AMIS Anterior thr progress

Posted , 8 users are following.

This is another report for future hippie anterior...ists. What it is like for me, obviously doesn't mean what it will be like for you.

Yesterday I took my bandage off, ten days after op. Looks clean and healthy, invisible stitches that presumably will dissolve. I'm wearing my partners boxer shorts because my knickers go right across the scar and it is uncomfortable.

I've been doing some walking unaided but I'm wary and hobbling, mostly I'm getting around on one crutch (elbow crutches) so I can carry small items and do light housework.

I have some pain in the hip, a sharp pain if I lay on my side too long (I'm only on my unoperated side) and a weird aching pain in what I think of as my prosthetic/bone join when sitting on the toilet seat.

Sitting upright in my office chair causes a lot of pain in a short amount of time in the hip, and there is some pain in the small of my back at varying times.

I think I am skimping on the organised exercises such as hip abductions and extensions so I had better pick up my game in that area, it might help alleviate some of the pains I'm having.

I'm down to two oxy contin slow release, one at night and one in morning and a few paracetamol over the course of 24 hours and one aspirin in the morning.

Also taking my usual metamucil, berocca multivitamins, fish oil tablets, evening primrose oil tablets, and until tonight when I get the Ducolax pills, I'm still taking Senna pills and laxalose liquid.

Good luck, may all your days be shiny but not too hot.

4 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi bridie sounds like you are on the mend, but you do have to get in the habit of the bed excersies every two hours and sleep after that , they will tire you, pressing down into your bed and butt clenches are the way forward, there are pains all the time in different areas, and will be for a while too, but not that OA pain that kills you...Best of luck and keep posting.  Ian.
    • Posted

      Thanks Ian, yes you're right, I have to make these exercise a habit!

      I'm looking forward to being able to go to the supermarket so I can buy some ox tail and beef to make that stew you mentioned in a post previously.

      Best of luck to you. 💟

  • Posted

    Hi  Bridie,

    Whoa ... I remember your first post-op post -  you were going like a mad woman, hoovering, doing laundry , etc - Maybe is was a wee bit too much?

    Anterior approach might be (for sure, actually) easier on the body and faster recovery but:

    In any total hip replacement, the surgeon needs to dislocate the hip joint, smoothes out the hip socket and removes cartilage and any debris such as damage to the bone from osteoarthritis. A lot of sanding and scraping .

    A cup-shaped implant is secured into the socket, which needs to be hammered in. The ball at the top of the leg bone is trimmed away and a metal stem is placed inside the leg bone and secured there. Drilling inside the bone to make space for the implant , fitting one , putting it back together, and then the real implants are hammered in place .

    A ball (metal or ceramic) is placed at the top of the stem and then a smooth, sturdy plastic, metal or ceramic piece is placed inside the cup-shaped implant. This creates a new hip joint that moves smoothly.

    So, what I am saying is that some trauma  took place and your body is letting you know to pay attention ...

    Big warm hug

    renee

    • Posted

      Hi Renee

      This has to be one of the best posts I have seen on this forum. It really does drive home the extent of the surgery.

      Thank you for the reminder.

      Man hugs

      Michael

       

    • Posted

      Hi Renee I was half awake on my second one I felt the hammering, and the wirring of the cutter I felt like I was in a vice on a milling machine, I was going to ask for more juice to knock me out, but in that twilight world of semi consiousness I found it interesting, as I used to be a Fitter/Turner, and then it was all over....eekeek
  • Posted

    Bridie,

    Sounds like you are doing well, a normal hippy experience.

    If it hurts, don't do it - so if your chair causes pain, choose another chair.

    Loose underwear isessential - so greatto use someone else's if it's less tight..

    Likewise with laying on your side, choose whichever side feels best, but after two bouts of six weeks on my back, I am fining I now actually prefer to be on my back - and I was always a night time 'roller', rolling from side to side, front, back, every way possible.

    Walking - take it slowly, you really do not want to fall.

    Exercises - I found that if I set an alarm on my phone, then when it went off, that was my time to do the exercises. It helped me get into a structured habit of doing them.

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • Posted

      Thanks Graham,

      I will set up some alarms on my phone for exercise.

      I most certainly don't want to fall, or have a set back of any kind. Every day there is improvement in various aspects of my recovery.

      On the subject of exercises for anterior hippies I've just read that I shouldn't be doing Hip Extensions!

      However I have also read " Immediately following surgery patients are instructed to go about their normal hip function, including weight bearing activity and bending their hip freely". (which is basically the advice from my surgeon too).

      I suppose bending the hip freely may not include hip extensions. Getting definitive information on this sort of thing is not easy but better to be safe than sorry I won't be doing them anymore for a while.

       

    • Posted

      I have found the phone alarms so good, to remind me of pills, and to make sure I exercise regularly.

      With so many variations on advice - how are we meant to recover properly?

      I think the overriding thing is "If it hurts, Stop doing it".

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Gosh ... there is so much variation in practice, post-op!

    I am almost 4 weeks post LFHR sideand back cut and only permitted partial weight-bearing for the first 6 weeks, must use a wedge cushion (tilts one forward in any seating) and extreme care against twisting, bending and the wretched 90 degree rule.

    Your earlier post really startled me. Even though I feel 'okay', my contributions to the household are more along the lines of doing the dishes, some easy prep meals and cautious tidying up. And my body is all too quick to signal that I have gone 'out of bounds' or skipped on my exercises.

    It sounds as if yours might be giving you some feedback as well. I really hope you notch it back a little and make more time for the exercises. I love Graham's approach using a phone alarm to pace the exercises.

    Take care Bridie, this hip is quite the investment in blood, sweat and tears and needs to last a long time so that creating solid nerve, muscular and other connective bonds is really worth it. Not to mention being able to do so more more of the range of activities I suspect you want to embrace.

    As my grandfather would say: "Patience, mon capitaine".

  • Posted

    Oh, be careful bridie, your body is warning you, maybe just slow down for a little bit.  I remember the other post and was gobsmacked by how much you did.

    Take care and have some chill out days.

    Lynn xx

  • Posted

    Oh, be careful bridie, your body is warning you, maybe just slow down for a little bit.  I remember the other post and was gobsmacked by how much you did.

    Take care and have some chill out days.

    Lynn xx

  • Posted

    Dear anteriorists,

    I've put a few links in my 'about me' section regarding AMIS Anterior post-op  subjects of interest. There's nothing you probably haven't already come across in your own internet searches. Obviously follow the advice given to you by your surgeon and physiotherapist first.

    I will make another report in the future, until then,

    Good luck, may the Force be with you , Klaatu barada nikto! nanoo nanoo,   lol

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