenol and ice all week!

 

[Jaycey]

@wolfpakfan Just Tylenol may not be enough at this early stage. Consider calling your family doctor for an alternative medication.

 

[wolfpakfan]

Update: Today is three weeks post op. I had my post op appointment Friday and all was good. Got to see the x-ray with my new “equipment” and must say I am amazed! 25 staples came out of my leg and surprisingly I could barely feel it.

I have transitioned to walking with one crutch except when around the house when I don’t use any. The pain is still there and doc said it will be for a while. Even though it is not a debilitating pain...it is nagging and there pretty much around the clock. I continue to ice for hours a day and elevate whenever I’m sitting or lying down. Taking Advil during the day for pain and one oxy at night. The last two nights I have slept at least 5 hours non stop which is the most since the surgery. I am also continuing with light PT every other day.

When I was at the dr I had to fill out a questionnaire regarding pain, range of motion, sleeping etc. The first question was “are you glad you chose to have the surgery?” My answer...”I don’t know.” I am hoping that will change to a definitive YES in the next few weeks but right now I’m just not sure. This is the start of my fourth week out of work and I’m ready to get back. Presently planning on taking two more weeks and then reevaluating. Until then I will keep on with my “Netflix and ill” routine lol.

 

[Jaycey]

“are you glad you chose to have the surgery?” My answer...”I don’t know.”

At only 3 weeks out I'll bet most of us felt similar. Prediction - you will see a big difference between week 3 and week 6. Just give this recovery time. Lots of healing still going on.

 

[wolfpakfan]

Thanks @Jaycey...glad to know I’m not alone there!

 

[Josephine]

25 staples came out of my leg and surprisingly I could barely feel it.

Oh good! That shows you had a nurse who actually knew what she was doing!

Taking Advil during the day for pain and one oxy at night.

DON'T tale Advil (ibuprofen). It's not good for you and it's a pathetic painkiller to boot. You'd be much better taking 1,000mg Tylenol 4 times a day at 6hrly intervals.

Read this: Medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) and NSAIDs, differences and dangers