THR at 49, nearly 50 yoa

Laurajp

Hi all,

First time posting ...

On 20th August 2024, I had a left THR. I have severe arthritis of both hips, but the left is the worst.

Just wanted to give you a lowdown on how it's gone for me. The highlights and lowlights.

I had my op at The Park Hospital, Nottingham. Private hospital, but an NHS patient. I arrived at 12.30, was booked in and taken to my individual room with ensuite.

I was greeted by the nurse, then saw the physio, consultant and anaesthetist. I was told I'd probably be going down later, as I was a younger patient.

I went down at about 1.30 and was back in my room for 3.30. Prior to the op, I had a chat and a joke with the anaesthetist. I asked him some questions to which he answered and that was great. Cannula was inserted, I had a sedative, they did the spinal block (never felt it at all). Last thing I remember was the oxygen mask going on. I came round just as they were finishing.

I was moved into recovery and was chatting with the nurse, they then took me back to my room. Once settled, they brought me my requested for after, vegan BLT, crisps, pudding and a tea.

Took a while for the spinal block to wear off and as feeling started to come back into my feet, I had involuntary spasms which were funny 🤣. The genitals were the last place feeling came back to. I wasn't allowed out of my bed that night and had to use a bed pan. Regular OBS were done and meds given.

The next morning, physio came to get me out of bed and all was fine with that. I was sitting in the chair when I came over all clammy, sick and dizzy, which was down to the Oxycodone.

I had an x-ray taken to check the hip placement, the physio checked I could do stairs, up and down and was told provided bloods etc came back okay, I'd be able to leave that afternoon/evening.

Meds wise, we agreed on Oramorph, Nefopam and anti nausea drugs. I had a shower and got ready to go. The dressing is fully waterproof.

I got home and all was fine, things were progressing nicely over the next few days, but something I want to ensure people are aware of is what opiates can do. I didn't have a bowel movement for 9 days. I stopped taking the opiates after day 5 and reverted to paracetamol. Please take laxatives and stool softeners from when you get home. I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone. I thought I was going to end up hospitalised.

Dressing came off after 14 days and the wound looks great. I'm at 2 weeks + 3 days, I can now mostly manage on one crutch.

Some pointers... The blood thinning injections into the tummy don't hurt, so don't be afraid of giving them to yourself.

The waterproof dressing is great. You may get referred bruising lower down the leg in the knee crease and calf. You may get muscle cramps in at the groin and below the bum cheeks. Get up, use both crutches and walk it off.

Anyway, this is where we're up to.

IMG_20240820_155301.jpg

IMG_20240905_112420.jpg

IMG_20240820_121132.jpg

IMG_20240903_105201.jpg

IMG_20240903_125159.jpg

Trish9556

Hi @Laurajp

You are doing amazingly well!

Following my THR on 20th May, and reading how everyone else has been treated, it amazes me how very differently all hospitals treat their THR patients.

Like you I had mine in a private hospital paid for by the NHS. I wasn't allowed a shower until after my staples were removed and as I still had a couple of areas that were a bit weepy, it was about 2 1/2 weeks before I got there. I had two nights in hospital.

You might find that rubbing E45 cream (in the tub, not the bottle) into your wound regularly to aid healing. Keep it in your fridge and it feels even better. Bio Oil can be used once your scar has settled down.

I'm surprised you weren't given laxatives to take at home in the form of an orange drink - can't remember what mine was called but it worked and as I had already been on opiates I knew what to do but like you, a lot of people don't.

Your daily physio exercises are probably the most important thing in your life at the moment. Doing them regularly will help you recover quicker and keep that other leg strong for the next THR. Don't drop crutches or sticks without speaking with your physio as she will want to check your movement first - it's a bit like learning to walk again.

There are lots of THR blogs on here and a lot of advice on gadgets etc and if you do have any questions, if you can't find the answer, there are lots of us to offer help, support and advice.

My total recovery period was about 9 weeks when I was discharged from both physio and consultant to do my own thing. A lot of people take a lot longer. I think my Taurean stubborness and in built positive mental attitude helped.

It will be worth checking with your pharmacy how to get rid of your sharps. I was told by the hospital to take them to my GP/Pharmacy but actually I had to arrange with my local authority for them to collect them, which once I booked the collection, took about 3 weeks.

Shout if you need anything

Love n hugs

Trish xx

Laurajp

Hi,

Thanks for replying.

Tbf, the care I received in the hospital was wonderful. They did give info sheets advising to take Senna. I started taking a laxative a day, but it wasn't enough. At one point I was on 3 dulcolax per day and 3 stool softeners per day (hospital told me I was okay to do that).

I had dissolvable stitches and glue and the waterproof dressings were amazing. I had an ensuite with a walk in shower and a stool and they checked on me.

The protocols have changed quite recently with regards to timings and what you can and can't do etc. They give out all the guidance sheets and provided it feels comfortable after two weeks. You can revert to one crutch. When I'm outside, I still use two.

The physio said ideal to back sleep, but after a week was happy for side sleep provided I supported the hip with a pillow between the legs. He was really informative to be fair.

I do my exercises and try to be as mobile as I can be. Tbh, I live by myself, so have had to do pretty much everything anyway. Force of habit 😉 I'm a stubborn and Uber independent Libran hah hah 🤣

With the sharps, the hospital told me to bring them back when I have my first appointment with the consultant and they'll get rid of them for me. They said GPs have to pay to have them removed, so won't take them any more.

It's all a learning curve and always good to hear others experiences 😊

Anna

Hi @Laurajp and welcome to the online community,

It sounds like you’re doing really well after your hip replacement and it’s great that you’ve shared the start of your road to recovery. Keep us posted about how you’re getting on, and do have a look round the forum - there are several members who have been through the same op earlier this year like @Trish9556above, and have written diaries about their recovery that are really inspiring.

Anna ( Moderator)

Janlyn

@Laurajp you are doing really well and thank you for such a clear report - it will help and reassure all those waiting in fear of what lies ahead. You reminded me so much of last December when I had my op, so much you describe was just as it was for me, apart from the things the different hospitals/surgeons/physios do their own way. I had a fully waterproof dressing but not allowed a shower for two weeks when it came off.

I live alone too and although it was hard at the time I think I made a quicker recovery in some respects because if I wanted to do something I had to find a way.

Thanks for the photos too - the one of you taking a photo of your wound reminded me so much of me doing the same - not easy is it?

Best of luck with your recovery and please keep us updated with your progress.

KC1

@Laurajp wow you’re doing brilliantly. As others have said there’s loads of information on the forum with lots of people sharing their recovery journeys.

It does seem that different hospitals, surgeons and physios give different guidance. I’m 5 weeks 5 days post op and almost feeling like my usual self. As others have said keep up the exercises from the physio - they are your recovery friend and make such an incredible difference. My physio recommended walking - short walks a couple of times a day and gradually building up over time - I added about 100 extra steps a day and now do 2 x 2.5 mile walks a day. But discuss what’s right for you with yours as they will understand what is right for you in your situation.

Make sure you rest as well - a short nap in the afternoon and having your legs raised for an hour or two really helps. I found I would hit a tiredness brick wall every few days which I think is all part of the healing process.

Be kind to yourself and take care

pollyana

@Laurajp so good to hear how you're doing and details about how it all works…I'm currently waiting for a timeframe for my 2nd hip and had forgotten so much about how it all works and what to do. …so it's really helpful to read your story…apart from the bowels (no small matter) it sounds like you're on a good road to recovery . Keep us posted!😀