Hi. I'm sure this has been covered a million times but would appreciate some input. Had my left hip replaced on Friday morning - posterior approach, ceramic head and cemented stem - and was discharged from hospital yesterday. Don't feel too bad - not much pain - but hip is very swollen this morning. I imagine this is fairly normal but I did ring up and they've given me an outpatient appointment for this afternoon.
I also seem to be getting light headed after the slightest exertion which is a bit disappointing. Is that normal too? I know it's very early days (only 3 days) so I assume that resting a lot is ok until I feel stronger?
This op is a lot harder to get over than I'd anticipated! Perhaps my expectations were a bit unrealistic ;-)
I think 3 days is a very short time, your body is still recovering from anaesthetic, you will need much longer to recover, see Dr this afternoon to get assured its OK and then rest.
Let us know how you get on, how are you getting there
Thank you Alexandria. My husband is driving me there - it isn't far. I've been resting and icing and it hasn't gone down any but feels a bit better.
Dear Jenny, im 3 weekks today and my hip is still swolen. U are lucky u dont have to much pain. This operation is very brutal and i was same . My expectation were a bit unrealistic and I expect i will be ok after few days. I was not. It will take time and u need lots of rest until u feel stronger. Miracle not hapen over night. Im sure u have done good thing and make the appointment. Better
Be sure than sorry. Good luck with appointment and please let me know how u went. I wish u good luck and i hope all will be ok.
Best of luck. Madla. I cross fingers for u. Chin up and good luck🌷💗
😅 bless you Jenny , yes this is all very normal indeed, in fact you have got off extremely lightly. You sound great compared to me and I'm 3 weeks + 4 days . You are doing amazing xx
Hi Jenny.
Think a lot of us had unrealistic expectations. Nobody tells us how hard it will be or the rollercoaster ride we are embarking on lol
I found I was very light headed and nauseous for up to a week following op. I had no appetite no energy and little inclination to do anything. Couldn't be bothered with reading or TV.
Week 3 was my worst week. I was tired. Not sleeping uncomfortable and overall horrible. Week 4 awful groin pain etc. However through it all I percevered with the exercises.
Just going into week 6. No sticks can do most things for myself. Wore some boots with low heels today and managed an hours walk along the coast with no sticks. Energy levels are better. Mood is lifting. I am interested in things again.
So the moral is. Just ride it out "this toowill pass " and there will be light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
My consultant dropped a hint when he said 8 Weeks to drive and 8/10 weeks before back to work. And the need to be careful for first 12 weeks.
You will get there. Lots of people get swelling fortunately I didn't get swelling.
Good luck. And keep coming back to the site. It's a life saver at your darkest times.
Yes Jenny .. Three weeks in and I was Shocked ! The hip does swell .. Watch the video if you bare ..
The light headed feeling is shock, blood loss, drugs, etc... Mine went after 5 days . Best wishes X
Good job you have someone to take you, icing is good, 15/20 mins per hour and not directly on skin as you probably know, also not directly on scar till its 100% healed.
Let us know what they say
Thanks for all your replies. I've been to see the doctor at the hospital and he's reassured me that although I've got swelling everything else seems fine. They checked blood pressure and temperature, both normal - phew.
Really pleased your feeling reassured, the next thing to swell will be your ankles and feet so be prepared, that's usually when your partially mobile and foot is dangling and not being walked on to push fluid and blood etc up the leg, I'm now fascinated on the bodies use of muscles
I think this is normal, I had a huge Beyonce backside with the swelling which went down after a week or so, bruising was and still is horrendous and I'm now day 19. I felt nauseous from the painkillers and slept most of the first 12 days. I feel a bit more normal now and building up my walking.
I can get about the house on one stick but need two outside.
Good luck
Hi Jenny. Sounds as if you are doing very well but be careful. It is early days yet. You're right -your body has been through a traumatic experience. Amazingly I think you will see small but significant progress steps each day. But it will need time. Exercise and movement is good but so is rest.
It's normal to have swelling too. My swelling seems to have migrated downstairs from hip to knee, which is sometimes stiff and a little sore but eases with exercise.
Best wishes with your recovery
Rob
Swelling is totally normal - if you only knew what they do to you in this operation, you'd know why
.
Light headed - yes, I had that, passed out once, then nearly did it a second time but recognised the signs. Rest is what you need right now, save the heroics for later
.
Everyone enters this operation with rose titnted glasses - we only find out what it's really like when we come on here after the operation.
It is a long slog to recovery, but it is worth it.
See my website for tips from all the 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 - 🚀💃
Isn't that weird as I had hardly ANY bruising at all ! Really expected to be black and blue but only my stomach black and blue from those anti clot injections . Yet the pain was awful . Just had hot bath with lavender and chamomile oil in it and rubbed bio oil in scar .. Bliss 😜
You're exactly right. I still have no appetite at almost 4 weeks along. The third week was my best. No pain, using a cane only occasionally when outdoors, no meds except the ELIQUIS. Last week I went to therapy on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday was fine but on Friday I just couldn't complete my usual sets of exercises. My hip was so sore right over the joint. I found myself back to using the cane again while at home and considering taking the walker when outdoors. I'm so upset!! I seemed to be doing so well. I spent all weekend in the recliner with a hot pack. THen I cancelled the therapy session for Monday because the pain and soreness was still there. I'm not sure what happened but I'm suddenly going backward. Just so upset.
So sorry to hear you've had a set back Patricia. Obviously I don't have the experience to comment about why it might have happened, as I'm still only 4 days post op, but would it be worth calling your surgeon for advice? I think that's what I'd do.
Hope you improve again soon.
hi patricia,
I am checking in with you to find out how you are doing now ...
Try not to be so upset darling --- it sounds that you are doing great - seriously ... perhaps 2 days in a row PT is too much -- your body needs to recuperate first before another physical therapy session!
I have the same experience - week 4 and on are notorious for "set backs" ... we feel better and do more when our body is not ready yet -
It is very easy to overdo it -
take your time - let your PT know how you feel - they don't know what it is like, you know .... it is a healing process and different from working out with a healthy body -
big warm hug
renee
Oh dear, you are at the 'one step forward, two backward' stage ..... this seems to happen to a lot of us. Don't be to despondant - as Renee says, it will get better, just take your time.
Best wishes
Graham
I can relate to the two steps forward thing. I've had an awful day with masses of pain and a terrible migraine like headache that just wouldn't shift. Took the codeine phosphate in the end and that helped a bit so now I know not to get above myself and think I can manage with just paracetamol! I got hardly any sleep last night so that probably didn't help.
Feel a lot better now and have stopped crying! I've identified that one of the things that's not helping me cope is knowing that this time last week I was at work and although in some pain and limping a bit, I wasn't in agony like I was earlier today! I think it's a shock! I'll get my head round it eventually I guess.
Hope all you hippies are doing ok - this site is a godsend. I know you understand!
Jenny,
yes, Only people like us that havebeen through this recovery will ever understand. Glad you are cheering up 🤸 - it's a long journey, but I think it is worth it in the end.
Graham