THR in 24 sleeps! Help!

Posted , 19 users are following.

I've waited 3 years for this. Usual history of "it's coming from your back" "I'll inject all your joints with steriods" to "it's all in your mind" and, my personal favourite "this may be as good as it gets"

Soooooo here I am with 24 big sleeps to go before I get rid of my chronic hip pain. A mix of fear and trepidation along with exitement and anticipation about the pain no longer being there. 

Going to Borders General in Melrose, they do something called a Fast Track Recovery Programme which seems to be very successfull. I've still to go for my 3 hour assessment pre-op appointment but not anticipating any problems. Also something called "Hip School" ??? Sounds fun.

I'm 57, fit and otherwise healthy. Only positive information please smile I'm studiously not reading any horror stories as I don't want to scare myself! As far as I know it is to be a ceramic hip and I will have a spinal - but will definitely ask for sedation as I don't want to hear or smell anything.Yuk.

Op scheduled for 15 September, I'm off to start crossing the days off on the calendar.

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  • Posted

    Good Luck Border Girl! But I'd be wee bit cautious about Fast Track Recovery programmes ... the body needs time to recover and I'd let it happen naturally.
    • Posted

      I agree with john48162 when it comes to recovery bordersgirl. You need to take your time when it comes to recovery. Orthopaedic surgery always seems to take the longest to recover from. You should not try to speed up your recovery, even after the surgery the physiotherapy team will always tell you to take your time.
  • Posted

    Hi bordersgirl

    You should be full sedated for your surgery. I have not had any hip replacements but I have had pins in all ten toes, left ankle pinned, both knees replaced and left shoulder joint reconstructed.

    This is all through arthritis, so it will be a matter of time before they attack the hips.

    As for the replacement hip joint I think that they are made of a polycarbonate plastic resin and of a surgical steel.

    But this hip school sounds fun, just think as to what you could be doing at playtime...?😜

    • Posted

      My mum had THR - no sedation at all, chatted to the anethatist all the way through, I think it depends on the surgeon and the patient
    • Posted

      That is true, but while the surgeon is doing his bit, would you really want to hear them debate over any problem/s that may arise putting you in a more nervous state.

      Don't get me wrong as it is the first time that I have heard anyone staying awake during a THR.

      Mind you it would be interesting to see what they do with the drill and mallet.

  • Posted

    Hi borders girl, well mine Thp was booked for September but I had the offer of a cancellation so only had five days to get my head round it, but I know how you are feeling, but I can say immediately after op and I was up next day and walking the pain in groin/ hip had gone.

    the only negative was I was on morphine for first three days after op, then on Codeine and Paracetomol, Codeine acted as usual and gave me Chronic Constipation to the point District nurse had to come in and give me you no what!!!

    after that I was fine, four weeks post op now, still on two crutches when walking outside but in house get about with one, but I can tell you I am pleased I had it done.

    good luck and you will soon be back up Ben Nevis, let us know how it goes.

  • Posted

    Hi borders girl, well mine Thp was booked for September but I had the offer of a cancellation so only had five days to get my head round it, but I know how you are feeling, but I can say immediately after op and I was up next day and walking the pain in groin/ hip had gone.

    the only negative was I was on morphine for first three days after op, then on Codeine and Paracetomol, Codeine acted as usual and gave me Chronic Constipation to the point District nurse had to come in and give me you no what!!!

    after that I was fine, four weeks post op now, still on two crutches when walking outside but in house get about with one, but I can tell you I am pleased I had it done.

    good luck and you will soon be back up Ben Nevis, let us know how it goes.

  • Posted

    Forgot to say about total sedation, lady in next bed said she was having spinal then after op she said she asked halfway through op to be fully sedated.

     

  • Posted

    Hi  bordersgirl. I am also in Scotia although a little further north. Exciting times for our nation eh! However we won't get into that. I am now 4 weeks (today) into recovery from THR. The hospital I had my op in also had a fast track programme and the pre-op was really good, slick and informative. No hip school though! I think the fast track is getting you up, mobile and out of hospital ASAP. The spinal was great, I did have light sedation as I was terrified. The theatre experience was not a problem and  although I did hear some noises was not in the least concerned by them. It was all over and done with quickly, short period of recovery and back up to ward. I was in late afternoon so not up till following morning. Physio twice a day.  Kept in for extra day as I have pretty low blood pressure but out quickly. Advice take ear plugs and eye mask into hospital if you don't sleep well. I was glad I did as open wards are pretty noisy. Recovering albeit a bit slower than I would have wished but patience is not one of my strengths! One day at a time and I don't think that can be fast tracked. I am due to see surgeon on Thursday for my follow up. You just need to do the exercises and follow advice on not bending etc. I had all my appliances delivered ie raised toilet seat, reacher/grabber, sock applicator, elbow crutches and raised seat about 3 weeks prior to surgery, again very efficient. So now it is just time and patience with a bit of effort on my part and hopefully will be walking well but have learned that this cannot be rushed. Good luck.
    • Posted

      Hippiechic and bordersgirl - all very good information from hippichic and others on this site...right on the nose!  Take your time and reread some of these posts to let it all sink in as there is alot of information to take in.....someone on this site gave me the advice that the anticipated is WAY worse than the actual surgery and recovery.....you will soon be on this forum giving your own advice from your experience!!!!
  • Posted

    I'm 6 weeks post op and it's the best thing ever x Don't listen to any negative stories because everyone is different.  I had the spinal and a heavy sedation and woke up feeling like I'd had a good sleep.  Also by the time the spinal wore off they had started my morphine so I didn't feel any pain it was just uncomfortable.  I think I was lucky because I had a positive experience right through the whole experience apart from a few dealys at the start due to having to have a heart scan - honestly though just take it day by day and you will be fine xx
  • Posted

    Hey Bordersgirl - 5 sleeps for me. I strongly believe that they get you to wait as long as they do to make sure you don't chicken out. The pains that bad in the end you'll do anything
  • Posted

    Get your muscles as toned up as you can, especially your abductors.  That way you will be primed to pick up your crutches post-op and walk off. Be prepared for pain but don't expect it - part of pain is fear and if you get pain over and above what your pain meds cope with good centres will give you top ups. However, you may have to ask and my hospital didn't treat you as a wimp if you did. I didn't need any for my hip but did get an odd one for my knee.

    My hip was very smooth, my knee was harder work but with a positive attitude and good surgery it can be very rewarding. Don't get carried away and do too much too soon or chuck away your crutches or sticks before your muscles have fully healed - you can get a real setback. The key is little and often at first, build up slowly, listen to your body and be prepared for the odd bad day. We've all had them, don't panic, your body has been through a lot and is entitled to the odd complaint - indulge it a bit but make sure you do some of the exercises to keep it going. The restraints on movement are frustrating, fortunately you usually get away with the odd mistake but breaking the rules does up the risk of dislocation which would set you right back. So put up with it, it doesn't last for ever and the results can be worth it.

    Good luck. I reckon anyone who goes in for major surgery who reckons they aren't a bit apprehensive is either a fool or a liar so your feelings of 'what am I letting myself in for' are a) normal, b) reasonable.

  • Posted

    I am 55 and had a ceramic THR 7 weeks ago.  I was fairly fit before I had mine done. I had a groggy time for the first. 3 days due tothe drugs but the iwasw up and running.   I was walking without my sticks after 3 1/2 weeks and I started riding 3 days ago, so not quite 7 weeks after my op.  I rode for about 20 minutes yesterday and even managed to canter. I did my physio religiously and also did as much as possibly in a pool.  If you can go each day to a pool then that is a huge plus.  Do remember to rest but also don't be afraid to push yourself a little more each day.  If you sit for too long you get stiff and then it seems difficult to get going.  Sleeping is difficult for the first few weeks and your leg aches but it does stop.  Hope it goes well and be positive......
  • Posted

    Hiya, I'm 3 wks post op left THR & it all seems 2 be going really well so far? hip school is pretty informative & the 1 I went 2 was run by the fizio dept, it gives you a good chance 2 ask any questions you mite have & anything you're worried about? All the pain I had pre surgery has vanished (lower back & groin pain) I'm due to have the rite hip done in the next 3/4 months & can't wait biggrin I've had both knees done in the past 4 years & this is a much easier recovery compared 2 that, I definetely wouldn't be in any great rush 2 go for the Fast Track Recovery as it does take time 2 get over this kind of surgery, I would say it's really important 2 follow your excercise programme after surgery as this really will help, but in the same breath it's really important not 2 overdo things as this will only set you back, there'll be days when you find it hard but it's worth gritting your teeth & keeping it up, I'd also recommend doing as much excercise as your body will allow you 2 do before surgery as this also goes a long way 2 help your recovery after surgery, I didn't have the spinal with my hip , but I did with the knees, & it does make a huge difference with pain relief after surgery, but I'd also advise a bit of sedation just 2 help things along, hope all goes well 4 you with you're surgery & also you're road 2 recovery, good luck cheesygrin 
    • Posted

      Note to Tom - I'M BACK TO NOT SLEEPING...trying to sleep on the couch downstairs (it seems a little firmer) but problem is my cat wants to lay on my lap so this is giving me another problem...so back up to bed tonight so I can shut the door...still taking 2 sleeping pills but the lower leg discomfort (not pain) prevents me from sleeping..it feels like a truck is on my foot and lower leg...i've tried cushioning my heel, pills all around me and nothing....almost 4 weeks....though now that I've started physio maybe soon I will be able to change positions....so all in all you may be collecting on our bet after all!  Patricia from Toronto
    • Posted

      Oh no Patricia what a pain 4 u 😢 I've gone the other way & had 3 really good nites, I'm sleeping on my side & it's sheer heaven, pillow between my legs & my butt wedged against the wall & it all seems 2 b going well, even the visits 2 the bathroom have been cut right down (mind u I don't have a cat) sorry 2 hear ur having problems with ur foot & lower leg 😢 could be worth a phone call 2 ur Doc just 2 double check? I had fizio out on Monday & she was really pleased with the way it's all going, she tortured me 4 a while with some new excercises & then left (felt a lot different b4 she arrived 2 when she left) only thing is this hasn't really helped my knees very much which was 1 of the reasons they went ahead with the hip replacements, looks like I'm looking @ having the knees done yet again 😥 mind u still need the right hip doing 1st b4 the knees even get a look in, arthritis is not the 1, hope things improve 4 u shortly Patricia? Keep me updated 😉

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