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Update at 13 weeks.

Posted , 8 users are following.

hippy28
hippy28

Well its now 13 weeks since I had my RTHR. and there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

This week I decided that I'd try giving up using my stick as I'd only been using it to give me confidence. I've cut down on my pain meds as I keep forgetting to take them so I figured I didn't need them. I went back to work at 10 weeks which was tiring but on a phased return which helped. Then yesterday I got on and rode my horse for the first time since the op which was wonderful even though we only walked around the school under supervision. I had no ill effects which was great.

I've also lost a stone in weight which was much needed and I feel so much better for it. I was given a healthy eating plan which I still follow as you can lose 1lb each week.

I still do all my exercises morning and evening and massage my scar with moisturiser every day which helps.

Some days I even forget that I've had the op as things are so good and I'm walking with no pain and no limp. My life is getting back to normal.

I hope that my experience gives those of you still in the early stages either pre or post op some encouragement that things will get better and your life will get back to a pain free normality.

4 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • osprey1
    osprey1 hippy28

    Posted

    Hi Hippy

    I absulutely love hearing the brilliant sucess and recovery stories. Just what I need to hear as I wait for my date. So insiping to hear you were able to get back on your horse! Just amazing at -3 weeks. You must be overjoyed that it is all behind you and recovery must be all that you hoped for. Thanks again for posting such a positive update! Love it.

  • kimberley38758
    kimberley38758 hippy28

    Posted

    Hi Hippy,

    It's great to hear that you have done so well!  From the sounds of it you did everything the right way.  Pain meds, exercises and a positive mind set which I truly believes makes all the difference.  Like you, mine was a positive experience.  I sometimes forget that I'd ever had a problem.  Congratulations on the weight loss also!  Best wishes as you continue to fully recoversmile 

  • libby96241
    libby96241 hippy28

    Posted

    Wow good for you.. you are so brave getting on that horse. Cannot believe you are actually forgetting the op some times.. This is inspirational. This is fabulous..Gives me hope. I had the surgery less than a week ago and every day is different but I am already glad to be out of the pain I was in.. and into another kind of pain that hopefully runs its course..
  • judith12644
    judith12644 hippy28

    Posted

    Great that you are back on your horse! Wishing you lots of happy days ahead.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 hippy28

    Posted

    dear hippy , 

    well done, girl ... very encouraging and inspiring - 

    wishing you continued healing -

    big warm hug

    renee

    • hippy28
      hippy28 renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee

      Thought I'd let you know that when I was in Holland last week I managed very well walking round keukenhof gardens with only my stick. Then when we stopped in Amsterdam for the day I walked at a good speed all the way from the central station to the floating flower market and back. I was very pleased with myself. I did use my stick just for confidence.

    • renee01952
      renee01952 hippy28

      Posted

      so happy for you, hippy ... did you have nice weather ? no rain at least ...

      wow, that is no small feat to walk from Central Station to floating flower market - it is so crowded, bicycles everywhere - 

      Smart to use your stick for confidence ... that makes all the difference, just knowing you have it with you ...

      Angel blessing

      renee

  • crisps
    crisps hippy28

    Posted

    Thank you for sharing your progress . I am three weeks into hip revision and struggling . Husband concerned as my progress is slow , previous hip replacement recovered very quickly. I am actually taking more tablets than before my replacement, was your progress a steady one ? 
    • hippy28
      hippy28 crisps

      Posted

      Yes my recovery had been slow and steady. Each day a little better. Its only now at 13 weeks that I'm feeling the benefits and feeling normal again. I now only take my pain meds when I need them, rather than as a routine.

      I think the fact that I'm continuing to do my exercises morning and night really helps strengthen and stretch the muscles. It is a slow recovery but great when you get there.

    • judith12644
      judith12644 crisps

      Posted

      I don't have any experience of hip revision, but I think others have said that it is a slower recovery. I wish you all the best, Judith

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen judith12644

      Posted

      Dear Judith

      I've done both and the recovery for the total ankle joint was many times longer and harder than for the hip.

      I've been on the Yahoo ankle discussion list for four years and my ankle experience is quite similar to others on that list.

      Cheers Richard

    • judith12644
      judith12644 RichardKen

      Posted

      Hi Richard, Yes, I've heard that ankles are much more complicated than hips. In my earlier comment I meant that hip revisions seem to have a slower recovery than first time hip replacements.Sorry if it was a bit muddled. Do you have a date for your revision yet?

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen judith12644

      Posted

      Dear Judith

      I follow you now<G>. Yes that would make sense.

      I've been given May 18 and had the pre. op on Tuesday of this week and hopeful that it will not be delayed again. The surgeon marked my case as being urgent as he expressed concern about metal poisoning from the metal particles from the worn joint.

      At the same time of course I’m waiting for an ankle revision which the longer it is delayed the more difficult the revision is bound to be. Got to have recovered to the extent of at the very least being able to use it as my main support.

      Last time around with the hip I was fully mobile in very few days but that was twenty years ago when I was sixty-five. I hope

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen

      Posted

      To pick up where I left off hopefully being twenty years older will not impair my recovery too much. I'm trying to remain positive and just do my best. I'm sure that I've lined up the best hip and the best ankle surgeons to do their stuff.

      Cheers Richard

    • judith12644
      judith12644 RichardKen

      Posted

      I'm really pleased that you've got another date, and it's not too far off. I hope you'll have a quick recovery.

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