I wrote this group over a year ago - when I had to decide to move first (doctor strongly recommended) or have operation first. Well, the consensus here was also to move first - so that is what I did. I am now in my new home - it turned out to be a much longer process due to the fact that my home did not sell right away. Also, was very hard with my hip condition - but I got through it! Now that my operation is only 3 day away - I am so nervous, scared, etc. etc. I guess I am looking up everything on the internet and seeing what can βgo wrongβ - so I probably should have a positive outlook and faith in my doctor. Is each person different - are restrictions lifted on some people earlier than others? Can you sleep on your side? I have been using a cane/walker and cannot walk on my own right now - so I know my balance is going to be off - how do you get that back? What are the best exercises everyone found to be most helpful? Is walking outside a good exercise? I know I have so many questions, but honestly the only people who can really answer are the people who have gone through this. I feel very handicapped and just want to be able to walk again and enjoy life - bad depression right now. Good luck and God Bless each and everyone of you going through this - I am sure it is not easy but as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel - I can do it!!!
Hi Lauren, don't worry. But everyone recovers differently. I am sure it all be ok. i had my hip replacement in Nov 2019 and recovered very well. You have to make sure to do your exercises. Good luck Lauren.xx
Please tell me how you went forward in time and got it done and came back, I would love to be able and did you happen to bring back lottery tickets x ππππ
Everything you are feeling is understandable. Moving is very stressful and now you're having surgery. Despite having both knees replaced in 2011, with great success, I was a nervous wreck about TRHP. Mine was done slightly 3 months ago, posterior approach, and despite the emotional and physical roller coaster, when I saw my surgeon 2 weeks ago I got clearance to lift all restrictions. I go to yoga daily, I walk a few miles daily with my two dogs and I feel well. 2 months ago, I had numerous misgivings and many ups and downs. Actually, I was feeling rather hopeless. Over time, I began turning corners and am doing well. The acronym for Fear is "False Evidence Appearing Real." Accept any and all help offered to you and don't be too proud to ask for help? Write down your questions for the surgeon or you may forget. Amazon sell a hip surgery kit - very helpful.
Where are you having your surgery done? Do you live with anyone? Can you go to rehab and pt? This too shall pass and remember to keep breathing.
Best of luck, Georgette
Alexandria, lmao
Hi ya love
It's been 13 months right hip total replacement my revision is this Friday. Mine did not go to plan. My hip size is bigger than expected on the day this caused it to be put in at an angle causing hamstring issues so I am having it moved. My advise is small steps, once your home you will be extremely tired, but if you can get dress and go for a slow walk it's good for the muscles as they are really weak and good for mental health. I have a exercise bike that's really good for the legs to build up muscles just 5 mins is enough to start. Make sure you can have a rucksack or sandwich bags for food and water as you are on 2 crutches. You actually can be independent. You will be restricted for 6 weeks min but use a grabber (get 2) it's great plus I taped a shaver to mine makes you feel better to shave. A bowl and sponge with your grabber to wash your feet once a day is important because the stockings are so restricting and your feet end up smelling. By the 3rd or 4th week you can even walk to your local shop and get some bits put in your rucksack, don't be scared just be sensible. Good luck
Forgot to say- I was able to sleep on my side after about 3 months. Walking is good exercise but there are once you can do at home. You need to try and get an appointment for physio so they can show you if you can.
Hello Lauren,
I know exactly how you are feeling, I have my pre assessment tomorrow and OP on Saturday - my outlook is that it can't get worse that what it is now. I can't walk far and need crutches, I take morphine capsules every day. I'm still scared but it's mainly the possibility of infection or death during the OP not the OP replacement itself.
I'll answer some of your questions from the information I have.
- You can't sleep on your side until the muscle around your new hip have healed and are strong - you'll have to sleep on your back with a wedge.
- balance and restrictions - depends on the recovery - I know some people who have recovered and gone back to work in 4 weeks and others 12 weeks, some even have better movement but pain but you MUST do your physio exercises, these will help you recover quickly.
- There isn't just one exercise that trumps all, they are all designed to strengthen the muscle around the new joint.
You will have pain after your surgery, it's not going to be nice but you'll also notice a different of movement which you've probably haven't had since your problems all started. My attitude is to expect the outcome of the OP to be poor because I've got so much riding on it going right and results to be right that if I expect too much and it doesn't turn out as expected I'll spiral into depression - I know I will BUT THR are from what I've heard are excellent and have very high success rate.
hope this helps and good luck, Dan
Hi laurenlee
I am 5 wks passed a LTHR. I too was feeling very nervous and wondering if it was the right thing. However days after the op I was in no doubt that it was. I was a 58 yr old feeling more like 80 and walking with a stick before and feeling increasingly miserable as I could not really life my life and was on the verge of losing my job!
I was in hospital 2 nights only and was looked after as well as anyone could be.
I can now walk (with a stick but soon to be abandoned) for distances I would have had to taxi and without pain!!!
Obviously I still have to take care but my consultant is happy that I am doing very well.
Physio is invaluable and helps a great deal.
Sleeping can be a bit tricky as I am not usually a back sleeper but slowly getting on to my side and better sleep. (First couple of weeks I took all the meds I was prescribed at night and they knocked me out. This sleep in vital to get your energy levels in a good place but I don't need them now.
There have been down days when I got so tired and fed but not so many and then I remember how i felt before.
I am planning trips away now where I can go for walks which is what I love to do.
You will be fine and back to yourself in no time.
best wishes
Hobbling (no longer)!!!!
Hi Laurenlee,
First thing first get the operation over with, no one was more scared than me but honesty the op it self was over so quickly and you feel nothing, since the hip op I have had no pain at all therefore no painkillers after leaving hospital where they were obsessed with them, all they do is constipate you and make you feel sick.
The hospital will give you exercises to do and do them otherwise recovery suffers, do not rush your recovery as slow and sure is far safer. I had twelve weeks of precautions which at the time seems an eternity but it is not. We all have problems sleeping on our backs but it is only for a short time really, week eight I decided I could sleep on my side and operated side for a short time.
Once the op is over, then think about what to do etc., don't fill your head with everything beforehand. I am off to my step aerobic class now. You will be fine.
You know what... I used to visit this forum long before my surgery and it FREAKED ME OUT. Every post seemed negative and scary. I worked myself up to a lot of unnecessary worry and sadness. Then my day came and it was amazing! Everything went perfectly for me. Try to stay positive!
For me, I lost a lot of muscle over time. I think people who have limps long after need to work on all the muscles to fix their problems but most people don't. So If you want to get better, make sure to work out long after you are healed. That is key.
You can do just about anything post replacement, but take your time, and remember we all recover at different rates. Having done this 3 times now (all on the same hip) in 3 years, I have experienced huge differences in recovery rates just for me!
See my website forgeneral advice and tips, the address is in my personal info here ... https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025 and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147
Best wishes
Graham - Β―_(γ)_/Β―
Wow Daniel, you are going into your hip op with the wrong attitude. Who said you will have pain after the hip op, I had no pain at all and never had any since. Before op, my hip was so bad I would estimate I had 1.5 yo 2 inch leg difference which made me waddle around so badly I made penguins look good, after hip op level legs. Yes, I did start to get down in second week but became aware very quickly and stopped myself and pulled myself up.
I would really recommend you go for your op feeling it will be a success not that you will have all the bad things happen to you.
Hi Lauren, you will be fine, trust the surgeon! Are you Uk based? Few tips rather than encouragement, cut your toe nails the night before, you wont be able to for around 8 weeks, if you can, try and get 3 crutches so that you can leave one downstairs and one at the top as you won't need 2 to get up and down provided you have a stair rail. Get handled toiletry or old handbag that you can carry meds, thermos, book, tablet etc upstairs as you will want to go back to bed and this is easy to hook over crutch handle. Take all meds offered and don't come off until you feel ready. Remove mats and loose rugs even in bathroom, keep all toiletries in bathroom easy to reach dependent on your shower situation. Invest in non perfumed moisturiser to massage scar and later use bio. Get a long shoe horn for slip on trainers, I have one with a hook on the other end that helps get knickers and trousers up. Take all the rest you need and don't be afraid to swear, curse and cry in the first few weeks or so. Hope this helps Helen
Hi Helen - thank you for your great reply - I live in Florida and am on one level - so that helps. Great tips that I will certainly apply to my recovery. The "swearing" already started a while ago LOL I can tell you speak from experience - so thank you again for the tips. Lauren
THR two weeks ago after years of pain and immobility. I also moved just prior to surgery, not an easy thing to do. I live alone so made sure everything was to hand at the right level in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room I awoke from surgery (spinal and sedated) with ... no hip pain I stayed two nights in hospital and had someone stay with me overnight the first night home. I was looking forward to my operation and was very focused on getting mobile again. Listen to the medics, keep up with the exercises, eat healthily, hydrate constantly, move frequently and rest plenty. You will be fine. I am now walking without a limp/roll, and inside rarely need any kind of walking aid. I find a pick-up / grabber gadget invaluable. Good Luck !
Megan
Hi, I remember your original question about moving! I'm glad that you're now settled. You've had lots of good advice already. I would just add, don't worry about feeling nervous, I think we all were. I was dreading the op and recovery, and for me it was absolutely fine, loads better than I was expecting. (Though everyone is different. I was 57, and fit apart from the horrible osteoarthritis pain.) It was the lovliest feeling walking with my crutches about 5 hours post op, and that grinding bone on bone pain had gone. Take your time, do your exercises, rest when you need to, and take all your meds initially, I think it's important to stay ahead of the pain. I went for a walk each day, and when I had a swollen leg I had a rest and put some ice on it. For me the nights were rubbish, I felt uncomfortable, and I was told to sleep on my back for 6 weeks. Advice varies though, it maybe different for you. I wish you all the best, keep us posted, Judith
Excellent reply even makes me think I can face it π€π€
To everyone who has written me with their encouragement, advice, tips and sharing their own experiences - thank you from the bottom of my heart - I sincerely appreciate that people take the time to do this - it means more than I can express here. I do not feel alone - you guys are GREAT!!!! As my journey continues, I will post my experiences also and try and encourage others. TWO MORE DAY!!!!!
TWO MORE DAYS! - Lucky... I have 3 more weeks.