Hi, I'm brand new here and had a THR on July 26. I had an anterior ceramic cementless. Am doing PT in my home 3X a week and just started using a cane today. I think I'm doing ok but I really didn't understand how major this is. I feel semi human when up and walking but sitting and lifing my leg to elevate it or get into bed is disillusioning. Just started PT exercise of sitting on the edge of the bed and trying to lift my leg......it's so weak. Think I need some encouragement other than my husband who is very supportive and thinks every step I take is great.
Thx so much,
wlee
Please be patient with yourself! I'm m at week 5 1/2 and I still use my hand to lift occasionally. At week 4 you will see a huge improvement and difference for the better. You are still healing. Don't rush it.
Wlee,
Be kind to yourself, I am still pre op ( less than 1 week) but for many days ( not every day) for months have had to lift my leg, so I guess it takes a while to build everything back up after surgery, youv'e got this! One day, one small step at a time.
Hi WLee,
I don't think any of us has appreciated how serious this operation would be or how tough the recovery would be.
No doubt about it - the tests us all and teaches us more about our body and about patience than we ever imagined.
The first 10-14 days are especially tough as we start to understand the degree of healing needed. So hang in there and listen to that man of yours - it sounds as if he gets it and is trying to help and encourage you. We all need that as we lose lose sight of the progress we are actually making - partly because it is so hard to be so dependent upon others. And it sounds as if you are doing well.
How long ? The answer is of course that it is different for each of us - depending on how long our hip has hampered our mobilty and activity levels, what else is going on (many of us have to get both hips done) and how committed we are to the recovery routine and surgeon's restrictions. And of course, when tired we simply don't do so well (e.g., I still revert to two-stepping going down the stairs when tired and I am 5 months post surgery but waiting for my second one next month).
Hang in there - it will get easier soon.
L
I think I'm making myself a bit crazy because I had such a full range of motion before I did the surgery. Even though I had bone on bone in my x-rays I wasn't hurting every day. The surgeon, who was great, told me it was a smart move to do it while I was still in such good shape rather than waiting till I had constant pain and lose the strength in my quad.
I think I really do need to slow my brain down and relax......
thx for replying.....this board is good
Evening! Yes you are doing great! I am 2 weeks & 2 days out. It was hard to lift my leg up and I used my other leg to help me elevate it and to bring up on the bed. Now I can do it with little assistance. It will come rest assure. It's hard to do leg lifts still but it's slowly coming! Best wishes! 🤗
Hi wlee my THR Surgery was July 27 / I still can't lift surgery leg up onto bed without help / I sit on the foot of the bed and slide up both feet at same time /was very painful trying to lift leg and I think I was doing damage / my physical therapist agrees / if it hurts don't do it/ same goes for getting up out of chairs/ bed height about 30 inches and firm / only be place I can sit comfortably so far / it is getting better/ be patient and do your physical therapy exercises/ good luck. Dave63380
I'm 5 plus weeks out, and even tho most days it doesn't feel like it you are getting better. I know I just want to get back to normal, but every couple of days I notice I can do something I couldn't before. It just takes time.
Hi Wlee welcome to the forum. This is a great site for all knowledge on pre-op and post-op stuff that your doctor didn't tell you.
One of the things that you will read on this forum is that everyone recovers at a different rate, so there is no 'marker' that says at 'x' point you should be doing this or at 'y' point that. All progress you make is individual to you and brilliant. Your husband sounds like a complete gem and you should listen to him.
I don't think anyone (me included) realised quite what a major operation a hip replacement is. If you really want to know what happened to you during the op there are a number of films of actual operations on Youtube. Be warned they are not for the faint hearted, but they do show why you feel weak (and a bit pathetic - yep, me too).
So, in direct answer to your post. Yes, you are doing ok. Yes, you are only semi human at the moment - probably a yeti
.but it will get better soon. Yes your leg is weak, its just had its major muscles interfered with and the muscles are, quite understandably, complaining about this rough treatment.
Honestly, it will get better and you will feel better too. Accept all the help that is offered (difficult for an awful lot of previously independent people). Don't over do the exercises and be patient with yourself.
Good luck and come back to this forum regularly and read the discussions. You are definitely not alone.
Well said Chloeparrot/ the body / leg has been through a lot and it takes time and hard work at physical therapy. Not sure I want to see that YouTube video. Just a word of encouragement to everybody. I had both knees done in 2014 and with a lot of physical therapy they are great. Best thing I ever did. It will get better and most important it will be worth it. Be thankful for the doctors that can help us. You will get stronger! Dave 63380
Hi there. I am 10 days post op, I have only starting getting in and out of bed with no assistance I am still using my arms. I still need someone to put my leg on a pillow a night. Sadly I will probably been using my arm for a while as ' my good leg' needs replace once I recover from my right hip replacement. You will get there it just takes time
Wish you all the best for your recovery!
Megan x
The middle of the night when I wake up at 3 or 4 is the hardest time for me. That's when everything hurts the most and is the stiffest. My husband wakes up and gets me ice and I take something for pain and of course hobble off to the bathroom. I can get in and out of bed by myself but it definitely bothers my arthritic shoulder which I was exercising better before the surgery. Everyday really is getting better though but I'm worried because I'm supposed to go back to work in 2 weeks. Thanks for your supportive words.
Don't get discouraged. I was completely active, too, prior to needing a hip replacement and couldn't believe how dead my leg felt needing to have my leg manually manipulated after surgery to get in and out if bed.
It's completely normal and little my little the strength will come back and there's no norm as to when. It happens for everyone at different points. Be patient. You will heal and the strength in your leg will come back.
Thank you... Your yeti just gave me a good chuckle.😃 I am going to watch the You Tube surgery. Do you know off hand which approach they show? I'm only slightly feint hearted. I am so happy to have found this board.
Thanks for your kind words. It is how active I was before that's really hard not to wonder how long before I get back. I know I'm not super girl but I guess I secretly wished I'd be 'slightly' super😄
Thanks for your info. Getting in and out of my bed with the Tempurpedic mattress takes Herculean effort🙂
Hi there. Last night was the first night I slept the whole night since having my op, I was so sniff trying to get out the bed and a bit sore but as soon and I take my painkillers I was fine. sorry to here that it's sore and sniff!. At this moment I am not aloud to use ice as my right leg( the one I got the new hip) is freezing compared to my left ( which I am
Getting replace soon). So they said I can out heat packs on them and it seems to help a tad so far. I ended back in Hospital because of the swollen of my leg.
Just take each day as it comes, it will take a while but each day you will get stronger!
Can't you get more time for work or?
Hope your well
Megan xx