Going In For Left BHR Next Wednesday

[hernanu]

That is great, Joe. You're having a good recovery so far, all sounds good.

The first set of meds do take most of the edge off, but it sounds like you'll do well after they've gone. Dr. Marchand sounds like a good man; the cooling compression machine sounds great, you'll really benefit from it.

Take it easy, ice, rest, eat well, keep up with your fluid intake and do the exercises. Simple, huh?

Isn't the absence of that pain something awesome? Two thumbs up right backatcha, brother.

[Jason0411]

Sounds like everything went great Joe keep us posted.

Jas

[Anna]

Excellent news Joe. It sounds like all is going very well  :)

[Spanielsal]

Congratulations, Joe!  "Partially metallic ....." Good one Hern  ;D  ;D ;D

[hernanu]

Call'em as I see'em Sal....  8)

[71sixpack]

Okay, today was a tough day. No pain overnight. PT came in this morning to get me up and walking. Now that I have to actually move the leg the pain is there. Was able to stand up with the walker but got lightheaded and had to sit back down. Ate breakfast and tried a couple hours later and was able to slowly walk. PT was very good at directing me on how to do it correctly.

My first impression is that after some practice I will be fine. The issue I have right now this soon after surgery is moving my leg forward. I am still unable to lift the leg straight up leg raise style off the bed. PT gave me some exercises to do to help with that. Once I can lift the leg a little I think I will progress much faster. I have to remember to bend the knee forward while in the walker instead of just trying to lift the leg up. I had some groin pain following the "stroll", but an ice pack quickly fixed that.

I will also say that the staff at South County Hospital is fantastic!  I'm so glad I had the procedure done here.

Joe

[hernanu]

Pretty standard, Joe - keep it up and you'll be fine. Make sure you keep up with the meds, they'll help you get going; you'll be off them soon enough.

[Anna]

Keep going Joe! Ive heard alot of peope say that lifting your leg up and off the bed is hard at first. You will get there im sure  :)

[71sixpack]

WOOHOO!  Took my second walk with PT. right now I'm just under 24hrs post op. what a difference on the second walk. Went only a couple hundred feet total but NO PAIN. Felt some clunking, but no pain associated with it. PT assured its normal. I can't tell you how positive I feel right now. Thank You to everyone for their kind words and support.

Joe

[hernanu]

 :)  You'll be up and down for a bit (mostly up), glad you got a good one in without pain.  :)

[Dan L]

Congrats Joe on your new hip, follow the program, ice, rest and stay ahead of the pain over the next couple of weeks and you'll be smiling alot in no time.  It is very early and you will have good and not as good days, all part of the deal. 

The leg lift straight off the bed is one of the restrictions I had following surgery, as it presents some risks.  They gave me a "dog leash" device-- a wire-backed woven leash type device with a loop at the end, to facilitate raising the leg to/from bed-- pull your leg up with your hand is the idea. 

Best of luck with your recovery.  The folks here are incredibly helpful in many ways, so keep the updates coming.

Take care,

Dan

[71sixpack]

Now about 48hrs post op.  still some groin pain, especially after walking or doing the PT exercises. Did some stairs this morning. Started with two steps then after a break did a flight. Going up easier than coming down. At one point coming down I twisted wrong and got a sharp pain on the inside of the groin. Fortunately PT was right there to get me straight. PT also got me a leg lifter to help with sliding my leg to the side so I can get out of bed easier. Still feeling positive and kind of surprised with how much mobility I have after such a major surgery. I should be going home tomorrow if things keep going well.

Joe

[Dan L]

Sounds familiar, Joe, there'll be some ups and downs the next while, but sounds like you are taking them in stride and already noticing some tangible benefits which is ahead of the curve for some.  The positive additude will also really help: the depression bug bites a number of people that go through this, which is normal and expected (it sure did me, particulary a couple weeks after the first one was done), but by keeping positive and noticing the improvements and incremental changes, it'll help with the down moments.

One trick I learned for getting in/out of bed was to also use the other leg: place your toes on your non-operated leg under the ankle of the operated leg and swing up/in to get into bed, and out/down to get out of bed. while at the same time pivoting your midsection.  After a couple days doing that, I no longer used the leash thingee.

Best regards,

Dan

[71sixpack]

Good idea! I think I'm going to try that. The one thing I learned from this site is patience. While the benefits of OA pain are immediate, the healing process is going to take time. Everybody is different also. Some people are up and walking around the block in a week, others are still struggling to get out of bed 2wks in. So far my PT has told me I'm doing fine and am on a normal track. I expect in a couple weeks to be doing much better. I am unlucky enough to have had 3 Rotator Cuff surgeries in the last few years so I'm ready for a long recovery.

On another note the surgical supply place just delivered my shiny new walker. Looks like I got the mag wheel option. Now to try it out!

Joe

[71sixpack]

Well, released to home today. Good to be back with my family. Hip still feels good only pain is when I'm sitting or if I don't get it moving before trying to walk somewhere. Still using the walker to get around but putting more weight on the new hip. I find that if I do some heel slides before getting up to move around that there is much less pain and stiffness when using walker. A little more difficult to get out of bed and off the couch as my home furniture is more squishy than the hospital furniture so I have less support when lifting myself out of bed etc..  Still no complaints though as I'm only 3 days post op. I can definitely feel a slight improvement every day. Think I'm going to get a cane tomorrow to help with getting up.

Joe

[lycraman]

Great news about getting home and the progress Joe.  I can relate to your comment about the heal slides helping with your mobilisation after rest.  My biggest post op problems came in the second week when my inner thigh muscles felt like steel cables and any movement from rest (especially at night) was agony.  A day of concentrating on heal slides and finally getting on the static bike helped to ease that problem and got me through my low point. I also found that one day I'd feel great but the next day (or even within the same day) I'd be absolutely shattered, often just falling asleep during the day.

[hernanu]

Good stuff, Joe. I think this is where the work really begins, you take your body's advice, do the things that work. As lycraman mentions, there will be good days and days when things stall, but all in all, life gets immeasurably better.

One thing I found is that any time you change things you challenge your body.

While that is the way to grow, it is more difficult initially. Right now, it's the move home, with different environments than the hospital. That will make it harder for now, until you grow into that. Then more exercise, maybe PT and the challenge changes, you grow into that. The length and breadth of your recovery will take you many times into that cycle, but each one makes you stronger and returns you to life the way you deserve and want it.

Little growths, big ones will get you to where you want to be, but each requires overcoming a challenge. You're going well and you will wind up much, much better.

[phillwad]

Cliff

My range of motion came back slowly - I have added stretching to my exercise program and I now believe that is "OK" to go to the gym and stretch for 45 min and never get my heart rate about 85 - I try to include stretching 3 time into schedule a week.  That has resulted in less time on cardio or strength (there is only so much time I can go to the YMCA) but sometimes I will stretch in-front of the TV in the evening with the kids around or at the airport between flight - I do not care what people think, just glad I am slowly getting better and better ROM

[cliff]

Phillwad,

That is great, I actually started back to work today on light duty status until I go for my 6 week post op check with the surgeon next Monday. I don't feel to bad but we will see what the night brings when the body calms down, but surprisingly I don't feel to bad, hopefully we will stay on the forward trend.

Cliff

[phillwad]

So I am just a year out from my second hip (Aug 2011).  I was camping this weekend - boy scout stuff - in a little tent.  Prior to my hip resurfacing I would have struggled to put my socks on, sleep on the floor in the cool and damp.  This weekend I remember pulling on my socks - I can reach down, not easy but not to bad - move around in a little 2 person tent and have 2 good nights of sleep - A year ago - big tent, sleeping cot and struggle to put on socks.  Carrying a rucksack/backpack (trying to use both English and American) was a pain - it hurt and I thought it was my lower back.  Now I can carry a good pack, built up to 10 miles - I am sore probably from age but it dos not hurt.

IT IS SO MUCH BETTER NOW - you will get there - keep stretching