I am now 4 weeks to the day post total TLHR & things are going great. I was so worried after reading various posts on many different forums on the internet before my operation but wanted to post something to re-assure people reading who are due the operation.
To date (and hopefully this continues) my recovery has been excellent. After the op I was in hospital for 1 night & then after walking the corridor & stairs with crutches was discharged. The next few days at home were challenging.... you take the basic things in life for granted such as being able to get dressed! I pushed myself & my body but when things started to hurt I rested.
After 1 week I was walking with 1 stick. I would walk 1 mile one day & then rest the next day & continued this routine for a week. I carried out the Physio exercises religiously & by the time my appointment came to see the Physio (after 2 weeks) he was amazed at my progress. He subsequently gave me some more challenging exercises which I am continuing with now before my next appointment.
After 15 days I was walking 1 mile per day without any aid. Sure the muscles felt a little sore afterwards but with plenty of rest was OK the next day.
4 weeks post op I am now back to work & driving daily (although lucky as have an automatic car). I am still careful to stick with my restrictions until I see the surgeon week 6 but feel like I have got my life back. For 3 years I was in agony & hobbling around & feel so grateful to have my life back again!
This post is to highlight everyone’s recovery is different. I am young (35) so believe healing will be quicker but the main things I have learnt from this process are to:
1. Stay positive after the operation & during recovery. Mindset is very powerful & in the first few days having my end goal kept me going when I struggled to get dressed & go to the toilet.
2. Stay ahead with your meds. If you have a day when you feel things are getting better continue to take your tablets for the duration of the prescription.
3. Do all your physio exercises religiously they really do help.
4. Based on the speed of your recovery set yourself daily goals. These can be as simple as walking for 5 mins in the garden with crutches. Having a goal gives you something to work towards.
5. Trust in your new hip. As long as the op has gone OK then the hip replacement is functional immediately. It will be the muscles & ligaments surrounding which will cause the pain.
My surgeon advised it will take time for the body to fully heal..... this is major surgery & I am still conscious of this BUT so far having a replacement has been one of the best things I have ever done!
that is great news michael. what kind of surgery approach did you have? anesthesia? thanks for the info.
Dear Michael
Great news and I do agree with what you wrote.
My original hip replacement was at age fifty-five and my recovery was very rapid and easy and the revision twenty years later at seventy five.
Being fit and positive are I think key and having a really competent surgeon.
Good luck, Richard
Hi Michael:
Many thanks for your post which has been very reassuring.
I had my 2nd hip op on the 17 August, 2018. A number of set backs, including an adverse reaction to the anaesthesia and aspiration during the surgery itself. Despite the above, I was charging around the corridors on day three, overtaking a man same op, same day, etc. some 24 years younger, doing 90 mph, & encountering him on the way back!
However, things have not been too good since release, and my main problem has been post op pain. Paracetamol just does not reliably relieve pain, even at 500 mg. I am having to juggle medications - co cadomol, codeine, etc., to find the right combination.
First few days, I was bed ridden with nausea and pain, but managed to get up yesterday and do a few things which meant some time on my feet, and not always supported by the crutches as I needed to have my hands free. Paying for all that today.
Really glad to hear your success story, and keep going and posting.
Hi Michael thank you for your inspiring post. Like you my recovery has gone really well despite being 30 years older than you!. I am almost 3 months post op and back at work, driving, walking unaided and pain free. Like most people the first couple of weeks were challenging and support from my husband was invaluable but I do think part of the recovery is down to your attitude of mind. I appreciate some people have experienced complications and I have had none so have been very lucky. I wish everyone well with their on going recovery.
Hi Michael, Glad to hear you are doing well (that is a lot of walking so soon post operation). Did you have a cemented or uncemented procedure?
I am starting day 11 today (THR-left-posterior approach). I took my bandage (8 inch incision) off on day 10. I had an uncemented procedure and am walking twice daily (half mile).
I ice twice daily which helps the muscle/nerve/ligaments damage pain relief. I have lots of pain at night but try and limit my pills to just one before bedtime (hydrocodone).
Each day is a new day! Going to ramp up my workouts starting this week.
Wishing you the best.
Mike 1122
Textbook stuff there, so nice that someone else is having a good recovery
Well done
Graham
Hi Michael
Great that you are progressing well. Although there are those who have problems, in the main this is a fantastic life enhancing surgery and I think the majority of THR patients recover well though not, perhaps, as quickly as you.
Keep getting better
Mike
Well done to you! I had my 1st 2nd TRHR the day after boxing day last year and was in hospital for 2 1/2 days as opposed to 6 days for the left hip 11 years ago!
You are totally spot on with every thing you have said.
As I knew what to expect from before, I pushed myself a little more than before but still bore in mind my restrictions and limitations. Everyone recovers differently and its so important to listen to your body and understand what it is telling you when you do things.
Good preparation before the op is just as important as afterwards with exercises and pain cotrol as well as giving your body time to rest and heal.
Absolutely love tour post and am glad all is going well for as it did for me too.
My 1st hip was fone the day before my 36th birthday (nice b'day prezzie!) My 2nd was day after boxing day (as I mentioned - happy Christmas!)