Managing post op pain

Hi @Trish9556 Thank you for your kind advice, I really do appreciate it.

How far along the hip replacement journey are you? if you don't mind me asking of course..

Hello @Jane18 Yes, day 9 today and it has been pretty tough, as a parent carer to my 25yr old daughter handing over my caring duties to my husband and our other daughters has been almost as tough, apparently I'm a good carer, but I think I make a terrible patient! 😂

I'm finding some of the exercises quite difficult, lifting my knee upwards and lifting my leg to the side whilst on the bed is a no go! The hospital physio said he was more interested in pushing people harder pre-surgey than post-surgery, as you said you must listen to your body.

On a positive, I'm only taking paracetamol and the standard blood thinners now, I am feeling less muscle pain and amazingly I can stand up straight - I've grown two inches practically overnight! I have less back pain and can put my leg straight on the bed! I'm taking it a day at a time, still using two sticks but moving a little more fluidly (according to my husband) but finding the extra energy to move to the table at mealtimes! 😂

But seriously, I think it's just about being kind to yourself (as we always should be) but a little more during this healing process and trying to look at even the smallest positives, not feeling alone on the journey certainly helps too, it definitely has helped me for the past couple of days.

Thank you for your kind words and support, this site feels like a good place to be.. ☺️

Lisa

Hello @BrandNewHip, those were the two exercises I found most challenging after my op. The one moving my leg out to the side when I was lying down strained my back, so my physio said leave it and just do the standing one, which felt easier. With the one where I lifted my knee and drew it towards me when lying down, I used a strap to help me at the start to help my foot to move a little, until I was able to do it unaided. And to begin with I did fewer reps of the others that felt more difficult, although now I can do all of them without too much effort, so on my last visit I was given some more! You will find that even doing a few will help you to get stronger over time.

I remember the surprise at being able to put my leg straight out on the bed after the op, as before I had to keep my knee bent because it was too painful to flatten it out. I'd also had a lot of knee pain before the hip replacement and that vanished overnight. So although initially it is difficult to stay comfortable after the operation, there are also so many small benefits. And what encouraged me was that, rather than everything deteriorating as before, it gets better incrementally each day.

You're getting close to the 2-week mark since your operation and that was when I found that everything gradually started to feel more manageable, so I hope you will soon start to see more of the positives from having a new hip. I gather from others who have had this operation that it continues to improve over a long period, although even at 7 weeks post-op I feel so much better in myself than I did for many months before.

I read quite a few of the hip diaries on this site, which gave me an indication of what to expect in the early stages. And also got lots of support from other 'hippies', which really helped me through the process. It is a very friendly forum, so I hope it continues to be helpful in your journey.

Jane

Hi @BrandNewHip, I found in the first few weeks that I would get twitching in my legs, especially my operated leg, sometimes. The spasm in my hip was pretty uncomfortable whenever I woke up. But that has eased up a lot now and only happens occasionally, usually if I've been overdoing things.

I was using two crutches for several weeks and it's really only in the past couple of weeks that I've felt comfortable going out with just one crutch. Looking back over my notes, I didn't feel confident enough to venture out of the front door until a week after my op and could only manage a few steps. By two weeks, I was feeling quite proud of managing nearly 10 minutes on two crutches, with occasional pauses on my way round. Although I'm in my early 70s, I consider myself fairly fit. So 2x20 mins seems pretty ambitious! I'm sure that's only a general guide and just go at your own pace. I did find that taking breaks for a few seconds from time to time when walking was helpful and still do pause at times, even though my walking is now faster and I can go for longer. It's important to find your own rate of progress and it differs for everyone. So just do what you can, get plenty of rest periods between exercising and over time I'm sure you will find you can start doing more.

Hope that helps,

Jane

Hello again @Jane18

Thank you for your words of wisdom. Yes, you do sound like you're a fit person and it's lovely to hear of your personal progress, post-surgery.. 😊

I had a much better night last night, feeling very positive this morning, getting in and out of bed is becoming much easier which was something I dreaded for the first week or so. I do think a positive attitude makes all the difference, I'm rather good at seeing the cup as half full (most of the time!) but understandably that's not always easy for everyone, especially when you're in the early days of recovery.

Thanks again for your support and wise words, they have really helped me these past few days ❤️

Take good care

Lisa 😊

P. S @Fran54

Forgot to say it seems like your recovery is going well too, I hope that continues for you too.. 😊

Lisa

Hi @cocoa Thank you for sharing your journey so far.

I was three weeks in Saturday just gone. I had my wound check today and I can shower tomorrow! Compression sock still on and still using two sticks but feeling better and definitely more mobile, one thing I did notice is an area of numbness today around the scar when the dressing came off but not worrying too much about it now..

I hope you are starting to feel better with the pain meds, I take paracetamol now and then, when I need it. Still not enjoying sleeping on my back and some nights are pretty dire but keep thinking it's not going to be forever. Had a chat with my physio and he was very reassuring re dislocation, he said the surgeon really does ensure the hip is well placed and will move it in every angle once it's placed during surgery.. Sounds grim but I'm reassured by that thought!

Best wishes..

Lisa 😊