I left hospital with expected discomfort but i am now in complete agony ... i can't put much weight on my bad leg at all , the pain through my thigh and groin is excruciating . During surgery i had old screws fom a previous break removed so i don't know if this is adding to the discomfort. I'm tired of reading about people hiking up mountains etc weeks after their ops when i feel that this recovery will take forever. Sorry this post is so miserable but i can't sleep at all and feel so useless .
Sweetie, everyone is different in recovery. You just went through one of the most invasive surgeries done. Only an idiot would do a difficult hike a few weeks out.
You should speak to your consultant and find out why you are in so much pain. It’s very normal to still be on painkillers for several weeks after the op. Some are lucky, but it sounds as if you had a more complicated situation so it is perhaps not surprising you are finding it takes a while. If you haven’t been prescribed suitable pain meds then ask for them. And be patient. For the majority of people it takes at least 6 weeks before they can do much, and some people take longer.
Try not to compare your progress with others, who may have had a different situation or type of op. Just focus on looking after yourself and getting whatever help you need.
I agree. It definitely sounds as though your surgery was more complicated than the norm. I also expected more sooner but came to realize how really serious & invasive the surgery was to better understand & also learned not to compare my recovery to another’s as not one of our bodies are alike. I called my surgeon & spoke with his nurse a lot early on & was assured what was going on was normal & relied on pain meds until I felt comfortable enough to go off them . I suppose It can be disheartening to read others who are doing so much better in a short time however I’ve decided I am very happy for them and know my recovery is a work in progress. Please be patient with yourself and your recovery. Prayers to you!
Make an appointment to see your doctor or at least call- something is wrong- are you taking your medications for pain?
I agree especially if the OP is on pain meds. Cheers Richard
Are you taking pain pills? Even though I don't like taking anything for pain, I did for after home from surgery. Stayed ahead of the pain which helped recovery. I didn't like some of the other feelings (emotional, loopy kind of feeling), but worth it.
Recovery does take time because every person is different. I had trouble sleeping in a bed, so slept on recliner for 2 weeks with my legs elevated on a box. I used a portable commode that was over the toilet so I could ease onto it.
Don't be discouraged. I'm sure there will be other people replying with similar comments to mine.
I am just over 2 weeks post total hip replacement, and far from hiking up a mountain. In fact I am still using a walker. I thought I'd recover faster too, but had tendinitis of the ileopsoas tendon which caused horrible groin pain. I backed off with the exercises for a few days to let that calm down and now feel better. I am now just being able to do leg raises, and not many at that. It sounds like you are expecting too much from yourself and are getting down on yourself. Everyone is different and everyone heals in their own time. Don't rush anything, take your pain meds if they get you through the day, and stay positive.
Is there a lot of swelling or redness in your thigh? Did your doctor or hospital give you a list of the signs of infection to watch for? The inability to put weight on your leg is one of those warning signs. Call your doctor!
Hello Lauretta
I feel for you. It is terrible to be in so much pain. I have watched a THR on tv and when you see the sawing, hammering etc it helps you to understand why it can take so long for some people to recover from the pain etc. You have had screws removed and this is an additional evasive part of the surgery. Have you had your follow up visit with your surgeon yet? In the meantime take those pain killers.
Boy am I familiar with infections. I had all the classical symptoms two weeks out of surgery. Normally I am not too trusting of physicians having had many work for me but the guy who saw me post infection was right on with his diagnosis due to classical symptoms,
I was awake for my THR and would have loved to have been able to watch it on a screen. The anaesthetist thought I was mad. I couldn’t as there was no TV screen and as I was on my side lying down I could not really see, also they had a green cover blocking the view.
I didn't realize being awake during THR was an option.
I think they probably prefer for you to have sedation, but it is quite interesting staying awake.
My wife just had THR yesterday. She was awake but said it sounded like a construction site