Posted , 15 users are following.
I am 69, i am 6 weeks post hip replacement Apart from an infection in the wound , I was doing well . Blood test just showed infection has now cleared . I was getting very little pain , but now the hip aches when ever I walk .sleeping is still a problem , as I cannot get comfortable ..I feel very low and I know I need a kick up the back side ..any one else feel they have taken a backwards step?
Moany Pam x
1 like, 39 replies
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anna87839 pam39536
Posted
Hi Pam your not moany at all your allowed after what we have been through , I'm just 7 weeks
post op
and still have achy hip and it feel as if I can feel
my new hippy especially today after my hubby
took me out yesterday for a look round a couple of shops think it was to much as can hardly walk today I should have know better.
I went to hospital yesterday for my check up and was told doing fine and to keep up with exercises
I asked could I have physio and was told not after hip replacement only after knee .
They aslo told me the discomfort and soreness
around scar area is the nerves coming together
again and it will take over a year before we are totally better,I'm sure nobody told me that so I
suppose it's all down to taking it easy no your limits and we'll get there .wishing you all the best
hugs xxx
linda38528 anna87839
Posted
Unless you have special circumstances - I am shocked that they said no physio. If you can afford - go and get some privately! There are muscles you must exercise adductors and psoas in particular plus glutes or you will have a hard time getting to 100%.
You can get some of these off YouTube - just Google for hip replacement exercises and there are many excellent ones - and a couple which adress position very well (so you don end up wor king the wrong ones; it is amazing how orenting your body the wrong way shifts the entire focus of the exercise (it is still good for you but doesn't help the very muscles you need most).
And for walking, my physio emphasized: walking tall (imagine someone is pulling up on a string attached to the top pf your head); walk slowly and deliberately down through your heel then toe. This will help you to lose the limp. Others suggest trying to clench your buttocks together.
Do use a heating pad if there is no inflammation as it will help with the aches and pains.
Thanks for the explanation about the scar sensitivity.
And if you haven't read the post by Sarah97675 today (six weeks in - a bit of humour, please look it up. I promise it will make you smile).
Best,
L
anna87839 linda38528
Posted
Hi there yes it's true ,I shall speak to GP next wee and see what he says I'm not happy at all to be
refused I just want reassurance I'm doing
things correctly ,I've been on you tube and
that's good but I will pay for physio if I have too
We've been though so much I think we should
get automatically. Will let you no how I get on
Much love and hugs Anna xxx
pam39536 anna87839
Posted
pam39536 anna87839
Posted
hi Anna, I don't get physio as such , just exercises to do , nd a timed walk to see how I am progressing .
good luck xxx
pam39536
Posted
Thanks everyone , I guess. I am just having a bad day .the infection was worrying , and maybe now it's gone , I can look ahead to feeling much better . Tomorrow is another day . Thanks again, your replies have helped .
pam xx
linda38528 pam39536
Posted
Hi Pam,
No surprise that you might feel down after the infection plus it probably left you bagged as well. And this is the stage where we all start getting antsy anyway as e feel we should suddenly be fixed!
As I have come to appreciate ...there are 20+ sets of muscles, etc to heal from this surgery AND (lest we get complacent), the other joints and their connective tissues start adjusting and realigning to our new posture and gait .... more aches and pains ... no wonder we feel we are taking three giant steps back.
So please don't beat yourself up ... you are entitled to feel down a little. And I don't really think you need a kick in the pants. I vote for a meal out or walk to a favourite haunt, friends over with good take out or a candlelight meal with your favourite person. Anything that makes you feel special and helps recharge your battery, really.
As for sleeping ... my surgeon actually suggested that I try melatonin to help me get to sleep and as I used it previously when traveling with my work, I gave it a try. It isn't the complete answer but did help me establish a better routine (even if I still had to get up more frequently than when things were 'normal' once upon a time 😄
Big hugs Pam. Take care and please let us know how you are doing. The beauty of this site is that most of have been through this and the others are about too - so everyone just wants to help each othr get through this (good times and bad).
L
brenda92532 pam39536
Posted
Hi Pam
I am 69, I will be 70 in 4 weeks. I has a hip replacement 7 months ago. Like the other members I only sleep 1 or 2 hours at a time and can understand your frustration and feeling down because you have taken a step back. It has happened to all of us and I just keep thinking wait until I am 12 months and see how I feel.
My set back is my foot, it's preventing me from walking any distance and I am a member of the ramblers society and miss my walks with them even short ones.
im waiting for a nerve conduction test. I get depressed but try to think of some of the laughs we had out walking. I wish you luck with your recover and keep your head up and think positive.
Brenda C
dorothy04749 brenda92532
Posted
if u get a chance (not sure if there is a way to do it on this website) read all my posts, as I tend to visit a lot of new discussions and jump in with comments. If you can read all of mine you will see foot and nerve conduction tests are a big red flag to me. Trying to make as many people aware as possible of early early diagnosis of nerve damage thro THR . You will see from posts why. Are you in this bracket and what Physio, if you are bad, have you had done? Mine is quite severe - you cannot poo poo someone waking up to a paralysed foot! But yours could be slighter problems but still same treatments.
regards dot
renee01952 pam39536
Posted
hi pam,
checking in with you and see how you are doing -
it is a roller coaster ride, isn't it ...
sorry about the infection - that sets you back a little - your body is healing from major surgery and also is battling infection -
arpund this time you probably are doing more ... walk a bit longer, go out, just do stuff and it is very easy to over do it - you might not feel it while you are at it, but afterwards there will be perhap stiffness and soreness -
it is your body letting you know that you overdid it a bit - so no need to kick yourself or harsh self talk okay -
keep giving Pam tender loving care -- and come back here anytime you feel like moaning -- we do not mind and understand ---
to be honest, I am in a very moany mood today myself ....
big warm hug
renee
connie17890 renee01952
Posted
Hi Renee & Others, My surgery was June 9, I am 74 years of age, and I am still recovering. This site has made me think there is something wrong with me. Some people said after 2 weeks they are walking normally without a can, another said she was returning to work after her 3rd week. My Dr. assures me all is well, and for me to use my cane until the end of Sept. I can only hope he is right.
pam39536 connie17890
Posted
Yes, Connie , my Physio is very much of the opinion that I use a cane or one crutch until I can comfortably walk a good distance without limping .If you limp around now, you are likely to limp forever . I don't want to limp !! She says use a cane until it becomes uncomfortable , then go back to one crutch .around the house I can try a little without , but if I need to limp go back to the cane .. Makes sense to me Pam X
renee01952 connie17890
Posted
hi connie,
one more thing: Do not compare yourself to others - either way, okay ?
you might have read here many times that we all heal at a different rate -
there so many approaches to what, how and when we are supposed to do things, depending on our doctors and physical therapists -
As long as your doctor assures you that all is well, you are doing good -
I agree with Pam .. it is very easy to go back to limping when you are getting tired and don't have some aid with you - Your body is retraining how to walk properly after perhaps a long time compensating for the hip pain ... take your time, sweetheart - stand up straight, balance and try not to lean to heavy on cane - walk heel-toe - it is tedious -
members here on the forum have used walking sticks or trekking poles - I have not purchased them but feel that it will be a great help -
how are you doing otherwise?
big warm hug
renee
brenda92532 connie17890
Posted
Hi Connie, I'm nearly 70 and 7 months post op. I can understand your frustration but you aren't 3 months post op yet and as I have found its no time. I'm a rambler and it gets to me not being able to walk with them.
I have found using a back pack helps me to walk straight. I have a tendency to bend over a stick, one crutch helps me walk straight but is awkward some of the time.
i hope things get better for you.Brenda C
noplaybarbie pam39536
Posted