What to expect – One person’s early post-op THR experience

In responding to Kaura's question about what to expect when going through a total hip replacement, I found many interesting and inspirational insights among member posts. Reply's to my responses included a suggestion to begin a new discussion. It’s now Wednesday, March 15, nine days after my surgery, and I'll start this discussion by including updates to my early (Day 4 and 5) posts, as well as a further update through today.

Of course, there's no one outcome … everybody's experience will be different.  But I found that understanding what other people did that contributed to their experience was helpful. I’d invite people to ask questions and comment on things that may have contributed to their experience with total hip replacement

Day 4 Post - I had a left hip replacement 4 days ago on Monday March 6th.  I'm a 60 year old male in decent condition. 5’ 10”, 170 pounds.  In beginning of February, I was diagnosed with torn hip-joint labrum and hip socket cartilage, arthritis and bone spurs, and total hip replacement was recommended (vs. arthroscopic hip surgery).   The surgeon recommended a ceramic ball and a polyethylene socket.  He went in through the front of the hip (anterior).  He said that anterior was less invasive and had a quicker recovery time vs going in through the side of the hip.

I was walking with crutches about 5 hours after the surgery and was cleared for discharge the same day.  I elected to stay overnight to be safe.  The next morning (Day 2) I went home and was fortunate to be able to walk without assistance, although I am using a cane to make sure I can focus on my impaired gait.  

On Day 3, I was in a lot more pain and began to experience more swelling.  Today (Day 4), I'm feeling much better and getting to spend a lot more time walking. I'm on two painkillers -- I'm now cutting back on both, and using the stronger of the two at night only.  So far so good.  

Day 5 Post - I tried going the day without painkillers and up'd the amount of time walking per hour and the quantity/intensity of exercises (leg lifts, foot pumps, etc). By late yesterday afternoon I concluded that I went too far too fast.  I began to experience a high level of stiffness and pain in my operated leg and found it more and more difficult to get up each time after sitting for more than 10 - 15 mins. [On the positive side, my painkiller "boycott" resulted in a muh-appreciated improvement in my constipation issues.]  

After an early dinner yesterday, I took 2 of the strong painkillers (5mg oxycodone) plus a prescription sleep aid and went to bed around 6:30 pm.  Woke up around midnight in pain and took 2 more pain killers and another sleep aid, which got me through til 5am this morning.  I got up feelling well rested.

I think I'm going to go back to taking the painkillers more along the lines that they were prescribed to see if that helps in facilitating the more aggressive daily "workout" routine.  For now, I'll still reserve the strong painkillers for overnight (2 oxy's every 4 - 5 hours or so) and the milder ones for during the day (1 - 2  50mg tramadols every 6 hours).

So far today, I feel like my progress is back to where I was around Day 2. Hoping that by the end of the day, I'll feel more like I've had 6 days of progress.  

Day 8 Update - Now beginning to feel that some breakthrough improvements are happening in the operated leg.  Beginning to consciously share walking load among both legs, giving the good leg a bit of a break. Now walking without assistance, but staying inside (wintry/icy outside last few days), practicing “perfecting posture,” sticking to routine for doing daily exercises.

Factors contributing to recovery so far include: 

·       Urgency – In 6 weeks, by April 17th, I want to be able to get back to the gym for full workouts and to be ready for spring outdoor cleanup

·       Time available - being semi-retired helps immensely.  Making your recovery your full-time job is priceless.

·       Medications – sticking to the prescribed medication routine, with a change in one of the painkillers due to a rash that developed.

·       Self therapies, including elevating leg like 30 mins each hour, and icing it several times a day

·      Daily exercise routine, that includes walking unassisted while practicing “perfect posture” and a corrected walking gait (about 10 – 15 minute about 5 times a day) and doing 2 - 3 sets of 7 doctor-recommended exercises per day:a)   Ankle pump - 10 reps, both directions, both ankles, occasionally hold for 5 seconds

b)   Quad press - 10 reps, press quad down, hold each Press for 5 seconds

c)   Glue squeeze - 10 reps, squeeze butt cheeks, hold 5 secs

d)   Heal slide - 10 reps, slide heel up toward butt, try to push knee bend

e)   Sort leg lift (calf lift) - 10 reps x :05 sec hold (pillow under thigh - raise lower half of leg)

f)    Sitting knee lift - 10 reps x :05 sec hold 

g)   Assisted straight leg lift - 10 reps 

Day 9 Update - Today, I felt very good.  More like myself, and getting my sense of humor back.  Getting around well with very manageable level of pain.  On the downside, I feel like I went too far too fast again by not paying attention to my swelling.  Went out for the first time since the surgery for lunch and spent way too much time with my leg not elevated.  I’m now dealing with a throbbing left leg and foot.  Hopefully icing my leg and keeping it raised overnight will help.

More to come....

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