10 days post RTHR

nearlybionic

Hi
Sorry I haven`t been on much since my op, but I have been really tired since coming home from hospital.
I am getting a little bit better each day, I think. My operated leg is very swollen . In fact I can hardly find my kneecap! I am wearing the obligatory compression stockings 24/7 for 6 weeks. This makes my leg an even more weird shape as my leg below the knee and foot are normal sized and above the stocking is like a tree trunk. This is making walking hard work and tiring. I am getting good on the old elbow crutches, but I was using them pre op too.
I am not sleeping well, waking 3 hourly for pain relief. Sleeping on my back is not my favourite part, and am sure this contributes to the waking etc....
Yesterday was my first day on my own, when everyone went their way to school/work. Mr NB had made me a flask of coffee, a jug of cordial and a salad ready in the fridge. (I am a lucky girl ).
I had a short walk outside today, just on my street. I was pleased with myself, then promptly fell asleep!!
I am expecting a visit from the district nurse in 4 days to check the wound, (she would be removing stitches/staples but I asked for dissolvable ones and glue).
I hope everyone is doing OK and has had some sun 8)
NB

mig

Thinking of you NB and sending hugs .(((()))) Mig

Numptydumpty

Hi NB, it's lovely to hear from you. I'm pleased things are going well. I don't think I would do very well sleeping on my back either :roll:
It always amazes me how quickly people start walking after these ops :shock: It can't be easy!
Keep up the good work,
Numpty

villier

It seems to be going well for you NB, it is understandable that you will be feeling tired after such an op, keep up the good work and take care...........Marie xx

nearlybionic

Hi
Thanks Mig, Numpty and Marie,
walking is the only exercise you get shown after a THR, and to climb stairs with your crutches. So I am building it up , a little bit each day, and plenty of rest to help the swelling go down, hopefully! :roll:
I spoke to my GP yesterday and he said I was trying to come off the pain relief too quickly , and so I took his advice and am not cutting back yet.
I am having to wear clothes that I haven`t really worn in ages, skirts! I am not a skirt person really, well, maybe at work. But due to the swelling in my thigh/knee trousers or leggings aren`t comfortable.Also I get too hot with the extra layer from the Ted stockings. So I look a bit like a school girl (old one I know!! ) with a knee length skirt and knee high white compression stockings! But at least I am comfortable ish and cool. At least the Ted stockings are concealing the fact that my legs need shaving!!
I am expecting family visitors today. That will fill a bit of my day.
take care all x
NB

kentishlady

Hi NB. Glad to hear you are progressing well, apart from the lack of sleep. Take care and don't try to do too much too soon. Beryl. xx ((()))

hileena111

Hi NB
I think it was longer than 10 days before I came back online after my THR.
I was shattered and couldn't be bothered.
Like you say.....6 weeks on your back....it was dreadful :roll:
Were you told how to do the stairs.....good leg goes to heaven and the bad one goes to hell!!!! I had to laugh at that but it kept reminding me
As for the passion killers Have you changed them? I take it OT had to put them on again for you....I know mine did :shock: In sickness and in health.
I remember the flask and the sandwiches covered and the cake left when he went out for the first time.
Take care......we know where you are.....you haven't disappeared.
Take it easy but exercise as well......things you know
Love
Hileena

wynnie

hopefully you will be in the pink soon ,at least you are on this side of the op so every day is a day nearer being back to normal if possible ,hope you are sleeping soundly soon !! and able to get out more ,take care

nearlybionic

Hi
Thanks Hileena , yes I am using the good leg/bad leg phrase on the stairs but it was hard to retrain my brain now with 2 replaced hips and thinking opposite way round.
Poor Mr NB has had the pleasure of washing my feet (urgh!) and changing the Ted stockings. Those marriage vows have come back to haunt him!!
Hi Wynnie,
thanks for your reply x
NB

hileena111

Oh NB,
The amount of things they have to do for us when we are in that situation.
This stupid 90 degree angle rule is such a nuisance......socks shoes, trousers etc all had to be put on and pulled up. Washing of feet etc :roll:
Oh well if they can put up with that it must say something for our lovely OH's
Love
Hileena

dachshund

Hello Nearlybionic
you are doing well good luck and take care
joan xx

frogmella

Oh TED stockings! After my back ops Mr F got very good at changing them for me. They are just not designed for people that can't bend!

It's amazing how tired you get after surgery - I am just over 10 weeks post spinal fusion now and I still need an afternoon nap about three times a week! Don't know how well that will work when I gp back to work in 11 days!!

It sounds like you are doing well though. Glad your GP told you not to cut your pain relief too quickly. I was nice to myself this time and did it really slow. For me anyway!!

Keep it up. Sounds good to me.

nearlybionic

Hi
thanks Dachshund
and Frogmella, Not sure how you will sneak a few naps in during the day at work! I have had a busy day, for me! today, I have had 3 visitors, and although they made the tea/coffee etc.. I am still shattered. I might have to have 40 winks after tea

I have left a message for the Arthroplasty nurse to ring me back about the swelling. My Aunt came (retired nurse) and was a bit shocked at how swollen it is. I have got used to it now I suppose, but am still finding it heavy to drag around. The rain has put paid to my thoughts of another walk outside today, but I have been pottering regularly in the house.
NB xx

dreamdaisy

Hello, I apologise for being late to your thread; my mum died and I'm all over the place.

I remember the swelling after my synovectomies - I was told it was to do with the 'pulling and pushing' that goes on during surgery. It will ease, resting is the best thing but of course that has to be tempered with the exercises. It's a tricky balance, there's no doubt about it. I also remember the fat leg thing - when my left knee was at its worst I was buying trousers four sizes too large just to accommodate the knee - that's when I discovered the 'freedom' of skirts but they have to be touching the ground. Take care, rest well, exercise carefully and get better; the latter will take time but you will get there. DD

nearlybionic

Hi DD
Thankyou for your reply. I know of your bereavement, I am so sorry, I can`t imagine what you are going through xx
I am sure the swelling is `normal` for what my leg has been through surgery wise, but I would like to ask for any other remedies they may have apart from rest elevate ice etc.... I am still waiting for my sick note to arrive in the post so i will chase that up too if/when they ring.
Most of my skirts (not that I own may!) are long and have lots of material to hide my non too pretty legs! This is good now with hiding the swollen tree trunk leg
Take care DD x
NB

dreamdaisy

Thank you for your kind words; I dunno what I'm going through either.

It's frustrating, I remember that, but I remember still being regularly 'iced' after physio six months after my first synovectomy, and the home freezer contained a couple of bags of 'knee peas' for eighteen months or more. I now use a 'picnic' mat, a six-by-six grid of pouches in one sheet which freeze and drape nicely round any joint. I haven't used it for ages but it's there - a bl**dy cold comfort blanket. DD

frogmorton

WEll DONE Nearly

You have done so well.

I am amazed. Thank goodness for long skirts eh Things will get better and better now for definite.

Visitors just want to be kind, but bless them they ahve no idea how exhausted you are.

Love

Toni xxx

nearlybionic

Hi Toni
Thanks xx
I hope that this is the start of the good times, for my hips! I will deal with my back and hands in time. I can only concentrate on one area at a time and I have told them to wait their turn.
DD, the ice packs I am using are 2 wine coolers we got on holiday free with bottles of wine. They wrap around the bottle and have velcro fastenings so by putting 2 together it just about wraps around my `big` leg (not that my other leg is small mind :oops:
I just wish the coolers were wrapped around wine instead of my leg, oh wine, how I have missed you!! I had better abstain a bit longer though, a piddly NB and crutches are not a good mix!!
NB

elainebadknee

NB

It is great to hear from you and that you feel able to come on here for a wee bit...
Now then re the swelling have you got ice? I used this but not till I gt referred for extra physio over 2 weeks after me op...My leg was so swolln and bruised after sugery it was from bum to toe and all colours of rainbow..It took about a month to go completely (god knows what hey do with your leg in surgery, better not knowing)...Also sleeping, it will come but on your back is never great is it? It sounds like everything is pretty normal all in all...The dreaded TED stockings I discarded after 5 weeks, got told to keep them on 6-8 weeks, my skins shed so much it was like a repltile! Also I had to wear skirts, had to buy some as me legs were so chunky too, so you are following a trend me dear! Fetching eh!
Great to hear from you, keep it up!

Elaine & Sol
xx xx

nearlybionic

Hi Elaine
Thanks for your reply x
I have spoken to one of the arthoplasty nurses today about the swelling. He asked if the swelling was causing the stocking to cut into my leg, and it is I suppose. My operated leg looks like I have a wasted limb hanging from the knee. And the knee and above are still massive :shock: He said if it is cutting in to take the stocking off as it will do more harm than good and to ask my GP to re measure my leg for a new stocking. The pre op measurement is to estimate what the think the swelling will be, and in my case I have swollen more than expected! I told him that as it is Friday and I will probably not get a GP appointment til next week, would it be ok to ask the district nurse who is coming to check the wound to measure etc.. on Monday, and he said fine.
I have had some visitors today, family , which was lovely. I even had a little walk outside when the rain stopped for a bit.
I am still easily tired and needing regular pain killers , but I am only 12 days post THR, so I think I am doing OK
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend x
NB