Bilateral hip replacement 2 weeks ago

Posted , 6 users are following.

Helloo, had a bilateral hip replacement 2 weeks ago and wondered how others got on with recovery?

I'm actually feeling great, get a headache every so often and sore lower back but sleeping well and mobility going ok. Still on 2 crutches which I imagine will be the case for a while. I'm meant to be doing a 2 day course next week and I'm not sure if it'll be too much... I'm self employed.

Looking forward to hearing others experiences. I'm 45 years old.

Piccolapie

2 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Piccolapie, 

    warm welcome to this forum of cool hippies ..

    Sounds like you are doing very well - Sleeping good, walking etc. and even thinking about taking a 2 days course ... wow !!! 

    I was  in a feeble and fragile state of mind and body around that time -

    Are you full weight bearing ? 

    I think you are the best judge for taking the course or maybe get some  advice from your surgeon ... If it involves sitting for hours on end, you might want to look into getting permission to stand up and walk around every hour or so - 

    I don't know really - 

    Thanks for sharing and I hope you will continue your recovery this way ..

    Big warm hug

    renee

    p.s. Hmmm - I feel a wee bit jealous here - oh, okay, I am 27 years older - phew 

    • Posted

      Hi Renee,

      Thanks for that :0) Mmm I do keep wondering if the bad days are round the corner! So far, so good. I found the days in hospital tough though, I really had to have faith in my new joints and forget what I never used to manage.

      I can full weight bear yes, managed a shower yesterday which was bliss!

      Thanks for the lovely welcome,

      Sheila

  • Posted

    Hi. I had a bilateral on 25th April and was out fri 29th. Following week dodgy but back to work just 9-11:30 am week 3. -  so bored at home and MD of company so can come and go as I see fit. Mentally though I found getting stuck into something to distract was a great boon. Have built up the work to 2:30pm each day last week - just completing week 7 post op today.

    on way back from London visit by rail - quite a bit of walking and no crutches or pain.- dispensed with crutches end week 3. keep exercising! 

    I concur with back ache but finished with that around week 4. Still tired in the afternoons and sometimes have a nap. That might be the only issue with your course but not a 'physical' one Imo. All the best wishes. Chris the Coffeeman

    • Posted

      Hi Chris,

      Thanks for that info. Sounds like you are doing brilliantly.

      I've just been out for lunch which involved a short trip in the car and felt reasonably sore after an hour or so sitting for lunch. A bit nervous about the course as its a 1.5 hour drive followed by full day with unknown chairs. I'm trying to find a balance between doing Physio, increasing my walking but not doing too much as everyone keeps warning me to take it easy!

      Best wishes,

      Sheila

  • Posted

    Wow - good on you!

    I originally was to get a bilateral and I was terrified ( my osteoporosis is too severe).

    It sounds as if you are doing great!

    Headaches and lower back were issues for me too, but I put it down to a terrible time tying to sleep on my back. I hope yours resolve soon.

    Good luck.

    L

    • Posted

      Hi Linda,

      Thanks. Sorry to hear you've osteoporosis too, that sounds really challenging. After all my positives, I got cramp in my right calf after slightly twisting my leg lifting it onto sofa and now I've got pain all the way down my right side. Really hoping I haven't torn anything and it's just a pull! It was all going so well too!

      Best wishes,

      Sheila

    • Posted

      Oh gosh .. I hope you are okay!

      One thing I learned is to rest when I overdid or strained anthing. Perhaps some heat to loosen muscles folowed by cold/ice to curtail any swelling.

      Good luck,

      L

  • Posted

    Hi, I had a bilateral hip replacement 5 weeks ago now. I'm 28 and wondered how everyone else is by this stage?

    I'm still using 2 crutches outside but down to 1 indoors. I'm walking around 5k over the day with little to no pain in hips/legs. Only taking paracetamol couple of times a day.

    However I have really bad lower back pain and not sure if this is the crutches or because of the op?

    Look forward to hear how people are getting on as you don't meet people who have had 2 done.

    • Posted

      Hi there,

      I had 2 done 4 weeks ago today. Ok still on 2 crutches but yesterday launched across the kitchen without any! Totally instinctively which obviously wasn't wise! I'm 45 years so a lot older than you which will impact on progress I imagine!

      I get lower back pain usually on a morning from sleeping on my back, but I think your lower back can take the strain if your core isn't strong.

      I managed to walk a mile yesterday which I was pleased with but find it tricky to know how much to do or not.

      Best wishes,

      Sheila

    • Posted

      Yeah, I'm trying to walk about 4 times a day otherwise you end up sitting for too long. I'm just thinking that if there isn't pain then you should try to walk as much as possible not sure this is the correct thing to do or not?!

      Have you been given exercises to do? When do you go back to see your surgeon? I don't see mine until 8 weeks after my op so 3 weeks yet.

      Keep up the good work!

    • Posted

      Hi Nicola,

      I'm going back to surgeon in 2 weeks, yup was given Physio exercises in hospital, not a huge amount really.

      I'm a single mum and have 3 young kids so I spend a lot of time up and about anyway. Have really cut down my painkillers in last couple of days which I'm really pleased with so just need to up my walking really :0)

      Best wishes,

      Sheila

    • Posted

      Wow -- sounds like all you double hip people are doing amazingly well.  Kudos because it must not be easy.

      And just wanted to say 'wow' to you Sheila for doing all this while being a single mom to 3 young ones.  I can't imagine.  I'm here with one hip done and retired and both daughters long out on their own.

      So congrats to you and make sure to not overdo it!!!

      Hugs,

      Leslie

    • Posted

      Hi Leslie,

      Aww thanks! I feel like I'm really wasting this time, never have I had so much time where I'm not working or studying so it feels very indulgent!

      I can think of a million things I could be doing if I could bend! I'll get there though ..

      Best wishes,

      Sheila

    • Posted

      Hi Nicola,

      When I left hospital I was given a sheet with some exercises - standing and bending knee upwards, standing and bending leg straight behind me and standing and abducting leg. Those are the advanced exercises as well as glute squeezes. TBH I feel a bit at a loss as to what else I could be doing. Been to the pool twice this week though and being doing some widths if the front crawl and for the first time in my life I'm swimming straight! My right leg is much weaker but it's always been the worst so presume my left has been taking the strain for years!

      Feeling stressed today admit kids are not feeling like helping out and the house is a bomb! And it's a great day for putting the washing out - haha.

      I see consultant in 10 days when I'll be at 6 weeks :0) how are you getting on?

      S

    • Posted

      Wow sounds like you are doing amazing!! I've not ventured to the pool yet as I was told my the specialist nurse that I shouldn't do this until after 12 weeks but I think I'm just going to go. Feel like I've hit a wall and not sure where to go next to try to make more progress. Are you using any walking aids now? Or in any pain?

      My right is much weaker too and unsure how to get it stronger? I don't have my appointment until 8 weeks which is really frustrating!

      Nicola

    • Posted

      Hi Nicola, I totally get the frustration!

      I'm still on 2 crutches, I've tried going down to one but I just waddle and am not strong enough yet.

      I phoned the hospital ward and spoke to my Physio who said as long as my wound is healed the pool is fine and to do Physio in the pool and walk in the pool to but no breaststroke.

      I do some walking in the pool with a woggle float for security and do my Physio in the deep end. It's amazing to see my range of movement which I've never had before especially abducting my leg outwards!

      The pool is an outdoors seawater heated pool so it has a lot of benefits! I'm not sure if I would be so keen if I was in a colder pool for proper swimmers!

      The follow up seems pretty slack here, I'm not sure how I should be progressing or how to strengthen my legs further but am just trying to do walking and get to the pool plus Physio. I tried walking up the stairs normally and am definitely not strong enough for that yet but it'll get there.

      Best wishes,

      Sheila

    • Posted

      You are only 4 weeks so you are doing really well! Keep it going, I found the last 2 weeks I have made lots of progress, and can walk more with no crutches and limp is decreasing.

      I agree about follow up. Where are you from?

      Here I get no follow up except seeing a specialised nurse (at 8 weeks for me) and given a sheet with the same exercises as you. I really feel you should get Phisio follow up especially with 2 hips as I couldn't do any of the exercises when I was in hospital.

      I'll try go to the pool this week, was just a bit worried as I still need one crutch to walk properly, but I guess the pool maybe helps that?

      What type of hip did you get? I got ceramic on ceramic.

      Take care

    • Posted

      Good points Nicola.

      I might add too that proper position in exercises makes all the difference. This is especially true for adductor exercises and glutes that bedevil us all and need solid work for enduring recovery. So I truly belive that seeing a PT images a big difference to our ability to recover. They are also knowledgeable enough to offer advice on small matters that we encounter and to refer us when needed. Of course, the PT I saw, was based in a coordinating centre for joint replacements which was a huge advantage.

      I also strongly support work in the pool while urging some caution - ideally to would help to have physio advice on site there as well.

      Wishing you a safe and strong recovery.

      L

    • Posted

      Hi Nicola,

      I take one crutch into the pool down the steps as there is a handrail into the pool and leave it at the side and use the side of the pool as a handrail until I'm deep enough to swim. Also I have a woggle as support in the pool.

      I got ceramic ball with titanium stem, think they use them on younger folks as we are more likely to need them longer and possibly more likely to dislocate due to increased activity (risk taking!) levels I think...

    • Posted

      Ooh forgot to answer that I'm in the north of Scotland. .

      Sheila

    • Posted

      I'm going to give the pool a bash hopefully this week. Thanks for your advice.

      Getting to see a Phisio next week so hopefully they will guide and advise me. I'll report back smile

    • Posted

      Thanks for your advise!

      I'm getting to see a Phisio next week so hopefully they will put me on track and check everything is as it should be.

      Take care

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