Posted , 15 users are following.
Hi all, just been discharged 2 days ago after right full hip replacement. Stumbled upon this site and so glad I did. Hopefully will keep my momentum up over the next few weeks. I have suffered from ostioarthiritis for a number of years in both hips. Will be getting left side done in January 2017. I am in soo much pain at the moment and can't seem to get the hang of the crutches. My knee has swelled up and is causing more pain. Hospital has advised more rest but i'm going stir crazy lying in bed all day, just getting up to go to the loo. I know it's early days but feeling very frustated with myself.
Michelle x
1 like, 22 replies
lors23 hollowlegs
Posted
Welcome to our hip forum you will be so glad you found it it got me through 2 hip replacement everyone is so helpful plus we all know what your going through just like you l discovered at the end of last year l had OA in both hips and both were needed replaced . I went through a year of thinking l had pullled a muscle in my left groin the oain just kept getting worse until l was sent for an xray in november last year and found out both hips were done inn. Had my 1st lthr on 9th dec and 2nd rthr on feb 15th. I have just turned 43.
I can understand the pain you are in just now and how much your leg must feel like its a dead weight. Everyday it gets better just keep doing your physio and manage you pain with painkillers at the moment they are your friend.
Ask anything or just if you need reasurance this forum is a godsend.
People of all ages on it and loads of help.
Take Care
Laura x
jennifer86394 hollowlegs
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steph81051 hollowlegs
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Rocketman_SG6UK hollowlegs
Posted
I have put together a website with hints and tips - address can be found here
https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025
and in the moderators useful resources at
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147
Graham - 🚀💃
hollowlegs
Posted
Mx
brendahis hollowlegs
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linda38528 brendahis
Posted
Ice packs help but mind the rotation as the skin is so irritated and stretched (10 min on 20 off is a good rule).
Another forum member has had good results reducing swelling by drinking tonic water (quinine is the key ingredient I believe which is a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic).
Keeping busy helps as it distracts us a bit from all the symptoms (sudoku, music and this forum helped me; ditto visits from family and friends or any combo of these 😊).
Good luck .
L
sandra02646 hollowlegs
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David06570 hollowlegs
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I'm 40 and 3 weeks post op for a RTHR with my left due sometime in the future when the pain / mobility get to that point I want it.
The first couple of weeks are not a nice experience, however at 3 weeks I'm off most the strong pain killers (except at night to help me sleep). Other than that I am on paracetamol to help with the remaining surgical pain and down to one crutch now. Still a lot of recovery to go but its bearable and much less daunting now.
David.
Lorna020247 hollowlegs
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regards Lorna
CelsB hollowlegs
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Love the name
The first couple of weeks are the hardest. Take your prescribed painkillers and try to stay ahead of the pain, don't be a hero. Rest but also do your exercises - they will help get rid of the stiffness, but only do what you can, don't push it. Elevate that leg when you're resting, maybe try some ice although swelling is normal.
Crutches take a bit of practice but the hospital physios should have made sure you could use them properly before discharging you. Maybe look for a video online? Hard to advise because you haven't said whether you are weight-bearing or not.
It will all come together in time.
Take care, Cels Xx
linda38528 hollowlegs
Posted
Sorry that circumstances brought you here but this forum provides amazing support and encouragement
I am 16 weeks post surgery on my left hip (posterior approach) and feeling much more in control even though I will likely have my other hip replaced late summer.
So ... you are in the toughest stage right now (no longer on hospital pain meds, and all tissues fully aware of the grievous insult of the operation and new hip). The best way to survive this stage is to keep the pain meds level, do the blo***y exercises and ensure lots of distraction sudoku and the like, music light tv or books .. whatever works to keep your mind busy and off the 'discomfort. 😨
When you feel up to it, be sure to let friends and family know that visits help to dis tract and do things you won't manage for few weeks. I enjoyed dvd's of good concerts with a couple of friends - it helped me step outside of my head space.
Keep the faith ...it really does get easier, especially once you start seeing progress in your exercises and abilities. Some people find it helps to track these as it re-enforces successes and progress and is easy to lose sight of this at times.
Good luck and don't be shy asking for help from friends at home ... and here.
Linda
AnnieK hollowlegs
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linda38528 AnnieK
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First off it gives you even support and secondly removes many of the balance issues when still shaky after surgery. As my second hip is bad, it also makes to protect it from the extra burden. My PT also swears by them, as the stability it provides helps smooth out one's gait and this big as your recovery progresses as muscle memory forms with bad habits too, so you want to avoid limping or favouring one leg as much as possible.
L
AnnieK hollowlegs
Posted
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