different types

Hi Julie, don't get down when reading about others' progress, we really are all different.  I started to get down too at around 3 weeks when I didn't feel I was doing as well as others but all of the medical professionals were telling me that there was nothing wrong with my progress and to stop comparing myself with others.  I'm 55 and 9 weeks post LTHR today.  From my own experience, the first 3 weeks were awful, mainly through lack of sleep - like you say, only getting around 2 hours before waking with pain, inability to get comfortable etc.  However, my turning point came at 4 weeks post op, I tried various pain medications and eventually got my GP to start me on Amytrytiline 10 mg at night, this drug is used for a variety of things; depression, nerve pain and helps with sleep.  Anyway, it worked for me.  I started to drive at 7 weeks post-op, stopped using 2 crutches at 4!weeks, 1 crutch at 5 weeks and finished my outpatient physio at 7 weeks.  

I hope ole some of this has helped you?  I started to read the forum posts again a couple of weeks ago but had to leave them for a while until I felt stronger and more confident.  Not that it isn't a great forum, I just couldn't help feeling I wasn't doing as well as I should.   Anyway, having gone through this now, I realise that we are all different, varying circumstances etc.  

Good ode luck with your recovery.  

Jo X 

People are different, always remember that. I read some posts with envy but decided to go at my own pace. My pain was cured but my limp was terrible, so I asked for extra physio, it is slowly working.

i was using two crutches outside until 4 weeks then progressed to one, then a stick. Went without when on a cruise at 8 weeks post op.

age may play a part, I was 67 at op time, but it is an individual response

Hi Julie, there are different methods and different materials used for thr. I too got frustrated and low reading how other people progressed so much quicker than I did. My surgeon used the original Charnley hip replacement. This required being on crutches for 12 weeks, no driving for 12 weeks and didn't even have a follow up appointment for 12 weeks. I was not given physio only told to do butt clenches and ankle rotations. I was told at the follow up appointment that the wiring (didn't even know I had wiring) was too loose but this will be reviewed at my next appointment in 9 months time. I was also told to wean myself gradually off the crutches over a further 3 months. I am now 4 months post op and manage fine in the house except when first getting up from bed or after sitting. I still use 1 crutch outside.however it has still been worth it. The relief from the pain is amazing and I can do so much more than pre op. Don't beat yourself up , you will get there. Keep smiling x

Hip ops can have very different recoveries. My first admittedly when younger healed really quickly and just felt like a normal hip. The next on the other hip I had in april now 62 took a lot longer. I was quite depressed at 3 weeks and although now at 6 months I can do loads of things and walk so much more than before I still have sore muscles, can feel them going upstairs and can't sleep on that side. I think doing too much too soon definitely has an effect. I have a tendency to overdo it and am now having a few days of not a lot- I can feel a slight improvement!  Take it steady and you will get there. Even though mine isn't like the first one it still is miles better than the state I wa in before the op!

yes it does seem to vary massively on here. My own view is that it depends on the following factors:

a) how active you were pre-op... the more active the quicker the recovery

b) skill of surgeon

c) amount of exercise you do (walking and swimming) post op

dear julie, 

Awww.... don't do that to yourself ----

I believe that there are 2 different approaches to hip replacement surgery:

Traditional or posterior Surgery, the surgeon makes a 10- to 12-inch incision through some of the muscles around the hip to expose the joint. Then the surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage and replaces them with an artificial joint, or prosthesis.

Minimally invasive or anterior surgery, the surgeon makes one or two much smaller incisions between the muscles. These incisions may be in the back, side, or front of the hip. The recovery time for the mini-incision surgery is shorter than for traditional surgery.

Hmmm , I am not so sure about the driving at 3 weeks post-op unless if you are in the USA - I know that my friend was allowed to drive around that time - his car was a big, automatic one - he was allowed but had challenges with getting in and out of the car - 

some do recover faster but for most of us it is a journey that requires patience -

Do you have a fased return to your job? like maybe a couple of hours a day, twice a week - working in the kitchen is so physically demanding - standing and lifting and pushing etc ....

be gentle with your self and pleased with your new hip - you are walking without a limp and are mostly pain free???  that is progress, sweetheart - kudos

big warm hug

renee

Yes only going to be doing three days a weekand they are

really understanding said even though l usually do 5 1/2 hrs

a day I can leave earlyer if getting any aches or pain .

I had already gone from 5 to 3 days earlier in year when my hip

got to painfull and then had to stop working 6 weeks before

my op because couldn't stand on it that long. Because I had

already dropped to 15hrs a week it has ment they didn't have to pay me

sick pay so don't feel to bad about so much time off

We are all different so it's best not to compare too much and certainly not to let differences get you down. It's not a competition. The standard recovery time is after 12 weeks, so a return at 6 weeks is very early in my opinion, depending on what your work involves.I alerted my line manager to my surgeon's 12 week recommendation, and my (full-time) work has been covered on that basis, so I'm not intending to return before 12 weeks, assuming I progress normally, and will then expect a phased return. I'm also 57. 

Hi Julie

You are doing really well by the sound of things and you are amazing to be going back to work soon and to such a physical job. But glad you are only doing part-time to begin with so try to get as much rest as you can when you get home.

We are all different, age and fitness play a part and also the type of job you do. If I was still working (Im retired) perhaps I could be ready for work at 8 weeks but then I worked in an office so its was sedantary. I would be vey surprised if the physio or consultant of the person who was walking without sticks at 3 weeks would be very pleased with them.

Its not a race so try not to compare just be yourself and get well soon at your own pace.

Hope all goes well when you start work.

😀

Linnet x

 

Hi Julie!

Don't get discouraged. I am 6 months post op and still struggle. I still have a slight limp especially when my legs get tired and I still use a cane when going out. I don't think I drove for almost 3 months. I am now walking about a mile or so but eve that;s a struggle.

So don't let other's progress get you down.

Don't try to compare them to you because it causes self doubt.

But just use this forum as a guideline.

We'll get there!

Hello Julie, I don't see where anyone mentioned the lateral approach which is about a 10"+  vertical incision down the outer side of the thigh.  That's what I had done because I had THR from an injury and it was the only way they could get to the damaged femur and acetabulum.  I had 24 staples to close the wound and at 10 1/2 weeks post-surgery, I have a Trendelenburg gait due to weakness from the cut muscles.  The body is a wonderful thing and I'm told it will heal and am hoping the same for you, too!