Posted , 13 users are following.
Its almost 7 weeks since I had my THR I am meant to have my second hip done on the 18th February but wondering if its worth it as my first one hasnt been as successful as I expected. I feel my progress is very slow! I am walking in the house without my sticks but very slowly. My main problem is at night time, I cant get comfortable! although I am allowed to lay on my side with a pillow between my knees. I can lay only lay on unoperated side for so long, then I feel uncomfortable and struggle to get on my back because of the pain in my groin area on both sides. My operated side is still too painful to even contemplate laying on. I seem to have difficulty turning over or bending my legs. So I tend to sit up first and then try to get into a comfortable position moving my legs feels very painful in groin area, I can understand it being that way on the unoperated side but thought by now the operated side should be a lot easier! Perhaps its a bit early has anyone had the same problem? I am going for my check up on 29th January hopefully everything will be ok? My fear is that the surgery hasnt been a success???? I would appreciate your comments thank you
2 likes, 18 replies
melaruse Cyndey
Posted
Hi Cyndey,
I feel like it's waaay early for you to be concerned! I took a really long time to heal, and at the 7 week mark there was no way I could.sleep on my operated side due to internal swelling still. It felt like I had a big slab of meat on the side of my leg (lateral approach). I forget when it resolved, but 10 months post-op and I'm fine now.
jacqui23456 Cyndey
Posted
7 weeks is too early to be pain free and comfortable especially at night. i am getting my 2nd one done on 26th Feb 18months after my other one.
everything you are saying is exactly the same as what i haf. at least another 4weeks before you will be better especially at night
Gina1955 Cyndey
Posted
Just my opinion, but no way would I have the other one done so quickly. I am 11 months today post op and just now feeling like I am getting back to normal. My other hip has to be replaced also but I am waiting for at least another year before doing it, if I can stand the pain that long. I know others have had it done close together, others both at the same time, but I know my body, and even though I am healthy and exercise daily, I don't feel I can handle another major surgery now. Best of luck to you.
Cyndey Gina1955
Posted
THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE I WILL BE THINKING CAREFULLY BEFORE I HAVE IT DONE, AND WILL HAVE A CHAT WITH MY SPECIALIST, I AM ON MY OWN SO ITS REALLY HARD , I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND WHO LIVES CLOSE BY SHE HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AS MY KIDS LIVE A LONG WAY FROM ME, MY PLAN WAS TO STAY WITH MY DAUGHTER AFTER THE FIRST CHECK UP FROM FIRST TWO WEEKS BUT I HAD LEAKAGE FROM MY WOUND AND COULDNT TRAVEL BECAUSE OF DRAIN.....
georgette2152 Cyndey
Posted
Cindy - is it an option for you to go to inpatient rehab? I also live alone and will be 67 in May. Shhhh - don't tell anyone! I stayed for a week and when I came home I had a visiting nurse for a week and in home pt for 2 weeks. Made all the difference in the world. You're not alone . . . depression typically follows surgery. It's your body, your pain, so if you are not ready for another surgery, go ahead and postpone.
Hang in there . . .
Georgette
miele55255ch Cyndey
Posted
Hi Cyndey!
I am 60 years old and had one total hip replacement 4 years ago (and now need the second one done) and my recovery was slow which could've been due to the fact that I am also Diabetic.
The first 2 months were rough on me because I live alone ( with the exception of staying at a friend's for the first 2 weeks) and I basically took care of myself.
I remember I was also depressed those first few months. I think it's fairly common for people who have major surgeries. But it does pass!
With that said, I still feel a little pain to this day but I have OA in all my joints so it could also be coming from my lower back.
I still can't lay on my operated side but I am comfortable on my left side with a pillow between my knees (I use a king size pillow and fold it in half)and I can only walk up and down steps one step at a time.
I have a cousin who is a year younger than myself and she had hers done in May and is having no problems whatsoever.
So everybody's recovery is different. Don't be too hard on yourself! Give it time!
I would suggest that if you are having groin pain to contact your doctor's office. I would experience that when I was doing my Physical Therapy exercises but he always told me if I was having pain to stop what I was doing!
Cyndey
Posted
HI thank you for your comments, I am 72 and have a long term dropped foot, I have to wear an ankle support all the time it got lost at the hospital which caused a lot of problems for me. My dropped foot is left side my recent hip was the right one and because of the way I walk I was putting a lot of weight on my right hip that had just had the surgery! My physio got slowed up due to not having my ankle support, it was found eventually after a couple of days. I got discharged on evening of fifth day, after a few days my wound started to leak so I had to go back to hospital to have drain fitted. Which stopped me going to my daughters as planned......I am also on my own with no help whatsoever! I did have social workers coming out to put on my ankle support as I wasnt allowed to bend as you know this is one of the no no's! After a while my next door neibour did it for me and has been a wonderful help and a great support. I do get frutrated at not being able to do the simplest things! I dread going through all that again of course but at my age I want to get it over so I can have a normal life, as I have suffered with osteo arthritis for years, and I thought by having the hip replacement I would be feeling a lot better! I appreciate your comments and hopefully in time I will feel a lot better thanks again and take care
maryboo Cyndey
Posted
dear Cyndey,
I had my rt hip done 11 mos. ago. At first the pain wasn't bad but I could not get comfortable and I certainly could not sleep on that side till months later. Hip surgery is a big thing and takes time for those bones to heal solidly onto the prosthesis. The best thing to do is take it easy and let your body's strength go into making a solid hip for you again. Uncomfortable is one thing but groin pain can be serious so it's best to check with the surgeon about that.
What you think should be sometimes is not what really is and your recovery might not match any deadline you have set for yourself. I struggled at night but it helps if you get some slippery bed pants and a satin pillow case. It made it easier to turn around under the covers. Do what you are able to do and take it slow. As they say the only way past it is through it. As for me, I couldn't sleep on my side for many months, but one night it was easy but for a short time. Even now at 11 months, I can't sleep on my side for a long time. I did have a bad set back at about 10 weeks and needed to go back to the walker for awhile. Doing too much too soon. So check with tour surgeon to be sure all is right and then follow tour physical therapy recommendations and take it easy, let your body work. Good luck and be kind to yourself.
Cyndey maryboo
Posted
HI Thank you so much for your comments, you have given me hope I suppose everybodys different! I know quite a few people that have had hip replacements and they all seem to have recovered well! I guess a lot depends on age and how fit you are, I used to be reasonably fit when I was able to go to the gym, but when my hip pain got too bad I became very unfit in no time! I couldnt even walk that far! However will have to be patient thanks again
Rocketman_SG6UK Cyndey
Posted
Seven weeks is early in the recovery process. Turning was difficult for me too, after my first hip operation, I could only lay on the unoperated side as the other side was way too uncomfortable. After my revision on the same hip 10 weeks later I was only able to sleep on the operated side with comfort!
All hippies know the difficulty of sleeping in the first weeks following the surgery. Three years on, and three operations on the same hip, I am back to a normal lifestyle, in fact better than ever before the operation. I now regularly go to the gym, and even started playing golf just 11 weeks after my last revision. I clmb ladders, have been up on my workshop to repair the roof ..... so much is possible now.
Cyndey Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
HI thank you for your encouraging comments, you have cheered me up no end! So long as their is light at the end of the tunnel! you have given me a lot of hope! so many people who I know that have had hip replacements seem so much better than my self which has made me feel something isnt quite right! I will discuss the groin pain with my specialist when I see him on the 29th January. I used to go to the gym and zumba classes which I enjoyed it would be fantastic if I was able to get back to going into the gym again thanks again for your encouragement I Hope you continue to feel better CHEERS
robert88575 Cyndey
Posted
I agree with others: it's too early to think your pain and swelling means there's something wrong.
I mean, can you put off surgery ... say a month or two months ... to give yourself time?
Also, I'm wondering if you've got adequate pain medicine ... and at night, make sure you take that pain medicine ... some of us have to take it longer than others. That's fine ... But it's there to allow us to sleep, among other things. Don't be afraid to call your surgeon's office, talk to a nurse and let them offer suggestions and adjust your meds for maximum comfort.
Cyndey
Posted
HI Robert thank you for your advice, I definitely need more pain medication for night time, I will have a long chat with my specialist before going ahead with my second hip surgery! I have had lots of surgery in the past on my back and had varicose vein op and recovered a lot faster, but then i was younger! cheers
Nuggie56 Cyndey
Posted
I am praying for you and you sound like me this time last year. I could not be happier and I just had my right hip replaced in September last year. My left hip was done January 22nd last year. I was afraid in the beginning but now things are getting better. It would take a book for me to explain just how unsure I was but yes it was hard to bend my knee, to turn over, to lie on un-operative side and I did not like sleeping on my back. I purchased a recliner to help me sleep better and it worked but I still had issues with the other side until I was strong enough to have the surgery. Well, the journey has been a challenge but today I feel better than I have in over twenty years. You will be fine just do not overdo any thing. If you feel as if you are tired rest, ice, stay hydrated, take your pain meds if needed and get those meals. I am looking forward to living a long happy life without that pain I endured all of these years. Give it time and you will see the difference. I am now able to sleep how I want and yes there is still some pain but I take my walking cane with me when I go out. You are not alone. There is great support here and I know I will be checking in for years to come because God sent me here and I love these people.
Cyndey Nuggie56
Posted
GOOD MORNING THANKYOU FOR YOUR KIND MESSAGE AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT! I DO HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT AND IT GETS BETTER! EVEN IF IT DOES TAKE TIME, I WILL KEEP GOING AND PRAY I WILL BE PAIN FREE EVENTUALLY. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING MY LIFE BACK! I KEEP ASKING MY SELF IS THIS GROIN PAIN NORMAL BUT THE ONE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION IS MY SURGEON. I HAVE APPOINTMENT 29th JANUARY HOPEFULLY I WILL GET SOME GOOD NEWS, IF I KNOW IT WILL GET BETTER IN TIME I WONT FEEL ITS BEEN A WASTE OF TIME! THANKS AGAIN TAKE CARE
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