Progress expectations

To help with sore heels I found to put a pillow under my leg so that my foot wasn’t touching the bed as for mobility everyone is different at 5 weeks I had no crutches or sticks I’m now 12 weeks post op and I’m back at the gym and are enjoying my pain free life 

Dear Anna

Steady progress is what counts which will be aided by doing the exercises and walking with both crutches until such time that you can walk with a good gait and without any sign of limping.

Rest when needed as your body has a lot if mending both mentally and physically to do!

Cheers Richard

Hi Anna...don't rush it. I have up and down times still coming up on 8:weeks post op. Everyone is different and I  am just getting off my cane around the house. By the end of the day I feel tired and can have pain. You will get there. I  feel much stronger now when I  think back to even 2 weeks ago. Patience and practice and rest are key!

Hi Anna I am exactly 4 weeks post posterior THR but I sleep on my side. I too get very tired and don’t sleep very soundly throughout the night. I take co codamol just before I go to bed but am awake in discomfort in both legs and buttocks four hours later. I have a little walk along the landing with my crutches, stretch a bit, sometimes make a cup of tea, then I have to take pain meds again or I’d never get back to sleep. I get up about 6.30 and don’t take anymore medication until bedtime unless I walk around quite a bit which nearly always makes my pain come back. You say you get out and about on crutches. That’s very good. I have no confidence at all to go for walks outside on crutches. I’m so scared I’ll slip. But my OT is coming again next week and I believe I will be walking with just one stick which I’m not looking forward to at all. 

i was very tired and didn't sleep that well. I alternated between my recliner and bed. Bed seemed like a torture cha,beer trying to get comfortable. For me, things turned around  on week seven. I am now 13 weeks and I still use a walker or cane when out and about. 

You sound like you're doing fine.  Don't lose sight that this is a huge and brutal operation, and your body has been put 'through a mangle' whilst on the operating table.

I used a cushion between my feet to support the covers off my feet.

For sleep, I used my iPod and soothing music to get any sleep I could.

Best wishes

Graham

Hi Anna

My experience so far: I am 4.5 weeks post thr and can now walk around the house, cook etc without using sticks, but I still use one stick when outside/ going round the supermarket etc. I have a little soreness in the wound area and am stiff for the first few steps when getting up from my chair, but otherwise I think I'm doing pretty well pain-wise - I stopped taking painkillers in week two. This is my second thr which is an advantage in terms of confidence and knowing what I can and can't try and do. Like you I don't sleep that well but I've been alternating sleeping on my non-operated side and my back from week one this time which means I haven't ended up with sore heels (I did have sore heels after my first thr when I stuck to the six week sleeping on back rule - I bought sheepskin bootees online  then which helped a lot).

My six week check up is on Wednesday (actually 5 weeks because of xmas) and I hope to be cleared for driving then. Freedom here I come!

Wishing you the best of luck with your recovery - one thing that's clear from this very useful forum is that everyone heals after the op at their own speed and in their own way.

sjhips