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Rocketman mobility update

Posted , 12 users are following.

Rocketman_SG6UK
Rocketman_SG6UK

So in three hours it will be exactly a week since I had my THR Revision operation.  Earlier I walked to my surgery to get my appointment booked to get the clips taken out.

I managed the 1 mile there and back in about an hour, so I am taking it slowly, but it felt like such a wonderful achievement.

I'm having 'afternoon lay down and sleep' time now, and last night as soon as the sun went down I started getting restless legs again, so I have to make up that lost sleep time.

Happy Healing everyone

Graham

7 likes, 72 replies

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  • diannesk
    diannesk Rocketman_SG6UK

    Posted

    Do you have a fan in the room? That could help.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK diannesk

      Posted

      Yes, the fan helps a little when I direct it onto the surgery site.  I have a large book I was trying to read in hospital (I find that after the operation I have much less ability to concentrate), so I started reading that for an hour or so, that helped a lot, and then I used my iPod music to finally get me off to sleep.

      I have just been out for my early morning walk before the sun gets too hot - two miles in 55 minutes.

      Not bad for an old guy just 12 days after surgery eh?

    • diannesk
      diannesk Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I remember after surgery that I had little interest in reading. What helped me the most was when neighbors came by to visit and we talked about unrelated topics.

      Great with the walk. You're a pro at the recovery process, knowing what should be done and not overdoing it.

      The heat is a deterrent for sure. I had my surgery in January in Florida. Perfect weather for recovery.

      Old guy? That's all a matter of opinion. Some people seem OLD at younger calendar numbers.

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK

    Posted

    Tomorrow will be the end of the second week, and I had 2 walks today, a shortie 3/4 mile in the morning (it was hot), and 3.25 this evening .... so a total of 4 miles.biggrin

    Not only that, I am now taking stairs 'normally' (one after the other) but still with a stick, and I can walk short distances (10 metres or so) on flat ground without a stick, with barely a hint of the 'penguin walk'.cheesygrin

    Clips out tomorrow, can't wait, perhaps it will improve the nightly restless legs and itching.

    I am over the moon with my progress, and waiting for a setback, I know they come around regularly in this recovery, usually when you least expect them.

    Just remember not to judge your progress by the progress anyone else makes, we're all different, we start from different fitness levels, and heal at different speeds.

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK

    Posted

    You'll never guess what I was doing this morning cheesygrinlolrazz

    Just 16 days after my operation, with the help of my wife, I was up a ladder clearing ivy that was blocking our gutter.  It had to be done as the rain (yes, rain at last) was pouring down our back door.

    I took great care, and my wife was on hand to hold the step ladder carefully for me, but there is no way a couple of weeks ago that I could have dreamed of going up a ladder so soon.

    • diannesk
      diannesk Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      That's great. Good that your wife was there to hold the ladder.

      I wasn't brave enough to even get on a step stool for months after my surgery. I kept "hearing" my surgeon telling me, after I asked him any limitations, while at an appointment that I didn't really have any except for "just don't fall." So, in the back of my mind, step stools were a No-No. (He didn't tell me that.)

      With your experience of surgeries, you know what you can manage.

       

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK diannesk

      Posted

      Yes, it is NOT to be undertaken lightly, a fall would mean going "back to jail, don't pass GO, don't collect $200" !

      I have just updated my website with some new items I came across -  Healing and Infected Surgical Wounds, the Southampton THR guide, and a good NHS guide to THR and various alternatives.  Just look at the page update dates on the index page to discover the new bits.

  • colette79407
    colette79407 Rocketman_SG6UK

    Posted

    Hello Rocketman,

          Congratulations on doing so well!   I have had 2 hips replaced some years ago,  the first one was nothing short of a miracle.  The second has not been the best --in seven years I've had 5 dislocations.  The doctor

    is now talking about revision of that hip.   I'm pretty scared to have it done.  The problems the Dr talks about are:

    1. increased scar tissue,  

    2. longer, therefore riskier surgery

    3. limited mobility 

    4. limping

    So I'm curious to see how you make out.  I know it's probably too early to tell but I wonder if you could share your experience regarding the above mentioned issues.  It would really help to have info from some one whose "been there".

    Thank you

    colette

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colette79407

      Posted

      My recovery this time is little short of miraculous.

      1. There will be increased scar tissue, dressing comes off tomorrow at 3 weeks - a bit later than normal as I have blood clotting issues now.

      2. Longer surgery - first one was 60 mins, this time it was 2 hours, and a general anaesthetic due to the blood clotting issues.

      3. Mobility has been superb - I have been out for over a mile today with NO SUPPORT - no crutches, sticks or anything. There was a slight hint of a limp at the end, so I will be back to a walking pole tomorrow, but I am over the moon with my progress.

      4. Limping is reduced when I use the walking pole (photo attached), as my stance is much more upright, which as my physio always said was so much better for me.

      Hope that helps

      Graham

      XXX

  • colette79407
    colette79407 Rocketman_SG6UK

    Posted

    Wow!!!!That's amazing!  My initial surgeries took 3-4 hrs.  They've said the revision will take 6-7hrs.

    In any case,  your story makes me more hopeful.

    Thank you,

    Colette

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colette79407

      Posted

      That's in line with my surgeries then, 1 hour for initial THR, 2 hours for revision.  Sounds like yours is much more complex than mine, but relatively the time is about the same

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