Hello, it's exactly 5 days to the hour since I was wheeled into surgery so thought I'd give a little update. To recap I'm 37, have OA due to hip dysplasia and had THR on left hip lateral approach. He used an 'Exeter' type metal implant and polyethylene cup.
Firstly everyone at Spire Hospital Harpenden was lovely. So, so grateful to have the luck to have a top consultant at a private hospital do this op for me on NHS. Don't know how that happened but the facilities, all staff and the incredible food were a joy, I actually didn't want to leave and I'm not joking!
I've been home two days and all is fine. I am down to walking on one stick and can actually walk unaided but that involves a big limp. The limp I am concerned about because I think it's due to my left (operated) side now having a longer leg. Surgeon said this should be millimetres but both I and Physio think it it's bigger. It's worrying me a lot and am praying I reduces but don't think it will. I get discomfort but not real pain unless I'm trying to get out of bed awkwardly. I get mid-back pain from sleeping on my back all night which I wasn't expecting. Sleeping on my back is hell. Hate it. Sides are too painful and although I found it comfortable lower body wise last night sleeping on my stomach didn't work out either.
Teds are no fun are they? Can get them off alone but no way can I get them on but haven't tried without my mum. I sent her home today after two days. She'll pop in daily now to do bigger two handed things but I'm capable of most things now and I'll try the Teds with my sock putting on thing from Amazon.
Dressing/showering/toilet etc has proved no problem alone thankfully.
One exercise I haven't been able to do yet is the abductor one (sliding leg to side) while in bed. Bit worrying but surgeon not concerned.
Keep breaking the 90° rule when sat down but no pain or disasters so far.
On Friday when they changed dressing the scar looked enormous, really enormous. Will remove dressing tomorrow as they want me to air it so long as it's properly closed.
So all is well and I'm still so greatful for the help, suggestions, support etc I have received from folk on here.
I want anyone to feel free to contact me if you want to talk to anyone who's just had it done. I was scared to death and convinced everything would go wrong. While I'm not happy with the leg length situation I'm pleasantly surprised about how able I am overall so would be happy to share experiences with anyone who may need help or questions answered. Xx
Hi Amy,
I too felt that my leg with the newest hip was going to be longer and it sure felt that way in the beginning. I am 11 months out now and while I do not remember at which point in my recovery that this smoothed out, I can say that the body has a lot of settling to do and swelling to get through before the final verdict. Hopefully yours will level out too in time. Too soon right now to tell.
Glad you are doing so well and that your hospital experience was so wonderful!
Lovely to hear you are doing so well. 
Hi Amy
So happy you are doing so well. A couple of things:
1) I was convinced my operated leg was londer than the other (by at least an inch), but it was suggested that the sensation may be due to the swelling.
2) I sleep with pillows perching me up to an angle. So, from the waist up I am about 40 degrees. That supports the back and head and also stops any temptation to roll.
Great job!!
Michael
Wow thats great Amy,
glad to hear you are doing so well. My surgery is Feb 3rd and i am nervous but so ready. I am 53 and in Australia. I also have OA and am havingTRHP.
i love this forum as it has helped me with prep tips and i think i am now ready at home.
i am sure i will have questions after 😀
Karen
hi Amy,
wow, that sounds great. ..
walking with one stick 5 days post-op. ..
how long is your scar? ...I thought with lateral approach the scar is smaller than with posterior. ..
thank you for sharing, sweetheart. ..
Big warm hug
Renee ❤
I am pretty sure it is the opposite Renee. Lateral is down the outer side of the thigh and mine is about 10 inches long and 11 months out it has faded but still looks like a zipper due to the staples. My first THR was done with the anterior approach, in the front of my hip and the scar was but 2 inches. I am thinking that posterior is going in through, under, around, the buttocks. Correct me if I am wrong.
Sure wish you the best Karen! And look forward to your posts about how you are getting along.
Dawn, USA
Hi Dawn.
Thank you and oh yea i will be posting on forum after. This forum has been a life saver and i am sure it will get me through my recovery. 😀
Karen, Australia
hi Amy,
wow, that sounds great. ..
walking with one stick 5 days post-op. ..
how long is your scar? ...I thought with lateral approach the scar is smaller than with posterior. ..
thank you for sharing, sweetheart. ..
Big warm hug
Renee ❤
*😨oops. ..you're so right. ..Thanks darling
Amy,
suggest you go back and look at my website - I found new information on length differences - look in "Early Recovery"
www. thr. org. uk without the spaces.
Graham
Hi Karen I am also in Aust Sydney in fact and had a TRHP about 12 mths ago due to OA and everything is just great. I was wondering what method you are having ie lateral,anterior or superpathhip?
Mark
hi ,will be following your progress as my op thr to my right is on 17th feb.got my preop on tuesday.lots of questions ,hope i remember to ask them all.nervous
Michael
Hi Mark
Great to hear you are doing well after yours. My surgeon is doing Lateral. Apparently he only does lateral, good thing is hes done many so i am in good hands :-)
Karen
Hi Renee, measured my scar yesterday. Despite promising me it'd be 10-15cm it's 18cm! I'm not too bothered considering how anxious I was about it prior to the op. Also looking at it I now think I had posterior approach not lateral. I thought posterior was more over the cheek but looking at images online it's just more curved isn't it?
Been a week now. This time last week was starving and waiting to go in and you all were supporting me marvellously.
I can walk without a stick now but really limpy and penguiny unless I concentrate hard not to. Can't think why though, it's not painful to walk more normally so why am I not doing it as default? I read someone else say you should use your stick until you can walk normally but it's so hard to use it when you can walk without it (although a bit like a weirdo).
Contrary to to what I said initially, I think judging by images online I actually had the posterior approach rather than lateral as scar is curved. I took dressing off yesterday and it's grim but nicely closed. The area around it is kind of numb and hard but I suppose that's normal?
Have been back on your site Rocketman, it's very helpful thank you.
One other thing, I have abandoned my TED's. Is this a really awful idea? I just cannot stand them! They make me sweaty in bed, they're are the devil to get on and off and I'm thinking I can get away with it as I walk about so much and take blood thinning stuff they gave me.
Watched a youtube video of the op for the first time this morning. Wow. I'm so in awe of my surgeon (and all surgeons). They're amazing being able to do what they do. I'm surprised I can walk at all after that, the body is an incredible thing!
Oh Amy, exactly my reaction after I watched that video - on no, I am lying - I was in awe of my body first and her ability to repair all that damage done !!! and the the surgeons ... especially the part when they stitch layer by layer !!!!! whoa!!!! amazaing indeed -
I think that our brain has to be retrained to walk in a different way, the correct way - it is still trying to have us walk the easiest and least painful way possible -
That is, to me, the reason that walking properly and fully aware of posture and planting feet etc (balancing act), is so exhausting and cause muscle pain - not while you I am walking - but afterwards - stiff and painful -
and you are sooooo early in recovery - I was told to use aid, even in house, for 6 weeks - no furniture surfing either -
eventhough it doesn't hurt, it still needs support because tissue etc is so fragile -----
I think that getting rid of the TED's must be such a relief that it is actually good for you .... Moving, doing ankle pumps, feet rotations, being on bloodthinning meds. suffices ... I am only saying this because so many surgeons (like mine) do not see any benefit in wearing them ...
angel blessings
renee
I had posterior too, twice - 18 cm is about right, but it sort of shrinks a bit too - very strange feeling when I touch - It is umb - like I am touching someone else's ???
Mine are more on the side and curvy - for some reason 2nd one was closer to the bum cheek which made it a bit uncomfortable to sit on - surgeon sweared that they were at exaclty the same postion (so not true)1st one no problems to speak of -
So glad you found my efforts useful, many thanks.
Gaham