Hi everyone,
Just thought it would be nice to hear from the veterans of the group with a quick update and #1 piece of advice for longerterm recovery.
I hope you are doing well although I know that several are struggling. To those I send hugs and wishes for more healing.
Regards all.
L
Hi Linda
I think l qualify as a veteran as l am 5 month post 1st thr and 7 months for 2nd.
Well recovery for me has been up and down l think my knee hips are great but l still can feel that l have had surgery when l wake in the morning. Its not an unbearable pain l get l am just really stiff and depending what side l have been sleeping on there is a slight pain where l have been lying. It feels heavy thats the only way l can describe the feeling l get across my back like inside it feels like there is a dead weight at my back across the 2 sides bearing in mind both have been done but once l am up and move anout the feeling goes and they are fine. I also still think my scars are tendor to touch and find myself protecting them if anything comes near them. Put it this way l would not like to walk into the edge of a table as l think it could be pretty sore. But other than that all good. I think l would be about ready to try going back to work but thats not gonna happen as l have knee replacement next. Yay.
Laura x
I am almost 6 months post op on my left hip,it feels great.My only draw back is might right hip which the surgeon won't do yet as he said it isn't bad enough just yet,he needs to live with it for a few weeks sick of taking painkillers. My long term advice is take each day as it comes and try to do a bit more each day and set little goals for yourself.
Hi Linda,
How about sharing yours????
big warm hug
renee
Oh and thats another thing l forgot is l am sick of taking painkillers too. Although that will not account for all veterans l just have severe knee pain now. I still swear by my new hips l would not change getting them done even though you have a lot of recovery to go through its worth it 👍xx
I am five months post surgery (posterior left THR) and doing reasonably well although waiting to get my right hip done as well. This likely made my progress a bit slower and less complete than I hoped for. But no bone on bone in my left and the prospect of the same in my right hip before too long I hope. I am walking increasing distances but limping more than I like - esp when I have done a lot and I am tired. This is also true of going down stairs.
Osteoporosis also plays a part in my hips and several other joints so I have every reason to take my reha program very seriously, but if I am brutally honest, it has been getting harder to stay motivated to do my exercises which really do help. I need to get more deliberate about this in preparation for the next operation and to avoid worse complications from the osteo.
It has been a stressful period since my operation (death of my Mom and ongoing support to my Dad with vascular dementia, daughter's concussion, good friend leaving the country and another fighting the aftereffects of a stroke now in the ICU with infections and a heart attack). This is not a poor me statement rather ... life doesn't stand still while we recover and we need to find ways to manage the stress while recovering and learning on the most basic level that we also need care and help too.
So my advice is to try to put things in perspective - skimping on your recovery program will have long term effects and will increasingly erode your quality of life with the things you enjoy, including your ability to support those you love. Another posting emphasized the need for more attention to our mental and emotional needs and I really agree (esp., as many parts of the recovery journey are rough and to some extent, unexpected).
As Renée wisely remind us regularly, be gentle and kind to your body (and mind I might add). And appreciate the lovely support we get from this forum.
Hugs to all - esp those who need one right now.
L
PS . In case it got lost in my long ramble ... my first THR is a success, and I am very appreciative of having it. I hope (even expect) that second one will be as successful even if the experience may not be the same. I can envision a true return to my previous way of life with moderate sports , walking, hiking and all the regular activities of daily living .. something that has been increasingly difficult in recent years.
As I have said before, we are very lucky to live in this age and in countries offering this level of care.
L
Never thought about being a veteran, but 8 months down the line, I am abou 95% normal, still cannot bend properly but nearly there.
I listened to everyone who gave me advice, to me they had been there and done it so knew what to do, my one bit of advice where sox in bed stops your feet rubbing and getting sore. Also read every piece of info but remember everyone gets there at different pace, so take your time, hip replacement is a roller coaster of emotions.
good luck to everyone, and if you want advice just ask.
suexx
Hi all
Have had a real problem getting onto the site in last few weeks - pop up ads on iPhone obscuring every attempt and iPad not registering text. Hope you are all doing good , and big hugs for those struggling still. I'm now 4 months post op and really pleased with recovery . I can get my own socks on now although it's such an effort I still let my partner do it. 'Other aspects' of our relationship are back to normal 😌 I'm cycling home from work each day - as its a very steep hill on the way to work me and my bike get dropped off each morning as I couldn't do the uphill ride yet - cycled down from work to the gym yesterday and did my 30 lengths then cycled home - 7 mile round trip - was knackered ! and was in bed for 9 30pm and slept through ! I try and go swimming 5 times a week . Am still getting some ankle swelling - cankles yuk! Am feeling fine at work and back pushing med trollies around comfortably . Looking forward to our holiday kayaking in Scotland next month and have bought a pair of walking poles to help with uphill walks . I do feel I'm beginning to get my normal energy levels back although it's taken a while - my consultant was really pleased with me at my 12 week ( was actually 15) appt . Couldn't have done it all without the support of all of you so big big thankyou and please keep in touch . I've typed all this into an email and am going to try and copy/ paste it into a reply before the pop up ads obliterate the screen xxxxxxx
Sent from my iPhone
Very, very good to hear how well you are doing. Fabulous. I admit though that I cannot imagine kayaking for quite a while.
Take care.
L
Xo - see reply below.
L
Hi, I'm new to the group and 5 months post op from a total hip replacement on my right hip....it feels great and in 4 weeks I'm having the left side done...I'm worried that the right side isn't ready...doctor says yes and i trust him...but still worried..
Hi Beckjo,
Warm welcome to the best forum for hippies and hip related issues where we share our personal stories and experiences - the best information from "real" people -
There are many here on the forum who had 2nd THR (I am one of them) and would love to help you -
In order to get the most of us please start your own discussion and let us know your concerns ...
Sounds as if you are doing really good with recovery from 1st hip and are ready to tackle the 2nd one ...
big warm hug
renee
I'm about 8 months post-op now and have recently been working at a job that requires some standing. I've found I've been getting bad shin splints and have discovered this is due to weak core hip abductors. Of course, one of the best treatments is the clam exercise we all love to hate. I will get some physio when the job ends next week (temp job).
In the past few days, I've been wearing my TEDs to work and have much less pain. However, the chairs we sit at have a seat that bends upwards and then down in the front half and it does get a bit uncomfortable at the upper-leg end. The TEDs don't help that, of course.
Otherwise I'm pretty good. I still get sore; I still have a small limp when walking on outdoor surfaces, particularly if they slope. Haven't tried to run but can do a quite brisk pace when I need to...
I am now seven months post op. I have been on the forum for well over a year, and I LOVE this forum
I have completely recovered from my first THP and would say it was only a month ago, I felt truly 'normal' again....yes really I am so surprised it has taken so long to feel really completely back to my old self, but I feel great! The new hip is amazing and strong and completely healed. Only this month my weight has started to really drop off naturally as I am back to usual activity levels. All in all very happy with results.
I don't have masses of advice apart from don't panic about your recovery time, you need both patience and confidence that you will get there, it takes time, and lots of it. I thought I would be completely healed by week four - at the latest six. For those that have had a total hip replacement it is completely unrealistic in the most part. It is true to say it takes probably closer to a year...be prepared and you will be fine.
Don't despair though, you can still enjoy many, many things again in the meantime, cycling, working out, walking, going out etc. You are really out of action for a very short period - the rest is getting better and better each day but slowly. I hope this brings comfort to all of you still in early to mid stages, it is all worth it in the end
Morning everyone, at only 5 weeks today but doing extremely well, I wanted to thank all of you 'veterans' for your kind words, encouragement and brilliant advice. I joined in January & was full of anticipation but each & every one of you have been fantastic. May you all carry on with your recovery (at whatever pace) & continue to help others. Thank you xxx
Hi Linda,
I am nearly 4 months post op and doing well. I am back at work full time in a laboratory which involves sitting, standing and moving a lot. I get a sore back some days and have to do plenty of 'cat stretches' when I can. I have gone back to my yoga class and am taking it as far as my body will let me.It's lovely to have my me time back again. Driving sometimes causes my scar to hurt, and I keep forgetting a cushion to sit on.Sleeping fine ,still have pillow between my knees when I'm on my side. My advice would be to try not to compare recovery with other members as we are all so different and it can make you a bit despondant if you think you are not getting on as well as others. We are all doing great!!
Today husband has had a knee replacement so I will be helping him when he comes home. His was a bit different from mine as my hip was replaced after I fell and broke it.
Best wishes to all Ali xx
It was nice to read that your weight has started to drop off now, Rose. I am looking forward to that. Prior to my hip hurting, I was an avid pickleball player and also walked tons. It was easy to keep my weight at a good place. In the past 1.5 years since I had to really cut back on things I have put on at least 20 lbs. I would really love to get rid of those and to firm up the rest of me. It's nice to read your encouraging message about getting back to lots of things we can enjoy. Thanks!
Leslie
Thanks Ali and best wishes to your husband for a full and happy recovery. I might have already returned to yoga except for my other hip. I am now scheduled for surgery on Sept 20th. I have started going back to the aquatic exercise though. Thanks for the uptake and encouragement.
L
Thanks Laura. I appreciate your response and I know you are discouraged about your knees as you been through the wringer with your hips. But I hope all goes well and you can get off this joint replacement treadmill before too long.
Hugs.
L