WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THR

hileena111

I'm now 11 weeks post op......severe arthritis in bothe hips and arthritis in my L ankle. Had my R hip done...it was slightly worse because of the ankle and other hip. I wasnt in agony pre op but it was sore. Now it still seems sore, I still get stiff when I sit too long {I thought that would disappear with the new hip} the other thing is if I have to weave in and out of tables in a cafe for instance I'm n ot very steady...have to put my hand on a chair as I go. I still cant walk very far....so I wonder what was the point of getting it done????? I know everyone is different but I thought I would have felt benefit by now. I certainly dont want the 2nd one done while I'm still like this.
Sorry to be so negative but I dont know if myexpectations are much higher than myenergy levels? Am I expecting too much too soon?

Love
Hileena

dorcas

Hi Hileena,

Sorry you're finding it tough going after your THR.

I've not had hips done so can't offer any advice but wanted to give you support and a ((hug)) and hope you find that it does get easier over time.

Iris x

elnafinn

Hi Hileena

I have not had a new hip, but 2 new knees. I have a feeling you may be expecting too much too soon. We are all different but we get there in the end. There are no hard and fast rules and set deadlines with how quickly each one recovers after an operation. It is a major operation, do not lose sight of that. With the knee, also a major operation, I was told by my consultant that it takes about one year. He has received this information from his patients.

For me, I would say it took me 6 - 9 months with my first knee op and by a year I had more or less forgotten all about it. I am now post op about 3.5 months and can hardly wait another 4 months until about August time when, with the last knee op, I began to sleep well again at nights.

It will improve with time.

Luv
Elna x

speedalong

Hi Hileena,

I had a THR 13 years ago ... my op wasn't straight forward and I had to have bone grafts too. Because of the bone grafts I wasn't even able to weight bear on it for months and had to hop on crutches .... I had to work hard on the muscles afterwards as although the surgery leaves you with a perfect joint .. the muscles will have gradually wasted whilst you wait for surgery need building up again. Also, the rough treatment the ligaments and muscles receive during the op means it takes time for the soft tissues to recover. The younger you are (I was 30) the more you expect from your new joint.

Now is the reassuring bit!!! MY hip is now pain free, it is not quite as strong as my real hip and has slightly less movement ... but it is great for walking and does not get stiff at all.

Stick with it ... build up the strength in your muscles - it will improve further. I can't give you a timescale because mine was an op with complications and everyone is different.

Hope this helps.

Speedalong

speedalong

PS

Sorry to be so negative but I dont know if myexpectations are much higher than myenergy levels? Am I expecting too much too soon?

Your muscles say yes!!!

Speedalong

hileena111

Hi..Just popped on before going to bed...Thanks for all ypour comments....Had a good chat to a friend tonight....she hasnt had a THR but lots of other major ops and thinks I'm expecting too much.,

Love
Hileena

louiserichard

Hi Hileena

Just wanted to say dont give up hope yet. I've had both of mine done and it took me longer than 11 weeks to feel 'right' but you will get there - the muscles take a while to build back up and once they do this will help you to feel more steady. I remember feeling wobbly too and like I couldn't quite trust the new hips at first. Don't forget everythin inside has to mend and this can take time. I know they give set times like 12 weeks etc but everyone is totally different.

I have no regrets at all. Both my hips are now fab! I feel like a new me. I don't get any pain in them at all. Take it slow, I know its hard but i'm sure you will start to feel the effects soon.

All the best

Louise

hileena111

Thanks for your reply.....I suppose its just not knowing what to expect and I know everyone is different but doesnt stop me wondering LOL. At least with my arthur I knew what was normal and what wasnt if you know what I mean....this is a new thing completely......I'll try to be more patient LOL

Love
Hileena

louiserichard

Yes I know what you mean. I remember I kept phoning the nurse to check various things as its all the unknown so i guess it makes you worry etc.

Have you had your after op follow up appointment yet? I remember when I went to mine and found out a bit more I relaxed a little. They also gave me a few pointers as to things I could do to help strengthen my muscles etc which helped.

hileena111

Hi
I've had my 6 weeks post op appt but I didnt expect much at that stage. Until then I was supposed to be walking wioth 2 sticks.....was walking with one outside and none round the house...and the usualy no more than 90 degree thing so all I was expecting was him to say you can sleep on your side now.
Its been the 5 weeks since that that I've started thinking I should be able to walk further than I can and not be off balance when I have to weave through chairs in a cafe or crowds etc. I'vee got my last appt with him on the 4th of June so I'll have a lot more questionbs for him then LOL....In Northumberland we dont get physio after THR....most other places seem to. We get a piece of paper shoved into our hands and told "do those 4 times each day" and thats it. I've got to admit they didt get done as often as they should.
Love
Hileena

louiserichard

It could possibly be something simple like your operated leg being very slightly longer or shorter (i've heard this can happen) this could cause a slight inbalance in walking - they normally get around it by giving a slight heel raiser for the inside of your shoe.

I also got a piece of paper given to me with exercises on it. It did help thou. I also had certain exercises before the op to try and strengthen muscles to aid in recovery (couldnt do many thou as I was in a right state then that I couldnt really weight bare).

You could try asking for another appointment so you can talk it through they may be able to offer some good advise to help?

speedalong

Northumberland we dont get physio after THR....most other places seem to. We get a piece of paper shoved into our hands and told "do those 4 times each day" and thats it. I've got to admit they didt get done as often as they should.

Hileena it's never too late to start the exercises -might be just what your struggling muscles need. Even small movements are great for strengthening - or so I was told!!

Speedalong

hileena111

'Morning
Yes Speedalong I'm trying to do them more LOL...What about you? How are things with you?
Thanks Louise for the tip about my leg...They did warn before the op that might happen and I did wonder had it happened and I have it on my list of questions to ask him in June LOL. I've got a curved spine {slightly} which gives the impression of one leg ever so slightly shorter than the other....if I'm wearing trousers I can see that that one trouser leg isnt quite as long as the other so I've found it hard to guess if that might be the cause. I'll ask him to get his measuring tape out LOL
Love
Hileena

speedalong

Hi Hileena was doing exercises valiantly once to twice every day ... but has tailed of in last few weeks of hospital prep ... hoping for concerted effort at them again for last few days before!!

I had leg slight leg length discrepency after my last THR and walk much better with my heel raise in my shoe (even use it in my slippers these days ..) I wonder if they will even me out at the next, imminent op?!

Hope you have a fab weekend away.

Speedalong

carolanivey

Hello, Hileena,

I haven't read the rest of the replies yet but I wanted to hasten to tell you to give it time. You've had major, major surgery and you aren't going to bounce back from it right away. When I had my first THR done I wasn't even allowed to put any weight on it for six weeks, and then only partial weight for an additional six weeks. After I was allowed to start walking on it, it was almost another nine months before I felt completely "normal" - that is, one day I realized I was walking around without thinking about my hip.

The second surgery, on the other hip, seemed to recover much faster, maybe because I knew what to expect and wasn't stressing out so much about it. Within 6-8 months I felt fully recovered.

Keep doing your range of motion exercises and walk as much as you are able. It may hurt a bit now, but it'll get better. Hang in there!

Carolan
THR, left, 2000
THR, right, 2003
Revision, left, 2009 (felt so much better I wore the thing out! lol)

hileena111 wrote:

I'm now 11 weeks post op......severe arthritis in bothe hips and arthritis in my L ankle. Had my R hip done...it was slightly worse because of the ankle and other hip. I wasnt in agony pre op but it was sore. Now it still seems sore, I still get stiff when I sit too long {I thought that would disappear with the new hip} the other thing is if I have to weave in and out of tables in a cafe for instance I'm n ot very steady...have to put my hand on a chair as I go. I still cant walk very far....so I wonder what was the point of getting it done????? I know everyone is different but I thought I would have felt benefit by now. I certainly dont want the 2nd one done while I'm still like this.
Sorry to be so negative but I dont know if myexpectations are much higher than myenergy levels? Am I expecting too much too soon?

Love
Hileena

speedalong

Hi Carolan,
My first hip replacement was similiar to yours in recovery time, I had weight bearing restrictions too ... hoping my second hip op on Wed is like your second one too!!!

Speedalong

carolanivey

And Louise is right about the leg length issue. For my first surgery my surgeon used the smallest adult implant available (I have small bones) and my left leg ended up more than an inch longer than my right. After I got the right one done, they're within a quarter inch of the same length.

It was fun to go to the license bureau to get my driver's license renewed and watch the registrar's face when I told her I was an inch taller than four years before.

carolanivey

Hi Speedalong!

Great to meet you! I've learned that every surgeon is different with post-op restrictions. Mine was pretty conservative, insisting I not bear full weight for three months, but other people I've talked to with the same type of implant (non-glued, bone has to grow into it) are allowed to walk on it much sooner.

I have to admit the second time around I was much more impatient to put my foot on the ground and GO, but I was a good girl and followed orders.

speedalong wrote:

Hi Carolan,
My first hip replacement was similiar to yours in recovery time, I had weight bearing restrictions too ... hoping my second hip op on Wed is like your second one too!!!

Speedalong

hileena111

Hi Carolyn
Las t post went into cyberspace again LOL. When I walk too far my leg is heavy and tired and feels as if it wont carry me anymore....probably like Speedalong says.....Exercises Thanks both of you.
Going awy today to Harrogate ...OH goes to an Exhibition every year there.....boooorrrring!!!!! tools and bits and pieces and things. I spend 4 hours walking round Harrogate, shopping having coffee etc....more my type of thing LOL I couldnt do that at the moment so OH is dropping myself and a friend of at a large shopping center outside York and we'll spend about 5 hours there. I'll have my scooter, get on and off and walk round shops so I will get a bit of exercise. I normally take paracetamol 2 x 4 times a day and codeine at 6pm and 10pm but I'm going armed with ibroprufen {sp?} just incase. Apart from THR, I've got "sever athur" in my other hip and in my ankle as well so that doesnt help LOL...Might get on tonight when I get home
Love
Hileena

speedalong

Hi Carolan - I have the same consultant doing my second hip op - let's hope he has mellowed a bit with his restrictions ... he is quite old fashioned especially in his attitudes to women!!

Hi Hileena, I suspect I will be as inpatient as you re my own recovery!! Re the weaving out of tables etc in a cafe - I don't remember the lack of balance thing - but I do remember aching much quicker when walking where you have to weave in and out of people ie shopping etc and being able to walk much further if a nice clear straight run ahead.

Have fun with the retail therapy ... and be prepared for a day of feet-up tomorrow to reward your hip!!

Speedalong

carolanivey

speedalong wrote:

Hi Carolan - I have the same consultant doing my second hip op - let's hope he has mellowed a bit with his restrictions ... he is quite old fashioned especially in his attitudes to women!!

Okay, I'm pretty sure he and I would have a BIG problem. At this point in my life, though, I've had RA longer than most of my doctors have been doctors. Some of them since before they were even born! So not only do I get the benefit of them being up on all the new stuff, they get the honor of learning from my experience, as well.

speedalong

Hi Carolan -

I put up with him (he is defin older than me, a pioneer in his field and Egyptian I think!) but he also has to put up with me - I always speak my mind, keep informed and am not a push over!! Most importantly this time round he is willing (and has experience of doing, hip resurfacing in younger woman patients) and is willing to do this op on me unless when he opens me up my hip is too far gone ...and then it will be another THR.

Speedalong

carolanivey

Interesting - is he resurfacing the living bone, or an implant?

I had a re-do on my left hip last year and it was relatively easy, aside from the long incision. She (my surgeon) just had to pop in a new ball, replace the socket lining, and away I went. I was allowed to put weight on it right away as tolerated (which wasn't much at first). What does resurfacing involve?

speedalong wrote:

Hi Carolan -

I put up with him (he is defin older than me, a pioneer in his field and Egyptian I think!) but he also has to put up with me - I always speak my mind, keep informed and am not a push over!! Most importantly this time round he is willing (and has experience of doing, hip resurfacing in younger woman patients) and is willing to do this op on me unless when he opens me up my hip is too far gone ...and then it will be another THR.

Speedalong

speedalong

Interesting - is he resurfacing the living bone, or an implant?

I had a re-do on my left hip last year and it was relatively easy, aside from the long incision. She (my surgeon) just had to pop in a new ball, replace the socket lining, and away I went. I was allowed to put weight on it right away as tolerated (which wasn't much at first). What does resurfacing involve?

Hi Carolan,

He is resurfacing living (if crumbling) bone on my unoperated-on hip.

Your revision sounded great and very successful which is very reassuring as I had always been told horror stories about revisions being less successful and more difficult and so on.

Resurfacing preserves more of your own bone and is meant to have a better range of movement than an ordinary THR. The jury is out though and not all surgeons think it is as successful ... you do need a consultant who is experienced in performing them (but they have to practise to get experienced!!)

If I'm a suitable candidate it will be a Birmingham hip resurface http://birminghamhipresurfacing.com/

Won't know which op he has done until I wake up .... scary!!

Speedalong

hileena111

Hi All
Well had my day away in Harrogate and am prepared to be sore tomorrow because although I had my scooter I did a lot of walking around shops. Just parked the scooter somewhere and walked...didnt use a stick which is a step forward{excuse the pun} I didnt really need it before I suppose it was just for confidence in a busy shop./store
No chance of putting my feet up tomorrow LOL. Got the kids coming for Sun lunch....kids being daughter [29 yrs old] son [30] and daughter in law and little grandaughter [6years old]she is lovely but you forget how tiring they are ....there was only 16 months between my 2 and my husband worked away a lot.,......the mind boggles when i think about it now LOL
Love
Hileena

speedalong

Hi Hileena - congrats on achieving walking around shops with no stick!! If you ache tomorrow - put the guests to good use!! I'm sure they'd be only too glad to help.

Have fun,

Speedalong