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LTHR almost 4 weeks post op, what to expect?

Posted , 3 users are following.

peggy15811
peggy15811

I am almost 4 weeks post-op, surgery for LTHR was May 11th. I have had a mostly easy recovery. The hospital time was very painful and difficult but since day 1 at home has been much better. I have physio at home twice a week and it goes well. My physio says I am doing well, yet I have on and off days. I have to mention I had a total left knee replacement one year ago. I waited until I felt it had reasonably recovered before having the hip done. After the knee I was regretfully still using a cane thinking it was from the hip pain. I had some remaining stiffness in that knee but bought me and my surgeon thought that was from my lack of exercise or a lot of movement because of the super painful hip. Now hip itself, where I was having pain before near the groin and around to outer edge, has almost zero pain. Now while I have gone from walker to cane and have walked short distances without either ut with a limp. My physio says limp is coming from knee. Knee is stiff and I now have some pain down leg, just on the left outside edge of knee area. It has some tingling and extreme sensitivity. I want to get back to walking without aids, before all of this I did not need them. I have good balance. The left knee just has the stiffness and some pain when walking causing me to limp and not walk stably? My physio seemed unconcerned. Is this normal? Is the leg affected down as far as the edge of the knee? I just want to get back to a normal walk, but maybe it's just too soon? I don't see my surgeon for another month. I also have usual very good days but the day after physio, I can barely walk. I suppose that is just an after effect of the physio, she often works me hard which seems fine at the time. That is okay but wondering if it's fairly normal? I sleep fairly well but am more tired than before surgery. I am not a nap person, so I am sleeping late these days. I awake 3 or 4 times during night, usually need to use bathroom and sometimes takes awhile to get back to sleep, but I am fairly comfortable in bed and seem to sleep pretty well. I fel very lucky in most aspects and feel a bit silly with my questions, but I know many have been through this and possibly some have had my issues. I might add, I have also been doing some light exercising in the pool on good days, it's an outside pool. I am often exhausted the next day the same as after physio, no matter how carefully I try to exercise with a lot of relaxation in between. I have a hard time even finding my incision, it has healed well. I am probably being silly but it's easy to have concerns after major surgery.

1 like, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • renee01952
    renee01952 peggy15811

    Posted

    dear peggy, 

    what you shared here sounds like a very good and normal healing from hip replacement surgery .-

    4 weeks post-op is still early though and to me, it looks as if you are doing perhaps too much - you also had to deal with knee reolacement surgery not too long ago -  just think about how your body has been trying to get used to and adept to these major surgeries - bearing weight, getting balanced, move , walking etc. while healing the damages - 

    Walking, or trying to walk without a cane might be too early - you mention that you were still using your cane up until hip replacement surgery - and now you try to do without - I am afraid that your body is not ready yet -

    I was told to use my rollator until I saw surgeon at 6 weeks follow up appointment by my PT - even in the home he referred that I use something instead of furniture surfing - 

    Listen to your body, sweetheart - to have muscle soreness after exercises is okay but should not be so bad that you cannot move -  I had this experience and I stopped going --- what is the benefit of being in so much pain after exercises if i can't move 1-2 days afterward ?

    slow down and allow your body to heal - walk (with cane) - do you exercises gently - no rush, no competition - rest and relax - healing takes a lot of energy -

    and be kind to your self -

    big warm hug and come here anytime, okay ...

    renee

  • judith12644
    judith12644 peggy15811

    Posted

    Hi Peggy, you sound as though you are doing well for 4 weeks post op. I agree with Renee, take it steadily, I had a really good recovery, apart from the hip I was healthy and fit, but I used a crutch until 6 weeks and I didn't have any physio, just a sheet of exercises from the hospital, which I did regularly, but not so that I was in pain.

    After 6 weeks I had a physio appointment and I was discharged without my crutches because I was doing ok. Ilimped initially, but then gradually improved .I think maybe slow down a bit. Glad you are sleeping reasonably! All the best, Judith

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