CONSECUTIVE THRs - TIMELINE
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi Everyone
I am sceduled for THR No,1 on 24th Feb, My consultant has told me the second one will be 8 weeks later, Reading about the experiences of others and their recovery rates I am a bit sceptical. I would love to hear from anyone who has had two THRs and how long they waited between operations ( and why ).
It would also bw interesting to hear the views of anyone who has had a THR about whether their physical or mental state would be good enough to go through the operation again after only 8 weeks
Many thanks Paul
0 likes, 51 replies
judith12644 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul, good idea to start a new discussion. I mentioned on your other thread that sleeping might be tricky, because you'll have no good side. Might end up on your back for months.... Anyway the double hippies out there will have good advice.
maureen44782 paul170864
Posted
I asked the surgeon how I would manage on the other damaged hip...he said he'd do both at once! Bilateral hip replacement last August. I'm 65... so no pain but walk a bit mechanically. Every day a new thing I can do. NO PAIN!
paul170864 maureen44782
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Rocketman_SG6UK paul170864
Posted
Paul,
Not quite the same, but I had to have revision on my original THR just 10 weeks afterwards. It meant that my recovery time was extended by 10 weeks, but I think it was harder because I was starting my recovery from a much lower 'place'.
By 8 weeks you may be OK to take another operation, depends on the patient I suppose. I guess the surgeon thinks you will be OK.
Mentally I found that I was in the right place - already recovering well, and knew just what to expect.
Good luck, keep us posted.
Graham - 🚀💃 🤸
paul170864 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
lyn1951 paul170864
Posted
I would go with the option of having 8 weeks apart with hindsite, having had both hips replaced 15 months apart.
Hip joints as I suspect in your case at severe stage of worn out, you good one is going to be great after surgery, but your still bad hip is going to slow you down.
In my case Dr's told me about 2 years before I would need left hip replaced, or so they thought.
Out walking about 12 weeks after right hip replacement, when I got the most extreme pain and tearing sensation in left hip joint, ouchhh doens't do it justice. Cat scan a little ho hum, but Dr said he agreed what little cartledge that was left in that joint has been torn, already knew hip was showing moderate arthiritis, he also said if its a muscle will heal in 6 weeks, and if its cartledge 12 weeks, 13 weeks later woke up in no pain, only confirmed my and Dr's suspicion about what happened.
Refered me back to the surgeon who had done my right hip. X-ray at hospital confirmed the gap between bones was significantly changed since surgery 26 weeks previous, and booked for 2nd hip replacement. 15 months later finally replaced, run up to surgery diffucult, because of ongoing pain in left hip, not able to do the walking required to be really strong.
Resorted to heated swimming pool, 3 times a week for an hour each time to keep myself sane and resonably fit with non-weight bearing exercise.
paul170864 lyn1951
Posted
thank you for replying - really interesting.
Can I ask how long it was before you were allowed to go swimming and how you managed getting in and out of the pool please, Swimming has become my big thing lately with a pullbouy between the legs to immobilise my hips
judith12644 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul, re swimming, I went swimming at about 7/8 weeks, it was ok getting in and out of the pool. The swimming itself wasn't so successful, because I'm rubbish at crawl, and tried breaststroke arms, with up and down legs. I've been swimming a lot this week, doing breaststroke arms and legs, and it's been v comfortable. I'm 6 months now.
paul170864 judith12644
Posted
Hi Judith - thats really encouraging. Hopefully I can start swimming using my legs again soon. But also good that I can get in the pool so soon after the op. The pullbouy I use is just a shaped foam float for about £7 from the usual places on the internet. Its great because it goes between the thighs and the boyancy puts the body into the correct position in the water even though you are not kicking your legs ( though you can kick up and down from the knee if you want to ) It also firms up the bum and tum I think as you are engaging the core muscles more. I had never seen one before but now see people using them all the time particularly the triathlon trainers who are building upper body strength.
I will probably do a bit of both as I gradualy build the legs back in. My ultimate dream is to get back on my bike though - listening to birds outside this morning getting all twtterpated makes me just want to ride into the hills for the day.
nice talking to you Judith
Paul
lyn1951 paul170864
Posted
about 24 days post surgery with both hips, but only after local Dr or GP had examined me very carefully to make sure the cuts were healed over completely.
He was pretty straightfoward with explaining to me you don't want on infection.
I tread water with a pool noodle, or water log, tuck it under my arms, and just go for it, could do about an hour after a few weks, three times a week, for a start, and have dropped back to twice a week, but if my back is playing up I need to get back in the pool again more.
I find that just completely relaxing and allowing myself to stretch out or fall below the noodle and being supported by it is wonderful for lengthening, great for back as well, you will understand after surgery, everything feels tight and scrunched up around your pelvis, suspect by internal bruising.
judith12644 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul, your boyancy thing sounds good! It's really good that you are keeping fit prior to your ops, I think that makes a real difference to recovery. I hope you'll be back on your bike soon! ( The birds are great at this time of the year... Spring is on the way..)
paul170864 judith12644
Posted
Just back from the pool - everyone has got either flippers, floats, hand paddles or some gizmo or other so I dont feel too much of a plank.
Its suddenly turned freezing here - I knew I shouldnt have mentioned Spring !!
judith12644 paul170864
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Hi Paul, I was just in Tenerife, testing my hip swimming in the rough Atlantic..... Now back in freezing London, you're right, not quite spring!
paul170864 judith12644
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Stargate_fan paul170864
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Hi Paul,
Have been following your other post and will be very interested to hear how you get on with first hip and then second in only 8 weeks
I am just 3 weeks over first THR and I know I have to get the second one done but I was told by the consultant that it would be up to me when this happens!
For me I don't think I would be in a great mind set to get the second one done after only 8 weeks but that's just me
I am lucky so far that my recovery is going great but I have good days and have had a couple of bad days! I am impatient and and hate sitting still!!!
Hope it all goes well for you
😄😄😄😄
paul170864 Stargate_fan
Posted
I will keep you posted - my hope is that having them so close together will overlap some of the slow healing. Having had a big old chunk ( 25 stitches) taken from my thigh to remove a melanoma in november last year I know that healing is quite a complicated process.
Stargate_fan paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
My real name is Mary😊
And wow having a melanoma removed and now 2 hip replacements coming up, that's a lot but you sound like such a positive person that you will sail through the surgery
Best of luck and hopefully I can be like you and get second hip done sooner rather than later!
Best of luck
Mary
paul170864 Stargate_fan
Posted
I guess I have to ask what Stargate is too now !!!! V tough year - ended my business and all my sports too. Cancer is a major shock and you kind of appreciate each day as a gift rather than bemoan your rotten luck. Thank you for your kind words
Paul
Stargate_fan paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
Again I say wow you had a crap year and yet still so positive!
You will sail through your hip surgeries as your attitude is half the battle! I had put off geting my hip done as i thought I was too young😂😂but soon pain won out and I am so happy that I decided to go ahead!
It must have been tough to lose your business but after cancer it doesn't seem so important! Keep up the good vibes and soon your surgery will be over!!
And Stargate is a sci fy programme that was on years ago and I was slightly obsessed with it😂😂😂 major nerd🤓🤓but still watch reruns of it!
Mary
michael11283 paul170864
Posted
Paul,
I know what you mean about cancer. I thought I was lucky with mine operated on 2 weeks after diagnosis - cancer all gone. Recovery was a bit up and down but the little b****r had a little sting in his tail and, or so I think, infected my hip. But I'm confident that once the treatment is over I'll be back to normal as will you. You may not be able to do all the sport you used to but you'll be active and enjoying life once more.
And as you say you appreciate life more. I've certainly seen people whose battle with cancer was a lot worse than mine.
Mike
paul170864 Stargate_fan
Posted
Sorry for moaning - I didnt mean to. Although of course things have been tough this year but I am looking at all this as a wake up call. I worked way too hard anyway, hacking up and down the motorways, outside in all weather, up to my middle in mud some days without really having an exit plan. Before I finished working I trained a younger man to do my job and sold him all my equipment and talk to him most days giving him help and advice and he seems to be loving the work and will give him a real leg-up in life. I am really proud that I had the chance to do that.
The missus has plans to drop to 3 days in September and I am hoping that this year turns out to be a hidden blessing.
I will checkout Stargate whilst I am killing time in recovery. My daughter got obsessed with Firefly - have you tried that one ?
cheers Paul
Stargate_fan paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
Yes heard of firefly but never got into it!
This year is going to be a good year!!! No pain and living life😄😄
Started a physio class today at the hospital! 2 brilliant physios that are starting a new training session especially for us hippies in conjunction with A hospital in Australia!
My leg muscles ache in places I didn't even know had muscles😂😂😂but great workout!!!
It's so good to see the benefit of exercises been recognised now here in Ireland! And so happy I was picked to be on this class😊
Like you I always kept fit but have struggled over the last few years so hopefully this will see my way back to fitness!
Thanks
Mary
paul170864 Stargate_fan
Posted
Little things like meeting a great physio can turn into great things - brilliant news. If any of their execise sheets are digital or online I would love a copy.
Those aches are good aches !
Keep at it
Paul
Stargate_fan paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
Nothing digital or online yet but I will ask the guys if this is possible!
Not long now for you Paul! You won't know yourself when it's over!
I am doing the exercises everyday and going out for long walks and I am finding it so much easier to move around! I actually walked the length of my kitchen yesterday with no crutches!!!
My granddaughter told me I looked funny!!! She said I looked like a duck😂😂😂 She also calls my new hip, nanas big hip and gives me cuddles to make it better😊😊😊
But it's the little things that give you a great sense of achievement!!!
Keep up the exercise as I had done a fair bit before surgery and this has made recovery easier!!!
Best wishes
Mary
Rocketman_SG6UK paul170864
Posted
Paul,
Have you looked at the links to 'Other Online Resources' on my website? There are many exercise sheets out there - such as Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Matthys Orthopaedics.
paul170864 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted