Let the healing begin!

[hernanu]

Hi Lauren Lee, sorry that you've had a rocky start.

On dislocation, it is very low on the reasons for revision list on resurfacing, as opposed to THR. The incidence in the Australian registry is about 2.7% of all revisions, which are about 4-5% of all resurfacings.

So your chances of dislocating are 0.027 times 0.05 or about 0.135 % . That's for all surgeons and all patients.

It doesn't take away the pain of having one happen, but you are in pretty good shape (99.865%) in avoiding it.

[bestbob]

Hi Lauren, Sorry to hear oh the ER. Looks to have been to smart thing to do, and nothing major. If doing to much exercise is the reason, should be easy to slow down would think.
My 2 area of focus are 1 - Constipation, and 2 - managing the swelling.It has now moved down to the knee. Regarding pain meds, still taking the OXY, but a 6 hr intervals. Looking to change over to Tylenol Extra Strength soon.

Very Glad to hear you are OK.

Bob

[Lauren Lee]

Well it is has been 9 (almost 10 days) since my surgery and I guess things are okay. I didn't count on my foot being puffed up like a balloon and my two middle toes turning kind of blueish. Being a former nurse I would like to reach down and check the pulse in my foot but that would break the rules and maybe my new hip. Other than that I have had no other bruising and went off the vicodin yesterday to clear my head but might take one tonight.
I am so tired that I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat and nothing really tastes good. If I sit too long I get stiff, If I walk much at all,  my shoe gets tight.
OT and PT are coming to the house and they say I am doing really well. Still limpy. How long after surgery did your limp go away? We are working on my gait.
This is hard and patience has not always been a strong suit of mine and was not a virtue I prayed for because I might just get tested in it. :) This is a test.

[kate71]

This is a test but you will get there - i had lots of swelling in my foot and shins - really painful! this went after about 2 weeks, when I was walking more.

I found it difficult to walk without a limp until the swelling around the joint had really gone down as it made me feel like my operated leg was longer when it was swollen. But people keep saying my walking is really fluid now so keep going, keep doing the PT, sleep when you can - at your stage I was having about 2 hours a day naps.

lets face it the recovery is boring, frustrating, exhausting (physically and mentally) but in the grand scheme of life its a drop in the ocean and the result of this amazing surgery is that you get your pain free life back :) keep up the good work  :)

[bestbob]

Hi Lauren - 9 days post-op for me, and now 10 days for you. Sorry to hear about your swelling below the knee. I have not had any past the knee, and hopefully don't. Sounds like your just about at the same level of recovery as I. Below are the key items for me, just for reference.
- Taking meds at 6 hr increments, Percocet at night and extra-strength Tylenol during the day. Trying to get off Percocet 100%
- Can only sleep on back so far. Tried to sleep on non-op side last night, after 10 min(even with pillow between legs) the pain got to be 2 much. Sure miss having options on how to sleep
- mostly muscle soreness, knee pain,and incision pain. about a 1 to 2 level. Sometime a 3 when I just wake up in the morning, but I walk and work it out.
- sleet 3 - 4 hrs at a time at night, and stiffness sets in than
- Still a little constipated
- On the emotional side, feel alone and insecure at times. This Site REALLY helps out (Thanks Pat et All)
- Doing PT 3 times a day. all lying down exercises, at 2 weeks (next Tue), can starting standing ones
-  Next Monday get staples out and stop using ankle pumps if check for blood clots come back negative.
- Surgical bandage removed 2 days ago. Took shower just before removal, and it felt GREAT!
I do a lot of icing, and try to walk every hour troughoutthe day.

Just think, we are almost 2 weeks post-op, how time has flown.... :-)

Bob

[Juno]

Lauren and Bob,

I am glad to hear your recovery stories and am following them as you post. I know that you both have had some struggles (Lauren the allergic reaction really stinks!), but you are progressing, so it's all good. Baby steps!

I am getting anxious about my surgery on the 10th....so it helps me to read your stories.

Bob -- I appreciate your post about feeling a bit emotionally down. I am struggling right now with putting on a happy face and reassuring people that I am fine (maybe I'm trying to convince myself of that).

Keep posting. I know I'm grateful knowing this site is here.

[Lauren Lee]

Kate 71...so good to receive encouragement from you and other seasoned "hippys". Thank you! Bob...one day at a time, right?
It's a new day but somehow I feel like I've turned some kind of a corner. (I know there will be many corners and bumpy roads ahead). My IT band became very tender and sore last night...first time since surgery.Last night I was miserable but thinking there must be some nerve muscle regeneration going on and that's good....right?I was able to work it out with my rolling pin and medicine ball. Plus my PT worked on it.
Also put together a contraption so I can shave my legs...(taped a shaver to my long handled shoe horn from the hip kit). Pretty proud of myself. :)
Much more awake today and focused. Able to think of something besides me, myself and I.

[Lauren Lee]

Hi Hippy friends! I had my two week check today. Doc is pleased with progress. XRay showed implant perfectly placed. I got a copy of OR report and there was "excellent range of motion" in OR...not quite excellent this side of the OR but moving in that direction!
He d'c'd home therapy and I start outpatient PT later this week. I can drive when I feel up to it, return to work when I feel up to it. If it was not for the nature of my work, I would be back next week but I think I need to wait. Too much driving, too much uncertanity of environment, and sometimes I need to be really quick on my feet. So I'll wait.
I feel good...really good. The exercises that I am doing at home have increased my upper body strength and I can feel the muscles in my hip getting stronger. (The IT band was cut). I can't walk without a cane...well I could but I would soon fall down...so I will wait and let Pt supervise that. The swelling is down...just a little around my ankles but I can wear a pair of athletic shoes easily.
So far so good...all is well.

[bestbob]

Great news Laureen, glad to hear all is well. My 2 week checkup also went well. My Dr. requires 2 crutches the entire 6 weeks, and no driving for 6 weeks either. I couldn't walk with 1 crutch anyway, so I am taking my time to ensure no femur neck fracture. I put a request in at work that work from home until Aug 1, hopefully they approve it.

Anyway - Nice to hear from you.

Bob

[Juno]

Lauren
Just checking in -- How are you doing??

[Lauren Lee]

Hi Juno, I am doing very well. This was a weekend of firsts...first time on the treadmill, first time driving (left foot braking), first time back to church, first time walking around the trail where my dog and I usually walk. My husband took the dog and I did about .6 miles on my own. The driving went well, I practiced L foot braking before surgery. I don't think I am up to a long drive yet. I did get a temporary handicap permit because of the nature of my job but it is TEMPORARY! If I had not had this surgery it would have been permanent. Still on the cane but my balance is improving day by day. My PT said the treadmill was great for that and for helping to eliminate developing a long term limp. I start really slow and gradually speed  it up. Sometimes I forget I need a cane and take off without it...now even a week ago that would have been a problem but not so much now although my body lets me know that I need the cane. No pain, just discomfort from the incision. Doing some manipulation to break down the scar and applying oils to soften it. I still want my afternoon nap...I have never been a nap person so I don't know if it is because I need them or like them...or both.  There is some frustration still because the simplest things seem to take so long. I still sleep with a pillow between my legs so I don't roll over and break a restriction. I ordered a super heavy duty "grabber" from Amazon and that thing...will pick up anything! The one that came in the hip kit was toast the first week. I am resisting the urge to "push the limits" and have instead opted to mend slow and mend strong.
So....your surgery is coming up this week? I am excited for you and will be thinking about you. It's going to improve the quality of your life in ways that will not, at first, be apparent, but just know it is so. Do what they tell you to do and don't do anything foolish. It's not about the journey but the destination. But you have to take the journey to get there. Let us all know how you are doing! Wednesday right?

[bestbob]

Laureen - Sounds like you are progressing very well. A couple of comments/questions. I am still on 2 crutches per the Dr's request, and the only pain I am having is around the incision area, there is a throbbing pain that occurs every 15 seconds or so. It comes and goes though. I think it is either scare tissue, tight muscles, and/or the IT band. After I walk a bit the pain reduces, but is still there. The exercises are the ones recommended by the Dr. so I am cautious about doing any other ones. Also, I am still taking Percoset every 6 to 7 hrs, as I can feel the throbbing pain start to increase.

Have you experienced this pain around the incision, and how are you dealing with the scare tissue? I.e. you mentioned oils, is that working? Also, are you still taking pain medicine?

Bob

[Lauren Lee]

Bob,  yes the incision is tender especially at the ends.My PTshowed me how to use my index and middle fingers to gently massage ACROSS the scar from end to end. This is before applying any oil. I then use a vitamin E ointment I got from health food store or kukui oil. I bought some Mederma butconsidering the sensitivity of my skin not sure I want to try it. The doc approved this only after incision was completely closed.he also said I could use a roller...again gently. My IT band let me know it was still there last week and I have been massaging in long firm strokes along the length of the thing. I use Motrin when needed during the day and will take half a Norco at night when I need it but I it has been a week or so. Three weeks and counting, Bob.

[Lauren Lee]

After working out on my own for an hour this morning and then my PT working me over this afternoon....I have been reminded that I am not recovered...I am RECOVERING!! OUCH! Easy does it!