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A positive experience

Posted , 13 users are following.

jane52378
jane52378

Hi everyone

I have not posted previously but I have been a frequent visitor tp the site for the last couple of months. Mindful of the fact that lots of group members are awaiting surgery, I have been spurred on to post to share my extremely positive experience of THR in the hope that it will provide reassurance.

I am a 49 year old solicitor running a busy practice in Staffordshire. I have always been a very active person - I have run a couple of marathons (possibly not showing enough respect for my joints in the process) I was diagnosed with bone on bone OA in July 15 and my condition quickly deteriorated to a point where I could not walk more than a couple of steps without extreme pain. With the approval of my surgeon I carried on training right up to my surgery on 4th December 2015, managing to cycle against moderate resitance on a static bike. 

I was fortunate enough to have am excellent surgeon and anaesthetist. I elected to have both a general and a spinal block and as I am a bit squeamish, they were kind enough to insert the spinal injection after the general kicked in. I suffered no nausea and was fully awake enjoying tea and sandwiches within a couple of hours. I walked to the bathroom that evening and progressed straight to crutches the following day. I was discharged after 3 days and was comfortably able to undertake a 45 minute car journey to see my disabled Mum and walk around a department store 2 days after discharge. I have been lucky enough to have only a few disturbed nights. I sleep very well generally and with a strategy of plenty of pillows and a faux fur stole to ease pressure on the heel of my operated leg, I have slept consistently well which has been a big help. I took my painkillers as prescribed for 2 weeks, paracetamol for a further week and then nothing after week 3. I am not reckless and certainly no hero but I simply have not needed anything more than ice from time to time.My husband has been a wonderful support - a total star, and not having a young family I have been able to focus on regaining my strength and function.  I felt well enough to go back to work after 4 weeks working shorter days which I am gradually building up. It is my own business so i have the luxury of decamping home if I get the frequent enery slumps. I have been undertaking physiotherapy once a week - nothing heavy and my therapist declared me safe to drive after 5 weeks. At 6 weeks I am walking tall, with no aids and no limp. I recognise that I am blessed to have had such a positve experience of THR and am supremely lucky to be looking forward to an active and painfree 2016.

Just two things to add;- I want to say a huge thank you to members of this forum, Rocketman, Rose, Renee and co for honestly documenting both their highs and lows for the benefit of all. Everytime I have had a twinge, faced a struggle or challenge I have been able to access the site for reassurance, tips or sometimes for just a humerous perspective on something that we are all facing. Secondly I would urge all prospective hippies to ensure that, within the confines of the painful limitations that they are all facing pre-surgery, they ensure that their muscles are in the best possible shape as this has undoubtably stood me in excellent stead in my recovery.

I intend to keep checking in and send my very best wishes to all fighting this particular fight

Jane

 

10 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK jane52378

    Posted

    Jane,

    Thanks for that - I think we should be called the "Three R's"

    So nice to have a good positive post like this from a recovering hippie.

    Graham

    • jane52378
      jane52378 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks Graham

      I felt quite emotional when posting. I realised that I considered you all to be friends and was really struck by the power of shared experiences and solidarity.

      Jane

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK jane52378

      Posted

      Jane,

      To me, this forum is like an extended family - we all share the experience of having a hip replacement, and all the trials and tribulations that brings.once again, thanks for giving such a positive insight into our recovery.

      Graham

    • Gossip
      Gossip jane52378

      Posted

      Wow what a positive post for anyone awaiting their op. Well done & continued good health to u. This forum has been a godsend to all when you're worried about the little things that seem huge when you're in the middle of it.
  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 jane52378

    Posted

    This is amazing. Congratulations on being able to makd such an amazing recovery.

    Although makes me jealous hahaha 😉 i hope when my op comes around it will be easy but i refuse to get my hopes up as it may not be a good recovery.

    But glad your experiance was good. so happy for you 😊

    • jane52378
      jane52378 sarah1996

      Posted

      Sarah 

      I am full of admiration for you as you embark on this journey. I shall be keeping everything crossed that you will soon be posting that you have had an equally favpurable outcome.

      Jane xx

    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 jane52378

      Posted

      Im hoping im as lucky as you but as my operation is a lot my complex due to my age and disability that my surgeon keeps trying to remind me that my operation is so complex which really is quite annoying.

      But i am so proud of the people on here who have came through so much and had fantastic or not so fantastic recoveries

  • billiemaw
    billiemaw jane52378

    Posted

    Brilliant post!

    I had my right hip replaced on the 28th September and my experience was very similar to yours.

    I often now forget that I had the operation, it is so fantastic, to run up and down stairs and walk around shopping, go dancing etc....no pain, no crutches....an absolutely life changing operation!

  • mic71403
    mic71403 jane52378

    Posted

    Hi Jane

    Nice reply...

    Like you I've have a very positive outcome now 10 months on so good to hear your story.

    I really endorse being as fit as possible pre op, and doing g all the exercises post op...but getting rest too.

    I wonder if you are planning to be jogging or running again? I'm doing some good gym including the running machine at 4.4 kilometers an hour then 7.4 k/h...repeating for each quarter track. Hope to jog outside in the spring

    Warm regards

    Mic

    X

    • jane52378
      jane52378 mic71403

      Posted

      Hi Mic

      I loved running but have decided that I am hanging up my running shoes and will not be skiing either. Just a personal decision prompted by my desire to prolong the life of my new joint. Fortunately I love the cycling so much that, combined with some gentle yoga, I think this will fill the gap but I  fully acknowledge what a life enhancing activity it is to be able to jog outdoors on a lovely day

      all the best with the progress

      Jane

       

  • annedi
    annedi jane52378

    Posted

    Wow fantastic recovery. My first in my 40s was a quick recovery though it was not as good as that. My 2nd in my 60s is taking somewhat longer in some respects though the main pain has gone and I am very much more mobile - and I am very glad I had it done. I did exercises before my first which helped but had to give them up before the 2nd because of the pain - also 2 very different reasons for the ops.

    Glad you are doing so well.

    • mic71403
      mic71403 annedi

      Posted

      Hi Annedi

      Good to hear your news again....

      My two ops were more than a decade apart too...The first was called hip resurfacing , simpler they say and less invasive, and the second was a THR. Both healed equally well!

      I'm sure the exercising before both helped...yes that was until too painful...and feel its really important we start again soon after.

      I'm aware of the advice against running ...but my informed decision is that is what I really want...and will do so with care. My gym PT says to keep my feet a little further apart when running to enhance my stability.

      Best regards

      Mic

    • annedi
      annedi mic71403

      Posted

      Must admit running and any hard impact is something I have avoided since my first op - not that I ran before! My exercise is gardening and some walking. I think what has helped me the most is that I am very slim so am not putting the strain of a lot of weight on my joints.
  • veronica58657
    veronica58657 jane52378

    Posted

    Hello Jane,

    Thank you so much for your post.

    I am now 10 weeks post op and almost feel bad to admit that I am doing so well, 2 weeks painkillers, 4 weeks out and about, 6 weeks back to work, 8 weeks walking 2 hours a day!

    I think this is an amazing op, I'm 61, and will willingly have the other hip done next year.

    Veronica

  • vicki00016
    vicki00016 jane52378

    Posted

    Great to hear about such a positive experience. I totally agree about the pre-op exercise and it's a shame running us so damaging to the joints. Enjoy your cycling!
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