15 days post THR

Hi Coleen

You sound like you have really got your hands full with two little ones to look after but they are such a joy. I really missed seeing grandchildren when I was recovering from my op.  Im glad you are going to physio tomorrow as it will be good to raise all your concerns. If I were you I would make a list of any questions you have as its so easy to forget something.

You are obviously a lot younger than me 😀 and Im not sure what your consultant advised you about sleeping on your side but I was told not to start until about 6 weeks and to start on my operated side.

We do get all sorts of aches and pains during our recovery which at times seem quite scary thats why its so great to have this forum to talk things through.

So have a word with the physio tomorrow and also why not ring your consultant just to check.

Best wishes for your recovery

Linnet x

Hi Colleen , 

Awww .. poor you, feeling left out ... you are probably right - you can not take care of him like before operation - but how sweet of your 2 year old ... 

As for sleeping on your unoperated side - there is some pulling when the leg flops over - I put a thick pillow between my knees - while doing that, the lifting of knee and put in position it is not comfortable - but once it is paralel wit matress it is fine - not sure if this makes sense - 

I am not sure about the pain in your back -

I remember around 2-4 weeks post-op  from my 1st THR I also had this pain in what I thought was my hip joint - seriously thought something bad had happenend - shifted or something - 

Well, it was not - apparently there is this big butt muscle that I started to use again - walking and exercising etc (moderately) - not using walker all the time but started furniture surfing - sooooo wrong !

Are you walking with aid like a crutch ? going without will be hard on the body because you are so out of balance - 

go slow darling - make sure your posture is straight - your back muscles need to be stretched a little - 

Good that you are starting PT tomorrow - have them look at the way you move/walk, stand , how you do your exercises (I was doing them incorrect at first)

Take it easy and be gentle with your self -

big warm hug

renee

You are doing a brilliant job Colleen, managing babies and little tots and you sound so happy in your post. Well done you! As every day passes it will get so much easier during the night, you are definitely through the worst. Your baby senses you are out of bounds, which is actually very perceptive and helpful. My girls were the same, but as soon as I was better they have been all over me like a rash and take such delight in my recovery....it feels like a family recovery of sorts, as we have all been through it really.

I did have little jolts too, and in my case it was usually when I was doing too much, because when I sat down they would go, and when I rested for longer they would go completely. I don't get them now at all but did in the early days.

Have a long rest and see if that does the trick? If it does, then you know it is doing too much....you need lots and lots of rest at two weeks.....I know, certainly not easy at all with little ones, but you have to put your recovery first so you can get properly better.

Definitely speak to your physio and your consultant if you are at all worried. Are you raising your leg often? 

I think you are doing amazingly well, really I do, and I hope the jolting pain eases. Will you let us know how you get on..

Glad you are recovering ok and that you take joy in your very young children!

I echo Rose in that I hope you are resting as much as possible. Two weeks is so early! I never had back pain in the night. I was unable to sleep on my back, and slept sitting up for the first 6 weeks, propped by pillows. Perhaps that sun lounger might be good for you. As for the terrible jolting pains around your hip joint, I wonder if your pain medication is adequate. You might want to check that with your surgeon rather than just a physical therapist. I don't remember ever having those, although I know all recoveries are different. I had full opioid pain meds, round the clock, for the first 4 weeks, then tapered off to non-opioids during the 5th week. Didn't have much pain at all, just lots of stiffness/heaviness and some achy pain in the thigh.

Please take it very easy with the PT, and don't do anything that hurts you more. These first weeks are very important for recovery, and the first few weeks don't require that you do much at all except rest!

Hi Coleen

Sounds as though you had yours done at the same time as me ! I have had agonizing back pain too and rang consultant who is seeing me on Thursday, also had a review of my pain meds with gp. I have been sleeping on my side for over a week using a slumber cushion . Today I didn't make myself get dressed and stayed in my pajamas all day . I had a sleep in the afternoon and feel a bit better now.Try and get enough rest, your body has been through a major operation X