Hi, I had an anterior hip replacement done 12 days ago, Dr had to do some extra repair, so I'll be on a walker for 5 weeks. I'm so tired and depressed. I'm trying to get off the pain meds, which I know will make me tired. I'm also in Coumadin to stop blood clots. I researched anterior replacement and thought I would be up with just a cane. Hope this tiredness is not unusual!
That's the biggest secret of all - the crazy tiredness is one of the worse parts of recovery!
It too will pass - you will start to feel so much better once you start coming off the medication too.
I asked many people about this and everyone said the same so don't worry!
Hi Sandy,
It's perfectly normal to be very tired during the first few weeks of recovery, and it's easy to let everything get you down. This is just a stage at the beginning of recovery. You'll find as each week passes, you will start feeling better, have more energy and in the end you'll be glad that you had the surgery.
Best wishes!
Hi Sandy 12 days is nothing and before you know it you will be up and about and the five weeks will fly by, you will be feeling better by the day.
I'm 12+ months on crutches and thought even that day would never arrive, don't beat yourself, make the most of this rest period, do things that you never found time for pre op, reading war and peace LOL or maybe catching on one of those long series's, I watched so many I got so I couldn't remember which was which
Hi Sandy, I am also 12 days post THR anterior approach, 47yo. I just asked my guests to leave because I needed a nap. I think I too have been hard on myself… I am still on a walker but discontinued my pain medication just yesterday due to extremely uncomfortable constipation (FINALLY relief today- Yayy)
I thought I would have progressed to a cane by now but I am not able to do a lateral leg lift (lying down) and that is the indicator of muscle improvement my physical therapist wants to see before I switch to a cane full time.
I definitely feel over sensitive to things that typically would not have bothered me.
We've got this! 12 days & counting.
Dear Sandy
Glad to hear that you are safely home. You say that your doctor had to do some extra repair. Bhs wondering what he had to do as it sounds rather drastic that you are having to be on a walker for five weeks.
Good luck with your recovery.
Cheers Richard
Thank u for the encouragement, because it was anterior I thought I would be up and about by now.
I had an osteophite growing on the outside of the ball of the hip and this had attached itself to muscle. So he had to dissect the muscle off and reattach it to the other muscle. Usually anterior hips don't mess with muscle. So that's why the longer recovery.
I know what you mean. I also thought anterior would be "quicker." I had a decent day with just Tylenol today.
Thank you all for your responses. I was also wondering if during stretches that it should burn below the knee and on the anterior and lateral side of the thigh. I guess I'm just impatient and want to feel better quicker than I should.
Thank u
Anterior.
And I am having a LOT of knee pain (top & bottom). Sometimes I even wonder if it hurts more than my hip...
And yes, my thighs too. I have to keep reminding myself of the trauma those muscles endured and the time they will need to heal. Trying to do my leg raises (lying down) is a good reminder of how much more healing I have to do...
I will do leg lifts. I was just nervous about the knee pain and excess burning in the thighs.
Thank u
If you're lying down can you lift your straight leg up off the bed/couch?
I can't. Not even close
dear sandy,
warm welcome to this hippies forum ...
congratulations on getting the surgery - anterior or posterior, it still is major surgery - the joint needs to be dislocated and replaced and in your case, additional repair was needed - Maybe that is why you have to use the walker to give the muscle time to heal -
unfortunately we are left to our own devices post-op - that is why this forum is so invaluable ...
it is a rollercoaster ride, not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually -
Maybe the pain medication makes you tired, but being in pain is also tiring and stressfull, especially when you are moving around ... catch 22 here, isn't it ..
Are you in any pain?
feeling tired can last for a while - I was in such a bad and pitiful physical state before the surgery that getting some stamina took forever and has not even fully returned ---
You are still early in recovery - seriously ... so much has happened in such a short time -
be gentle with your self, okay and come here anytime .. you are not alone -
just go with your own flow -
big warm hug
renee
Dear Sandy
Many thanks for sharing that. It was obviously most unusual and unexpected. Good luck with your recovery.
Cheers Richard
I am 16 days post op today and I still can't lift my leg from a lying position. The physio said it would happen but that when I do my exercises I have to have the intention in mind that I am trying to lift my leg to start engaging the muscles needed. One day it will just lift. I find every day I am getting stronger and it is feeling more like my leg again. Keep doing the exercises and get plenty of rest good luck!
I had the same difficulty but found that it helped greatly to help my leg up by lifting under my thigh with one hand. After a bit of time my muscles gained sufficient strength to do it on their own.
Cheers Richard
Hi I also had this problem, as Richard said I would give it a helping hand by taking some of the weight with my hand. I'm four weeks post op now and although I can still feel it when I lift my leg I can certainly lift it. Take your time, you don't have a bus to catch, slowly slowly catch y monkey. xxx
PS I could also cry for Britain. It will pass I promise. xx
I was wondering about getting very warm and nausea.
When I get up in am and get ready for the day, I feel very sweaty and nauseated. If I sit down and eat a small bite of toast, in a couple minutes I feel like it never happened. Is this a normal feeling after surgery? I know after a person has been ill and they go back to work that happens. Wasn't sure if it should happen after surgery. If this is normal how long will it last.
Thank u ahead of time!