Expected more at this stage

Hi mark,

I really sympathise with you, I'm day 17 now,left THR with lateral incision. I'm 48,I remember day 5 it was hell, had a bit of a meltdown. The first week is really difficult but as the days goes by it does get easier, it's a very slow progress though and everyone heals differently. My leg is still swollen from toe to thigh and I'm still on regular pain killers,although the pain is not as bad as that first week.THe swelling seems to be a little less in the day but worse in the eve, also quite stiff in the mornings. I would definitely start to mobilise a little,it really helps honestly and your feel alot better just getting out of bed for an hour or so. Lots of rest,appetite was pretty poor first week but improved,eating helps the healing process. Ice packs are good too.im sorry to hear your in so much pain but it will get better day by day,stay positive.

Nicky.

MARk

Welcome to the real reality of hip replacement .I lost the first week after the op in a haze of awful pain and virtually bed ridden . Every week thereafter gets better but at 20 weeks I am

Not pain free. I am 56 and had strong legs . If you watch the video you may understand as it's called brutal surgery. I am still in painkillers 5 months in . The post operative pain is horrendous and I am still amazed and bewildered by forum members who are up and at it in a few weeks. So no ... there is nothing wrong , it's just from having your leg spliced open, muscles cut, bones sawn off and stitched back up . Please prepare for a long haul , sorry but that is the reality . The arthritic pain goes but the healing pain ... well I am just off to get a painkiller myself !

Thanks for all the encouragement and words of advice. Felling brighter today after a full day of rest yesterday. I will resign myself to bed over the weekend with bed exercises and the odd walk along the landing with some more standing up exercises. I will go downstairs when i have built my strength up. One of the main problems with me is that i was used to taking anywhere between 6-8 zapains a day and 500mg of brufen........Now i'm on paracetamol and codine so infact less than before,,,,,,,slowly but surely,,,,,,we all learn and get stronger by the day,,,,,,,ice pack has been a massive help along with elevated leg

Five days is really early in recovery, which takes a year or so!   Yes really.

Swelling is totally normal, due to the brutal things they have to do to you in the operating theatre.  Muscles and nerves get cut, parted, and generally messed around with, and it all takes a long time to heal.  

As to getting out of the bed, I was told that I should be able to get out either side, and they made me practise both sides before leaving hospital.

Take your time Mark, this can be a long recovery, with many minor setbacks (they don't seem minor at the time though), and an emotional roller coaster of a journey.  Some do have miracle recoveries (one of my friends did), but it's a hard slog for many of us.

I had my THR Oct 2015, and revision Jan 2016 due to mistakes, and still feel I am recovering.

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃 🤸

Hi Mark, sorry to hear you are having proiblems. 

I felt the same as you my first days at home. I had to teach myself to get out of my own bed as the methods used to do this in the hospital bed didn't quiet work.

I given a piece of transfer fabric by the phsio which I cut in to small square to sit on and a slim long peice for the end of the bed to slide my feet across. I sit on the square, push back onto the bed keeping my legs straight and toes taught and pointing upwards.I then slowly use my hands to turn  on the bed so my feet are then on the fabric at  the bottom. When in the right place I can then lay down. A grabber helps to put the covers over me. Do the same in reverse to get up.

If likie me you feel like golf balls have been put under your incision, I can assure you they do go. I'm 13 days post op and it has got a little easier each day,the golf balls have almost gone

Hope things get a little easier

regards chrizzy