THR - RIght Hip

Thanks so much Barbara. That does reassure me. I really do try to remember to use the grabber and I don't think I have any "new" pain - in fact I'm tempted to reduce the pain relief! But it's only a week on and that would be stupid wouldn't it? When did you have your op? Thanks. Grace

I had mine nearly 9 weeks ago and looking back I can remember the first few weeks only too well.

Felt useless and so tired so quickly. It really was a very gradual healing process. Listening to my body was my real guide on what to do and not do.

I did gradually reduce pain relieve, but you need to be careful that you keep pain free to complete your exercises. I still take paracetamol and occasionally codeine.

Am driving now, going out pretty

Much as normal and only take a stick of I feel I need it. Up until a week ago that was all the time. Such a gradual process but you sound to be really sensible and I'm sure you will recover beautifully. I have absolutely no regrets

Best

Barbara x

That is all so encouraging.- I'm so glad I found and joined this forum. You've done really well and it's good to hear that you've absolutely no regrets. I relaxed after your first reply and then suddenly out of the blue (and I was lying pretty flat) I got this shooting pain!  Isn't it easy to panic? It didn't last long but I hadn't had it before.  I'm going to hang on to your reassurances and keep pain free for the exercises. Grace 🌺 

Glad to hear you are doing so well. I'm 18 days post op, taking paracetamol and separate codeine tablets for the pain 4 times a day still. I can manage in the house using one crutch. I was wondering when you were able to put your whole weight on your operated leg as I can't do it yet. I was expecting to take less painkillers by now too but perhaps I'm being over optimistic.

Hi Anne. I couldn't put my full weight on my operated side for some time. The first time I did it I had set off walking without my stick - accidentally! A good sign I was improving.

I'm still limping when I'm tired. But when feeling 100 per cent I don't limp.

We are all different, muscles need to strengthen and our brains need to get used to using muscles again that Have been out of action. Good luck with it all.

Best wishes

Barbara

Hello again Barbara - I'm just wondering if you or anyone else has felt that they can't stand evenly - almost as if the new hip has made a bit of a longer leg?  I felt almost ashamed to mention it to my surgeon who of course said the X-rays looked perfect. I guess I'm just being a wee bit neurotic! 🌺

I used to get those shooting pains when lying on my back. There was a discussion about them on this forum.

General feeling is it's likely caused by all the nerves as they repair, made worse when lying on the back. I still get it from time to time, but sleeping on my side now and definitely eased.

All the best

Barbara x

I think this is quite common - there's a thread about the operated leg feeling longer - mine does.  Lots of people saying the same and that the feeling wears off. I had a replacement 15 years ago that healed really quickly completely different from this one which is taking much longer which I'm getting neurotic about! It felt longer then too and it definitely wasn't.

Hi Grace!

I definitely had one leg longer than the other after my surgery

(6 weeks post op now) and am now almost even. Physical Therapy has helped tremendously and I only limp when my leg is tired.

Good luck to you!

 

Thanks Miele that's very encouraging. It's easy to think you're the one who's going to wreck the statistics! 🌺

How soon did you sleep on your side? Please make it soooooon!! 🌺

Hello Mary - I've just called out to my husband and said I've got a new bunch of friends!  It's great isn't it.  Such reassurance.  I think you're quite right about the lack of warning beforehand.  People said "of course it's a major operation, but it's so common these days, and as long as you do your exercises you'll be fine in no time". But it's the exercises which need the most discipline, just when you feel you want to curl up and sleep again properly and for ever!! Is it ok to keep going back to lie down for rests at this stage? What was your experience? How long ago? Grace 🌺

Go to bed whenever you feel like Grace and don't feel guilty about it . You need to exercise but rest is just as important . Tiredness came over me in waves and I had to go to bed . My 94 year old Dad lives with me so that had been a major prob for me as he thinks he can help !!!

Bet the people who said you will be fine in no time haven't been thro it!

At 6 week check up the Registrar I saw told me to ignore people who say they are running marathons at 4 weeks as they are not .

we all heal at diff rates . If you are brave enough watch an op on you tube , it will  help you realise what you have been thro . Show it to your friends .

mary x

Thank you Mary - that's all very helpful again - I think even if people have been through it they forget this stage (bit like childbirth!). I'll look for a YouTube op. Happy evening's viewing! 🌺