THR Yorkiegs1 Recovery

[Layla]

@yorkiegs1
Happy One Month Anniversary! I hope you're doing well.
Please leave an update, we'd love to hear from you and continue following your progress.
Wishing you a great Summer!

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hello Laya,
This Wed will be 5 weeks post op. I’m doing well and still using my cane. On 7/23 I visit my surgeon for 6 wk PO checkup.
I still have a little bit of swelling on my op side (left hip) and a little tightness in my groin but the tightness has improved over the last week. My last home PT session is 7/22 and 7/24 I start OP PT. I’m hoping in 2-3 weeks from now I can walk without my cane an if not it will be when ever. I’m not able to lift my op leg straight up except for maybe 2 inches which is a big improvement from earlier bcuz I could not lift it at all. I’m able to sleep on my non op side with a pillow between my legs but most times I’m sleeping on my back. Sleeping better all through the night now.
I’m also taking a shower by myself without Hubby’s help started week 4 doing this and I’m washing dishes (not allot) n walking around the house allot. The pain prior to surgery is gone. I just need to concentrate on one obstacle at a time and right now that is to strengthen my left leg muscles so I can walk without using my cane. I hope I’m not rushing things bcuz I don’t know how long one would be using a cane after hip surgery. Was using walker for 2.5 weeks then progressed to the cane.

 

[Layla]

Hi, thanks for the update. It sounds like you're making progress.
You can have swelling for months post op, so noticing yours is dissipating is good. You very well may be walking unassisted in 2-3 weeks. You'll know it's time to lose the cane when you catch yourself walking away from it, unconsciously leaving it behind. Getting better sleep is a huge bonus. Our bodies do the best healing while we're asleep. I'd say all in all you're doing well. Stay in touch and let us know how your appt goes on the 23rd.
Until then, best wishes!
@yorkiegs1

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hi Layla,
I surely will keep updated.
My PT said the exact same thing to me about losing the cane!! Right now just can put all my weight in that leg when I walk.
Thanks for caring!!

 

[Mojo333]

Glad to see you are out and about...but being cautious on the swimming..
I had my hips replaced in May 2017, and it was a long hot first months not getting wet.
Only way to be comfortable outside in Georgia .
I too took advantage of fresh water shower by sister's redneck beach at the pond.
Lots of improvements to come.

 

[yorkiegs1]

Today I had my 6 week post op checkup. My surgeon took X-rays and reviewed them with me showing me before and after. Needless to say she was extremely happy with my progress.
I am starting to walk without my cane but am not totally off it yet. I have tightness in my groin and the surgeon said it’s common and will go away within 2 to 6 weeks. I start out patient PT tomorrow. I finished home PT today which really helped me. My home PT was wonderful. Surgeon checked my incision and said it was healed and suggested to massage it and to use Vit E oil. She said it was okay to swim as my incision is completely closed.
So I will progress to the next step in my healing progress. I had Anterior approach non cemented implant by Smith/Nephew Polar 3.

 

[Mojo333]

Wonderful report.
Onward and upward @yorkiegs1

 

[Layla]

Great news! Thanks for the update.
Sounds like you're on your way.
Good luck with your PT. Check back in a few weeks and let us know how it's going.
Happy Wednesday to you!
@yorkiegs1

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope all is well and you're making progress in PT.
It's great you're back living life... our goal in experiencing this.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy!
@yorkiegs1

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hi Layla,
Thank u for the anniversary note!
I’m keeping up with PT 2x a week n do my home exercises daily.
I still have discomfort in the left thigh it’s a tightness in the groin and some discomfort below the incision site. I was worrying that this may not be normal but my OT assured me that it is normal. So, I’m hoping with continued stretching n strengthening the muscles this discomfort will go away. I’m walking without the cane but still use it when I’m feeling fatigued or when I sit for a while it’s hard to take the first step.
I go back to work after Labor Day (work part time retail) and hope I can be on my feet 6 hrs without it being too much. I’m going to start slow just 2 days a week n see how I feel.
All in all everyday is a blessing.

 

[CricketHip]

@yorkiegs1 Ahhh,,, It's so nice to see the progress reports, it helps so many on here!
good luck with your return to work in September, I hope to be working by then too. I'm about 2 weeks behind you.

 

[Layla]

Happy Tuesday! Thanks for the update.
I'm wondering if you're exercising too much, too soon?
PT 2x weekly and daily exercises at home could be contributing to any ongoing pain. Especially if you've been engaging for a time. If you'd be willing to share what you're doing in PT and at home daily, possibly we could offer some insight. I'm not implying you should ignore what your PT offers but I'd be more inclined to take advice from my surgeon over a Physical Therapist. I wish you'd consider giving all of the exercise and PT a break for a week or two, icing several times daily and see if the discomfort you've described eases. Your choice, but you have nothing to lose, especially in light of your upcoming return to work.
Consider the BIG TIP from the Recovery Guidelines -

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.

Wishing you comfort and a great week!
@yorkiegs1

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hi Layla,
At PT they are doing mostly balancing exercises , warm up 6 min in recumbent bike, walking forward one foot in front of each other,
Sit/stand holding 4lb weighted ball in my hand that I raise when I stand. Step up down on step, walking forward/backwards, walking over hurdles, step through rings on floor, stretching hip, legs lifts to the side n back.
At home laying on the bed I do heel slides, knee to chest, bent knee fallouts, hip abduction leg slide, then seated hip flexion, standing hip flexor stretch, standing single leg stance with unilateral counter support as needed.
Reps on the lay down are 10each x 2 twice a day
Sit down same and the stand reps are 3 x hold 10 on the standing single leg stance and hold 20 on the hip flexor stretch.
I started taking short 15 min walks approx 2000 steps yesterday n today.
I’m resting today no exercises except walking bcuz the discomfort I have is in my thigh and below incision area. PT was massaging it yesterday after therapy n was told to massage it 3 x a day. I’m taking 2 500 mg Tylenol at night when I hurt.
I hope this is all normal. When I sit and then stand taking the first step or two is hard n then I use my cane. I’m walking mostly w/out the cane but do use it when I feel fatigued or tired.
It’s 2 months and I’m able to do all my housekeeping, laundry etc.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
I hope the discomfort you were dealing with has eased. Would love to read an update and hear about your progress. Until then...wishing you all the best!
@yorkiegs1

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hi Layla,
I’m still in PT 2 x a week till end of Sept.
the tenderness and discomfort in my OP leg is still there but it seems a little better. PT thinks its from the muscle being weak and thinks it should get better as time goes on. I feel good after my PT and I have been walking 1.5 miles as much as I can and am doing home stretching exercises once or twice daily. When the weather is bad I ride my stationary bike for 30 minutes on a low to medium resistance setting. I’m back to work PT this Sunday. I’m on my feet. So I’m starting off slow 2 days a week at 4 hrs per day and will work my resistance back up to 3 days at 6 hrs. I do have a chair to sit when I feel tired. The more I move the better I feel. The thigh muscle was probably traumatized during surgery and / or the muscle was very weak from non use and will just take a few more months to heal n strengthen. I have an apt with my surgeon on Oct 29 but she said I can cancel if I am doing well. At this point I feel I’m not at 100% and at about 80%.
Will see how I feel by end of Sept when PT stops. Today the PT evaluated me and there is definitely a big improvement from when I first started on July 24th.
So what do you think?
Thank you for keeping in touch.
Paulette

 

[Layla]

Hi @yorkiegs1 Happy Friday and thanks for the update!
Wishing you all the best as you begin your phased return to work on Sunday.
I hope you're able to ease back in comfortably. It sounds like you're doing well but I will be curious to see how you're doing a few weeks after PT is over at the end of September. I only hope that what you're doing there is benefitting you and not aggravating your leg in any way. My only advice would be that if anything hurts you stop and not push through the pain.

Please stay in touch. We'd love to continue following your healing journey. Remember it can take a full year for complete healing, so you have a ways to go and room for improvement.
Enjoy the weekend!

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hi Layla!!
Work went well yesterday (Sunday) I was able to pull off the 4 hrs on my feet no problem. I did sit to rest when there were no customers and it was a busy day at the store in Lake Placid. When I came home I took my Yorkie with me on our 1.5 mile walk.
I have PT today again. I feel it’s helping me. But I will certainly keep you posted on my progression after I stop PT end of Sept.
I think it’s just week muscle. The pain is less than it was at 4,6, 8, 10 weeks ago.
But time will tell!!
Have a great week!!

 

[Layla]

Happy Monday @yorkiegs1
Wonderful update. Thanks for sharing.
It seems you're doing well. It's good to hear you feel PT is benefiting you. Hopefully any pain you're dealing with will continue us to ease over time. Please do report back at the end of September, we'd love to hear about your progress. Until then...take care!

 

[Layla]

Hi there
Stopping by to wish you a Happy Four Month Anniversary!
Hope you're still doing well.
Have a great week as you continue the journey!
@yorkiegs1

 

[yorkiegs1]

Hi Layla,
Still dealing with sensitivity n tightness in the op thigh. I’m done with PT. Doing massage therapy 2 times a month to massage hip etc and am walking as much as I can daily weather permitting 1.5 miles. When I move I’m okay. When I sit n get up I’m stiff. Apt with surgeon end of month. I’m back to work part time 3 days total 15 to 18 hrs.