Two weeks post-op THR
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi all, so it's Dec 27th and I had my right hip replaced 2 weeks ago and just wanted to post my positive experience of the last fortnight.
I'm 43 and walk the dog twice a day, and cycle to work every day. The docs said that due to how active I am, my fitness had helped keep the osteo arth in my hip in check. However, over the years the pain kept getting gradually worse and when getting in the car or sitting on the toilet and tying shoe laces got relentlessly painful, enough was enough. After years of trying different things, incl. an unsuccessful hip block, I came to the realisation that a THR was now on the cards.
My consultant (NHS) put me on the waiting list in July and I got my date of 13th Dec by mid-Nov.
I started to procrastinate, over think and lookup stuff on the internet and got worried about the operation and the potential risks that might occur.
However, my experience has been far, far better than I could have possibly imagined, and if any of you are reading this I hope my story can fill you with some positivity and optimism.
I checked in to hospital on the day at 7am, was getting a spinal anaesthetic at 11am and the next thing I remember is coming round at about 2pm with the operation done and dusted. I was soooo relieved, as I didn't want to hear, feel, see, smell anything during the op, but the effects were like a general anaesthetic.
I didn't feel any pain, or feeling in my toes until about 10pm that night, so effective was the anesthetic. The nursing staff were excellent and kept my pain in check with paracetamol and liquid morphine. They warned me early on of not trying to be a 'pain hero' and trying to put on a brave face through any pain. I quickly realised the importance of keeping the pain relief topped up.
I was able to attempt a zimmer frame the next afternoon and shuffled around a bit, then upgrading to crutches. To my joy, this meant the catheter could come out and I shuffled to the toilet myself. This mild shuffling however, did cause quite a bit of pain as a result later that night and I certainly felt the effects and requested more pain relief.
By the Sunday, I managed the stair test, and other physio tests and was allowed to go home by Sunday night. So, only 2 nights in hospital and then home.
Things have been getting steadily better day by day but I am certain that my pre-op fitness has helped....so my biggest advice to anyone thinking of having the op is simple. Get out there walking and cycling/swimming if you can. Keeping the joint moving seems to be excellent advice.
The anti DVT tights are also horrible, itchy and sweaty, but necessary to prevent blood clots. My wife struggles to change them for me every time.
I also didn't realise how important it is to keep the leg elevated throughout the day and up on pillows overnight. On days 4-6 my leg swelled up to elephant like proportions, but after phoning the hospital for guidance they said I had been sitting upright in my chair too much without elevating the leg. Seems obvious in hindsight, but another top tip.
Two weeks post op now strength is slowly returning. I am still using crutches, but gradually getting there.
1 like, 18 replies
damaris.m Mart76
Posted
Excellent progress!
i think you are right - the fitter and stronger you are before the op the better it goes.
have you tried the plastic bag on the foot trick for getting the compression stockings on? Basically you put a small plastic bag on the foot ( just big enough to cover the foot and heel) - the sticking slips over quite easily then the bag can be pulled off through the hole in the bottom. Worked for us anyway!
Best of luck with continued progress
sally48449 Mart76
Posted
well done im nearly 6 weeks post op no crutches indoors, one outdoors , now sitting on the sofa , doing washing cooking cleaning and hoovering with caution . im 50 and quite active also and i agree with you .. keep a healthy weight and keep active . .. ive had 2 hips in 10 months .. this left one has been harder and more oainfull but im getting there ! the other one was easier but i was note cautiuos and to the book ( if you know what i mean ) ive attempted to drive around the block and it was ok but because its my clutch leg this time its harder but i did it and i will continue to do little journeys as im aining to go back to work in under 3 weeks time
AlexandriaGizmo Mart76
Posted
Hi its so good to read positive results on the forum but I suppose the majority of the people who use the site come on because they have problems, I'm waiting for my date and spend every day scared silly just the thought is making it worse.
I'm grateful to anyone who posts such a good outcome, I'm also having the spinal and sedation so hopefully I will wake up oblivious to the whole procedure, have a fantastic 2020 and keep us posted.
Thank you
sally48449 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
its not a walk in the park but you will get through it .. do everything they tell you to do and not to do and you should be fine ! if i can do it twice within a year of eachother ( both hips) anyone can lol
AlexandriaGizmo sally48449
Posted
Thanks Sally I'm a little older than most and will be 67 when it's done and sadly been on crutches 3.5 years and surgeon saying another 12 months after as muscles on leg completely wasted but good thing I'm used to them now
Hope everyone has a great 2020
sally48449 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
oh bless you .. well i wish you a good recovery after .. i was 49 and 50 when i had mine so a little younger !
AlexandriaGizmo sally48449
Posted
I think it is the fear that holds us back more than the thought of the pain after which actually doesn't worry me, will be great just to do normal things
KeithMcC AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Alexandria
Dont read too much or think everyone has a terrible time with the surgery . There are around 90k THR in the uk every year and you are the perfect demographic age not older than most at all . We are probably on the younger side . if you want real facts download the National joint registry 2018 report done by the professionals and it may put your mind at rest . the info is collated over past 13 years if memory serves .
sally48449 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
youll get there stay positive !
eabill KeithMcC
Posted
Hi Keith, I'm 66 and I'm here in WNY in the US. I noticed on this site a lot of you folks in the UK have a lot of pain after a THR. My surgeon is the best here in Buffalo and everyone who has had his craft does not have any problems. We are told to follow strict guidelines but heck worked for me and I'm not a follower of orders. I did tell him to plan on the other side june 2021 if needed. I ride horses and mustangs out west when ever possible so I tend to push the limit on things. But no pain here with the new hip. Good luck to you.
KeithMcC Mart76
Posted
Mart
I had my THR on 24th July this year and was running right up until day before op . I posted a number of times that fitness has a lot to do with how well you come out the other side. remember but we are on the younger side so should also heal quicker too. There are others that find it hard to get around before op as they are in too much pain . keep up the exercises and you will be back up and at It and on the bike soon. I was out on the road on a bike on day 12 I thought the wife was going to have a fit lol.
sally48449 KeithMcC
Posted
good on you keith ! i agree the fitter you are the better your recovery , and yes age has a lot to do with it too but if you could not excercise before due to pain then maybe the recovery will be a little slower , also a positive mind and doing the excercising everyday 4 times a day! is a must ! as it eases the stiffnes of the new joint .. im 6 weeks post op nearly niw and i get a bit stiff in waking jn the morning or sitting too long but as soon as i get up do my excercises they gave me im fine !
eabill KeithMcC
Posted
Hey Keith, get this. After a THR and 2 weeks later I had to go up on our barn roof to patch a leak. My wife had a cow. And, another week later back up there again more patching. I'll replace the roof next spring. The healthier you are the faster is the recovery. Don't stop moving.
KeithMcC eabill
Posted
EA
Great to show and tell so to speak as it is good for Alexandria to know that in the majority people have positive outcomes.
jen86183 eabill
Posted
Totally agree with you Eabill, the more exercise you do the better your recovery. We do not all have pain in the UK, my surgeon said the only thing I will promise is no pain after the hip op, I had no pain at all after it but, I was annoyed with the nurses forcing painkillers down me after being told I had no pain, all they did was constipate and create sickness.
eabill jen86183
Posted
Hi Jen, I only took 2 oxycodones and the rest was only tylenol once in a while when I over did it. I was back working our horses after 2 weeks and on the tractor the same time. I had worked over a year building up strength for this and will continue because of my older age. I have to because I intend to go back west and ride in the rockies later this year. I hope.