spinal vs general

[imgetinold]

It sounds like your recover is going pretty standard for 1 week.  Your doubts will fade away quickly once you round that corner.  I'll estimate that right around 2 weeks you'll hit that mark.

Like Hernan said:  Rest, Ice, Elevate, Ice, PT.

Keep up the good recovery.

[cliff]

Yesterday I had my 2 week checkup and am happy to say everything is right on track, I have graduated from walker to cane with some good walking to go along with the pt. No swelling and have got rid of the pain meds. I will tell you that being idle for 2 weeks really does a number on your muscles that you thought you had, such as now when I walk a longer distance my lower back is sore but doctor says that is from being basically bed ridden for 2 weeks and your muscles need to get back at it. This morning had a weird feeling tho, went to step in shower and felt a clunk which from what I have read and the doctor verified is normal and its just the muscles and tendons that are trying to rebound. best news is no pain. I just want to say thanks to all my new hippie friends for all the well wishes and good lucks.

Cliff

[imgetinold]

That clunking is weird, isn't it?  I started clunking around weeks 3-4, and did a LOT of clunking up through 4 months.  Then, it slowly started to subside (never did hurt).  I only clunk now when I'm in the shower, bending all the way down to wash my ankles.  I feel a subtle "clunk" when I go to stand back upright.

So....

a) sorry for the visual

b) not to worry!

[rubyred]

Ohhh that clunking is very weird, but because I had dysplasia I had the clunking a fair bit before surgery anyway so was somewhat used to it, however I don't have it half as much now as I did before!

And Cliff, 2 weeks is so early on. I remember a turning point at 4 weeks :)

[cliff]

It it so nice to hear that everyone has the same symptoms and its completely normal, but I got to tell you it does feel weird, and also actually knowing you have implants in your body.

[imgetinold]

6-8 months from now, you won't even think about the implants in your body.  At least not 95% of the time.

[cliff]

Ok it has been 3 weeks, I seem to have hit a level spot as far as my recovery, have been walking and doing my exercises as required but I am having  an awful lot of stiffness and some discomfort in and near the incision area, my lower back aches and i know that is probably from not having a normal life for a couple of weeks, just curious if all this is normal or am I just being to aggressive in what to expect.

[hernanu]

It all sounds very normal, cliff.

At 3 weeks, your activity level is ramping up, you may not be using crutches anywhere near as much, painkillers and other drugs are probably being attenuated. The healing of the surgical incision is nearing the end, and you may become aware of discomfort that was either being masked by larger discomfort or is new from things like scar tissue, etc.

Your muscles, as you move more are becoming attuned to your new architecture, because you know you're walking differently, and muscles and tendons that became unused over time are now coming back online and being asked to do more.

In other words, you're a mess... But an incredibly good mess that is going to quickly coalesce into a much stronger and happier cliff.

Let it flow cliff, and realize that it is a long stroll with some flat parts, some hills and valleys, but going forward and making huge breakthroughs along the way.

[cliff]

Thanks Hernanu, you are correct in saying I'm a mess LOL. I guess as my wife keeps telling me I'm very impatient. Its just nice a I keep saying there are so many nice people here going thru the same thing, granted everyone heals different but its nice to have answers from other hippies going thru the same aches and pains and hopefully forward to a better life.

Thanks again for all the kind words

[imgetinold]

At three weeks it felt like full recovery could never come fast enough.  At 8 months, that is a distant memory.

Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself to feel perfect.  Your 3-week description sounds completely normal.  Like you've read, it's a marathon and not a sprint, and it will be a little bit better each week....typically not a LOT better each week.  But really, those weeks will add up faster than you think.

[Tin Soldier]

Well put Hern and Imgetin, I totally agree.  Keep in mind, that there will be a few major positive events coming.  They'll be upon you pretty quickly and all of a sudden you'll realize it.  So don't get discouraged.  A lot of folks in the 3 to 6 or so week have some really positive days where they seem to wake up and walk out of the fog after they noticed some new feat or less pain, or a good PT session, or a good nights sleep (very important)....or simply their mental state just becomes more postive and clear. 

Hang in there.

[cliff]

Not a bad day today, I did 2 sessions of pool therapy and that seemed to work out well as the resistance really works those muscles. Today I actually walked most of the day without the cane and just a slight limp, it is amazing that things change day to day.

[Mr.Box]

Good to hear that you are getting there Cliff! My walking looks like a drunk Irishman ( I'm Irish ) I'm worried about being without my crutches when I return to work. They might think I had a liquid lunch.

[WTW15]

Cliff & Mr. Box - 6 months ago I was were you are and had the exact same feelings and all.  It's amazing what each week brings and then looking back at my posts, where I've come from.  Guys - hang in there and just take each day, don't rush it, your body will talk back if you do, push but not too hard, etc etc etc... All the guys here have so much great advice!  It's so comforting to know there are so many that have SUCCESSFULLY gone before you and blazed the path, even if your path takes a little different turn and twist. 

As of the past few weeks I have realized that the 1 - 2 step limp I had each time I'd get up, no matter how short or long I'd been sitting, that limp is NOW GONE!  I can get up and just walk normal.  Yes, even at this time in my recovery, I'm still making gains.  They really do mean it when they say the recovery can take 1 yr to 18 months, but by 6 months you'll be so psyched!!! 

Happy Hippy Healing! 

[cliff]

WTW15, great advise and your correct today I think I pushed a little to hard with some free weights because my lower back is screaming at me, I'm trying to build up the upper body again and I'm sad to say that after 45 years of being an athlete and being on top of my game, my legs are a sad sight, its amazing how fast you lose all your muscle tone after not being active for 5-6 months, I feel like I'm starting over and yes being a little impatient at the same time. I need to listen to the body as everyone keeps telling me.

Cliff

[cliff]

Ok here is my week 5 poll. How long was it before you or I can at least tie my own shoes or put on a sock? I still feel that even when most pain is gone other the the sore back and some groin pain I still have some of the same pain issues going on. I have backed off my excercises as I think maybe I am pushing a little to hard. The PT girl told me just listen to the body, I think she is right. Would like to here from other hippies that have gone thru this. Its pretty embarrasing to still have someone else tire you sneaker. LOL

[lycraman]

Cliff
I'm nearly 6 weeks post op now and can walk for miles and miles, without any stick now.  I get little pain apart from when I make certain movements, however I still can't fasten the laces on my operated leg's shoes and I have only just managed to get socks on, and that is with difficulty. I live on my own, most of the time, so have devised strategies to cope such as the most appropriate foot wear etc.

[cliff]

The walking part has been great, the thing that kills me is the sore muscles in the lower back, after being up for a few hours and and kinda being active the lower lumbar just screams. Its funny yesterday we went to a home show and I was talking with a women who had both hips done and she said the difference was that when they did her left side they cut thru the muscle and her recoup time was horrible but when they did her right side all they did was sread the muscle and her recoup time was cut in half.

[lycraman]

My physio did a lot of work on me pre-op to ensure that everything was as loose and free as possible.  She said that so many post hip-op patients have low back problems, partly because of the muscles cut during the surgery but often because the sacro-illiac joint seizes up when the hip is bad before the operation, as a protective response to stop the painful hip from moving.  When the painful hip has been removed with the prosthesis, the pelvis and hip try to swing (literally) back onto proper action, but the sacro-illiac has seized up and fights back, causing the low back pain.

[cliff]

Thanks for the reply, I will ask my physio, but how long does it take for the back to subside??