1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

5 Weeks Post Op and Looking for Advice

Posted , 8 users are following.

David06570
David06570

Hi all!  So I was 5 weeks post op yesterday and up until week 3 or 4 I thought I was making really good progress. Things seem to have stalled a little bit for me.  I'm walking pretty well on one crutch now, but I get quite a lot of pain / discomfort around the area of surgery.  It also still feels like I have a ball of swelling in the area.  Is this normal for 5 weeks or should I be worried I might have an infection or something?  I see the consultant for my 6 week check up on Monday so I guess I'll ask him then. 

Incidently he had told me by 6 weeks I wouldnt need my crutches anymore.  I dont think I'm going to achieve that which is frustrating as I hoped to spend 2 weeks building up strength to go back to work at 8 weeks. 

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated smile

David

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

Prev
  • polly454
    polly454 David06570

    Posted

    Hi David I am  9 weeks and still feel as if I am sitting on a tennis ball, I went for my 6 week check at 7 weeks (cutbacks)  and was told by a orthepedic nurse practitioner  to use two sticks as my gait is poor I had been using one.....I have been to the gym with the physio who told me to use one stick again and gave me exercises to strengthen things up...so the swelling is normal I think but the walking everyone is different...hope this helps. 
  • polly454
    polly454 David06570

    Posted

    Hi David I am  9 weeks and still feel as if I am sitting on a tennis ball, I went for my 6 week check at 7 weeks (cutbacks)  and was told by a orthepedic nurse practitioner  to use two sticks as my gait is poor I had been using one.....I have been to the gym with the physio who told me to use one stick again and gave me exercises to strengthen things up...so the swelling is normal I think but the walking everyone is different...hope this helps. 
    • David06570
      David06570 polly454

      Posted

      Thanks Polly.  

      I'm going to ask the consultant about my physio as my appointment with them last week was a real let down. They gave me two basic exercises and said that they didnt need to see me again.  It was only afterwards I thought that I realy should have asked for more exercises to do and asked more questions... 

      I'm looking forward to getting back in the gym once I'm given the all clear to drive.  Obviously starting off very light and safe wink 

      David.

       

  • David06570
    David06570

    Posted

    Thanks for all the replies everyone!  I've taken all the advice on board and I'm trying not to be too hard on myself and demand too much of my body.  Its only 5 weeks and as others point out, THR's are major surgery and we need to heal.  

    I guess the other thing thats been making my mood low is that my left hip (the unoperated one) has really deteriorated over the last few weeks. No real pain, just grating / grinding.  I'm going to see what my consultant says on Monday... 

    David.

    • linda38528
      linda38528 David06570

      Posted

      Pretty discouraging to think of starting through this all again isn't it.? In that respect, I am lucky as I knew when assessed for my first that my other needed doing ( Hi, I'm Dr. Charles.Your hips are both shot. Which one do you want done first?)I hope you can get sanguine about this as your hip may create other domino problems knees), if not treated. And it is good to put new knowledge to work right away ....Good luck.

      L

    • David06570
      David06570 linda38528

      Posted

      Well the consultant had told me that the left was almost as bad as the right and would need done 'soon'.  I took that to be a few years down the line..... However after the surgery I he had said that at least after this one I would know when the time was right for the left. I had said well yes but that'll be years away and he just screwed his face up and said, well we'll see, and said something about its strange how pain levels doesnt always reflect what the x-rays show. 

      So I guess I'll just see... 

  • lynn66084
    lynn66084 David06570

    Posted

    Hi David,

    I wouldn't worry about still using your crutch,a lot of people go on longer with them.  I had walking sticks and used two for more than six weeks because of limping, I was 10.5 weeks before I ditched my only one, don't limp at all now.

    I never got a lump but quite a few others have had them.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 David06570

    Posted

    hi david, 

    previous comments from members already indicate that this is normal - You are doing great - I found that usually around weeks 3-6 post-op we start to do more - we feel stronger - our body however is healing from this major surgery - our balance is still off and to move around involves so many muscles - from head to toes, really - it is easy to overdo it - 

    I hope you get an extension on your sick leave - 8 weeks sounds early, unlless you had the anterior approach -

    so sorrybto hear about your other hip ... I had the same - I don't know what to tell you ... Mine got really bad and affected healing of operated hip -

    2nd THR was done 6 months later -

    good luck Monday and let us know, okay

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • David06570
      David06570 renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks Renee,

      I'll do a separate post tomorrow to mark my 6 week check up smile 

      I'm going to get his advice on work.  Its mainly office based, however I'm concerned going back to soon will prolong my recovery as I am definately still wobbly without crutches and certainly wouldnt trust being out and about without them.

      David

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.