I'm very glad to have found this forum, and thanks to all involved in creating this site. I am writing I hope of gaining some guidance/advice and clarification on post-op questions I have. Thanks in advance, to anyone who replies.
I am two weeks out of surgery, and perhaps like many here who are recently recovering, many questions and observations swirl in my mind. For brevity sake, I will condense them:
1. Two weeks out of surgery is no time at all, I appreciate that. So, I know that any stiffness, aches, swelling that come and go, is normal and appropriate. Still, I do get a bit anxious every time a new stiffness or pain arises. Example...I am finding intermittent stiffness/discomfort in my hip when I take my walks, whereas last week (my first week post -op) I didn't feel this stiffness. That's when I start to wonder if something went wrong. I then remind myself, after reading so many entries on the forum, that this probably is normal. Any feedback is appreciated.
2. Two weeks in, I am still using my walker. My physical therapist said I could start trying out walking with walking poles (i.e. Nordic walking poles). I have done a few brief (and very slow) walk-abouts in my apartment using the poles. I guess it's normal to feel unsure, unsteady, and frankly fearful somewhat when graduating from the security of the walker to the instability of the walking poles or cane. The big step (no pun intended) will be when I have to go outside without the walker for the first time.
3.I am curious to know if anyone uses supplements or herbs to help their recovery.
Thanks again to anyone who replies and best of luck to each of you in your recovery. Stay strong.
Two weeks is really too soon to worry too much. Do you have at home physical therapy? Because they can answer all of these questions. Keep icing and elevating your hip. Take lots of small walks around your apartment, that will get your balance and gait adjusted to new hip. Give yourself plenty of time to heal. I don’t think I went for a walk of any duration outside until one month after surgery. Keep doing the small at home exercises they suggest. Good luck with everything.
Oh sorry, I’m answer to questions about suppleme or herbs- No. My surgeon laughed when I asked if any of that stuff worked. Don’t waste your money. Eat fresh, healthy food. Much better for you. You can get all nutrients you need with a natural, well balanced diet.
It is important to understand the difference between nordic poles and trekking poles. Look at the youtube video on nordic poles v trekking poles. Nordic poles are used at an angle to push into the ground behind you and give you upperbody exercise. they usually have little rubber "feet" that ar sloped at an angle. Hiking poles go vertically into the ground infront of you to give you support which is what you need at this stage. IF you have crutches i would use these outside to start with because they warn people that you have a problem. If you use nordic poles vertiacally there is little grip on the ground because of the angle.
however, remember that you have had one of the most brutal operations in the book. Whatever the approach muscles have either been pushed aside or cut to facilitate access, your leg dislocated and the diseased bone sawn off. Then a stem has been hammered in a socket sorted and everything replaced and sewn, stapled or glued up.
there are bound to be different aches and pains as the various bits affected heal and settle down
you are probably very aware of you body at the moment and notice every twinge, or lack of
also you almost certainly compensated for your hip in the months and years before the op by standing and walking differently. You may now be standing and moving with a more normal/correct posture and muscles are protesting as they are used in a different way
Advice I was given by my medical colleagues. Orthopaedic surgery brings great immediate benefits these, can still occur for up to 3 years post op, recovery is better when the patient works hard at it without overdoing it. Listen to your body and be led by it. Challenge it do not be cruel to it
Most people are all at the same stage by 3 months post op
Agree with other posters. Take it slow. I graduated to trekking poles (Not Nordic) when I stopped using my walker. They worked really well for me. At 14 weeks post op, I still use them for brisk walks.
Maggie summed it up very well. I will add the one term that spoke volume for me was “you will have good days and bad days.”
I have issues climbing stairs. I have to hold on to the railings to help pull myself up and when going down, I use the railings to slow down the movement. I do feel like something is wrong when the stiffness kicks in. Still a little uncertain as I still have to do RHR at a later date. Good luck to you. 🙂
Two weeks isn't all that long considering the surgery. Take your time and understand that everyone heals at a different pace.
As for using the walker. My surgeon's guidelines were to use a regular walker (kind with 2 wheels) for 2 weeks and then use a cane. I also used a rollator walker once he said I could. In the beginning he wanted me to use the basic walker due to its safety with just the 2 wheels. I liked the rollator later so I could walk a little faster and had the seat for when I was tired, which seemed to be often at that point. I never used crutches (not recommended by my surgeon) and still use a cane when I'm achy (have numbness in my thigh which takes time to go way) and pay attention to my body and how it feels.
My walking in the beginning was very slow when I was outside, but that was ok with me. Surgeon suggested a few short walks outside a day. That didn't happen for me until almost 2 weeks after surgery. I did walk a lot inside.
The icing/elevation helps a lot as does time.
As for supplements, I couldn't take muchduring first month due to blood thinner (first injection for a week and then high dose aspirin for a month). I made sure to take a multivitamin and ate healthy which is my usual. I increased my fiber intake as that helps a lot with healing. I avoided caffeine, too, though I know that can be difficult for many people. Depending on the individual, supplements can help if you're not getting all you need from your regular eating. Drink lots of water, too.
Important, too, is to do what you can and not overdo it.
Comment on here and ask questions. You'll get lots of different recommendations. Do what's good for you.
Stiffness, aches, and pain does come and go - still happening (lest often) some 31 months after my THR
However, I am now able to go to the gym to lose weight, and had never gone to one before my operation
Odd pains are totally normal.
The walker, If you need it, then use it, but my physio recommended walking poles, the hand position is much kinder on the arms and shoulders. They don't supply the same amount of support as a pair of walking sticks (canes).
I have not found any miracle supplements or herbs to help recovery .
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I really appreciated all your feedback. Very helpful and very instructive. Indeed I see my physical therapist tomorrow for first post op visit. I am, in fact, following your suggestion and taking short walks in my apartment and in the hallway. Thanks again for your feedback, your time, and especially your motivation! Keep inspiring and stay strong. regards, Lorne
Thanks for all your feedback re: walking poles. I appreciated you taking the time to reply with thoughtful and helpful advice. In fact, I am indeed using the Nordic walking poles as trekking poles...so I plant the poles in front of me (like hiking poles) rather than behind me (like Nordic walking/fitness poles). I actually am a Nordic Pole Walking instructor, so I'm familiar with the difference...my physical therapist is also a pole walking instructor, so she too advocated for me to use the sticks like hiking sticks. I am actually seeing her tomorrow and plan to get the type of rubber tips that are meant for rehab rather than the angled tips that are for fitness walking.
Thanks again for your your valuable feedback. I'm very impressed with your knowledge of Nordic poles. Keep walking. Stay strong! regards, Lorne
I wonder if you were discharged from hospital with any painkilling drugs? I was discharged with a months worth ( a mix of paracetamol and Nurofen I think) with instructions to take them regularly. The view being that pain/discomfort would tend to make me avoid doing the exercises/walking and it was imperative that I did both. They also helped with swelling etc. I also took Arnica 30 (for bruising, swelling and general healing) regularly immediately after the operation and for about 3 weeks afterwards. I’m aware that not everyone rates this but I have been told by 2 surgeons over the years that they always recommend it and I therefore take it. I’m of the view that it works.
I didn’t use a walker at all. I found that 2 crutches were fine for waking outside to begin with graduating to one crutch outside after 2 weeks. I was walking without a crutch inside after 2 weeks but my op was very straightforward and I have a very small scar. I did my exercises regularly and started working with a physiotherapist a week after being discharged. I can’t recommend this highly enough.
You sound as if you’re doing pretty well. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Fantastic reply! Thank you for all this helpful and instructive feedback. This is great information you shared and I appreciate it. You are so right when you said, "you are probably very aware of you body at the moment and notice every twinge, or lack of." That's exactly how I feel. I'm glad to read that you understand where I'm coming from. Thanks again for your advice, encouragement and support. Stay strong.
Thanks for your message and affirmations. Yes, I actually just started using Nordic poles a couple of days ago, but I use them like hiking poles, where i plant the poles in front of me or close to my side, but not behind me as is typical for how they are used for fitness. Appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts. Thanks again.
Thanks for taking the time to offer you thoughtful and instructive advice. I appreciated it. You made some very good point for me to consider, esp. reminding me to ice and elevate when my ankle swells, to keep walking and to not overdo it. My first week after the surgery, I walked too much, and my leg swelled up and was red and warm. I cut down on the walking and since then I am learning to be more balanced with my rehab exercises. Thanks again. best Lorne
Thanks for your feedback. Yes indeed, after two weeks with the walker, I am using walking poles myself now. 2nd day with them outside and the walking is very slow. But that's to be expected. Thanks again for your feedback. stay strong. best
Thanks for your message and your feedback. I never thought about taking Arnica. I should do some reading about this. I have had a fair bit of ankle swelling this week and the swelling by the incision is pretty large too. thanks again. Stay strong! regards, Lorne