5 weeks total hip replacement

Antonia · 20. Dec 2024, 07:44

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 · 20. Dec 2024, 09:38

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 · 21. Dec 2024, 00:13

@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 · 21. Dec 2024, 10:54

@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

[Deleted User] · 21. Dec 2024, 13:15

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".

Antonia · 27. Dec 2024, 13:41

@Nurina thank you for your reply, this makes me feel a whole lot better. you are right about the sleeping like you're in a coffin! So frustrating!

I'm not having a good day today. I've started walking without crutches and went out to the shops, just briefly. My leg has always felt longer than the other since surgery and I was told this would improve by week 6. Its week 6 and although it has improved a little it still feels longer then the other. I feel this is hindering my recovery, it's making me feel worse than before my surgery. is it in my head? Is it because I'm afraid to put weight on it? I'm seeing my surgeon on Monday next week so I will ask the question. I am due to have the other one replaced soon but that's not for a few months. has anyone got any advice please, I would be very grateful. x

Janlyn · 27. Dec 2024, 22:09

@Antonia I'm relieved you are seeing your surgeon on Monday next week as I think you need to ask the questions you have asked us. I imagine you might find it a little tough now as you need your other hip replacing too? But really you need to ask your surgeon and get proper advice.

I do remember feeling a bit down at around six weeks due to lack of progress and thinking everyone else was doing better than me. My physio said it was common to feel a bit down at that stage. I imagine, looking back, that we make so much progress and then it slows down and we get frustrated.

But well done for ditching the crutches and coping. Take care and let us know what your surgeon says, please?

[Deleted User] · 27. Dec 2024, 22:31

@Antonia Your bad leg is probably very deteriorated and feels shorter because it has lost the cartilage cushion. Muscle strength exercises help a lot but it'll be fixed with the other THR. My recovery of my first leg was hindered too because of the bad leg but now that I've had both "repaired" I'm getting all the benefits and I see a much brighter future. Anyway, you can't feel worse than before the surgery but I totally understand your frustration because I've been there too.

fluffyratbag · 7. Mar 2025, 06:26

Hi, new member here, I am just over two weeks post op total hip replacement. I won't lie it's been difficult, I reacted badly to the codeine (various sorts, dosages), and really didn't like the way the Orimorph made me feel, so I cut down the amount, then stopped taking it. I only need to take paracetamol now for the pain which is more aching than anything. My main problem now is the drugs and blood thinners have played havoc with my insides (I have IBS), going to the loo is all over the place. I hope this settles down. I am still sleeping (or not) sitting up, don't feel confident enough to try lying yet. I am overweight, and before the op had hardly had any exercise for about a year, because of my hip. So I know getting fitter is going to be a slog. Had my first physio session this week, it gave me confidence that things are doing well, and that if I make a wrong move I'm not going to fire my new hip through the kitchen window! It's really interesting and helpful reading all your experiences, and knowing that there is nothing sinister happening to me.

Poppyjane · 7. Mar 2025, 09:59

Welcome @fluffyratbag to the online community

It is great to read that the community posts have been helpful and interesting to you. It is reassuring for all of us to learn that others have been through similar experiences like THR and how each person progresses. Sharing our questions and concerns helps relieve our worries which is good for our mental and emotional health and those around us.

Thank you for sharing your own post op experience with us. The drug regime post op does not suit everyone and I am sorry to hear that it has caused your IBS to wreak havoc. Let's hope it does settle down soon.

Physio advice is really helpful and reassuring so it is good that you are doing well. When you are feeling more able there are some really good exercise videos that many of us find helpful to regain mobility and flexibility and also loose weight. Give your self some time , meanwhile join in with the chat , we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Take care

Poppyjane

Janlyn · 7. Mar 2025, 18:18

@fluffyratbag welcome and it does sound as though you are doing well although I understand your challenges. I struggled with codeine and anything other than paracetamol so I know how that feels. I did feel better once just on paracetamol though when everything else had left my system.

I struggled to comfortably lie down and spent more time dozing in a chair than sleeping in a bed. The positive is that it does get better and if your physio is happy then that's really good.

It's such a worthwhile operation and I hope you will be soon feeling the benefits. Please keep us updated with how you go on. Take care.

Gratobe · 8. Mar 2025, 09:11

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63739/5-weeks-total-hip-replacement

I too can’t sleep on my back and was due for a hip op but I did some research which lead to me trying a multi collagen powder intake with my coffee. I suffered with pain in my hips knees, ankles and shoulders which prevented me doing certain movements. After 3 months of taking collagen my pains eased off. It’s a year later and hardly any pain. The hip op has been put on hold as my movement has improved. I do still have slight pains here and there but I can now do things without pain so collagen has been a life saver for me. It’s probably too late for people who have already had a hip op but you probably have arthritis in other areas so collagen might help.