Trying to walk with a cane instead of two crutches but can only manage about a half a day...

Thanks Linda, that pretty well sums it up...I just want to be able to walk and function normal again...Hugs to you also....Barb

Thanks Stacey....wow bilateral replacements. My surgeon said he would not do both of mine at once. So since the right side was hurting worse and for a longer period of time than the left he did the right first. He originally wanted to do the left one 8 weeks later, but on my two week visit I kind of told him I didn't think I would be ready by then. So we are supposed to discuss it on my next visit on July 12th...So no good side here, was bad before the operation. I know we all have our own recovery rates, but I was so hoping that some of the pain on the left prior to surgery was because my body was so thrown off from the right side being so bad. Well, silly me....the left side still hurts. I would have done pretty good today had it not been for the left side hurting. So this just tells me I will have to get it taken care of pretty soon. Wishing you well and hope you heal quickly....Barb

I am 4 weeks and 2 days post op...but I also had a cracked pelvis that had to be repaired so I was on limited weight bearing for the first two weeks...

You will be walking and functioning normally some day, I am sure! After you get that other hip done... That cracked pelvis must be really slowing you down. May that heal in good time! I've been limping around in pain since my THR last July. Having another surgery on that same hip in August. Ugh. And am having twinges in my "good" hip that supposedly only has mild OA. At least that was the story a year ago. Walking well and without pain seems a long time away for me, but I know it will come some day!

Thanks Annie, yes sometimes it seems like being able to walk and function normal is way off in the distance. I am happy about my right hip and it is coming along fine even with having the fractured pelvic bone. I would have them double check your "good" hip again if it has been a while. My right side had been bad for a long long time, and seemed to have a gradual decline or worsening. The left side for me went all the sudden, but of course that is debateable because I also have some spine issues because of OA and also read about the fractured pelvis and some of the symptoms that I was having could have been caused by either one of those. I do know that after I recieved a epidural injection for the spine when all the back pain subsided I certainly could feel the left hip pain then! At that particular time my new Orthopedic specialist had just told me my left hip was bad also, but I didn't want to believe it. I knew that after the epidural injection he was right. I did pretty good today with the cane the majority of the pain I had was all on the left side, not the right. I am trying to stay optomistic. I was wanting so bad to not have to go through this again so soon, but it doesn't look like I am going to have much choice if I want to be out of pain and to be able to walk and function again. Hope that you start to feel better and that your day for walking well isn't too far away. Good luck....Barb

It's hard when the choice is taken out of our hands. The surgeon won't look at my other joints until this surgery is over. I am a bit concerned at how they will function (knees, other hip, shoulders) when they are all somewhat painful now, and I will have to use them extra hard during partial weightbearing for 6 weeks after the op. Ugh. Hate this.

Yes it is Annie....like you already had pain literally everywhere. I have terrible OA all over my body, and with two bad hips a messed up spine and problems with knees, ankles, hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders I pretty well had the pain department covered! So I know exactly what you are talking about. At first my shoulders and arms were so because I was having to use them so much more than even I was use to. I literally had to push, and pull myself up or use them to move at first. After a while the pain seemed to ease up though and I really think that my arms and shoulders are stronger now than before. So it worked out in the long run. I also was on partial weight bearing and yep it makes it more difficult because the physical therapist can't work with you the same as you are limited to what you can do. Also hard to be able to try to begin to walk normal because you can't when you can't be full weight bearing. I did notice though once the weight bearing measures were lifted it was like no stopping me! It will become easier. Hope that all works out well for you. Wishing you the best and a really quick recovery.....Barb

Thanks hope4cure....mine was a pretty extensive surgery my hip was terrible shape had been let go for a long time. I also had a fractured pelvis that had to be repaired....my operated side feels pretty good though it is my left side that hurts. That hip is bad also and bone on bone, and I can sure feel it....Was just so hoping I would not have to go through this again so soon, but looks like that is not going to be the case....Thanks for your advice....Wishing you well.....Barb

Fracture and THR at the same time is a lot to cope with. Having good support home and thru recovery by physics is really important .

i had to have my 2nd hip revision due to a recall on the hip components. 

That Was 3 months after the second THR.

ITS all good now. It's amazing the things we deal with. A positive attitude is and willing to work with Drs is 50% and good surgeon with Physio is the other 59 %.

thank God for the THR option to keep our mobility. 

 

hope4cure....oh are you right....if it weren't for the THR oh gosh right before surgery I was so bad the only way I could walk was with crutches or a walker. So being able to use the cane even for half a day at a time is a big improvement for me. Sounds like you have been through a lot. At least I know a little more what to expect with the next one. I have had a great physical therapist and my surgeon is wonderful so I am good in that department. Was a little hard on my husband when I first came home to help me out so much as he isn't very well either, but he did ok. I am thinking next time about asking my doctor to see if I can be sent to rehab for a few days after being discharged from the hospital. Just to get me over the worst part before I come home. I will see what they say. Barb

I was in a wheel chair for several months waiting for surgery.

Thr surgery takes a lot out of us and our families" for the first few months it's tough on everyone. You have a good support system at home all very helpful. I'm sure your 2nd half is happy to be there for you. 

I coocked meals and foods ahead of time. Made jells, puddings, casseroles so it wouldn't be a bit easier. 

Its all the movement getting up & down toilet issues. I wore cloths that went over my head and adult diapers. Easy on off with no issues of bending for the first few weeks. 

Now that you have experienced the wonderful world og THR you too can now come up with easier ways to cope with the next THR. Sorry you have to go thru it again. But in time you will have your life back and dancing with the music.

Yet if you think it's too much for him again then rehab is a great alternative. Discuss this with your guy first. Maybe you could also have some one come in to help a few times a week. 

 

wonderful advice hope4cure. Yes, I think I will get better prepared this next time. I am already walking, moving, functioning better than before my surgery. I have a long ways to go, but I think I am in better condition to prepare things ahead for the next surgery. I thought about the adult diapers as getting in and out of bed was so difficult. It took me two weeks being home to be able to master this, getting out came first and getting in was a little harder. I have always been one to have to get up numerous times a night to use the toilet and I was constantly waking my husband to help me get in and out of bed and to even help me be able to manuver to the toilet! Never thought of just wearing clothes that I could put over my head...dah.....that would have made life simpler as I also had to get my husband to help me dress for the first week or two. It hurt something terrible to even slightly lift my operated leg..I was talking about this today with the physical therapist he was the first one out to my home when I was discharged from the hospital and this was only his second time back (had someone else coming), and he was amazed at the difference. He commented on how much he knew I was hurting the first time he saw me. His own words "you were a mess". I was telling him about my husband trying to help me into bed at first and if my feet got off from one another even a half an inch the pain was excruciating...(if one got lower than the other). He said that he didn't think that was from the hip operation part but from the fractured pelvis that the surgeon also repaired. Whatever it was I sure hope I don't have that same pain or problem with the next surgery. Thank you so much for all of the ideas and advice. Wishing you the best....Barb

I agree that your recovery was a lot more complicated with the hip fracture op and with THR. You pain was severe and your doctor should have given you enough pain meds to help you thru the first few weeks. It takes time for the bones to grow and repair the break as well as secure the hip implant. 

You next THR will not be as complicated. You'll be better prepared and heeling much different. I can't imagine having a droken hip and THR . YIKES Be sure you keep in touch with your doctor regarding pain meds next time. 

Wishing you a complete recovery soon! 

Heeling blessings sent your way!