Complete hip replacement.. more nervous than anything.
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello, This THR thing I think will be a miracle once completely healed. I have a very positive outlook for after especially after I have suffered for so long.
It is quite fresh since I had it done Dec 28.. and was released home Dec 31st.
I try hard to keep my leg straight but that has proven very difficult. It has made me wonder will it stay sideways cause even walking it it feels a bit sideways but I'm also wondering if it's not jus swelling.
I went into this scared and crying so bad and the drs were phenomenal.. I had a spinal and also a long acting morphine injected into my spine.. coming out I felt wonderful and pretty much still do except yesterday. I think I spend too much time up.. sitting up and trying to walk around because once it was time to relax i had one hell of a time to get back into bed and get comfortable. There was alot of pressure and aching in my groin area and inner thigh muscle.
Today all in all I'm impressed cause I was able to get out of bed alone this morning for the most part. Yay progress!! I do keep a pillow under my leg and a rolled up towel under my knee and do foot pumps almost all day long.
Good luck to everyone! I'm sure I'll be here tonight. Right now I'm jus fresh and waking up so besides some back pain I'm ok.
Thank you
3 likes, 23 replies
starr_16935
Posted
I also forgot to mention that I have one tender spot in my side.. a small spot but it's quite tender when touched
auntiebeanie starr_16935
Posted
starr_16935 auntiebeanie
Posted
Thank you. I will see the doctor on Monday and address it with him. It feels like it's turning outward. I'm feeling better. But if I sit on the couch or in the livingroom all day (of course getting up etc as well) the incision itself hurts a bit.. drying up and pulling I'm assuming. I'm not sleeping like I was which is nice.
AnnieK starr_16935
Posted
Starr, for the first few weeks after my surgeries, I slept whenever I could, and only walked around as needed, from bed to bathroom to dining room table and back to bed. Resting, elevating and icing as much as possible are all very good things early in recovery. There has been much trauma to your body from this surgery, including cut bone, stretched soft tissue and lots of stitching, inside and out. Your body needs to rest in order to heal. Sounds like you are doing very well!
You say you are having trouble keeping your leg straight when sitting or lying down or walking, is that correct? I don't remember having that situation. Is it turning in or out? That is something I'd check with my surgeon about. Where I live, we always have a two-week follow-up appointment after surgery, and things can be addressed then.
I well remember those early days of having a hard time getting comfortable. It took me weeks to actually feel comfortable in any position. Take care!
AnnieK
Posted
For the second surgery, I went to a rehab facility for 2 1/2 weeks after my surgery, and then had a hospital bed for my home. I also had gotten an electric lift recliner between the two surgeries. So things were MUCH better for me for sleeping after the second surgery. After the first op I had no comfy chair to sit on without breaking the 90 degree rule, hence I had to use the bed for everything.
starr_16935 AnnieK
Posted
Thank you. Things are starting to settle down. Just that even with my exercises my leg is quite weak.. I can't fully lift it into bed by myself but my bed is 34" tall. I have a follow up in 2 days and will.definately be asking the surgeon about it
judith12644 starr_16935
Posted
Hi Starr, sounds like you are doing well. I didn't go to bed at all during the day, found it v uncomfortable at night on my back, so I certainly didn't want to spend any more time in bed!. I did sit on the sofa with my leg up resting from time to time during the day, and particularly in the evening. I think moving and doing your exercises is V important as long as you're not feeling too sore. Good luck!
starr_16935 judith12644
Posted
candice57475 starr_16935
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I,too, had surgery on the 28th and went home on the 31st. I'd like to follow your progress. I'm awfully weak and sore but make sure to keep up with my pain meds. Good luck to you! It's great to be on the other side, ready to heal!
judith12644 candice57475
Posted
starr_16935 candice57475
Posted
Yay happy for u and sure follow us it does feel amazing to be on the mend and as scared as I was going in.. I'm very happy that I have done it. Once.my 3 months are up tho I go in for the left. At least now I know what to expect happy healing
beth2509 starr_16935
Posted
I'm just eight weeks today, and I was started on sets of exercises within 12 hours - not just walking. There was a very definite instruction to keep active - napping was fine (I didn't much) but stay active as well. But like clockwork the first couple of weeks, at 3pm I would nod off on the sofa; and even now I have the odd day when it still happens.
?Everyone has a different journey, so I wouldn't worry about things right now. And if you are worrying, speak to the doctor. I'm not sure that any of us can be absoluitely certain what is "normal", and it may be that it's just the getting used to the new joint that makes you feel "sideways", but if that continues speak to the doctor or the physio.
t3chiman starr_16935
Posted
Hi Starr-
You have a quite a collection of problems and concerns. But, from my experience as a now-revised hippie, you are doing fine. Remember, just a few days ago, you had your leg detached and hammered on for a couple of hours. It's only natural that you would feel swollen and awkward. Boredom and exhaustion will be your companions for a while; learn to make peace with them. Drugs help, make sure you take your anti-inflammatories and pain meds. Drink more than your usual intake of water, no alcohol for a bit. And be realistic: you won't be your energetic, alert, accomplished, self for 3 months at best (6 months more likely).
You have a couple of valid health concerns. Write them down and recite the list for your followup with the surgeon. Or mention them to your physical therapist--they have seen it all before.
Hope this helps.
Happy New Year
renee01952 starr_16935
Posted
Hi starr,
Good to see you here and again, a warm welcome ...
It is a miracle, right ? I remember feeling euphoric in the beginning that the grinding OA pain was gone and also that I did it !!!! yeah ... done ..
but then reality sinks in and we have to do something - leg feels like alien appendix .. I don't remember the not getting the leg straight either - is this when you walk ?
during surgery your leg has been so manipulated that you might feel bruises and swelling and sore spots in the weirdest places ..I had a handprint bruise on back of my thigh ... Not such gentle folks the ortho surgeons ..
Listen closely to your body .. it is very early days for you ..
You are doing great and have agreat attitude ..
be very gentle with Starr and come back here anytime you have a concern or question or just want to chat, okay ...
there always is someone around --- you are not alone
big warm hug
renee
anna87839 starr_16935
Posted
Hi there I'm just 6months t l h r and doing fine still sore when
stand and start to walk for awhile but goes away once I get
moving.
You have to remember what we have been though ,in those early weeks I rested and slept lots as and when I could,slept almost sitting up this is when your body is repairing it's self,drink plenty
do your bed exercises just do what you can ,I used to walk bent
over with a limp (bone on bone pain) now although I had leg
difference of 1inch after op that has righted it's self I now walk
tall ,no limp,not bent over and no pain wow hang in there you'll
get there much love😨 🙋
starr_16935 anna87839
Posted
That's great! I too was hunched over in pain before. If I shopped I had to lean over the cart. In the end I hated to go out.. I was basically stuck in bed.. the pain was excruciating. The way I feel now.. just over 2 weeks since I had surgery is.. I'm soon to get my groove back lol. Well with the exception that I do have to have the other hip done as well.. but that one doesn't hurt nearly as much as my right one. I'm happy to hear u are doing well and I have alot to look forward to in the upcoming months