Total ceramic hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I had surgery on the 7/9/2017 now home I am experiencing shooting pains from my knee downwards into my ankle.Around the hip seems not too bad under the circumstances but lack of sleep i.e 3 hours a night is taking its toll.Any suggestions many thanks 

2

Hi Gill

If you has cement less ceramic like me then this type of pain is normal. I got shooting/tingling pains in shin, outer thigh and groin in fact various places. I was told by surgeon that it's all to do with all the damage to muscle tendons etc during surgery and also that the bone is knitting itself onto the prosthesis. There is a lot of action inside the leg as it mends itself. I am almost 7 weeks post op and it's not happening much at all now.

As for lack of sleep, particularly in the beginning is also very normal. I woke every 2 hrs needing the toilet. Eventually this also gets better fairly quickly.

Good luck with your recovery

Sandra

3

Hi Gail

I also had my surgery on 7/9/17 so I am feeling your pain - literally! 

MY pain is more heavily aching than shooting pains and lots of stiffness. 

Looking forward to hearing lots of suggestions to aide sleep and reduce pain.

This seems to be a great forum 

Take care 

4

getting enough sleep is difficult at the start. 

I used to listen to my iPod with soothing music, and I found our spare room bed much better as the mattress was much firmer than our bed.

Graham

5

Hi Louise so glad to hear I'm not alone.I have a strong pain threshold and was starting to panic.Are you quite mobile or just taking things slowly.

take care

 

6

Thankyou my mattress is quite firm maybe too much so taken you comments on board.Good idea with the music will try that.Many thanks

Gail

7

Hi Sandra 

Thank you you answered lots of my next question.Getting up to the bathroom and the various shooting /tingling pains.You have settled me thought I was going crazy.

many thanks

Gail

8

I also thought I had a strong pain threshold until recently! 

Pain is actually at its worse today but that is probably because I have reduced the painkillers too quickly. 

I really don't know how much I should be mobilising so taking it quite easy but unsure when to increase - probably pain dependant? 

How mobile have you been? 

Here's to a good nights sleep 😀

 

9

Forgot to say I was advised on the forum to try magnesium nitrate tablets and they worked first night for me. Seemed to stop the tingling at night lying in bed and it helps with sleep too.

10

Hi Louis

Your body will let you know how much to do. It was major surgery so lots of rest needed at beginning just getting up and walking around for 5 minutes every hour or so. As for painkillers better to keep taking them a while longer yet. Pain will hamper your mobility recovery if you stop too early.

11

Hi louise

Im still taking all the pain relief at the moment.I try and get up every hour for a small walk around also doing 3 small exercises as the physio advised.I also go for a lay down after lunch which the hospital recommend.

I did far too much yesterday and paid the price today little steps at a time I think.

sleep well 😀

12

One one for the shopping list thank you Sandra.

Gail

13

Hi Gail, 

warm welcome to the hippies forum ...

I am assuming 7/9/2017 is September 07 and not July 09 right ? so basically you are  5 days post-op and just released from the hospital.. 

You just had major invasive surgery where muscles, tendons etc. were severed, femur cut, hip joint forcefully dislocated; new hard ware was fitted and hammered in to fit - then repaired and stitched back together ---

phew ... your body needs to do a lot of healing this trauma - 

we are not being told about the very frequent trips to the bath room - so that is a surprise but also makes us move ... 

A common mistake we make is waiting too long to take pain medication or decrease the dosage. By the time we are in pain, we are starting from behind the eight ball. It takes a lot more medicine to control pain after it’s started as opposed to starting it ahead of time, I was told

Take medication as prescribed by your the doctor. That will keep medication flowing through your system and your level of pain at a more even and manageable level so you can move around more.

please come back here if you have more concerns or questions or just want to share anything ---

big warm hug

renee

 

14

Thank you Renee

Good sound advice and will definitely take on board you medication advice.Its a long journey but with all the help on here makes the journey more bareable.

many thanks 

Gail

15

Morning Sandra,

Did you mean magnesium citrate for the tablets they recommend on the forum.

many thanks

Gail

16

Morning

yrs sorry. Magnesium citrate it is. They are huge tablets but easily broken into two or three pieces.

17

Thank you Sandra 

18

Hi

Well it's day 7 post op and still feeling in pain and stiff managed a good 5 hours sleep but struggling with back pain when waking causing difficulty getting out of bed.Should I be more mobile at this point or is this normal recovery,feeling frustrated.

Many thanks 

Gail

19

hi again Gail, 

5 hours sleep is great !!!  seriously - 

Are you on any blood thinning medication to prevent blood cloths? 

you can expect to feel stiffness and discomfort for a while, darling --- just be prepared -- 

I felt like I was hit by a bus - everything started to hurt, from top of my head down to my toes - I think that I kept my body so tense and rigid ....

what are you doing to stay mobile ?  you are getting out of bed, go to the bathroom - maybe wash your self, get dressed ... something to eat - do some exercises --- I don't know -

there are no "should's" as we all are healing differently and at our own pace as well -- 

listen to your body - you might get tired easily ... if so, rest ... take lot of naps and don't worry too much about not being able to sleep at night ...healing takes so much energy -

all is well -

be kind and gentle to your self --- 

angel blessings

renee

 

20

Morning Renee

Fast forward no slept last night but like you say it takes time.

Yes on blood thinning tablets.

I try and get up and about every hour and are doing my exercises which the physio recommend,getting washed but that's about it at the moment.I try and have bed rest after lunch for an hour or so just to try and get some sleep.

I am also suffering lower back but only after being in bed.

Are we taking days or weeks till I see some improvements seeing my consultant next week that's 2 weeks post op.

many thanks for you kind words

Gail