Heavy leg

anijen
anijen Member Posts: 18
edited 15. Oct 2024, 07:12 in Living with arthritis

Have now had my surgery for THR - so lucky to have received a cancellation😊

After a few hiccups on first coming home, ( after one day post-op) all seems to be healing okay and I'm starting to use only one crutch most of the time. However I am questioning whether, now on day 10, it should still be so difficult getting in and out of bed - I seem to be completely unable to raise the operated leg independently.

Also, why do I feel so depressed first thing in the morning. I live alone, but the feeling does tend to wear off during the day.

Would love some feedback please.

Comments

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 540

    Morning @anijen and sorry to hear your concerns about your good leg.

    Have you discussed with your doctor/consultant as everyone different ??

    I am sure others will connect with you soon.

    Best wishes @naomi33

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 846

    Hi @anijen

    I had my THR in May and it took ages for me to get used to getting in and out of bed and yes, my operated leg still feels heavy at times.

    I was taught to sit on the side of the bed, slide back as far as I could and twizzle myself around lifting my good leg and the left leg (operated leg) came with it and I can now lift it independently onto the bed. It's easier if you are trying to get into the same side of the bed as your operated side (ie, left hand side of the bed, left hand operated side). That way your good leg does the work and helps the other leg.

    Give it time, it's still a long way to go and as long as you do your exercises daily and listen to your body, it will soon heal. You should also be using your crutch on the unoperated side, not the operated side :)

    Trish xx

  • Janlyn
    Janlyn Member Posts: 651

    @anijen some good advice from @Trish9556. I had my THR 10 months ago and I remember my heavy leg seemed to go on forever. I live alone too so I had lots to do that I probably wouldn't have done had I not lived alone. Eventually the heaviness and numbness eased - I think it was partly the anaesthetic but mainly that I hadn't used muscles for some time as I'd been in such pain and it took a long time to get them moving again.

    I struggled with feeling fed-up too, I think it was partly that everything was so hard at first with living alone, and partly from lack of sleep.

    If you are worried I would ask your doctor/consultant - I imagine you will be seeing your physio soon too?

    Take care and please let us know how you go on.

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