What should my sister expect after 2 THR
Posted , 7 users are following.
My sister had her second hip replacent in January. Her first (left) was last June. With her first she was able to go back to teaching in 8 weeks. The only set back was an infection. She was not able to fully stretch her muscles after the first because her right hip started to go so quickly. While she tried to wait until this summer, the pain was so great that she could not wait. So now she is recovering but it is so different from her first. The recovery is much slower and has has not been able to go back to school yet. She gets very tired and is depressed. Now she is experiencing groin pain on her left side (first surgery). She thought it could be from the physical therapy but after 6 sessions she was told she did not need more. She is not able to stretch on her own at home because she is afraid of the pain she is experiencing. Is this normal? I am not sure what she is supposed to be experiencing at this stage. Should she call her surgeon or just wait and then go back to stretching. She does have scoliosis too. Any words of encouragement or what I should be helping her to do will be most appreciative. She is 58 years old. What is a time frame that she may be able to go back to school? Will she need accomodations?
2 likes, 5 replies
ian97093 linnat
Posted
As to getting back to teaching or working, well I had to use a chair when ever possible to take the weight off of my legs whenever I could, it is not easy to get going again, but you just have to, and keep on top of the pain with pills from time to time, luckily Tramadol work on me and their effect remains in my body for a few days at a time, so just need two every three days or so, just when I am beginning to limp on the left, but hey presto...I am walking normal again with the tramadols in my system, and getting better all the time, but slower than the right side. Hope that helps, Ian.
lors23 linnat
Posted
Hope this helps good luck to your sister
Laura x
Rocketman_SG6UK linnat
Posted
After the first one I was out walking 3.5 miles, at the same point now since the second surgery, I can manage just 1 mile. I am 63yrs.
We aretold by those who have gone before us that it takes a year to completely recover for many of us.
Graham - 🚀💃
renee01952 linnat
Posted
Warm welcome to this wonderful forum - How sweet of you to come here on behalf of your sister -
I agree with previous comments - We had 2 THR surgeries so we have our own experiences -
I had my 2nd Left THR in Spetember and 1st one in March 2015 and also find the healing taking longer now - Actually I am sort of happy to read that others also experienced the pain and stiffness in the old new hip/leg , which almost has taken over the new one -
By the time I had the 2nd surgery, the pain was terrible and i know how badly I walked - my whole posture was so out of balance and now it has to correct itself - that takes a lot of patience - and soreness and stiffness - Not only did we go through it once but twice so no wonder that we are tired and feel exhausted sooner than before - just imagine a rubber band , short and tight trying to get longer - has to be done slowly and gently -
I also have groin pain on old side - My walking is still not natural to me - If I don't pay attention to my posture I limp ... sometimes even my toe muscles hurt ..I know then that I was holding on for dear life and need to b more relaxed ...
I am not sure if these comments will help your sister - Tell her that it is normal and part of the healing process - she definitely is on the road to full recovery -
Maybe she can have hydrotherapy (wish I had it here) or have a massage to lengthen her muscles -
Give her a big warm hug and for you too
renee
Kate53CornUK linnat
Posted
I didn't go back to work as my job was all floor work and very physical but if I did I would have taken the full 3 months.
My recoveries have both been different and I feel I have recovered better the second time maybe because I didn't have the pressures to get back to a contracted job.
I am five weeks now and still very tired, achey and need to rest during the day. I still get odd aches and twangs from my first hip (June 15) and have OA in my lower spine which doesn't help recovery.
When she goes back to work your sister will be entitled to a phased return (she should be seeing Occupational Health and they discuss this) but this only happens over a couple of weeks. The GP can also suggest on her return to work form that she has light duties for two weeks.
If she has been teaching for a long time then she can claim on her pension