I am coming up on my 12 week post Anterior approach of my RTHR, I was told my OS that I had hip dysplasia and had worn out my cartilage. I cried when he told me the only option left was a total hip replacement surgery. I am only 50 and always assumed this surgery was for the elderly. After long thought, many sleepless nights - I opted for the the surgery. I wish I had been more informed as to the slow recovery because my OS said I could go back to work after 3 weeks. My OS must have had a Resident open my incision and close it because on the upper part of my incision my skin is pinched, it hurts and isn't a pretty, straight line incision, it's a little jagged on top and seems to be turning into a keloid with thick scar tissue that I massage 2x a day. The hip though is amazing, going up flight of stairs since 2nd day after surgery, returned to work after the 3 weeks (a bit too early as the incision was really still raw) but am now able to work my full 40 hours as a Paralegal. I walk with little to no pain in the hip, no cane and not even limping at all. My question is - has anyone else ever had an incision problem like mine? My GP told me I should wait 4 months and go see a plastic surgeon to have him evaluate and repair the chop job that was done. BTW, my OS is a teaching physician for Duke, as he put it "I have 18 years experience with a line of residents working under me'! Wish I had asked if a resident would open and close me.
Congratulations on a great recovery, good job. You did exceptionally well and recovery much better than I.
Anna your back to life as usual and your story is very encouraging for many new and up coming hippies. I had my first at your age it's amazing how well you have recovered its not easy and bless you for sharing your amazing story.
Your help with other new hippies starting in the healing process after THR will be very encouraging and valuable if you can stick around.
Your incision / scar is still new and they are a bit annoying. I had exactly the same thing at one end. After a year it settled down and it was at the top of the incision and in time really just settled. If after a few more months it has not met your expectations then see a plastic surgeon .
Now I call the lines on my hips my badge of courage one year later after primary and revision surgery both thru the same incision I can hardy see the track marks left . It really is a awesome opportunity to get thru the whole hip replacement process and no one else knows by looking at us .
Thank you so much for you prompt reply. You are right in that it is still early. I guess because the hip is feeling so much better, I'm now focusing on the incision. Patience I found is truly a virtue and I had to learn to accept the small improvements and jump for joy for the big hurdles we all have overcome. Slow and steady is what I've learned. Listening to your body is the most important, it WILL let you know when you've done too much and you pay for it in days to come. I'm so happy to have found this forum and was reading it from day 9 after my surgery as it helped me through the obstacles I faced. It's been my guiding light.
Your positive attitude will help so many and so true patience ...is our friend!
Happy to hear your doing great and movin on to a lovely summer to look foreword to can always make everything better ... Well Even chocolate helps produce those happy vibes !
Hope to hear more from you ! Sending you all that you need to complete your hippie journey! Keep posting ... as this forum always has a new hippies every few days!
Have a great day! 🌞
........I will definitely be praying for you!!!!
I'm also 12 weeks post anterior (left) THR. I had issues with the wound area in groin not healing as well as the other part of incision. It was frustrating to me that I had to deal with that issue. My surgeon told me that some people (about 10%) experience that issue with groin area. Fortunately he took the extra time (weekly visits and calls from him, too) to make sure I was ok.
I had to use a wet to dry dressing. The doctor decided to have me use a Negative Pressure Wound Therapy pump for a few weeks. (Probably wound have taken twice that amount of time to heal with wet to dry dressing.) It was amazing how much quicker the healing was than the other method. I also had a Home Health Care Nurse visit 3 times a week to change the special dressing and replace the canister on the pump when necessary. I still have small wound but just using simple dressing, changed once a day.
Not sure about the time recommended by the GP, but I do know it can take time to heal. If you can see the plastic surgeon sooner just to assess, maybe that will help you feel more comfortable with the issue.
My Ortho had me follow up at 3 weeks after the surgery. I had a piece of tape that turned hard during the 3 weeks before seeing him. I was instructed by the hospital discharge nurse to not wet the incision (which I would put on a dressing that kept it dry). On the day of my post op, he quickly tore off the bandage and said it looked great! When I got home that day I went to take a shower, when I looked at it is when I saw the skin was pinched and although it was very sensitive and numb, I could tell why the top hurt so much more. The skin is clearly pinched and I was very upset. Thought, a Dr. with 18 years experience could not have closed my incision. Wednesday is 12 weeks since my surgery. I had a follow up appointment with my OS today, but they called on Thursday and cancelled until April 10th. It's been two months since I've seen him. When I read your post I can see you had a very caring and attentive OS, mine I have seen once since the surgery and truly has horrible bed side manner and lacks empathy. I am going to wait until I see him on the 10th, ask him - what happened and see what he says. I am going to look for a Plastic Surgeon and make an appointment right away. I've read sometimes, it's better to deal with incision before it takes it's last form of healing. Thank you so much for your advice, I appreciate it more than you know. This forum is wonderful.
Wow! Amazed that you've seen the surgeon only once since surgery. I know there sometimes is a "schedule" if all is good. I had the wound healing issue so did have to see the surgeon more often than most people would. He wants to see me this month (about 4 weeks since I last saw him) and then not until I return from NY in the fall. (I'm a "snowbird." Technically that could be a 3 month+ appointment.
Continue to ask questions, make comments, and realize that most people who respond here really want to help each other.