12 months on - it's great
Posted , 11 users are following.
I went for my 12-month check yesterday. I was X-rayed, and it looked brilliant. I am delighted with where I have got to, and so is my surgeon.
I go for hours at a time completely forgetting that I have had my hip replaced. Zero pain. I have been playing tennis for the past 4 months, getting more flexible and running better all of the time. Also I'm doing lots of walking.
There's only one thing I can't yet do - I can't quite get my operated foot onto my un-operated knee to rub in cream and put a sock on it, as I do with the other foot/knee (I have very dry skin, so this is a daily chore). My surgeon promised me this will come in the next six months. Until then I'll just have to keep bending that foot behind me to reach it.
It wasn't all a piece of cake in the early weeks and months, so those who are at that stage, keep optimistic, keep taking the painkillers and keep doing the exercises. Unless you are very unlucky (and I recognise that some people are) you should be in my position in a few months' time.
Good luck!
Joan
4 likes, 14 replies
vickie1976 joan23085
Posted
that's brilliant. well done.
I'm now managing to put my shoes and socks on and tie laces by either doing them when on bed in a strange position or on the stairs steps.
I still cannot lift my whole leg up whilst lying down but will keep working on this.
in 12 months time I will be having my other one done so probably 2 years before I see proper results...
well done x
joblizz joan23085
Posted
That's fabulous news Joan ! I am 7 weeks in and doing well and hearing your story keeps me motivated to keep working and keep getting stronger. Keep up the good work
joy13700 joblizz
Posted
I am 5 weeks in after total hip replacement... and except for a little weakness still in my knee that I'm working on, I'm totally back to normal. A year seems a long time to get where you are, but I'm happy that you are happy with your progress. Enjoy!
judith12644 joan23085
Posted
Great news Joan, well done!
Good to hear that you're back enjoying tennis.
All the best, Judith
Annlewis21 joan23085
Posted
thats great news joan!
I had my LHR in september 2019, been back to the gym 4 weeks ago, doing loads of walking and feeling very good and stronger every day. As you said joan, it does get easier. i still struggle to lift my left foot up for putting socks, trousers and shoes on but i manage it. I'm working on my left knee to get the strength back in it. Sometimes stairs are a challenge if the steps are high but as i said im improving all the time. So good i have no pain now!! thanks joan for the positive note .
Ellenthevegan joan23085
Posted
Yay hopeful that my knee pain from my THR will end soon. My other hip surgery went perfect and has been one year. Second hip was three months ago.
linda08893 joan23085
Posted
Hi Joan. Im just 12 mths since my operation also. And yes it does pull on the thigh muscles when I lift my foot onto my good thigh. But I don't have any trouble just leaning forward while sitting on my lounge chair, to reach my foot. I soak my feet 2/3 times a wk in Epsom salts, and than I dry them off and apply some moisturiser. You could also try sitting on a stair and reach down to your feet. Good luck and keep up the good work.
joan23085 linda08893
Posted
Thanks, Linda.
I am able to grease my operated foot up and put socks and then shoes on, either sitting on a stair or on a chair with my foot on the floor. But that way moisturiser gets onto the carpets!
I just want to be able to do what I could do before and can do with the other foot - and so I am very pleased that the surgeon says I will be able to do so in the next 6 months.
Best wishes
Joan
joy13700 joan23085
Posted
I'm no spring chicken, 75, but I'm doing just about everything I did before the THR that I had.... only 5 weeks ago. I don't understand why it should take over a year to put foot onto other knee. I'm concerned maybe physical therapy should have been used.
joan23085 joy13700
Posted
Wow!
(I'm 75 too. I was a very fit and healthy 74 apart from having had the hip suddenly fail on me.)
I did loads of exercises (still do) and am really pleased with my progress especially tennis and hiking.
Perhaps what you can do at different times afterwards varies by the way the surgery was done? I also don't know how you can sit on a chair and put one foot on the opposite knee without breaking the 90 degree rule...?
Best wishes
Joan
sylvie123 joan23085
Edited
I wonder if other people get a 12 months check up because I was written off after 6 weeks. I loved your statement that you can go for hours at a time completely forgetting you have had a new hip. I had a new hip at the age of 63 and was until that point an off road runner, swimmer and went to the gym. This has all gone from my life now while from the moment I get out of bed I am aware of my right hip.
I told the surgeon more than once that he was operating on my naturally longer leg, but what did he do, make it even longer. Even though, and I had to guess how much myself, I get the soles of my shoes split and an insert put in, it makes no difference, I have pain in my back and in my hip and if I upset it all too much running down my leg to my ankle. I feel as though he put something much too large into my hip and as a result I am 'hitched up' on that side. I went for a walk this afternoon to the accompaniment of pain across the front of my upper thigh. Why, who knows and when I complained to my GP that I was very lopsided she told me plenty of people are and they manage successfully.
I did pilates for 20 years and having paid out £500 for physio last year I joined the physio's beginner's pilates class where I find there are various things I can no longer do. She believes my replacement hip will never last 20 years and all she can do is keep me moving.
It is like a conveyor belt, they just want you done and never want to see you again. The surgeon said as much to me - 6 weeks and that is it. Your outcome is how it should be and for the majority it is, but when it goes wrong there is no one to talk to.
joan23085 sylvie123
Edited
That sounds awful; I'm so sorry that you are having this experience. Your GP doesn't sound helpful either - is there someone else you can see at your practice? I think you just have to go back to them and keep nagging until they take some notice.
My surgeon is involved in some research projects - that's why he likes to see his patients at 12 months as well as 6 weeks.
I do hope that you find a solution.
Best wishes
Joan
sylvie123 joan23085
Posted
Thanks Joan, what you have done is tell me what I have suspected for some time, which is that once things have settled down you should not even be aware that you have had a new hip and mine has never been like that.
I know I am not in terrible pain and that something awful has been done to me, I just exist with general discomfort and the pleasure I used to take in long walks has gone. Also driving gets painful after several hours, I get groin pain and pain running down to my ankle, and things like going upstairs where a lot of weight is put on the leg are now giving me an unpleasant sensation. I am also increasingly unable to lie on the scar side without pain. I feel I am going backwards. Wish my surgeon had been involved in research, all he seemed concerned with was graphs showing how wonderful he was! I assume I am on one as a success case, but on what measurement. No one has ever asked me how I am doing
Once I am over my carpal tunnel op. I will have to return to my GP and ask for a referral back to the hospital. Last time she referred me to Orthopaedic Choice where I saw a young physio who merely gave me exercises and the opportunity to join a circuits class full of people with bad backs! Never spoke to me once in the class to ask how I was getting on so once the 6 weeks were up I just left.
Thank you again.
joy13700 joan23085
Posted
Oh my....your experience is so sad. It never even crossed my mind that there could be such bad outcomes. (I'm at 6 weeks post op with no complaints whatsoever...it's as if replacement never happened.) The fact that you have nowhere to turn is also sad. I'm sure you'll find support here from people who've learned to improve their situation...when it was like yours.