I am just about to have LTHP on Monday and have so many questions!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Something definately not looking forward to!!  Having op Monday

Have been reading the forums for the past few weeks but still have so many questions/fears/concerns

Although my consultant has been good explaining procedure not a lot of info for afterwards.

Have end stage oseoarthritis and didn't even realise until beginning of this year when hip became very stiff.  Saw osteopath and he sorted out stiffness but said my not much rotation in left leg.  Had some pain then when stiffness went.  Still managed to do lots of walking in alps  with help iboprofen gel!  Went to get it checked out with a consultant and was told that the problem was bone on bone!  Has never been that painful as pelvis twisted back to compensate problem.  However last few months could feel back become a big problem.  Felt like something wrong with whole frame.  Also right hip that has mild arthritis is starting to play up.  Decided to try to stop more problems must go ahead.

Saw osteopath again yesterday. Wish had been before! He gently did a move and spine did a loud click but frame seems so much better today.  Still have a twist in pelvis if do a low squat and mild discomfort.

However am concerned if hip joint colapses so suppose op is the best option while still fit.  I am 62.

Have obviously had pre -op assessment and was said not to do anything for at least 3 months. Cooking , cleaning, even lifting a kettle!  Oh my!

Is it really as bad as this?  Will I always feel have something foreign in my leg or will one day I feel normal again?

Are the restrictions as bad as what I was told?

Would love to hear your views and comments

Would love to hear what you all say as I join the hippie club!

 

2

Hello and welcome,

​I had both hips done on 11th August this year,  by week 7 I was able to stand and do things in the kitchen.. still have difficulties using lower oven.  I purchased a light cordless hoover which has been a life saver so easy to use.  

I would not want to go back to how I was in pain, and sleepness nights...

​It is hard the first few weeks I will not lie.. but do your exercises, rest, sleep is important...and taking the pain meds they are there for a reason to aid the recovery. 

​At my review I was just coming up to 8 weeks and all restrictions were lifted, I could drive!! had already done this..... raised WC Seat stayed a few more weeks.   

Ask away many will show how much better there lives are now...

​There are always horrow stories, but more positive stories on here.  and plenty of support.

​Good luck you will benefit from this surgery...  I am 56 and now face both knees to be replaced.

 

3

Hi Pixie. Of course you're nervous ; who wouldn't be. But please don't dwell on the negatives. The recovery, providing you carry out your physio, is so fast, it's quite amazing. Yes, for the first twelve weeks, there are restrictions . The most important being. Not to bend or twist more than ninety degrees and to sit on a chair and toilet where your legs are not lower or higher than your hips. To prevent your op hip from becoming displaced, you will need to lie on your back. But don't fret as there is so much help and also gadgets to assist throughout your recovery. Clearly you won't be able to push a hoover around or carry anything heavy but you will, very quickly, be able to lift a kettle; just don't fill it to its full capacity. Listen to your body. When you feel tired, rest. But most of all, look to the future. Think about the dreadful pain you are in now and then think again. This time think positively. Take each day as it comes. Expect some to be good and others not quite so good. But, at the end of each day, no matter what, you will have achieved. Our bodies are amazing. I am now ten weeks post op from my second replacement this year. For the past five weeks I have walked indoors unaided. I do take just one crutch when venturing outside. But remember when reading posts on this site, that everyone is different so please try not to make comparisons. However, if you do have concerns or questions or just need support , then this is the place to come.

I wish you well along with lots of pain free years ahead .

Blessings and hugs

Maureen xxx

4

hi pixie, 

congratulations on your first discussion ... I have noticed your responses to other posts and you seem well informed about THR surgery -- 

who told you that you can't do anything for 3 months !

of course there are restrictions - no bending beyond 90 degrees, no heavy lifting, no twisting (BLT) - 

will you get the posterior or anterior approach ?  

I had 2 THR surgeries 6 months apart and live alone ... not ideal and on hindsight it might have been wiser to go in to rehab facility .. but hey, it was not mentioned and I survived -  

I had 4 wheeled  walker (rollator) so I could put things on the little bench - cup of cofffee, tea and such --- 

A home nurse came every morning for 14 days and then 3 times a week to help me with getting dressed, shower, looking at scar etc- 14 days post-op staples were removed -

at follow up visit, around 7 weeks, restrictions were less strict and I was allowed to drive -

I had arranged for someone to clean my little house once a week ...

Before you get discharged , physical therapist in hospital will make sure you can walk and go to bathroom by yourself, doing steps and/or stairs , getting out and in to bed -

Do you live alone? 

I still feel the hardware  and was told that a great deal of the recovery takes place in the first two months and complete return to "normal" takes longer.

Bone around the metal parts keeps changing and remodeling for 1 to 2 years after surgery - this is why you can feel the presence of the hardware some times - especially now with cold(-er) weather  -

good luck tomorrow ... just surrender - you are in good hands ..

big warm hug

renee

 

5

I mean Monday, of course 

6

A warm welcome to the hippy club.

Restrictions are patient, surgeon and hospital specific - it varies from case to case so very much.   Sounds like you need 'special' restrictions, but remember they are there to help you recover properly.    You soon aclimatise to your new life and the restrictions, and soon start finding ways around them - like using the 'golfers reach' to pick things up.

I made a website for tips from hippies on this forum, the address is in my personal info here ...

   https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and on the moderator's "useful resources" page at

   https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃

7

Hi Pixie,

Like Renee, I managed alone after my operation, with just a little help putting my DVT stockings on and someone to do my shopping.  Of course, there was help on the end of the phone but I managed and think I recovered the better for it.  Of course, I respected the restrictions ie, not breaking the 90 degree rule and not pivotting on my operated leg.  I did fine and so can you.  You can cook, do a little cleaning although I did the bare minimum until I felt confident and of course you can lift a kettle.  All you need is awareness and believe me you will be aware 

I'm 9 months on now and everything feels normal.

Good luck

Cels Xx

PS Hi Renee and Graham 

8

Had mine a year ago. The first 3 weeks were the worst for me. At 6 weeks you will feel much better. Then at 3 and 6 months. I do not even think about it anymore. Best of luck

9

pixie6:

I am 62 soon to be 63 (day after Christmas). Recovery from THR is dependent on the what surgical procedure you have chosen for your THR as well as the differences in the human physiology and what other ailments you may have. Mine was Anterior approach which is least invasive: no muscles are cut except for the capsule surrounding the joint which is cut in any procedure.

I am just shy of 4 weeks post op. I have no restrictions, can sleep soundly on my suregery side, both legs are the same length, I am going on walks (use a cane sparingly) and I'm completely off of my pain meds less aspririn that will control potential clotting issues.

If you are getting the posterior or lateral approach, you will have more movement restictions as muscles are cut to access the joint and to prevent potential displacement as the muscles heal. Three months is not unreasonable length of time for recovery. 

THR has been around for at least 50 years. If you have confidence in your surgeon and his experience, you will do fine. Keep a positive mindset!

godspeed with your surgery

10

Hi, I had the posterior approach 11 weeks ago and have never felt that there is anything foreign in my hip. I also live alone and had got food in and aids beforehand and moved things out of the way ie. rugs. I had a well known supermarket delivering groceries while I couldn't drive, ordering online. Being prepared will make your life easier for the several weeks you're limited in what you can do. BW Lisa.

11

Pixie, you might want to check out "A laymans guide to Total Hip Replacement from one of our users - Rocketman54", which is the last of the resources listed in the pinned discussion at the top of the thread page called THR-Useful Resources: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147. Graham (Rocketman), created this page so that many good ideas regarding recovery issues, based on his experience and those of other users on this site, would be in one place.

Regarding your doctor's restrictions of not doing anything for 3 months, that sounds like the strictest ones I have ever heard! Sometimes, when bone grafts are done, or there is some other special circumstance, people have tighter restrictions, but for most people, 6 weeks is the usual time frame. For some here I've heard 12 weeks, but that is only not going over the 90 degree bending rule, not saying that they are not allowed to do anything. You might want to get some clarification. If that's true, you will need someone with you full-time, waiting on you hand and foot, for the whole time.

Good luck with your surgery!

 

12

Hi Pixie I had my shiny new hip just 5months

ago,best thing I ever did no more bone on bone

pain ,worst time for me was lifting leg in and

out of bed in first 2/3weeks but hey ill take it after

other pain,to be able to sleep threw the night now

is Wonderful, lots of rest needed you'll do a little

more each day ,do your exercises the best

feeling to be able to go out and walk up right

and not like ape woman bent up and limping

Don't no what I'd have done without the advice

of all my hippie friends on this site, on a low day

there's always someone to lift your spirits.So

good luck and keep in touch.Big hugs xx😁 🙋

13

Hi Pixie,

I went for my pre op assessment yesterday I am having a double hip replacement and was told I won't be able to bend for 2 months minimum I can only use upper body. It is going to take a while but for me the pain is so bad I was a very active 67 year old and am so restricted now

I am terrified about the op but I have to do it. What sedation are you having?

Wishing you all the best for Monday you will be fine good luck just think onwards and upwards afterwards a pain free life.

Ann

14

hi cels. ...

good to see you here and how well you are doing. ...

time has passed so quickly .....

big warm hug

Renee 💙

15

What rubbish ! You can't do much for the first few weeks granted .. But of course you

Can lift a kettle at about 3 weeks .. Put a wash on , light cleaning etc at 6 weeks .. Loads of little things you can do . At 9 weeks I can gently walk the dog, cook , do some cleaning , light hoovering , bath, Polish, wash hair, shower .. You sure he meant three months or weeks ??

16

Hi Ann don't be terrified, I cancelled twice

feeling so frightened had to surrender in the

end to pain,once in hospital your in their care

before you no it your back on ward,I had GA

and a leg block no pain at all after ,just uncomfy

from scar area,I wish you well big hug xxx😱🙋

17

Hi Anna,

Thank you so much for your reply means a lot. I am really concerned as they really want me to have an epidural with sedation as they said the recovery is quicker. They said I will be out of it and won't feel a thing. I am still unsure. Can I ask why you opted for a GA.

ANN

18

Hi Ann I always thought I would go for epidural

with sedation, then listening to others I was

afraid of hearing things I didn't want to not

under enough,spoke to anestesist and we came

to the dissision of GA with leg block which is given in groin once your under,your leg feels like

that feeling you have from a filling at dentist

for a couple of days, was up walking within hours

on enhanced program, no sickness and only

drugs I had were paracetamol and codien

home in 3days I can honestly say the worst

part was lifting my op leg in and out of bed

for the first few days but that passes as the

days pass.Had dissolvable stitches and all well

with scar two weeks later used olbus oil on scar.

If I have other hip done would have same again

they take such good care of you .Big hug xx😴🙋

Ann my recovery couldn't have been quicker.

19

Hi Ann. I had a spinal block with sedation and was very frightened of waking and being aware of what was going on. I told the anaesthetist and he said he would make sure I didn't and he was right. Only woke when it was all over. Sedation is better for you than GA as you are still breathing for yourself and is safer. Let them know your fears and you should be fine. Good luck. Xx

20

Ann epidural is brilliant !