6 week follow up appointment

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hi All

I'm 4 weeks 5 days (not that I'm counting) post surgery for a total left hip replacement, and like everyone, struggling with sleeping on my back.  The 6 week appointment was the date to look forward to - maybe I could then try sleeping on my side, be allowed to drive, find out about going back to work etc - however the appointment date I've recieve is not until 18th June, so nearer to 10 weeks than 6.  Feeling a bit stuck as to what  I can and can't do. Any thoughts?  And what normally happens at 6 week appointment - do you see consultant or the homeward nurse?  Many thanks and really glad I've found this forum, don't feel so alone.  And spot on to whoever came up with the 'Chair of Despair'.  

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    Did you have anterior or posterior THR?
    • Posted

      Might sound stupid,  but I'm not sure!  The scar us is on the side of my thigh and then curves towards the top of my backside!

  • Posted

    Hi I had my appt at 7.5 weeks. I saw the consultant who asked generally how I was and any complications ( I had a few) . He got me to walk unaided - something I hadn’t yet tried. I told him how ooor Physio follow up had been and made suggestions about improvements as I felt we needed more advice .
  • Posted

    Hi Jane

    I've just had my 6 week post op appt with the surgeon who carried out my TLHR posterior approach. The restrictions he lifted were the bending, driving, I can now sit on low seats and best of all I can sleep on either side so last Thursday night was the best nights sleep for 6 weeks 😊 only thing is still have a bad limp as leg still not strong enough so have to carry on using crutches for the next 2 or 3 weeks. My appt was at 6 weeks exactly so I think your unlucky to have to wait so long.

    • Posted

      Thanks for your positive response.  Being able to sleep on either side sounds like bliss.  Best wishes with your continued recovery.
  • Posted

    We had our LTHR at the same time. I have an appointment a week on Wednesday with the physio department (exactly 6 weeks post op) and the following day appointment with the consultant or one of his team. You have my sympathy, I have the same problem trying to sleep on my back, it is getting on my nerves now. I am hoping to drive in 2 weeks, I can take the odd steps without crutches but do not have strength in the hip for anymore yet. Your body will let you know how far you can push.
  • Posted

    Hi Jane. Now in week 10 post right hip replacement. Posterior approach. My surgeon wasn't too bothered how I slept. His main rule was not to bend sideways...say to pick something from the floor from sitting degree and opposite to the hip concerned. I had great concerns about just sleeping on my back. Well within the 4 week period my wife rolled a pillow lengthwise and tied it like a rolled pork joint or brisket. In bed kept it by my left leg. Would turn on left side and place right leg on pillow. I have not had post operation meet yet but leg feeling good. It really helped me but best to check with others too. I tried with a normal pillow between my legs and others to prop me but it was too fussy. The rolled pillow worked for me but I am not a medical person.

    All the best. Dave

  • Posted

    Hi.  

    I was driving after posterior TRHR 

    With surgeons okay.  Sticks they still wanted to outside until I wasn’t like moving when tired.  This actually happened about 6 weeks. I was 8 weeks this Thursday was back to work full time.  Desk computer driving lots and walking doing quotes.  So nice as not all the sam but was tired by the end of day.  

    I did work in yard this weekend.  Been a long time since I could do anything out there. Sore in a good way. 

    I am 53 and was in decent shape before injury caused arthritis in 2016 and rapid onset arthritis.  So over a year doing not much. 

    Good luck.  Everyone is different but that has been my experience so far.  See surgeon again end on June for me.  

    Hope that helps I suspect many will share experience on here.  Just list n to your body. Pain is not a goal. 

  • Posted

    Hi.  

    I was driving after posterior TRHR 

    With surgeons okay.  Sticks they still wanted to outside until I wasn’t like moving when tired.  This actually happened about 6 weeks. I was 8 weeks this Thursday was back to work full time.  Desk computer driving lots and walking doing quotes.  So nice as not all the sam but was tired by the end of day.  

    I did work in yard this weekend.  Been a long time since I could do anything out there. Sore in a good way. 

    I am 53 and was in decent shape before injury caused arthritis in 2016 and rapid onset arthritis.  So over a year doing not much. 

    Good luck.  Everyone is different but that has been my experience so far.  See surgeon again end on June for me.  

    Hope that helps I suspect many will share experience on here.  Just list n to your body. Pain is not a goal. 

    • Posted

      Also was allowed on side to sleep with sturdy dense pillow, I used body pillow at 4 weeks to keep hip from flexing I think and that sure helped my back. 

      I had been using pillow before surgery to get some relief from pain so was familiar with it.  Still really want to sleep on surgery side and can’t wirhout pain yet.  

      Hoping soon. 

  • Posted

    Hi, I’m 3 weeks 6 days after a dynamic hip screw to mend my broken hip,  I’m 48 and in the uk. I have been using a pillow between my legs to lie on my right side (left hip operated on), it was a bit weird at first but I get periods of sleep on it, still not sleeping very well overall but try the pillow. I’m walking on one crutch mainly but two if outside for safety.  Not seeing consultant for another 3 weeks, main issue I have is flexibility of my knee - won’t bed back very far - and the dull nerve pain/soreness of my thigh/knee area like it’s bruised inside. Sitting hurts because it feels like my leg is being stretched and is very uncomfortable but I think it’s the same for everyone. 
  • Posted

    Thanks everyone for helpful responses, best wishes to all for continue recoery
  • Posted

    My appointment with the surgeon is six months after the op. I must admit I assumed at 6 weeks I could pretty well do anything, so I did. I am sure I did things before that which I should not have done. I never used a stick or crutches (I was rubbish with them anyway) in the house just furniture surfed! I even went out to lunch the day after I got home which probably was a bit mad in hindsight. I think to a certain extent it is how you feel and what you can manage. 

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