My 6 week check up is on Friday, I have been without pain pills since day 5, driving since day 7, no stick since week 4. I have followed my precautions very carefully and done everything my surgeon told me. I exercized everyday to strenghthen the glute muscles, sometimes too much. I iced 2 to 3 times a day and walked a lot. I know that all THR's are not the same and we all don't have them for the same reason. I am far from being in the clear or recovered, but I must say that your attitude has a lot to do with how you recover. I chose to eliminate pain pills after day 5 because i wanted to know the difference between pain and discomfort. This allowed me to be able to acknowledge when i was doing too much, moving the wrong way, pushing too hard or over exercising. I was told by my sergeon that my new hip will sustain my body weight and that i needed to trust it. I have been going to therapy and they are happy with my progress, but because they are used to seeing 60, 70, and 80 year olds that normally have a THR, they are sending me to a sports therapist now. They say that I am advancing beyond their scope of rehab. I am happy and scared, but looking forward to the new challenges.
Good on you!! Well done! I am just over 7 weeks,and I am still bruised and swollen! I will be starting hydrotherapy next week,as I love swimming and know this will help me to relax! Then I will also have reflexology as this will help as well! I am a carer so not easy for me! I find it awkward to chill! Well done you! Regards Amanda
Thank you amanda1827h... I wish you nothing but the best and hope that your bruising and swelling go away soon. I didn't think about hydro therapy, but that sounds like a great idea. I was an athlete and played basketball, football, tennis, soccer, and almost everything else. The therapist say that my balance and coordination is all working for me, and aiding in the healing process. I too find it extremely difficult to sit still... Good luck to you!
Well done! Sounds like you have been really lucky painwise. Did you do both the lying down exercises and the standing exercises every day? I am only day 5 and have also been relatively pain free but don't know whether to push it or not.
Yes, i do both standing and laying excersizes. Pushing it is up to you, your body will tell you when to stop, when it is tired, even when it doesnt want to do anymore. Don't be scared. As lond as you are following your precautions, you will be fine. Juat listen to your body! I actually exercised 5 to 5 tomes a day and went for walks in between. It was uncomfortable at night, because i did a lot, but it was kind of like starting a workout routine. The more you do it the less it hurts to do.
Driving at 7 days is hardly safe, why do you think that we are advised we can drive after 6 weeks?
Hello there
Good on u and recovery.
At my 6 week check up some folk were totally free of pain and crutches...others less so.
On reflection all seems a mixture of age, pre op fitness, and luck.
I'm 8 weeks and just back from walking on dartmoor...For others going to local post office is an achievement.
I only question your driving early....I drove at 6 weeks as advised since I didn't feel I could safely handle an emergency stop b4 then.
Anyway al best wishes
Mic
Thanks, you have given me the push I need.
Being I never had a hip replacement before I didn't know,what to expect in the recovery department. Last January I slipped on black ice and fractured the top of my femur in 9 pieces. After a year recovering from that and knowing I had to do the hip replacement this year I figured the recovery would be similar, it wasn't it has,been easier actually. For me it was just getting over the fear of putting weight on the leg. Once I let that fear go my recovery progressed. I'm doing pretty well in the 7 weeks. I worked hard to perfect my walk and now I don't limp at all. We a recover dofferen and at our own pace. For me losing the fear factor was a,bog thing
Well i had to show my doctor that i could perform an emergency stop. It is my non driving hip, thats the only reason i was able to drive.
I'm glad you have lost your fear in the bog Susan!