Hello again,
I'm 4 weeks post op from THR for my right hip.
I had another operation from my left hip two years ago. Both are THR and the results are quite good.
My recovery is going well, I'm walking with one crutch and have no pain in my newly operated side.
On the other hand, previously operated hip feels heavy and numb. I dont have pain but its the feeling that bothers me...Its as though I' m operated from that side and it needs to heal((
Has anyone lived a similiar case, after THR on different sides?
My doctor says it is something to be expected, the two hips are adjusting to their new positions and it will be ok eventually but I worry...
What would you say, any comments ??
Thanks
Desire
4 weeks is so early. There will be lots of new sensations along the way during the healing process. Your doctor is right. It will all pass with time.
Just curious...Did you have anterior or posterior approach?
No worries.
It should keep getting better...!!!
I am due to have THR next month - anterior approach..my surgeon here in Thailand trained at the Mayo Clinic and has done well over 100 such surgeries. He maintains the recovery is much faster with fewer restrictions. Anyone know if this is the case. I don't worry about him...he is very skilled and working at one of Bangkok's best private hospitals - which are on a par with private hospitals worldwide - or better sometimes - but everyone I know here has had the posterior approach. This is quite new in Thailand...he has pioneered it. Would love comments...
I had posterior approach surgery last year and am getting ready to book another surgery for the other side in the next couple of weeks.
I'm having trouble deciding whether to do anterior or posterior.
My recovery took me an unusually long time so the anterior approach looks desireable this time.
One thing that worries me is the possibility of having numbness in the thigh area that can be permanent, I hear, and that concept bothers me.
Don't know how often that happens. But I don't think nerve damage happens as often with posterior. I also heard that as far as placing the device in properly, the surgeon has better exposure seeing everything because the cut is bigger but with anterior , instead, he spreads the muscles apart and you heel so much quicker.
I think there's more of an incidence of a fracture occurring during anterior in the thigh bone. Not sure why this happens more with the anterior. So there are pros and cons.
Also with the anterior approach, the device is a much shorter stem because it's hard to get in there and don't know if shorter stems last as long later.
Also with the posterior approach I kinda like the scar behind me instead of seeing it in the front all the time
It's a lot to think about. I'm really in a quandary which way to go myself. Healing quicker is desireable but just wonder if there's more complications with this approach in the long run.
And just can't get clear on this.
Dear Susan,
I had a posterior approach with mini incision.
How long did it take you to get better, why did it take that long?
In my first operation I was very well, very mobile, with no pain at week 8.
I hope this time you will be much better in a short time.
All the best
Desire
hi desire,
good to hear that you are doing so well at 4 weeks post-op from THR surgery ..
I am not sure how to respond to your question ---
If my surgeon would have told me what yours told you, I'd believe him ...
They are both artificial hips/stems -
your old new hip had some time to heal and is asked to support you more than before .. you are starting all over again- the walking, moving, even sitting - balancing your body - your muscles might not be as strong yet ..
I had my 2nd Left THR 6 months after my 1st, Right one and can tell you that my old new hip is giving me more problems than the new one - It didn't really get a chance to heal as she had to support me , first with a bad and very painful hip and then doing all the work with new hip ...
When is your follow up appointment ? At my 6 weeks post-op appointment an x-ray was taken from both hips and I passed !!!
I was in a very bad physical shape though and have accepted that it might take me longer than others .
Since I am not a medical person I would like to add that when worried and concerned, make an appointment to be seen as soon as possible -
keep us posted, okay ...
big warm hug
renee
I have switched from the orthopedist that I had been seeing because he does not do the anterior approach. My surgery is scheduled for August 22 with the new surgeon who is highly recommended. I am hoping that I've made the right decision. Time will tell. But everyone I hear about locally who has had the surgery and has bounced back really quickly has had the anterior approach. My previous surgeon said that all things are equal whichever approach by eight weeks, but eight weeks is a long time.
Hi Desiree...I have decided to do the anterior hip surgery. It would be so much less expensive (I am a private patient) to do the posterior approach. But the research I have done indicates that there are fewer mobility restrictions with the anterior approach. Cutting the big buttock muscle destabilizes the pelvis apparently, hence mobility restrictions. Pros and cons to both of course, but I think I am doing the right thing. Good luck! Lots of YouTube info on the anterior approach. It does seem that it will be a faster recovery...I need it, I have 6 dogs!!
I had anterior approach surgery in the uk just over 6 weeks ago and am very happy with the results. I've got my post operation check on Saturday to hopefully confirm all okay. The anterior approach is also not widely practised in the uk so it's difficult to find out that it exists as most surgeons don't mention it and then to find someone who not only does it but has enough experience of it is hard. As I understand it is more complex surgery and isn't covered as part of the usual training. It's difficult to know if I would have recovered just as well with the posterior but I was without crutches/sticks after 2 to 3 weeks and only have a 9.5 cm scar which is healing very well. Good luck for your operation. X