Post THR 5 months plus

Posted , 9 users are following.

I am 69 , after appearing to get over op well , apart from infection , I was up and about and walking well with crutches and then a stick . Now I seem to have stopped improving . Although I can walk without a stick, i have a very slight limp . This causes slight pain after a while , and a general ache in the joint .I still have trouble getting comfortable sleeping . I have no energy or interest in doing much at all ..I was expecting to be running around by now .I had Tkr 2 1/2 years ago and that is great . Am I expecting too much too soon ?  Merry Christmas Pam x

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • Posted

    Ps . Because I don't want to limp, I always use a stick when I go out 

  • Posted

    There's an awful lot of people who are not running around at only 5 months - that's still very early days. Everyone has a different experience, as you'd expect. But really, they average 1 - 2 years for 100% recovery, and it sounds like you have been doing well. Remember to keep up the exercises - my physio says that that is the biggest problem, in that people think they are all better now and start slacking on exercises. But it does not sound to me like you have anything to worry about. Relax, have a lovely Christmas, and enjoy the fact that you have improved so much.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply . I must admit to lacking on the exercises , and I don't ever expect to run really lol . Just seems years since I felt active and pain free .. I will go do my exercises and try to keep them up xx

  • Posted

    Hi Pam,

    I am 64 and 5 months post THR.I can relate to what you are saying.I too expected to be better totally by now.I take my walking pole with me when I am out although rarely use it.It gives me confidence especially as my other hip is bad and can give way!I have some pain in outer thigh above knee if I stand on the op leg alone.It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions.

    Perhaps we underestimate the enormity of the surgery and expect too much too soon.

    It is difficult when you have been an active person and want to get back to previous health.

    Give it more time.We will get there one step at a time

    Happy Christmas

    Janet x

    • Posted

      hi Janet, 

      your pain sounds similar to mine , and it's not serious pain,more an annoying ache .It is in the upper outer thigh . Feels more bruised than anything . I think if my energy levels were better , I would feel a whole lot better . Just so tired but cannot get a decent nights sleep .

      thanks , it helps to know you are not alone . Pam x

    • Posted

      Hi,

      May not be suitable for you but I found amytiptyline a help with sleeping.Low doses used for pain and sleep. Came off it a month ago..My sleep pattern is still disrupted though.I wake too early

      Janet

    • Posted

      I too found Amytrypyline very helpful with sleeping. 

      Realy worth it for short term help. Not on it now. In fact Medication free!  Thank you NHS 😀

  • Posted

    Hi Pam

    ​Exercises??? I had stopped mine as I was so mobile and ended up with inflamation of one of the muscles... back doing my exercises now with some additional ones.... I am 4mths and still use crutches I had bi-lateral THR in August... 

    ​Trouble being once you can do some things we think okay I do not need to do those exercises anymore, but the healing process takes longer than we thought. 

    Happy Christmas xx

    • Posted

      Thank you .maybe the exercises need doing longer .  I wish you well soon

      pam 

  • Posted

    Hello Pam,

    Im nearly 10 weeks after hip replecement, i do have limp as well and if i walk longer distance or stand on on spot for a while

    I started have a slight pain in non operated hip and beck. I think is normal to have a problem with sleeping and energy. Also i

    expected i wil be fit soon and back to work. Unfortunately not

    work this way. Im doing excesice plus hydro therapy as well.

    But it does sound to me li,e you have anything to worry about.

    Juxt try do some excise and relax. My onother hip have to be

    replaced as well and will be in March hopefully. Im very active person who used to play tennis and i also work in nursing home.

    You have a nice Christmas relax and enjoy u have done so

    So well. Hug Madla💗

    • Posted

      hi Madia   

      Thank you for your input. 

      I will get back into my exercises and I have wondered about starting swimming . It helps knowing others are much the same ,

      pam 

    • Posted

      Swiming is good just not do frock legs. Even if you walk in pool and do some excise in water that will help you. I have a hydro

      therapy and i find this therapy very good.

      Hug Madla☺

  • Posted

    Morning Pam!! I'm like you expiró be better now!! I'm 4 months out of my second surgery! My first was in July and 3 weeks later I find out it's dislocated! 2 days later I'm having a total hip revision!! 6 weeks non weight bearing!! This put me back so much!! I'm now 4 months out of second surgery. It's been a long tough road to recovery and it's still a long dark road....dr says a year! Because my muscles were short for so long prior to surgery and they did not move normally like my other leg hence all the difficulty I'm now experiencing. And a very bad hip. Hardly any cup or femur left in hip. As I read different stories I realize that I'm expecting way too much. I went through 2 surgeries on same hip within 3 weeks. But it's hard!! I was hoping to be walking without cane! I still have a limp but not as bad as 2 months ago. Weak muscles, stiffness & tightness are all factors for me in getting this hip better. Exercises are key!! Very much needed. And rest is crucial to recovery. So be kind to yourself. It will get better! Hugs, 🤗LD

    • Posted

      Hi Linda, 

      poor thing, needing to have it done twice !! .Like you I was a long time in pain with knees and hips . The muscles must have got very weak .i am sure I am expecting too much too soon . I have started the exercises again , so will wait and hope . I must say I don't have the pain I had before , so that's a definite improvement .

      Thank you hugs back 

      Pam 

  • Posted

    I was 1 & 1:2 inches short prior to surgery now dr has given me my length back minus less than 1/2 inch! So pulled muscles, tendons, nerves, 2 incisions, cut and pulled muscles. This is where patience comes into play for me! 🤠

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