5 weeks total hip replacement

Antonia

Today I'm at the 5 weeks mark and feeling good but wanted to share my journey.

I had a total hip replacement 5 weeks ago, with a spinal and light sedation. All went well, stayed in hospital for two nights then home to my sisters to be waited on hand and foot, which is most needed for the first week! It's been a long slog but I'm seeing progress everyday.

Before surgery I was very active, always keeping my fitness up right up to surgery so recovery has been very frustrating. Sleep has also been the biggest issue for me which I didn't think of before surgery because I cannot sleep on my back so for the first 3 weeks I had no sleep. Week 4 my physio said I could start sleeping on my good side with a pillow between my knees, this was great news for me. I started sleeping on my side that night but after a few minutes my operated leg would ache so I had to go back to back sleeping. I have continued to try and sleep on my side just to soothe myself but again my leg aches so I flip myself back onto my back. I hope I haven't done any damage to my new hip, I have my 6 weeks check in a week so fingers crossed! I"m a terrible worrier and this is why I wanted to join this forum so I could share my story and hopefully help others who have concerns too. I know the first 6 weeks are important to keep to the rules and to do as little as possible but I feel I have been active with walking outdoors and with moving around the house. It's hard to know what's too much and what's not enough!

Poppyjane

Welcome @Antonia to the online community

It is great to hear that you are making good progress after your THP and that you are kindly sharing your journey with us. As you will have read if you have looked at some of the "hippies" diaries as we fondly call them we all have the same but different stories to tell of our experiences.

The sleep issues are a constant cause for concern for many of us and it is usually one which resolves with time and trialling of different medications, routines and best of all the right pillows!

Too much or too little is again another FAQ and we can only say listen to your body, follow the advice from your medical team and whilst being gentle with yourself try out the exercise routines to keep yourself as mobile and flexible as possible.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-hips/

We are glad you found us and hope to hear from you again soon

Best wishes

Poppyjane

Janlyn

@Antonia Hello, it's good to have another 'hippie' here!

Your story sounds very similar to mine apart from I couldn't exercise too well prior to surgery as I was in so much discomfort I could hardly walk, so hopefully because you could walk your recovery should be good. I'm 12 months post surgery now and back to averaging 11,000 steps a day and getting back to my pain free normal. It took me some months to get my muscles working properly again though.

I wouldn't worry too much about sleeping on your side and moving back onto your back but good that you can check it out in another week at your six week checkup. I was the same, I really couldn't sleep on my back but when I was given permission to go on my side at just over two weeks I could only manage a few minutes. But that worked out well as it was the staying so rigid and still on my back that made it so uncomfortable for me. I still sleep with a pillow between my knees.

You're so close to six weeks now and then I hope you can stop worrying so much, I understand because I was very worried about causing damage too. My consultant and physio both said that the way they operate these days means that there is very little chance of us damaging our new hip. They even said if I fell I would be just as likely to damage my good hip - which only got me worrying again!

Regarding how much exercise is enough and how much too much I was told that it's really trial and error. If I overdid it and was a little sore to have an easy day the next day. I also found that if I walked too far my groin would start to ache and my foot would turn inwards so I tried to avoid that. So long as you're not suffering the next day you should be okay but if not take it a little easier until you feel better.

Take care and keep us updated. Good luck at your consultant visit next week.

Antonia

@Janlyn thank you so much for your reply. Yes, it's the rigid feeling that you experience while lying on your back, knowing that you cannot move. I felt like a prisoner in my own body. I like to move a lot before falling asleep, it's like my ritual, so when you're told not to move it's a recipe for disaster!.

Glad to hear you're getting back to normal life. I am starting to be able to walk with no crutches but I have a slight limp. The muscles in my leg are so tight so I think once they're strengthened again my limp will eventually go. I tried bending my leg at the knee and boy the muscles, ligaments etc are sore, it's amazing how the surgery affects everything! Lots of work to be done. The crutches haven't done my upper body much good, my back is hurting so that's a bit of a frustration. Massage here I come!

Just after two weeks you were given permission to sleep on your side! Wow! That's awesome.

Yesterday I did a lot, walked into town with my crutches twice so I slept reasonable well last night with a few sneaky side positions. You're right about listening to your body, it's the only way to know if you're doing too much.

I'm glad I found this forum, I'm due to have my second hip done in a few months which mentally I cannot even think about.

I will keep you all posted!

Thank you again. x

Nurina

Hi @Antonia

I was scared with my first THR and I was very strict but with my second I much more relaxed. I know that, unless your twist your legs and stand up in a weird way, it's unlikely you can have a dislocation not even having a fall. I think you'd feel when you are pushing too much and you'll naturally stop it before this. Back in the 90s, THRs were very invasive and traumatic. My mum had to sleep with the triangle cushion between the legs for weeks, with tights to the waist and strong painkillers. She lived the rest of her life with the constant fear of dislocation. Now, we are safe from the first day but they have to advise us to be cautious because not everyone is aware of the seriousness of this surgery. I saw a woman in the ward walking without crutches just after the surgery, severely limping and getting in and out the bed crossing her legs. Nurses and Physios had to tell her off several times.

About bed and nights. We are all together here. I dread the moment I have to go to bed like I'm sleeping in a coffin. I allowed my self, sometimes, to lie down on my side with two pillows between my legs for some minutes because I'll get mad before the sixth week. The good thing is, everything will pass soon.

Take care of the other leg and don't overdo your walking without crutches until you get it "repaired".