i'm nearly 6 weeks post op THR and I am so bored and fed up. Went to physio yesterday and she told me that the 90 degree limitation applies for 12 weeks! Couldn't believe it, I thought it would end at 6 weeks. So still can't bend down and do routine tasks eg. the washing, hoovering. Seeing surgeon tomorrow and even if he says I can drive I don't think I'll be able to as I'm very tall and would have to break the 90 degree rule to drive the car.
Help, I'm fed up !!!!!!!
I know the feeling but thank goodness I constantly have a book on the go . My 94 year old dad lives with me and thinks he can look after me ...........
i knew it would be 3 months and 6 - a year before back to normal . I feel shattered when friends take me out . Have you got someone to take you out for an hour ? You would prob feel better when you get home. I find it uncomfortable being a car passenger and ache more afterwards . I have been very good but this week am having pain in my back an old prob think it's because I am laying on back .i am 60 by the way . Good luck sorry to. Moan to you
Hi Susan
I am 12 days post op and doing all the house hold "chores".I use my grabber to pick up things and put them in the washing machine,my hoover is upright so that's not an issue.
Invest in a grabber or litter picker-great
Don't be daft. You have a good old moan. I do go out with family and friends, I'm 52. My husband and kids have been brilliant, friends too but it's days like today when I'm not going out, got nothing to do, bored with daytime telly. I know it's only short term and I'm in no pain like I was before I just feel sorry for myself sometimes.
I think I'll book a holiday today yay!!!
Hi Susan, I totally understand where you are coming from !! I am 51 and had right THR 14 th oct and left THR 9th dec. I can drive now but not for long distances, there have been days where I could rip my hair out but don't worry it does get better !! Keep up with the exercises and all will come good. With myself I find the positive in that I do not have that gnawing arthritis pain anymore. I am hoping to return to work mid April, but have a little way to go yet. I have found good books and crosswords my salvation, I can now even tackle sudoku !! Just keep going in the knowledge that it won't be too long now. At least it will soon be spring !! Love Maggie xx
Hi All, as long as it's boredom and not pain we should all be cheering!
I'm fortunate to work in an environement where a boring day is the best day and exciting/busy days mean something has gone wrong. Boredom is surely something we can cope with and almost feel pride in our life if everything is so going well that we are bored. So yes, complain on the forums, let it all out, we are here to help and laugh along with you; it's a much better cure than being bored alone.
I have some specific jobs I have left for when I'm bored. I want to re-structure my stamp collection (into different continents), also re-structure my Roman coin collection (into date order); they are boring collections of little value to anyone else and even when I die and leave them to next of kin, they will probably be sold cheaply to buy a car or new sofa. But I can sit still and re-access, re-structure and re-fill my albums in a new order to improve them.
I'm not suggesting you also start a boring collection (!) but what about needlework, kindle books, TV (it's even worth joining Netflix or similar for a few months worth of videos), make that denim jacket out of old pairs of levi jeans!!!
Revel in your boredom, it won't last for ever....and keep smiling
You can always shout/complain at me, if it helps...I promise to always come back with worthless ideas and hopefully it'll help you through this short time.
Still waiting for my hip op. just keeping informed on the forum is great!
Hi Susan. I have my operation this Friday (unless I've done a runner) I find this very strange as the physios at the enhanced recovery day said absolutely no question its 12 weeks but when I saw the surgeon afterward he said 6. Said the 12 week rule was outdated. I said "so after 6 weeks I can bend down, twist etc" and actually did the movement and he said yes. I couldn't question him further as he intimidates me (probably missed the bedside manner lecture).
Hi Sue When I went for my 6 week check the physio said I could get things off the floor and put plugs in sockets by swinging my bad leg backwards - rather like a golfer retrieving a ball from the hole. She also said there was no problem with kneeling so I used to bring my garden kneeler into the house (the type with handles) and that helped a lot too! I was also free to drive! Hopefully your surgeon will agree to that too! I had my op last August so I was able to get out and walk. Stick with it! I'm now 6 months post op and leading a normal life again and totally pain free!! Good luck!!
Hi can I ask are you now able to crouch down or sit with your legs under you etc? I'm going to miss sitting like this if I can't ever do it again
Go for it
You're right Maggie, not having pain anymore is what I should concentrate on and I do most of the time. It's just every now and then I get a bit frustrated on what i can't do. I'm 52 and was thinking I would go back to work after Easter (12 weeks). I'll just have to see how it goes.
i'll keep smiling
Sue xxx
You'll wish you hadn't said that Mark, my language might get a bit strong, but if you insist hahaha!
Sue xxx
Lets hope my surgeon says the same
Sue xxx
No Catrin! I was told I'd never be able to do that again!! Only last night I wondered if I could try to curl my legs up on the settee but I think that's a step too far!! Indeed, I think the specialists might say that the fact that we used to sit on our legs was one of the reasons we ended up with dodgy hips!! My 3 year old grandson asked me to play with him, on the floor, in the early days and I tried to explain that I couldn't get down on the floor! Now I do kneel down to play with him but don't crouch! Mind you, at 67, I think my crouching days would be over anyway!! Whenever I'm down on my knees I have to stop and think about which leg to use to get back up!!
Susan, to quote you "don't be daft!" You have been through major surgery and life is far from "normal" .... Yet it is normal to sometimes get discouraged.....I too get restless,,,,sometimes discouraged..... This forum helps a lot to make me smile
and sometimes I have to say...... One more day down and one more day closer to recovery
Thanks Pat, as you say, I hope my surgeon says the same xxx
Ahhh Thanks Deborah xxx
Susan: I think the 12 week rule may be overly conservative. I am also very tall (6 ft) and was able to drive, with the doctor's easy approval, as of around 7 weeks. That's not to say it was easy getting in and out of the car, but I just made sure I could move the seat back as far as possible and I could open the driver's side door as wide as I could. Also helped to have the seat back reclined quite a bit. But the psychological benefit of being back to driving was priceless. At almost 3 months out now, I do still deal with some pain and a slight limp, so I'm not one of the cases where everything is perfect in terms of recovery, but getting there. Go for it if you're at all comfortable with it.
Dear Susan,
I am 43 years old 7 weeks post op THR . I can relate to being bored. Sometimes it drives me insane. I have things to do, but don't do them. I was feeling sorry for myself in the beginning too. However, that changed for me. One week prior to my surgery, my sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has been going thru chemo treatments. When she called one day to see how my recovery was and I started to cry about my pain, she politely told me to "suck it up and stick it out, that I was going to get better eventually and she was not". My whole attidtude changed. She was right. I still struggle with with being bored and am anxious to get back to work but I stopped feeling sorry for myself over it. Im not saying that we shouldnt have our moments, but hearing her say that to me put my life back into perspective. I just started to drive the car on short distance trips, and i make sure my sister comes with me. She is the most up-lifting person I know. Hoping this story helps you just a bit. I too want spring to come and I need sunshine to help me smile more...... So, good luck to you and keep your chin up, we are all in this together even though we never met!!!! Ginny USA
Hi Susan.
I certainly wouldn't go against professional advice you've been given, but can say that after 2.5 weeks I can pick things up,walk a few hundred yards outside using 2crutches,and being on my own this week have had to do washing,cooking etc without much trouble.
I also managed to sleep on my side for a few hours,,good side down,last night with no issues..
I have even heard of some folks driving after 4wks,which I won't be doing..the point is everybody heals at different rates..I would definately try walking very day.
I got myself really fit pre op by stationary cycling and walking every few days about 2months before the op,and I think it has made a significant difference to my what I can now do a few weeks post op.
Good luck,you should improve fast from now on.