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Hi!  I am 65 and just had a right THR a week ago.  I have browsed through the discussions and there is a lot of good information.  Mostly I just had questions about recovery, but that seems to be well covered and it is very individual.  I quit taking pain medication because it makes me nauseous and I don't have pain until I walk.  My operated right leg has pain on the side and pretty severe pain going up the back of the butt.  It sounds like several have had this same problem.  Haven't had a follow-up appt yet, but I just wanted to check and see what others are saying.  I am thin and (I thought) in pretty good shape, but I feel very tired after walking around after what I would consider not a very long time.

I think I am just impatient and anxious to get on with feeling better.  Any advice would be helpful. 

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Diane. It's really early days and you're body's been through a lot. It takes a while to get over the actual operation and your body is working hard to repair itself. You will be tired initially. I was like you in the first week - champing at the bit to get back to normal. I tried coming off the pain killers earlier than recommended and had a few bad days as a result. I'm now 3 weeks post op and off all daytime meds and walking with one crutch indoors (still 2 out of doors) - and feeling great. Oh - and I'm a relatively fit 70 ! Good luck and don't be too impatient. Your body will let you know when you need to rest do listen to it. All the best Pip

  • Posted

    Ahh yes....wanting to feel better. I know all to well the feeling. Am at 9 months and still is a struggle. But like you said we are all different with our healing and surgeries. I think first few months are ok it's once you really start using the new joint and you get a whole new set of pain and pangs. Exercise is the best thing for you. You are still early on so feeling tired sooner after even a small walk is normal. Depending on the severity of your old hip determines what will take place with new hip. Like using muscles that were not used before, not to mention the trauma to all the muscles, tendons, tissues and nerves that were impacted during this major surgery. Time is essence to recovery. Listen to your body, it will let you know when it's doing too much. Being kind to yourself is a must and rest as much as needed. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and God's blessings to you. Hugs 🤗LD

  • Posted

    Diane,

    Another new Hippie - welcome to the group. I'm 4.5 weeks out and also had pretty bad nausea but the doc gave me great meds to counter that (just in case the pain is bad and you need the pain meds, there is a way).  I still get tired if I do too much but I've read enough to know this is to be expected and you are only one week out so even more tired and you really do need your rest (your body does).

    Congrats - and there are no wrong / silly questions here.  There is so much to read sometimes it is easier to just ask.

  • Posted

    You will be tired especially at only a week after major surgery. I'm a retired nurse and nurses aren't "patient" patients lol

    But it requires time for our bodies to heal. Listen to your body. It's good to be up and about to prevent possible blood clots however is most important to rest. My sleep pattern was so messed up also. Also did you take pain meds on an empty stomach? Don't be to hard on yourself. A major surgery like this requires time...

    HTH

    Vickie/bilateral hip replacements :-)

  • Posted

    Thanks for all the good advice.  I appeciate everyone's input.  I will try to be more patient and let my body tell me when it's ready.  Happy healing to all!

     

  • Posted

    I'm betting a lot of people will say same thing. Give your body time to heal. Don't be impatient. I think Pippyj is right on. I gave myself time and I am a totally impatient woman. Type a to the hilt. But I wanted to be healthy. I am now in my fifth month with no problems and my body is still working hard

    Susan

  • Posted

    We all seem to be impatient to get going - "after all this operation is easy, isn't it?"

    NO !!!   The operation may be straightforward, the recovery is NOT EASY.

    It's a brutal operation, it really saps your body and takes a LONG time to recover from it.

    It took me about 18 months to recover to something like a normal person after THR - I know I had to have revision after 10 weeks, and this set me back a long way, but I think it would have taken me at least a year anyway.

    You should recover OK, but it may take longer than you think it should.

    Best wishes

    Graham

  • Posted

    Hello Diane,Please take it very slowly. Have you got any help in caring for You It can take up to a year to get better.Reflexology will help & also hydrotherapy pool or a spa.Regards Amanda h

  • Posted

    Hi, all. I'm a 64 y/o female, day 17 post-op for left THR. Doing pretty well, I think. I have a twice-daily exercise and walking routine with an audience of one PT, one husband, and 4 dogs, the latter which always keep things interesting. I still have a lot of pain around my incision and the left side of my waist when I first rise in the mornings. It's a very stiff and painful period of my day - the rest is pretty good. My doctor says I'll be able to do my water exercises in another 3-4 weeks, which really excites me; I do very well in the water and have used it to rehab in the past. I am happy to find a "Hipsters" forum on which to share my progress and hear about everyone else's. Thanks for being here! 

  • Posted

    I am two weeks post op, my advice is take things slowly. Your body is running a marathon healing the bone in your femur and acetabulum, replacing blood and healing wounds. This operation is huge so you will be exhausted for at least two weeks. Keep taking paracetamol regularly so you can sleep and do your exercises. Be kind to yourself and realise you will overestimate what you can manage 😀

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