Quick Update - doing good!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all my hippy friends and those of you who don't know me!

​I am 63 and had my right hip replacement 10th June 2015 with Michael Cronin at Coventry Hospital with Superpath procedure.

In agony prior to that, very quick deterioration over a 6 month period - I couldn't wait to get in to hospital to have it done!

​Superpath is a minimally invasive procedure with no hip dislocation prior to surgery, no muscle cutting, muscles are parted and very small incision.

​Recovered well and quickly. Back to work  (I am self employed) after about 8 weeks properly but doing work from home before then.

​My operated hip feels as if it is my own now - I sometimes forget I have had it done. No joint pain whatsoever. I rush around all day and am very active.

​If anyone is out there worrying about having this operation, then STOP now. It will change your life. I was in so much pain before my op that I sometimes wondered whether I had the strength to carry on. I now feel so different, look better and am enjoying life once again. Constant pain saps your energy and pulls you down - there is no need to suffer, just put your faith in these wonderful surgeons and get it done.

​Of course there is some pain and discomfort immediately post op, but every day gets better and you know that the pain is short term and controlable.

​Still having physio, which is a bit intense to build up butt muscles and loosen psoas muscle which can be quite tight in hip patients. I don't do them as often as I should, but they have strengthened my balance and my walking pattern is good

My best wishes to all of you out there who are in recovery or awaiting ops.

​I went into this experience prepared to enjoy it every step of the way, even the pain, because I knew that there was going to be a great result and I would be myself again at the end of it all. Be positive and don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Much of your recovery depends on your attitude and determination as well as the expertise of these wonderful people who are so skilled in putting us back in one piece.

​Kindest regards to all Linda xx 

2

Thank you Linda. Very well said. And very much personally needed.

I am curious now about how that procedure type and will be googling.

Roxy

3

Thank you this us very encouraging to all i am 10weeks p op and feeling good stil not back to my old self but getting there !!!

Feel achy at times and tire quickly doing daily walks and physio once a day and all house stuff shopping cooking cleaning etc

4

dear friend of the first hour !!!

SO good to hear from you and how great you are doing - You look fabulous ...

thank you for posting such an encouraging message - 

enjoy and embrace life, darling ....

big warm hug

renee

 

5

Great to read your positive posting Linda.

im 50 and am having Suoerpath THR surgery with Mike Cronin on the 4th Feb.

your recovery sounds really encouraging.

(btw now is your other hip?..... My other one is playing up now, suspect an op on that side may be required before too long)

onwards and upwards!!

lindsey

6

Hi indsey

​I do have some arthritis in left hip but at last X Ray, there was quite a lot of cartilage left. The only discomfort in that hip is from mis use of muscles due to walking with a stick for so long pre op. Michael Cronin says the pelvis has to realign itself after the operation. I am doing strengthening exercises on left hip as well now, as my operated hip is stronger than the other one now.

Long term, I expect to have left hip done as well, but at present no joint pain in that hip or groin pain.

Best wishes for the op and give Michael my regards!

​​Linda xx

7

That's good news Linda 

I totally agree that it's a marvellous operation and I can't thank my surgeon enough for taking away that awful relentless pain.

I'm just over 3 months post op now for right hip and starting the process all over again in March to have left hip done.

Can I just ask you are you walking normally without any limping? 

My walking is terrible and I'm still waddling like a penguin just been re-referred back to Physio which according to GP the hospital should have done but for some reason I must have been overlooked. Was just sent home with 3 exercises to do

I'm just hoping Physio can help me finally get back to normal.

Love to you and Norman and take care both now the weather is a bit icy x

Just hoping Physio are able to help me 

8

My dear Renee

Hope you and the new hips are doing well

It is lovely to hear from you - we have progressed so far since those early days haven't we?

Let me know your news

​Kindest wishes Linda xx

9

Thank you for your for sharing your positive experience.  I am 3 weeks post op and doing very well.   But, I get so frustrated with having to use a reacher and sock aid to dress myself.  Every day I wonder if I will ever be able to bend over enough to clip my toenails and shave my legs again.  Little things really mean a lot when you are unable to do them yourself.  

10

Hi there

​These are early, early days for you . You will be able to do all those things again and more! I used a perching stool in the shower to shave my legs and propped my legs against the shower screen. Just bend gently and you will be amazed what you can do.But, don't do too much too soon - your body will tell you when is the right time to do things. It is frustrating to start with - I hate being dependant on other people, but you will be able to do a bit more each day and each week. Your hip will become stronger with physio.

​All the best to you - you will be like new. I never even think about my hip for the majority of the time now. At your stage, I thought about it all the time!

Kind regards Linda      

11

hi janie, 

I know how you feel - but before the surgery I already had problems with bending over to pick up things, put on my socks,polish my toenails etc - Only then I just forced my body to comply which caused so much pain -

Now ,after 2 THR surgeries,I am still stiff and very careful not to break the 90 degree rule - 

I have become very creative though ... had to, because I live alone ..

be gentle with yourself - it is okay  - get yourself, if possible, a nice pedicure -

big warm hug

renee

12

Hi Linda, glad to see you're doing so well. Note to all, I had same op as Linda , March last year, just about walking properly now, hip has been great since day 1, but it can take muscles as long to recover as they were being misused. So if you have walked bad leg for a year(I was walking with left foot pointing out) it can be thas long before other muscles or joints settle down. For me my left knee was a mess for 10 months. Only recently been able to go up stairs op leg first(left). That said I would do it again in a flash if need be! Next step, try to run without limping!