I have left sided OA coming up for surgery soon !
Pain horrendous I’m 56 and fed up not being able to walk !
Hi Bev.
I had THR right hip 8 days ago.
Prior to surgery I was on so many meds to continue working, moving with cane or sleeping . Took 2 nurses to help me get into the OR room as they make you walk in were I live.
I woke up from spinal with sedation and freezing was wearing off with a few hours. I was so scared. I am 53 and was in good shape till injury 18 months ago that caused fast acting arthritis.
Pain was so much less already that day.
And every day is better. I have emotional stuff that effects me every couple days that I wasn’t expecting, but pain is minimal so far.
I am on blood thinners for 30 days and anti imflamatories 10 days and Tylenol for pain, but the hardest part is remembering to take at easy. It is already so much better. I am shocked.
Good luck.
You are sleepy and a bit woozy, after effects of all the meds they have given you, nurse will usually offer to give you a wipe down with a midly soapy flannel, because I have an issue with unknown soap, I elected to go the quality baby wipes route, wonderful, if a little cool, supplied my own with first surgery, hospital supplied 2nd time around, that was an unexpected bonus.
Finally when awake, realised I had leg pumps on, but like sitting in the waterside, with the waves washing over my legs, actually quiet soothing, but I know some people hate them, but its there for a reason, stops clots in legs.
12 hours later, after a sleep during the night, nurse was amazed I had needed no pain killers, didn't need them, which was a surprise, but know I had been given a lot in surgery therefore woozy, phyio's arrived to get me up, nurse in the mean time had given me a pain killer boost though spinal block, which was still connected up, so assume I was getting a base line dose the whole time as computer next to the bed.
Stood up by two big burly blokes, I am a big girl, so not taking any chances, I could not believe it, NO PAIN, from hip, yes pain, but from being wrenched around, felt like strained muscles, and some pain from the cut site, walked to the door and down the corridor half way to nurses station, about 25 or more steps, after not being able to walk 5 steps previously a real revelation.
I also indentified that the hip joint that had also been restricted for 30 years, could never get my big toe past my heel, spent thousands in physio, x-rays, etc, was able to stretch my leg WAY BACK behind my previous point, in fact scared physio's I stretched so far.
I few hours later surgeon came and explained why I had that restriction for years, from an accident in my 20's, and even he said it did not show on x-rays or cat scans, but obvious when they pulled out the joint, totally stuffed.
Best thing that ever happened to me, gave me back my ability to walk again.
Hi Bev. I broke my hip last May. The doctor told me I had a "non-displaced fracture" and that it would heal on its own. I waited four months in horrible pain, only to end up in surgery last September. They used a nerve block on me, so when I awoke from surgery I had no pain. Prior to surgery I had horrible groin pain, and I was so relieved to discover that that pain was gone. Once the nerve block wore off I was somewhat uncomfortable, but my pain was controlled with two Percocet. I'm now six months post-op and I am relatively pain free. I have some side effects from the surgery but I understand that discomfort in my thigh from the surgery will eventually resolve. Hope this helps, and good luck! Janet
After my left anterior THR, I woke up in recovery room and didn't hurt at all. (Prior to surgery, the anesthesiologist told me he was going to his best to make sure I wasn't nauseous after surgery and he was right!) I had to wait in recovery for awhile for a room on the orthopaedic floor to be available for me. They wheeled me to my room and I settled in. Not too long after arriving there, physical therapist came by to have me get up and "walk" to recliner chair. Ate dinner while in the chair and then I was assisted back to bed. Nurse came in frequently to take vitals and ask me level of pain to determine what to give me. I never felt bad while in the hospital. Next morning physical therapist came back and took me on a short walk in the hall. He told me I did great (I agreed) and back to room. Surgeon came by to see me and said it was up to me if I would go home that day. After lunch, another walk with physical therapist, used the portable commode, and decided I wanted to go home that day.
From the beginning, no more hip pain. (After many years with it and worst weeks before the surgery, I was very happy.)
I recovered at home. First 2 weeks I slept in a recliner since it was easier with not being able to lift my left leg too well. (I got a "leg lifter" which did help during that time.) I also had a portable commode that sits above the regular toilet. Helped a lot when I got up and down. Used a walker (regular type with just 2 wheels) for about 2 weeks and then a cane. I also got one of the 4 wheeled walkers with the seat so was able to use it when we went out and it helped with my walking, too.
I realized early on in recovery that I had to accept that I couldn't control my recovery. I accepted the time it took and limitations. I also made sure I took pain pills for couple of weeks to stay ahead of the pain. I didn't take it as often as the info on bottle indicated (instead of every 6 hours...usually 7 to 7 1/2 hours).
There usually is some medicine for anti blood clots which must be taken. Mine was an injection (my husband did it for me since I was freaking out about it) for about 10 days and then higher dose aspirin for 4 weeks.
There can also be an emotional aspect to recovery. I had it on and off. I think some it could be due to the pain meds. Even after I was off the pain meds (took Tylenol after that when needed) so know not just due to meds.
Hope what I wrote helps. Not all after surgery experiences are the same. I think having a positive attitude helps, too. Best is NO HIP PAIN anymore!
I am nearly four weeks post op. First day I slept almost all day had a PCA for pain which was great got up twice to stand and have a wash. Blood pressure was low but otherwise all good. Foot pumps kept me awake only because they were to loose, once they tightened them a little they were quite bearable. I had a catheter for the first day which I was grateful for. Next day up to shower with nurse nearby, sat up for meals, had an X-ray, had a walk with physio then up and down to toilet. Still very tired and body pretty shocked by the trauma of surgery, low grade temp and fast heart rate. No concentration to do anything lots of sleep. Next day more independent walking further , up stairs with physio and cleared for home next day. My surgeon said I would be exhausted for two weeks as I was healing my femur and pelvis and replacing blood etc. this was good advice as I tend to overestimate what I can do. Once home I gradually improved, slept each afternoon, did my exercises walked a bit more each day. Three weeks saw surgeon got the ok to drive 👍 pushing myself to do more now cooking been to the supermarket movies etc. if I do too much my hip aches still take paracetamol about three times a day. I had to write everything down as I couldn’t remember what pills I had taken when but now feel like my brain has returned. I have more pain in my other hip than my new hip so will probably be back soon for the right side hmm not looking forward to that but grateful it can be done. I am 59 overweight but no other health issues, I lost 13 kg before surgery which helped me a lot good luck for your surgery
The pre surgery pain vanishes and you have some discomfort from the surgery that is temporary
I think it may depend on the specifics of your operation. I had a very traditional approach (not anterior) under general anaesthetic, with an NHS surgeon who had been recommended to me. I was sick & very cold after a general once before so talked it all through with the anaesthetist beforehand, and he gave me anti-nausea meds. I also prepared for surgery with guided imagery so I was as relaxed as possible.
Came round in the recovery room, feeling cold but being warmed up. Very drowsy. My op was late afternoon so basically just slept for hours afterwards. At some point I was wheeled for an X-ray, but still very drowsy. Was given pain meds regularly which worked. In moderate pain as they wore off but nothing awful and theyvsoon kicked in again.
Slept most of the night and woke feeling pretty good. Very little pain and discomfort. Had a wedge between my legs, which they removed once I was fully awake.
Despite the anti-nausea pills I was mildly sick just once, and felt light-headed for a while, but it was so marvellous to be without the constant pain I’d had pre-op that I didn’t mind.
Was out of bed briefly the following day to walk a few steps on crutches with the physio. Everything has gone swimmingly well since with no complications, no pain, no swelling, and little discomfort. I’m very lucky. Hope you are too.
No more constant pain - yippee!!!
When I came round from my first THR, I cried because I was no longer in pain. I could move my right hip without it sounding like a bag of bolts.
It was fantastic.
In fact, it was so good, I did it again 12 months later.
Hi, I was 57 when I had my hip replaced, so a similar age to you. Apart from the osteoarthritis I was reasonably fit and healthy. Everyone’s experience is different, but mine was overwhelmingly positive, and I had a great surgeon! I had a spinal anaesthetic with sedation, so I was unaware of anything. Had a drink and lunch after my op. Had low blood pressure initially but was allowed to get out of bed later in the afternoon, and I was able to go to the bathroom independently using a walker. The horrible grinding bone on bone pain had gone, it was unbelievable. Walked with crutches on day 1 and came home on day 2. Do your exercises, take your pain meds, rest when you need to. (I didn’t sleep particularly well.) Good luck!
Don't Panic .... most hip replacement operations go very well. You will recover at your rate, which will be slower than some others, and faster than some others too. Recovery is always slower than we expect, but is a real roller-coaster physically and mentally. Visit my website for tips from hippies on this forum, the address is in my personal info here ...
http://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025
and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at
http://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147
Best wishes
Graham - 🚀💃 🤸 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯