Well I am one month pre OP for left THR, ( on Mom's Bday may she rest in peace). Getting nervous, they no send you home one day post OP, sure seems soon to me. My right hip was bothering me for a long time, the Dr's did xrays and said " ook at that left hip, it is bone on bone" I think my hip heard him about 4 months later I couldn't walk. That was Dec, I got a cortisone shot which helped so much for 4 months, then I went " lame" again. The next shot in each hip did nothing, meanwhile I scheduled surgery for Aug, r was booking for July crazy me wanted to enjoy the pool this summer. What was I thinking....wow I am suffering every day and my quality of life has deteriorated so much. I think I have 100 steps in me and when they are sued up I am in such pain. I am not even sure how to walk with a cane and feel so old at 9 to need a THR then I see some of your ages!! I have always fought being overweight and no wonder if that is why?? Any thoughts??? Or too many years of high heels?? How do you get in and out of a high bed on the same side as your new hip? How big is a normal scar for posterior? I heard the worse is your muscle that has been cut healing, true? Getting nervous.... thank you all so glad I found this group! Nothing as good as sharing experience, strength and hope. Do most people take pain meds pre op? I am not as they mess up bodily functions. I saw someone mentioned aqua exercises? I have a pool can someone tell me what they are?
Hi Nettie,
Lots of questions! I think the main thing is - a THR makes things much, much better.
Sure , it is a serious operation and recovery takes time and the journey in between is ough at some points.
But ... it sounds as if you are having a rough time now and the operation will deal with that.
There are really four stages in my mind: 1) pre-op during which is a good idea to take the meds and learn how to manage their effects (probiotics and lots of dried fruit is my preferred method). The meds will manage your pain and help you maintain some level of activity to keep your muscles active - important to your recovery.
2) operation and immediate post-op - actually not awful as you are unconscious for the operation and pain is well managed from the anaesthetic and drips. You will not go home until you can walk a few steps and do a few stairs - I know, but we all managed it quickly. 3) The first two weeks post op are challenging. But resign yourself to needing (and getting ) help from family and friends. Most things are tough in this stage as your new hip and all the related connective tissues learn to work together .. in harmony and peace 😊. Yes well that takes some work (exercise) and patience. Did I mention the patience 😊
4) Everything after - this is highly variable and depends on your pre-op health, level of commitment to your exercises and maintaining restrictions and ... attitude. Of course there is an element of luck too but for the most part patience and commitment will prevail. It gets better (although there will be some backsliding at times) - much , much better.
This isn't a quick fix operation, but it does get rid if the bone on bone pain quickly and allow you to regain freedom of movement as you recover.
II and many others in this forum have made it through and I am waiting for my second operation in a couple of months .... with gladness as it will allow me a much more complete life and much less pain.
Thank you Linda, I will call the Dr tomorrow about meds for pain, what I had wasn't working. I tired to move my legs around today in the pool, hoping to get some movmet back and maintain some muscle, I have been too sedentary the last two months. Thank you for the great input, I have been reading everything I can, including the laymens guide Annette
Hi Nettie, good to have you on here. Sounds like you are about in the same shape I was prior to hip replacement. I had my rthr 8 weeks ago and am waiting to get the left done. I know what you mean about quality of life and only having 100 steps left! It is rough to say the least. I am fairly new at this so I can only speak of my own experience. I did take pain medications before my surgery. I took Tramadol, Ibuprofin 600, Soma muscle relaxer, Gabapentin for nerve pain. I also have OA all over my body and in my spine so sme of the medications were not only for relief of my severly deteriorated hips but for the other pain also. I currently am taking Tramadol and Ibuprofin 600, and I have cut the Gabapentin from 3 times a day to just one at night and also went from the Soma to a milder form of muscle relaxer to only 1 a day instead of 2. I have also fought being overweight, but then again I have OA and deterioration in my hands, shoulders and elbows also and their is no weight bearing in these joints. I am just lucky enough to inherit the condition from my family. My father had arthritis very bad and also recently learned that my maternal grandmother also had it really bad. So like my Aunt told me I got the double whammy... For a few weeks before my surgery I was so bad I could no longer walk with a cane and had to use a walker or crutches, even then it was rough because if I let go of them and didn't lean on them the pain was terrible. I am not sure about the aqua exercises so hopefully someone on here will have some information for you. I had the posterior approach, my scar is pretty long but at least it is fairly narrow and doesn't look too horrible. It is hard not to be nervous prior to surgery. At least by finding this site it will help you be better prepared. It takes a while to recover and progress can be slow. Something most of our doctors don't inform us about. You will feel so much better and be able to function so much better once the healing begins. I hope I have been of some help, and please don't overdo it and get your hips hurting worse. (that advice coming from someone who needs to take their own advice) lol...Wishing you well....Barb
Hugs Barbie - wish I could give you a real one.
Xxx
See my website for common complications and tips, 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 - 🚀💃