Day 7

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Today is day 7 from right hip replacement surgery,  I've been experiencing more pain than I thought I would.  Today is the first day I was able to actually lift my leg back upon the bed after going to the bedside chair.  Getting to potty chair much better than at first..........so I know that is improvement.  2 days ago PT (physical therapist) came for second time, guess I tototally over did it...........I slept all day and all night, couldn't seem to get rested. 

Im much better this a.m.  Waiting on nurse to change the bandage.  PT comes this afternoon!  I did walk with walker down the hall and back

2

Hi Gloria,

Glad to hear that you are doing well after only 7 days after you FHR.  The first few weeks will be challenging, but before you know it you will be getting around like nothing ever happened.  It's wonderful to hear that you are doing PT at such an early stage.  I've realized from my own experience and from monitoring this forum for a few months now that the people who do the best are the ones who start PT (physio) asap and stay with it until they are walking normally. 

I have a good feeling for you, and wishing you the very best!!   

3

Sounds like you are doing great. For me the first 2 weeks were the worst.

4

Hang in there! I'm 19 days post thr and off all meds for the last 3days. I felt like day 10 started the "feeling better stage". Obviously everyone is different but time really is the key. Be patient, which is NOT my thing, but totally the key. Sleep as much as you need. You are still getting the surgery drugs out of your system. 

Well wishes and healing thoughts!

Tonya

5

Hi Gloria, Well done you.But please remember that you have just had a major operation. It can take over a year or more,depending on how fit you are.You might find that you have bad days,don't panic as it's your body healing.Ask if you can have hydrotherapy. This will help.Rest as much as you can.Have your family to help you as much as possible. Regards Amanda

6

Good for you!! I too was very surprised about the pain and difficulty of moving to just get out of bed! But then things start happening - like getting back into bed without thinking about it or doing the stairs with the correct leg first!

Anyway yesterday I went cane free and walked around the block.

Keep doing the exercises- I do think they are a key component to all of this!

7

Sounds like you are doing really well Gloria, so soon. I think we need to listen to our bodies. I had problems getting into bed for the first week at least but by the end of week 2 I was making real progress. I am now week 4 1:2 and am very happy. I still use 2 sticks to even my walk as need other hip replacement but am very content with progress so far. I am sure you will progress rapidly too and look back over what I called my 'desperate' first week with astonishment that I was impatient. After that time and progress have flown. Best wishes. Keep up the good 'listening to your body' progress.

8

Thanks everyone!  I forgot to mention I'm a south Texas gal, tougher than a boot.  My surgeon was great very well trained in posterior.  So far no bad bumps, just pain.

9

dear Gloria, 

I really don't have anything to add - 

You just had major invasive surgery and are so early in your recovery, darling, muscles, tendons were severed, bone cut, joint forcefully dislocated and hardware placed --- not sure if you have seen the live video on you tube - 

(warning; not for the squeemish) - 

What kind of pain do you experience? Are you taking your pain medication as prescribed - 

Healing takes a lot of energy - 

You and your body have already gone through so much -

come back here anytime okay ... 

this is not the time to be tough, but gentle  and kind to yourself ...

big warm hug

renee

10

Hi Gloria

Your doing fantastically

It's so early days,the first 2 weeks are the hardest.

I.know everyone is different, I had a breakthrough at week 3,felt tons better.

Take it week by week and you really will see an improvement. It can be quite slow but the mobility and pain just keeps on improving as the weeks go by.

You will get really tired at this stage, keep resting,walk and mobilise when you can, this really helps. Eat well,this aids healing and recovery.

I was off regular pain medications at around week 5.

Keep on going, stay positive, sounds like you're doing great.

Nicky

11

Keep going Gloria, the first seven days are not pleasant at all...but just little walks, rest and rest and then some. There is no need to do anything beyond your exercises at this stage. Your body is healing and needs time.

I couldn't lift my leg for a while it felt like a complete dead weight.

Difficult for you to see now how amazing you will feel in a few months from now, and by the summer different again, but you will get there slowly and surely.

Big hugs

12

Today is the day after the PT has been here I did all the exercises I could do without too much pain.  They really love to push you just past what you can do.    Made my knee hurt so this a.m getting the ice pack on the knee.  Seems my but muscle doesn't hurt much this a.m.    I slept all night without waking for pain med.   so some progress in healing is going on.   Still really, really tired!    Thanks for all comments and advice.