hi eileen, well I'm doing ok, I guess, still get pain getting in and out of bed, I must admit I am so tired all the time, I just sit in my nice new electric chair and watch tv, I can walk without pain, but sittling on the loo is very sore as it presses on my wound,, I got swelling in my operated leg on the 6th day, but now I keep it elevated its gone away, hope I'm doing everything right, cheers Lynne, xx
Hi Lynne, it sounds as though you are doing all the right things - including your exercises I hope! At 8 days post op I wasn't fit to do anything but sit and watch TV but your stamina soon improves - with good food and lots of rest. Take it steady and don't try to run before you can walk.
All the best,
Stella
Lynne it's so good to hear from you.Haven't seen anything for a while, kinda got worried. Happy your bring to heal.Each day will get a little better. Just give it time.xxx ginger..
Hello Lynne,
In your post, I didn't read that you're doing your exercise's. Just relaxing in your chair.
Speaking from experience, I'm 3 weeks post op from my second the. It is KEY that you do physical exercise at least 3 times a day. Along with some breathing exercise. I'm sure your doctor instructed you to do so.
Yes, it's easier to convince yourself that right this minute. You are going to just rest awhile and exercise later. The exercising is a very large percentage of your healthy recovery. I assure you that you will feel much better if you keep a regiment in tact.
So good luck Lynne, I wish you well. Along with a speedy recovery.
roadglide1959
Hi Lynne Good to hear you are home and the op is over! Now the hard work starts!! I have to agree with roadglide that you need to keep up with your exercises every day, even if you don't feel like it. Don't panic if you find the swelling comes back. My leg and foot were swollen for about 4 weeks and the only way to get rid of it seems to be by walking. My practise nurse suggested I walked to the next lamppost one day and on to the next one the day after and so on until I felt I could walk around the block but as Stella says - don't overdo it. It's a question of getting the right balance.
Good luck with your recovery and don't forget to keep taking the pain relief!
Pat x
Hi Lynne, it's true what everyone says. The quickest way to recover is by doing the exercises. It hurts at first, but the more you do them the easier it gets. As for being tired all the time, it's probably down to not getting a good sleep, due to sleeping on your back. I try to have a lie down for a little nap in the afternoon and find that helps a bit. It's also important to keep taking your meds and not wait until you are in pain before you take them.
I am now 14 days post op and just been to the physio today for a follow up. She was happy with my progress and took away my crutches and replaced them with sticks. She also gave me more strenuous exercises to do along with the ones I was doing.
I also go out for a little walk every day and try to go a little further each time. But listen to your body, it will tell you when you've done enough. Don't overdo things but do try to stay active as it will speed up your recovery.
wish you the best of luck and hope you continue to get better.
Kind Regards,
Cathy UK
Hi Lynne, am so thrilled you are doing well and I agree with the others, doing your exercises is critical to a favorable outcome. I was tired all the time too and discovered that I was low on iron. Perhaps a supplement might help with that.
Which type of proceedure did you have?
Hugs!
Dawn
Hi Lynn (and Dawn - I see you are online),
I just got back from my second post op appointment with surgeon today(I'm 4 months post op), and the therapist said I still should be doing exercises because just walking does not work the other muscles that will give you the overall control you need.
Se we all must sound like a broken record to you, but I guess this advice is given for a reason.
Speedy recovery to you!
Patricia (Toronto)
Hi everyone,
well thanks for all your replies, must say they all make sense, but the going for a walk presents a wee problem for me, my house front ha 6 concrete steps shared acess with the neighgbor, and I find going up and down them on crutches very unstable, I'm great in the house and going up stairs with a handrail, but unfortunatley for me my house is built on a 1 in 5 incline, so steps up to get to the back garden too! also I have been so depressed for the last year, sitting in the chair watching tv is the norm. for me, I have no other life, so no incentive to do anything, but it's great havng you guys to talk too xx
Hi they Lynne, my only concern is, sitting up can cause a contraction in the hip then oh boy that will hurt like hell when they straighten your leg st physical therapy. Maybe every two or so hours get up move around the house.Also blood trends to pull down to the calf where a blood clot forms.
Both of these are serious. be careful xxx hugs
Hi Lynne
Sorry I'm just getting back to reply to this.
As for the exercise, the ones done in doors, please keep doing them.....a mixture of sitting, standing,walking a little bit and doing the exercises you were given is the best way to recovery.
As for getting in and out of the house.......That must be hard, do you have anyone living with you that is in that could help you out?
I'm surprised they let you out of hospital knowing you had all these steps, they are usually very strict about making sure you can do the thigs before you leave.
I know you need to go outside....or probably want to go outside but I was told just walk around the house if the weather is too bad, set yourself a goal. I will walk from this room to that room.....no different to walking to a lampost which most of us are told to do then 2 lamposts...you {when you feel you can try to walk a bit further inside the house.
You shouldnt just sit in the chair.....will the GP come and see you if you cant get to him and see what he can do about your depression....You say you've been depressed now for a year so its not just the hip replacement.
I only had a couple of steps to get down and my hubby helped me and then into his car and we would go for coffee.....stopped me climbing the walls......even my next door neighbour who is about 15 years older than me would come and say come and look at my four walls instead and have a cup of coffee LOL she would help me out and then back again.
I went through a winter a few years back of being very low.....didnt want to go anywhere in the mornings in particular and the pain clinic referred me to a physcologist.......I only had about 6 sessions with her but i've been fine since.
Hardly in .....I volunteer for arthritis care a lot, go on outings and holidays with them, church is a big help.....lovely people who understand.
I admit I'm lucky I've got a car and can now drive even though I'm on 2 crutches and likely to be for the forseeable future.....so glad I saw that psychologist for a while
Sorry sounds like I'm lecturing
Love
Eileen UK