Hi I will be 4 weeks post op this friday. I am walking with one crutch. I find walking very tiring The walk to my local shops took me 10 mins pre op now takes 15- 20 mins and I have to stop for a rest when I get there
I am being followed up by the community orthapedic team - Occupational
therapist says everyone is anaemic post surgery. I thought it might be getting better
has anyone else has this
thanks
Karen
PS thanks to anyone has replied to my prevoius posts -its nice to get support from fellow hippies !
Im still using to crutches but cant walk for more than 10 minutes without being in agony. If i go out i have to use a wheelchair or i wouldnt be able to get anywhere.
The walk to my local shops and bus stop used to take me 3 minutes. I cant even get there now unless in the chair.
We wil get there eventually. It doesnt help with the pressure it puts on my wrists and bad shoulder either x
Hi Karen,
I think fatigue and low endurance are common amongst us (I certainly experienced them and often indulged in afternoon naps, esp in teh first two months).
It takes quite a while to recover from major surgery, few of us are sleeping well and quite a few of us also feel quite queasy so that diet is also an issue. And recommendations regarding diet seem most often to refer back to national guidelines which don't really address the needs for higher protein intake and supplements that aid recovery from this type of operation.
This all contributes to frustrations about progress. I think our expectations about the nature of recovery time are 'sometimes' quite high. We don't really take into consideration how major and traumatic this operation is - not unreasonable as this is glossed over in many orientations or discussions with our surgeons.
Hang in there - take the occasional nap and look after your diet. It makes a difference. Has anyone seen any recommendations for a good post THR diet - beyond respecting national dietary recommendations?
I wish i could nap. I cant get to sleep until after 11pm and wake up at 6:30am everyday. And cant for the life of me nap during the day. Mind you iv never been able to
Easily tiring is very common, we aren't sleeping well and physical activity takes it toll, I think that you just need to take things easy and not worry about how quick your recovery is. I had to use 2 crutches (surgeons orders) until my 6 week check when he said to use a walking stick, and to try and not use it indoors, he also said that the restrictions were in place for another 6 weeks. I am just over 13 weeks and started back at work on Monday, I only work 3 hours a day, but am finding that I still need to use my walking stick outdoors sometimes. My walk home from work used to take me 10 mins pre-op, but now takes me at least 5 mins longer, even with a stick I had to stop a couple of times for a rest.
4 weeks is still very early in the recovery of this traumatic operation.
Sounds pretty normal to me. Major surgery, trauma and blood loss. You will feel much better at the 6 week mark
Im 5wk now. Use two crutches outdoors one in.
10/15min walks.
Tired and yawn my head off after doing the walks or getting dressed/shower.
Last day of antibiotic today for wound infection so hoping to improve. But as yet twice week dressing to end of scar.
Just think to rest when tired and do more as and when.
Determined that once recovery is sustained it will mean a better return to work but im not rushing things.
This op was for my benefit 😊
Hi Karen,
be patient if you can.
the nurses at the hospital indicated that patients usually start to feel much better/stronger etc by 3 months.
i didn't want to believe them and was fixed on the 6 week goal", and then hugely disappointed when I wan't easily walking a couple of miles a day lol!
lo and behold the closer it got to 3 months the better I felt. I wish that I hadn't worried and fretted so much.
i am lots better and have finally understood the journey that this is. (Am 14 weeks now). I now KNOW that I am going to be in a fabulous place in another 3 months, and by the 1 year mark I will be better than ever. It was never going to be a fast paced recovery, but it is proving to be a perfect recovery for me.
i would have put my mortgage on never writing an email like this (ie positive and confident) when I was at 4 weeks and worrying about everything, convinced I would be forever disabled, and needing things to go faster.
hope that helps x
Excellent post LDW! I am 14 weeks and I echo your sentiments to Karen about pacing ourselves (especially knowing that I will be having a 2nd THR later this summer).
Hugs,
L
Like Angela, I am doing well using one crutch indoors (makes it easier to carry stuff from room to room and get my own coffee) but as soon as I head out the front door, I'm using both of them. I like the feeling of balance and stability I get with both crutches. Inside, I use the countertops, walls, sofas, etc. to help move myself around. So maybe try two outside for walking, or two canes, and let us know how that works for you!
4 weeks is so early - believe me. Your body is busy repairing the damage, and needs a lot of calories to do that - someone else posted this ...
It is recommended that surgery is NOT the time for weight loss! When people are immobilized, they worry about gaining weight. However, you should NOT decrease your calorie intake because you will be inactive. In fact, your calorie needs are now greater than usual because your body requires energy from nutritious foods to fuel the healing process. You will need to consume about 15-20 calories per pound (using your current body weight). If your overall energy and protein needs are not met, body tissues such as muscles and ligaments will begin to break down. This will compromise healing and may prolong your recovery period. While in the hospital protein drinks were included with each meal.
Graham - 🚀💃
Hi i am 4 weeks post thr and i find my level of tiredness fluctuates from day to day. My local shop is 10 mins walk away pre op and i don't think i could make it to the shop and definitely not with 1 crutch.
I have been doing 250 yards total each day with 1 crutch. Halfway i sit on a bench and rest. My family think that i should be going a lot further. One problem is my good hip has started hurting a lot. So maybe I'm not walking properly. I think your doing well walking as far as you do.
Maybe i might put my rucksack on tomorrow and take both crutches to the shop. Physio appt. Is next week to check on my gait
Hi Karen , I think what you are experiencing is absolutely normal at this stage , and can last a while . They do check your blood post op to check you are not anaemic. Try not to worry , its a slow process and everyones different - sounds like you are doing really well to me 😀 Big hug xxxx
Hi Karen,
I agree with previous posts - 4 weeks post-op is early days from major surgery like this - healing takes a lot of energy -
you are feeling better, stronger and want to do more - so you walk a little further, maybe faster , however your body is not there yet - to keep your body in balance is a major task, to retrain your brain to walk properly another - so much more is involved than just hip ...
When is your follow up appointment?
You are doing great - just be patient and gentle with yourself -
you are getting better -
big warm hg
renee
Hi Amanda,
Warm welcome to this forum of fellow hippies -
Like with Karen, you too are still early in recovery from this major surgery -
How is your walk? Are you okay with walking outside with 1 crutch? are you limping ?
Just asking because I was advised to use my rollator (4wheeled walker) until I saw surgeon at follow up appointment -
this , as I was told, was to help me from going back to pre-op limping - do you see a physical therapist ?
this might be the cause of your other hip starting to hurt
don't worry about what other people say and come back here any time you have a question or concern okay?
let us know how you are doing otherwise ..
big warm hug
renee
Hi Renee,
it seems that there is a lot of variances between consultants, my consultant advised on no precautions via the physio at 2 weeks and at 3 weeks the physio wanted to see me walking with 1 crutch. I am expected to be starting to walk without any crutches next week which will be week 5. I was told that it does vary from person to person but that is what he expecting of me. One of the group for physio does not have the same consultant so he told her that she still has to abide with all precautions even though she had the same type of thr.
The physio said that I was leaning on my crutch too much and to try not too, which is probably why my good hip hurts so much but I didn't think I was.
My mum came round and took me out shopping today and for the last 4 hours I was okay using one crutch with only my hip really starting to hurt for the last half an hour. I was really pleased.
I now feel incredibly tired and hopefully will have a full nights sleep tonight.
I have found that when I am doing the exercises my good hip still hurts so I have done more of the bed exercises to compensate. I will speak to the physio next week about my right hip.
I have thought that in comparison to pre op that I no longer limp and have been pleased because I felt that I can straight as well, something that I have been unable to do for nearly two years.
yesterday I felt in pain and really tired, had been cleaning and I found it really helpful to go back to 2 crutches again whilst walking around the house. it helped ease it.
thank you for your warmth and friendliness.
I had my hip replaced two weeks ago which went great, but I’m tired more often. Im not really doing anything to make me tired!! It really upsets me! I don’t have much energy but my hip feels fine. December 20th I go for second hip. I wish the Doctor did both, but he was totally against it. Waiting to see if I can drive. I can’t wait to go back to the gym, I went everyday l. I love lifting weights so I have up to 20lbs here and bands and I wondering if that’s adding to be feeling tired. Just don’t like it lol
Hi Deb
It takes a while to get your mojo back after big ops like this - sounds like you’re expecting way too much from yourself - your body is using up vast amounts of energy in the healing process and that’s why you’re tired. Give up the weights for a bit , chill and let your body repair itself - put your energy into making good stuff to eat that will help healing and nice gentle stuff to do that will keep your mind happy . I’m now 18months Post my 3rd hip op and I’ve just done a triathlon so you’ll get there I promise - your body,s just not ready yet and it’s early days to push things . Being tired is your bodies way of telling you to rest - please listen to it - it’ll tell you when it’s ready to do more xxxxxx
Hello Renee - how are you ? Xx