Just had RHR - post op pain.

Hi Dave , I'm in hospital now and had my left hip replacement yesterday ( Wednesday) so know how you feel ! Lying on your back with leg straight is not the most comfortable thing is it . I'm on lots of pain meds and like you afraid of any kind of movement. Physio I believe is coming round today to get me up, so I'm sure she/ he will give me all the information I need .. good luck and keep your updates going

Hi Dave, I feel your pain, I had thr end of February this year and I felt like I’d been hit by a bus for the first 2-3 weeks. Thankfully I can say since week 3 I noticed an improvement most days but now understand why it’s said that 3 months is the common recovery period. I returned to work 11 weeks post op and now apart from the odd stiffness I can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve done. Good luck with your recovery and be patient, you will get there.

Hi dave,

I understand your paranoia, I was scared to move in case it came out. I was lucky as I had no pain or soreness after op. Each day you will start to feel better and more confident in moving. If you are suffering the dreaded constipation/sickness, it helps when that has finished, as you will then feel normal again. Good luck with your recovery.

Hi Dave

I had LTHR 29th March and to be honest I thought the whole process was 100 times worse than I thought it would be.

All those things you are experiencing are normal, the first few weeks are the worst I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel, I was beginning to think I would never walk again without the use of a walking Aid.

Now 3 months on I am pain free walking normal again and doing regular 30+ bike rides on of road terrain. You need to keep positive through your low points and keep as mobile as possible walking, excercices etc and you'll get there, good luck.

Normal I'm afraid, keep taking your pain killers, and also drink plenty of fluid, you need to keep your bowel moving as per normal and the painkillers are great at leaving you very constipated.

Also side effect of such strong painkillers leave you a little depressed, and or is it the assault to your system you have undergone to have that hip replaced, bit of both I believe.

Rest up plenty, but at the same time even in bed you can do some simple exercises, squeeze buttocks together, and hold, relax, repeat about five times X 4 or five times during the day. 

Push your knees down lying as if you are trying to push through the mattress with the back of your legs.

lying on your back, knees up, knees down.

All of these keep you blood in your legs moving, go very gently so early on, only do what you can until you feel the pull, rather than causing immense amounts of pain.

when you are up using the toilet and bathroom, leg swing, just a couple of inches, out to the side, behind you, and one to try at the bathroom sink is a mini dip, ONLY a couple of inches, bending knees and then upright again, easy way to remember to do you exercises those first couple of weeks, eevery time at the sink.

EAT HEALTHY, lots of protein, meat, eggs, fish, and milk and cheese for calcium, after all you are re-building blood and bone and its takes a few weeks, but you will feel better for the exercises and healthy food even if its no where near what you would normally eat, another side effect of this surgery, not hungury.

Hi Dave..

Everything you are experiencing is normal...the key is getting up and walking around..when sleeping put pillows underneith your legs...I put pillows from the back of my thighs to ankles so everything is elevated above my hip..after a few days I stopped taking pain meds because they made me sick..I was literally dry heaving...I had to fend for myself most of the time..I think that was a blessing in disguise..if you have a reclining chair sleep in that..I heard that's the best position...you will get through this...

Hi Dave. I had my THR on Dec 7 2016. The first couple of weeks are uncomfortable to say the least. I was allowed to sleep on non op side with a pillow between my legs. It was all uncomfortable and it does get better. It progresses quite steadily from there. I have never looked back.

Hey Dave. Yes...I felt like I got stomped on by a horse. It gets amazingly better fast though. Hang in there.

Feeling LOW is another thing I experienced as well. Im usually a jovial person but holy cow was I bummed. I think it's the meds. After a week or two my being bummed was replaced with being bitchy because of frustration due to lost (temporarily) independance.

Keep on healing and holding it together. You'll come out the other side happier!! ?

Hi Dave. Yep. Like we all say. All normal. Week 1 is the worst then things improve each day. When you feel down give someone a ring for a chat. I ring my boys. Works a treat. 

I go with everything Lynn said. So very accurate. 

Good luck. 

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the comments and advice. It's been really good to know my experience is pretty typical. Started today at an epic low but things have improved a bit throughout the day. Still sore, still painful walking on elbow crutches but definitely not quite as bad. May even be leaving hospital tomorrow which will raise all sorts of possible issues so any hints and tips would be appreciated. Sleep tight everyone...

Just realised that I've reached the first week post-op. Still sore and new bruises are appearing on my legs each day. All in all though it could be worse. One question I have. Have other people noted their sense of taste changing post op? Some things taste different. Bannanas for instance now taste so foul I can't eat them. Is this me just being stupid?