Recovery Question (2 weeks post-op)
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi gang, all going along nicely. Stitches still on track to come out Wednesday. PT is transitioning me from walker to cane (started Friday). Here is my question - did any / many / most of you feel more achy (hurt), sore (thigh) when you first tried using a cane (one stick)? Today I pretty much sat almost all day, did not do many exercises but I did manage a 16-minute walk (current goal is to get to 30-minute walk - boy does it wear me out).
And good heavens when does the nausea end? (I have meds for it)
0 likes, 7 replies
kimberley38758 GoneFishing
Posted
Hi Kebra,
It's important that you keep up with the strengthening exercises daily. Rest as much as possible and apply ice packs several times a day to help reduce pain and swelling.
Walking using a walker will keep the body upright in a more normal position. Using a cane (which I gave up within a day or two) doesn't. You will likely lean when using a cane which can cause more discomfort because your alignment will be off. Try not to depend (or lean) on the cane. Use it only to help if you start to lose your balance. Focus on tightening your core muscles (hold stomach in tight, squeeze your buttocks and take baby steps at first. At two weeks you should be just walking around the house a few times a day anyway. This is the perfect time to get away from using walking aids.
I didn't have any issues with nausea. It sounds as though you might be reacting to the meds. Try taking with food. This should help.
You are doing amazing! Wishing you the best as you continue to recover
beth2509 kimberley38758
Posted
At two days I was walking around the neighbourhood, and that was what both the surgeon and physio recommended - walk outside and do as far as is comfortable, bearing in mind you have to get back! I suppose if someone isn't recovering well, then walking around the house a couple of times a day after two weeks might be the best they can manage, but I've never heard of that being standard advice. Most consultants seem to prefer patients to be using the hip, within reason, as much as possible.
Debra, yrs, you are likely to feel achy for a time. The hip needs being used to, your muscles have been assaulted with power tools
, and you probably haven't been using the hip well for some time if the damage was bad prior to the OP. I was fortunate to have physio before the op, and she was like an army boot camp instructor being the muscles in the hip well exercised and strengthened for the surgery - and that was for someone with strong and flexible muscles anyway! So feeling achy at two weeks isn't surprising. In fact, I found that the time I ached was a bit later, around three months, and that was on account of the bone regrowth - sort of like growing pains deep in the thigh bone.
On the other hand, whilst yes, you should be getting that hip moving every day, this is the real world, and some days we just can't be bothered. Everyone has those days when we have done a bit too much, or feel like vegging. It's ok to have a few. Just don't make a habit of it!
It sounds like you are doing great 👍
RichardKen GoneFishing
Posted
Sorry to hear about your nausea problems. I cannot recall any such problems.
Good luck Richard
judith12644 GoneFishing
Posted
Hi Kebra, sorry about the nausea, that must be horrible. Hope that soon goes away.
I didn't have a walker, except just on the day of the op. The next day I was on crutches, and from day 4 I used 1 inside, but I still used 2 outside. I quite liked them, and was very mobile. Two weeks is early days, take it steadily, keep up your pain meds, walk when you can, do your exercises, rest when you need to. All the best.
renee01952 GoneFishing
Posted
sounds like you are going really fast here ...
it seems that there are many approaches and different ones at that -
I had a rollator, aka 4 wheeled walker (living alone in small bungalow) - easier to get around with -
Kimberley explained it very well - you will lean on your cane because your body is not balanced, increasing the chance of developing bad walking habit, like limping -
You just had major invasive surgery where bone was cut, hip joint forcefully removed, steel hardware hammered in place, etc....
Technically, the hip joint implant is rotating (getting up and down, turn, etc) in the cup as well as taking pressure, like when you walk your weight will press it down
The purpose of the crutches or walker or sticks is to avoid a fall or sudden twist. Weight-bearing is safe immediately after surgery.
Because the hip replacement components are designed to heal directly to bone without use of bone cement, the stability of the implants in your body is assured by 4 to 6 weeks, at the minimum.
Your body is healing and you are learning how to walk again -
You also mention nausea and I can imagine that you are not in balance yet -
More reasons to use walking aid like walker, or crutches before using cane -
As for taking walks - 16 minute walk is plenty for now ... it is better to do 15 minute walks twice a day than one 30 minute walk (as advised by my PT) -
I would talk this over with PT - no need to rush ...
are you still taking your pain medication?
how is your appetite ? you mentioned having nausea prior to surgery as well ...
Good luck todat with stitches removal today --
please let us know how you are getting on, okay ?
big warm hug
renee
slow down darling and be gentle with Kebra
GoneFishing renee01952
Posted
I can take a shower in two days !! Big Milestone
I am switching from Oxycodone to Hydrocodone so that should take care of the nausea. Which is great since the meds for the nausea had an additional seditive. So yes, I am still on pain meds about every 7 hours. Appitite is great (maybe to great LOL).
I take three walks a day and am now up to 23 minutes at my evening walk. I did ask my PT if she meant a goal of a 30 minute consequtive walk, and she said yes. My last PT visit is tomorrow and last doctor visit is in three weeks. I can drive in 11 more days - which is the original 4-week stipulation because it is my right leg.
Thanks
judith12644 GoneFishing
Posted