Two weeks post-op THR

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.

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