THR Worries about pain and recovery<

Misscarol

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I am 3weeks post operative for a LHR....had previous surgery for a fractured femur (pins and screws) which failed...the femoral head collapsed....l went to friends yesterday for 7hrs...different seats (took cushions to keep height gauge ) and l am feeling sore today....lts always a worry , l tend to think something is going wrong (maybe due to past experience, which happened within 4months ) and it's very worrying.....is this all part and parcel of recovery ??? Some days l feel great , other days ...like l have taken a step back !!! Any feedback , would be wonderful...l wish you all a speedy recovery
 
Hello @Misscarol Welcome to BoneSmart! Congratulations on your new hip. I too started with a hip pinning that failed and ended up needing an emergency total hip replacement. I can relate to the worry that comes from pain. At 3 weeks post operation, think you were very brave to go to a friends house and use different seating. Just rest today and ice. My hip still prefers my perfect height firm chair at home and I am 11 weeks out from surgery. It’s hard not to worry after the first “fix” failed. Hope you find comfort here from a great supportive group of people who have had a THR. Early weeks, this will get better and better. :flwrysmile:
 
Hi @Misscarol, welcome! It sounds as if you are pushing your recovery at 3 weeks. It's way too soon to spend 7 hours away from your home where you need to be elevating and using ice at least 4 times a day. One of the forum advisors will be on here soon to give you helpful information along with a recovery chart to help you. Recovery from a THR can take several months and it's always best to err on the side of caution. We're always here to answer any questions and hope you rest today! :SUNsmile:
 
Thankyou fitforfamily....for your encouraging reply....you feel alone sometimes...not wanting to burden friends , family etc ..with all niggles...it gets boring...onwards and upwards to you ...x
 
Hi @Misscarol, welcome! It sounds as if you are pushing your recovery at 3 weeks. It's way too soon to spend 7 hours away from your home where you need to be elevating and using ice at least 4 times a day. One of the forum advisors will be on here soon to give you helpful information along with a recovery chart to help you. Recovery from a THR can take several months and it's always best to err on the side of caution. We're always here to answer any questions and hope you rest today! :SUNsmile:
I will rest today.. what a wonderful bunch of caring people...thankyou....x
 
Hi, Welcome to BoneSmart and Recovery! Thanks for joining us.
First let's start with a date. Please provide your exact surgery date below and the information will be applied as your signature. Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry your first procedure failed and it's uunderstandable you're concerned after what you've experienced.
I think the seven hour visit at a friend's was probably a bit too ambitious this early into recovery, especially sitting in a variety of chairs. Recovery does have its ups and downs, that's normal.

Please find the Recovery Guidelines below. Read them thoroughly, I believe the information will help you feel more secure about your recovery. Pay special attention to 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.

Also, the article on ICE would be beneficial as I think it will help you after your outing yesterday. Target icing several times today for no less than 40-60 minutes each time you ice. Ice any areas that are causing you pain.
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/ice-to-control-pain-and-swelling.5493/

Another one you should probably familiarize yourself with is the Activity Progression for THR. It is a rough guideline of what you may be doing in the early weeks of recovery. It may be beneficial for you to follow that for several more weeks to keep on track and out of trouble. I think you've entered what we refer to as the ODIC (Over Did It Club) around here. But no worries, with ice and rest you should bounce back quickly.
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-thrs.13187/

You're not alone here, so stop back often. We're here to offer support and encouragement anytime you need it.
I wish you comfort and a peaceful day of rest. You're going to be okay.


Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
6. Access to these pages on the website

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it

Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

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.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice. @Misscarol
 
Following is a little diagram my friend, Mojo333, another Forum Advisor, often leaves members as a reminder. I don't see her online right now so I'll leave it for you. It gives you an idea of the reality of recovery.


rps20171117_054543-jpg.71434
 
Hi there @Misscarol
So glad you found BoneSmart as it will show you that we have all felt as you do now... the first few weeks you spend worrying about everything.

As others have said 3 weeks is no time post op... everything is still trying to sort itself out in your new hip which presents with all kinds of weird & wonderful pains... ouch !!! 7 hours out already... I’m 11 weeks post op and only just doing that... I kept it to a max of 2 hours out and then resting for quite some weeks.

The thing is : the hip provides retribution if you do too much... it sure lets you know... slow & steady is the name of this game... xxxx


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Thankyou hoppy nanny...l am listening and icing as we speak.....l wanted to run before l could walk....l will now be a good girl ...doesnt come easy... x
 
We've all been there @Misscarol! Slow but steady......or as the saying goes here, recovery is a marathon not a sprint! This forum has awesome people and advice so you're at the right place! I was still using a walker at 3 weeks and had quite a few set backs. I'm at 3 months now and all of the slow and steady has really helped! :ok:
 
:flwrysmile: Hi @Misscarol

you feel alone sometimes...not wanting to burden friends , family etc ..with all niggles...it gets boring.
We all share our "niggles" here for that very reason! Well it's not a good idea to completely compare our recoveries because they are all so different, I think it would reassuring to read some other threads. You will quickly identify your recovery with others.
 
I have done that recently carriemay...thankyou...seems everyone's journey is slightly different....l heard from so many people here in the UK....that "know "a friend who sailed through the whole thing !!!! ...l am quickly learning...its not that easy...l will now listen to my body....l am staying with wonderful friends and to be fair....l don't want to come across as a "wet blanket" (British phrase ) so l have pushed myself too far...x
 
Hi again,
Will you please leave your exact surgery date below so we can apply it as your signature.
Thanks :)
 
Hi Layla...it was the 13th May.....
 
I am 3weeks post operative for a LHR....had previous surgery for a fractured femur (pins and screws) which failed...the femoral head collapsed....l went to friends yesterday for 7hrs
Too long too soon as you have already discovered.
Lots of grand advice and reassurance here from those who know.
Hope all eases soon, friend.
 
Thankyou Mojo....its all a learning curve... great advice coming through.....feel much easier this morning....deep ache in hip joint...easier when walking about.....your doing a great job....feel proud.....x
 
As others have said - early days! All you should be doing at this point is rest, ice, elevate and take meds. All this post op pain will ease if you just give it a chance. Plenty of time for socialising once that hip is healed.
 
Hi Misscatol, keep up with the meds, at least the paracetamol as you will still have a lot of internal swelling. I saw a lot of friends during my recovery and definitely set myself back by doing too much so I slowed down and paced myself more. I also bought a cushion with me when I went visiting to raise my seat. That helped. Six weeks out you should start noticing g some positive changes but slow and steady definitely the way to go!
 
I learned ALOT of things during recovery the hard way.:sigh:
Sometimes finding those boundaries were hard, as my new hips really felt good...so it never seems to hurt until we stop!
Patient recovery will be well worth the results! Slow and steady wins this race..and you will be back to life in a big way.
Hope today is a Good Day!:SUNsmile:
 
Last edited:
Thankyou all so much...means a lot. ..less worrying.....pacing myself now ....have a wonderful day everyone.....
 

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