My time has come/ Dr. Gross

[Two4One]

Hi Andy,

Aerial has great advice; I go back and read her thread for ideas a lot. 

I really kept up with the ice machine as well and had no bruising other than a small spot on my calf that showed up about 2 weeks post op.

We were not sent home with an ice machine, so Hubs went low tech.  Our freezer looks like we are stocking up on "The Peas' End Times" as we have twelve 2lb bags of frozen peas in there taking up valuable freezer real estate.

I applied 2 bag 'o frozen peas per hip, one bag each for my knees ( which feel fine now).  Then, I always had my six backup bags staying frozen, as we alternated them through the day.  Use caution though; Hubs found out the hard way that dropping a bag of peas to our kitchen floor to break up the ice chunks was not such a great idea - except to our dog, who was thrilled with his unexpected windfall and who pooped green for the next day.  Also, if you don't want your hip(s) to have freezer burn and don't want your bedclothes to be a sodden mess, a fluffy absorbent towel works a treat.  Oh yeah, my in home OT told me funny stories of people actually eating their frozen bags of peas later, and she says you don't want to do that!

Good Luck and may healing shine on your hips & hardware knitting together for a picture perfect recovery!

Two-4

[hernanu]

Hey, Andy - one thing I did that helped very local swelling (like the area around the incision), after it healed and other areas:

• Take a styrofoam coffee cup.
• Fill it partway with water, then let it freeze in the freezer.
• Rip off the bottom about 1/2 an inch, to expose the ice.
• Use a paper towel to cover the ice, to prevent ice on skin.
• Then move it around the swollen area to cool.

Worked wonders for localized areas and I could put it right back into the freezer. The styrofoam keeps your fingers well insulated.

[imgetinold]

Awesome ideas.  Thank you.

I find that after the drive home I am VERY stiff.  Also, I'm in a recliner (which is fine) but if I try to shift my operated leg just a little to the side, I can't do it.  It is painful to do so.  I'm using the leg lifter for that now.  Is this normal?

Andy

[Woodstock Hippy]

I'm at 9 weeks and I still get stiff when I get out from a long ride weather I'm riding of driving.  I think you sound just like the rest of us.  I'm really the last person who should say this but you have to be patient with this

[imgetinold]

I know...I know.  I was just so pleased at how little discomfort I had at the hospital, that this seems like a step backwards.  Time for some meditation.

Andy

[Kiwi]

I'm 7 weeks & still get stiffness - especially after sitting for long periods. I try to keep moving as much as possible which has it challenges with a desk job. I ensure don't sit for more than 30 mins at a time without at least getting up and walking a bit or doing a few standing exercises. My team are already used to me talking with them whilst exercising!
Movement is good, but I found I needed plenty of rest early post op, especially in the first 3-4 weeks.
Easy to get excited when the meds are hiding the pain. That's when over did my walks early on...!

[Two4One]

Andy, 100% normal to have a lot more pain now.  If you need stronger pain meds, talk to your in home nurse and call your surgeon to up the strength.  Whatever you do, stay ahead of the pain; in other words take your pain drugs before your hip starts killing you.  I started my taper on Monday, over 2 1/2 weeks post op, so you will have muscle spasms, scar burning, and plain 'ol recovery pain as your body is busily knitting itself back together around your new hardware.

Also, I used the foot lasso for about 2 weeks post op.  Keep doing your PT and strength will return, promise!  This all totally normal.

My only caveat is to keep an eye on your anticoagulant, if it's anything other than aspirin.  Those blood thinners can really do a number on you.  Arixtra gave me aphasia, short term memory loss, lower limb weakness, confusion, and anger; I didn't even know what the remote was called!!  Within 2 days of switching to Aspirin, I started getting back to myself, Thank God/or Serendipity.

This weak kitten period will pass very soon.  Meditating, listening to music, downloading funny stories, and use your enforced downtime to make plans for a wonderful summer!!

[mslendzion]

Awesome ideas.  Thank you.

I find that after the drive home I am VERY stiff.  Also, I'm in a recliner (which is fine) but if I try to shift my operated leg just a little to the side, I can't do it.  It is painful to do so.  I'm using the leg lifter for that now.  Is this normal?

Andy

Day 2 I was the same. Day 4 it is moving much better. Keep doing the basic excercises PT advised and you'll see improvements each day.

[Two4One]

mslendzion, glad to see your strength returning day by day!

[imgetinold]

Thanks for the perspective.  I read about those who stop the narcotics on day 3, and wonder how they did it. I typically have a pretty high pain tolerance, or so I thought.

[newdog]

Andy,
You are not stepping backwards. When you were in the hospital you still had some effect from the local pain anesthetic and the spinal from your surgery. It is normal that you are feeling more stiffness and soreness. Things are healing back there already. It won't be long until you notice huge improvements. This first week is the toughest time.

If you still need the narcotics longer, then use them. That's what they are for and that's why you have a supply in case you need them. There's nothing wrong with that at all. Everyone is different. The main reason I went of of the heavy stuff after 3 days was because I felt they were messing with my mind too much in a way I didn't like. I just didn't feel very well. I did fine with 2 X-Strength Tylenols three times a day for about a week then tapered off to twice a day. And of course the ice, you have to ice. It was my best friend for at least two weeks. My Polar Care machine worked well in the hospital but for me was kind of a hassle when I got home. I had to have two pads hooked up to it since I am a bi-lat.

It sounds to me like you are doing great. The use of the leg lifter and the pain you are feeling is absolutely normal. Don't forget you can call Lee or Nancy at the office if you have questions or concerns. They are totally helpful. And don't hesitate to call the off hours phone number if you need to speak with someone. I had to call the number once on a Sunday evening and the response was very friendly and helpful. I even received a call about an hour later from them to make sure my concern was addressed and I was O.K. Someone from Midlands Orthopedics is on call 24/7 in case anyone needs to speak to them. Maybe you already knew all of this, sorry if I'm babbling on.

It does get better in a short time. You'll be amazed.

[imgetinold]

Thanks, newdog. Yea, I've kept up with the meds since then.  I slept like a baby, and felt really decent this morning.  I can tell I'm on the upswing.

[hernanu]

I'm with newdog on this. There are no rules on this, just whatever works for you. The thing you need is to be comfortable enough to aid your recovery. You'll be off the pain meds soon enough, don't stress whether you should be on them or not - if you need them, use them.