What to expect
Posted , 15 users are following.
I am having a THR late in May I am a bit scared and don't really know what to expect - how much pain after surgery - when will I be able to walk the dog etc
1 like, 48 replies
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Notes on What to expect
maggers_1970 kaura
Posted
I'm not going to lie the pain after was insane for me, but I was back teaching after 3 months. The recovery is personal to everyone and having major surgery isn't nice but the results are very rewarding when you can walk without a limp or pain.
hippy28 kaura
Posted
Hi kaura it's perfectly normal to be scared. I was terrified as never been an inpatient before.
Afterwards I thought what was all the fuss about and I'd have no resevations if I ever need my other hip doing.
My advice is keep fit, do all the exercises you're given both before and after surgery, take all the painkillers that you're offered while in hospital , practice using your grabber, sock aid and using your crutches around the house. Pretend that you can't bend and think of All the things you won't be able to do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. I found that this preparation before the big day helped speed up my recovery. I'm now 7weeks post op and trying to get back to normal. The healing is a long slow process.
It's so worth it to be able to walk pain free. I'm doing about 45 minutes walk a day.
Yes it is painful around the wound to start with but each day gets better.
I found it useful to keep a diary recording what time I got up, how much rest I needed during the day, what activity I did, what time I went to bed.
It's encouraging to look back on and see the progress you've made.
Good luck when the time comes. You'll be so glad you've had it done.
kaura hippy28
Posted
What an excellent idea to keep a diary I will do that. I have been doing preparations for the big day with regards to bending etc. I have a dog and realized that it would be quite imposibble for me to feed her, (how on earth would I get down to the floor to pick up the bowls?) I have figured it out and other little and big things too, I think maybe I am "lucky" to have 3 months to find all the solutions before they present themself.
hippy28 kaura
Posted
One tip for bending down apart from using your grabber, is to stretch your operated leg out behind you making sure that you don't bend it (90 degree rule).i checked with my physio that it was ok to do this and she said its fine.
You'll find the preparation that you're doing now will certainly pay of after the op.
Good luck.
Carrie1974 hippy28
Posted
Hi hippy I'm 2 days post op and getting out of the hospital tomorrow. I love your idea of a progress diary. I am so going to do this. I'll start it tomorrow when I get home. Great idea.
Thanks
Carrie😊
julie40975 kaura
Posted
Hi Kaura
I'm 10 weeks post op and now down to one crutch outside the house and improving all the time. The first two weeks are tough and I found it really hard as I had no one to ask is this or that normal wish I had found the forum in the beginning. It's natural to be scared I was terrified but now so glad I had it done. Still got some post op pain but only on paracetamol now. Excercises and proper meds are so crucial to good recovery. You will have good days and bad but know that each day you are getting better and that rotten hip grinding pain will be gone!
Good luck we will all be here for you
Julie x
rich1960 kaura
Posted
Pain levels vary by person.
i had a little pain for 2-3 days post surgery. The sooner you can stop taking pain medicine the better.
Depending on the type of surgery you have, will dictate when you can walk your dog and do other activities.
Usually, the better physical condition you are in pre surgery will help in your recovery.
Listen to your surgeon/physical therapist for your post surgery recovery. Do your exercises that is critical to your recovery.
Good Luck
RichardKen rich1960
Posted
What I find very interesting is how very different people's experiences differ as regards to their pain following hip replacement surgery.
I have obviously been extremely fortunate in experiencing only minor and short term discomfort rather than pain unless my memory is letting me down. Why is it that so many here are suffering long term pain following their hip replacement surgery? Why this large difference I wonder. Just asking.
Cheers Richard
kimberley38758 RichardKen
Posted
Although I did very well and was walking unaided by the first week, it surprised my surgeon because I was on the heavy side (several years prior unable to move around due to severe pain). I was approximately 4 stone overweight. Since my surgury I've lost 1.5 stone and still going
My goal is to lose all the excess weight within the next 4-5 months (hopefully sooner). My age (49 at time of op) and my determination has helped me greatly. The extra weight I'm still carrying around has slowed the progression a little. There are so many variable that determine who well a patient does. It was a wake-up call for me when I realized that I needed a FHR. This weight will come off!! I'm not on a diet, but have changed my lifestyle. Healthy eating and exercise daily. I feel confident about the future
rich1960 RichardKen
Posted
I have thought the same thing. Perhaps the ppl with great recoveries are less likely to go on a site like this.
I have also noticed that many ppl are on here have to wait a long time to have surgery and ppl do not start physical therapy for 6 weeks or so,
The worse part of my recoveries, was trying to sleep and being bored ! Obviously, these minor issues are nothing compared to many on here,
Have a great day/night !
RichardKen rich1960
Posted
That's an interesting possibility but even so!
Cheers Richard
judith12644 rich1960
Posted
I agree, people are perhaps more likely to be on the site if they are encountering problems. I was lucky, whole experience very smooth. I only discovered the site when I was about 6 weeks post op and I did a Google search to see how soon I could swim. There's such a lot of good information on here.
beth2509 RichardKen
Posted
As others have suggested, the people who have smooth surgeries and recoveries tend to not look for help because they don't need any. I found this site after a very unexpected event - rushed into hospital in excruciating pain and discovered that hips can die, which I didn't know! People tend to look for answers when they have a question. And we see quite a few who come and part for a short time and then stop because everything is fine. I've seen that happen more than once, and I've only been here about six months. In fact I deliberately continue to be on here because, partly, my hip surgery was absolutely fantastic and my recovery great. No pain or anything. But when I came here originally, not worried about the need for the hip replacement, the posts scared the life out of me! So a few of us actually stick around to say "it isn't all bad news"!!!
RichardKen beth2509
Posted
I suspect that you have hit the nail on the head. I joined a Yahoo ankle replacement group some considerable time after my successful surgery....not sure why but enjoyed sharing experiences and when I had little setbacks the support was fantastic.
I think I came here because something someone said on the Yahoo ankle group and have stuck around as it is good to share information. My replacement hip failing out of the blue is why I’m on this particular group as well!
Cheers
Richard
PS had two pieces of good news. On the hip front I've got my appointment to see the surgeon of my choice in just over two weeks and just this morning I've opened a letter to say that I've been offered an appointment to discuss my ankle revision surgery with one of the countries foremost ankle surgeons on the NHS.
I had an initial private consultation with him in January so this is another very good bit of news for me!
Best wishes everyone here
Richard
renee01952 RichardKen
Posted
RichardKen renee01952
Posted
Thanks. It is good to share good news<G>
Cheers Richard
judith12644 RichardKen
Posted
Great news, I'm really pleased for you!
RichardKen judith12644
Posted
Judith my apologies for not replying sooner. You make some good points. The reason I'm here is that with an impending hip replacement of my twenty year old hip I want to avail myself of all information going so as to be as well informed as possible. I imagine many are here for the same reason rather than because of complications.
All the best Richard