Jan THR questions

Hossmillie

Hi

I had a THR on 7th jan. The first op left me with one leg a lot longer than the other so the surgeon decided to do a revision replacement to the same leg immediately. Obviously, with getting operated on twice in the same day and including spinal and general anaethetic Im taking a little longer to get going.

Im 43, a horserider with big strapping muscles and pretty fit. I am now on week 8 and am still on 2 crutches. After my 6 week meeting with the consultant he refered me to physio. (I had been doing previous physio and walking to the letter, but this clearly wasnt enough to get me weight bearing again.) The new physio is great and has given me loads of different exercises to get me going again.

I just wondered if anyone else has taken this long to get going.? I thought it would be easier, being fit, but obviously not!

dreamdaisy

I haven't had a THR (or any sort of R!) but I do know that recovery can take a fair while, certainly weeks, if not months. You are right in thinking that a good level of physical fitness does help to speed things on their way, but a little more patience may well be beneficial. You have had a major operation, the shock to the body is immense and it does take time for a full recovery to be effected. The docs are always very keen to stress the benefits (and I am sure they must be wonderful to experience) but they do not seem to give enough info about the recovery process and how long it can take. Do your exercises, rest your new joint as and when appropriate, and things will progress but be prepared for it to take some time. I wish you well. DD

miss_l

Hi,
I had my THR in august 2009 aged 27 and considered myslef to be pretty fit too!
If it helps i was still using crutches at 10 weeks post op and didnt get off the final one until the following May.
I think recovery varies so much between us all, and at the time felt uselss, but i've been assured the recovery was good!

Hope you and your new joint are ok

dachshund

Hi Hossmillie.
nice to meet you. i've had my thr 15 years.
from what i remember it took a while for it to get going but after doing the exersizes it loosened up i had 10 to do 3 times a day and then i started at the hydrotherapy pool i still go.
i love horses i used to have my own i taught disabled children to ride(i have c palsy.
i did go to the gym but arther got worse i could not stand for long.
take care. joan xx

julie47

Hi Hossmillie
Just want to welcome you to the forum.
I haven't had anything replaced so I can not comment.
I hope the new physio plan gets you moving better soon'
Try to be patient and be good to yourself.
Take care
Juliepf x

Hossmillie

Thankyou all for your comments. Im new to this forum and it is great to be able to chat to people who understand and have experience!
Yes, time will be the greatest healer of them all x

frogmorton

Hi

I haven't had a THR, but I did have back surgery and was the worst patient EVER!!! I was in more pain that anyone else and more scared of needles than anyone else etc :oops: I was totally embarrassed to be with me :oops:

Seriously though I am fine now and I though things would NEVER sort out for me, but they have.

The physio will work for you l am sure, given time. We are all different honestly some people come on here and they are almost dancing week 4 and l am so amazed at them :roll:

Keep at it and keep coming on here we will keep you motivated if we can

Love

toni xx

barbara12

Hi Hossmillie
And a warm welcome to the forum, sorry you have had to find us, but you have come to the right place, we do all like to support one another, I know there are quite a few people on here that have had THR, and one thing you notice is that there recoverys are all different.
You sound like a positive person and that will get you far.
It is really early days, but you will get there, just take it one day at a time.
Good luck with everything, and let us know how you are doing.
Barbara x

speedalong

Hi Hossmillie.

sounds like you have really been through the mill.

Did the revision resolve the leg length discrepancy fully or partially? If only partially, have you been for an orthotics referral? Which leg is/was shorter?

I had a THR on my left leg 11 years ago and it was a "difficult" op to perform, I had bone graft chips to reinforce the femur as the ortho could not place the stem part of the ball joint in to the femur central. I was told to be non weight bearing for 3 months. The right hip I had a resurface replacement and the recovery was a lot quicker (initially) but I am still improving and that was 9 months ago... I too have a leg length discrepancy.

What is stopping you weight bearing - ortho instructions/ pain/ lbalance/ lack of confidence etc? What percentage of body weight are you/can you put on the new leg (with your crutches?)

Are your physio exercises for range of movement/ strength or both?

Speedy

Hossmillie

Hi Speedy

It was my left hip which was replaced and proved to be much longer than the right on completion, so they redid it immediately and I have to say both hips are level now. So it was the correct decision to make although it has taken loads out of me!

It is muscle strength which is the problem. I think because my butt and thigh muscles have been cut through twice plus all the tendons and ligaments, there is probably more muscle injury than usual. Mind you, things ARE getting better. I can now hold on to the kitchen counter and just have 4 fingers pushing down on the counter with my left hand. I will work on 3, 2, 1 then no fingers....all this while circling my left leg thus nearly weight bearing on my operated leg. I managed to drive today as I have been practising using the clutch over a few days to pick up strenth.

I`ll get there

Hossmillie

OOpps, I mean 4 fingers pushing down on the counter with my RIGHT hand and circling my RIGHT leg. Thus weight bearing on my operated LEFT leg. Get muddled with right and left at the best of times!

speedalong

Hi Hossmillie, Sounds like you are doing all the right things. My left leg still has weak muscles - wish I'd have had more physio after that op. The right one (newer one is so much better. Advice I had this time round, that I didn't have the first time round - is that it is better to use the crutches and focus on technique of walking than it is to walk without them and develop bad habits.

Keep us updated with your rehab, you will get there.

Speedy