32 year old just had left THR 5 days post op, any tips on recovery?

Hello Michael

I'm afraid sleeping on your back seems to be the worst part of recovery, it was for me too, I used to go to bed about 12 and wake up at 2am then back to sleep about 5am and wake up about 9am. I am lucky as I live alone so I wasn't disturbing anyone, so I used to read or get up and do crosswords or suduko puzzles. I eventually slept on my side about 5 weeks but only cos I had a tummy bug and crawled into bed on my side at 5 weeks, I immediately realised what I'd done and all was OK so I slept on my side ever since and had a good nights sleep.

Your operated hip and leg will be sore and heavy as you had all your muscles cut and takes up to 6 weeks before they start to attach to your new joint, then they ache cos your using them but it is better than the pain pre op and it does get better.

You do need to make sure you do your exercises to strengthen your muscles in your leg.

At 5 days post op it is very early on but you will see week by week some improvement. Its usually magically about 5-6 weeks when you suddenly seem to have more energy and feel able to do things, meanwhile rest and allow your body to recuperate.

First off all when you think what has happened all your muscles and nerves have gone into shock, it's major surgery so wenever you need take painkillers I am 57 and it has been a major shock even though was fairly fit. I positioned my pillows at a shape and another pillow in middle to help me sleep better also put a pillow under my knee and heel as I had trouble with heel rubbing on sheet as a lot of people have said and this helped loads. Try not to drink much hour or so before you go to bed which helps not going to toilet in nite and take painkillers half hour or so before bed I also took a cold bottle of water to bed just in case middle of nite had a dry mouth because of tablets. Hope you go on ok keep us posted. This site is brill as you get lots of help

Hello Mike you will find we all have different experiences think it depends on age, health pre op. And the type of surgery and whether we are cemented or not. BUT we all have sleep issues. I have been told to stay on back for 8 weeks. I am 4 weeks in and still not slept all night. Doing the given exercises regularly and walking with 2 crutches daily. Had a blimp over the weekend with pain so have rested. I am 66 so guess recovery may be longer. Best to be guided by your body, rest when you need to, top up on pills if necessary. Stick to the guidelines and like the rest of us hippies you will get there.

Hi, I am also 5 days post op but right through. I am experiencing very similar, it's a nightmare sleeping on back but did manage 4 hrs last night. I also have a tummy problem and can't tolerate strong painkillers so have had horrible bloating and tummy pain. As all the lovely people on here say, one step at a time and we should see improvement.

Wishing you well

Kind regards

Nadine

Hi Mike

Im 31 and am 4 and a half weeks in! Sleeping on your back gets easier, one thing I would say is just be patient, you might not see an improvement everyday and some days it might feel like you've gone backwards but everything comes together gradually, last week I was getting stressed because I still needed the crutch around the house, when others on here had got rid of their crutches well before me but then Saturday morning I woke up and I needed no crutch, everyone is different, just don't rush anything. 

Also use the sympathy for your advantage, it doesn't last long haha 😄

All the best mate

Steve

Mike, I had experienced a lot what you are going through. I was sleeping as required flat on my back or upright in an arm chair ad sleep was not very good. However a just after the four week mark decided to sleep on my good side, legs staight with a good large pillow between my knees and thigh. Bliss. I stopped me moving in my sleep and although usual stiffness in the morning was getting at east 5 hours staight. I think early days for you but has your physio given you a rough date to sleep on your side ?. Good luck an all goes well

Hi mike! Welcome to the wonderful world of hippies! I am just over 6weeks post op! I would follow advise on here and from your consultant!! I have had to sleep on my back! I know that you can buy a pillow to go between your legs! Please make sure you get all the help! No bending use a grabber! Chin up you will get there! Regards Amanda

Thanks for all the advice. I have 2 small children which I'm sure will be very challenging to keep them at bay. My Wife is doing a great job in supporting me as well as family. I get about 2-3 hours sleep then wake up and want to turn over. I sit up for 5-10 mins give my leg a rub then try to go back to sleep. It's realy weird, it feels like my leg is just hanging on by the implant, it makes me worried as when i take the weight off my foot when walking it king of squelches around my hip, then i put my foot back on the floor and it squelches back again. I know its early days and I will take everything on board and go steady.

Mike

Hi Mike, You don't say how long ago you have your op. but if you sleep on the other side put a pillow between your legs which keeps the op. leg level, even if it is only for a short time as lying on your back can make your heels sore in which case again use a pillow under your calves.  Also if you make sure you do the exercises you will find it relieves the pain eventually. Hope this helps Valerie

Hi mike. I'm 2 years post op so a long way ahead of most people on here. Everyone seems to say you have to lay on your back but I didn't from 3rd day. I have severe spinal problems and can't sleep on my back for more than an hour so I asked my surgeon for advice. He actually helped me to lay about 60% on my surgical side . I had pillows positioned under hip, also between my legs to keep hips apart. I was in heaven the first time they snuggled me into position. After a few days I managed to snuggle myself comfy all by myself. So I'd say it's worth talking to your surgeon. Funnily enough I can only sleep on that side now and I'm 6weeks post TKR and still lying on my side