LTHR 2/4/09 - Ten days post-op

February 14, 2009

Hello all,

I had my left THR at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC on 2/4/09, and I

suspect my recovery has been unremarkable, but I thought I'd share. I had an

epidural anesthesia (not general) but having had both general and epidural

anesthesias, I honestly cannot tell the difference except that the recovery from

the anesthesia (sleepiness and tiredness) seems much easier with the latter.

I am not sure of the type of replacement I had except that it was metal and

plastic; since I am at higher risk for dislocation due to tendon and ligament

laxity, my surgeon used a large ball, which apparently lowers my risk. Still, I

am being extra careful with the restrictions.

I stayed three nights in the hospital. I can't say that it was exactly pleasant

in my early recovery; when they removed the urinary catheter, I had some

difficulty transitioning back to normal voiding and it was not soothing. It was

also pretty painful getting in and out of bed unless my leg was lifted very,

very carefully (by my husband or the hospital staff). I was lightheaded the

first two days so that I didn't take my first steps until the evening of Feb. 5

(my surgery was the 4th)--and only 4 steps forward and then four steps backward.

This was a pretty discouraging day, as I had thought it would be much easier to

walk than it was turning out to be! The voiding problem also added greatly to

my general anxiety about recovery.

During the next two days, though, things got progressively much better, and I

was released on schedule the evening of the 7th. The 3-hour drive home from NYC

was a bit difficult--it was impossible to get comfortable--but I took two

Percocet and slept much of the way. I was pretty determined to get upstairs to

our bedroom when we arrived home, and didn't even stop to rest--but getting

upstairs wasn't too difficult. I have also been able to sleep in bed with my

husband without difficulty (he's not a restless sleeper, though!).

This past week has been busier than I would have thought, with the visitng

nurses, physical therapist, and lab tech who takes blood so that my INR levels

can be monitored (I'm on Coumadin) coming in on what seems a very full schedule.

I've been doing my rehab program pretty faithfully from the beginning, and

progress has been good--I am still using the walker, but quite honestly I can

see that I COULD walk without it (the PT wants me to keep using it--says it's

" too hard " on my hip to transition off of it so soon). My balance, stability

and muscle control have come back pretty fast. However, the leg hardly feels

normal! It's going to take awhile, I can tell, and lots of rehab before the leg

feels and works normally.

The PT is going to come this week as well, and then will release me to

outpatient PT, to which my husband will drive me. We're going to learn how to

get into and out of a car next week as well, and if it's nice enough out, go for

a short walk outside. Oh, and learn how to get into and out of the shower! My

staples come out this coming Wednesday and I'll be happy to put sponge baths

behind me. Fortunately, I've been able to wash my hair at the kitchen sink, or

I'd be climbing the walls! The PT also says that week after next I'll be

cleared to do things like go out to dinner (bringing my easy-up cushion, and for

short periods so I don't have to use the bathroom).

I also started working from home a couple of hours yesterday. I'm an IT

manager, and I " attended " a teleconference meeting just with my staff, who were

ready to throw a couple of thorny political problems my way (I guess that's what

I get paid for!). It is nice to be able to relax this weekend, though, away

from PT's, nurses, staff, lab techs, and hospitals!

Well, I'd better get up and do my exercises. Question for recovered THR

patients: how long before the hip and leg feel totally normal? That is, not

stiff, no groin or gluteal pain, full strength, etc.? When I had extensive

foot/ankle surgery 3 years ago, the initial " rehab " recovery after the cast came

off (10 weeks post-op) took about 2 months; after that, I probably continued to

improve slowly for close to a year before I reached optimal recovery. Is it

similar?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Jane

February 14, 2009

Jane,

Your comment about getting in and out of a car. I remember someone

posting to us plastic wrap, wax paper or anything like this to slide

on the cloth seat in the car. Try it if you fine you are sticking to

the seat as you move in from the first place you put your butt.

Don

>

> The PT is going to come this week as well, and then will release me

to outpatient PT, to which my husband will drive me. We're going to

learn how to get into and out of a car next week as well, and if it's

nice enough out, go for a short walk outside. Oh, and learn how to

get into and out of the shower! My staples come out this coming

Wednesday and I'll be happy to put sponge baths behind me.

Fortunately, I've been able to wash my hair at the kitchen sink, or

I'd be climbing the walls! The PT also says that week after next I'll

be cleared to do things like go out to dinner (bringing my easy-up

cushion, and for short periods so I don't have to use the bathroom).

February 14, 2009

Thanks Don! We have two cars, and mine has leather seats--THAT will be the one

I practice on...but I'll use your tip for my husband's car. Which, actually, I

will probably have to ride in since the dog prefers it ; )

Jane

---- Don <DonAVP@...> wrote:

> Jane,

>

> Your comment about getting in and out of a car. I remember someone

> posting to us plastic wrap, wax paper or anything like this to slide

> on the cloth seat in the car. Try it if you fine you are sticking to

> the seat as you move in from the first place you put your butt.

>

> Don

>

> >

> > The PT is going to come this week as well, and then will release me

> to outpatient PT, to which my husband will drive me. We're going to

> learn how to get into and out of a car next week as well, and if it's

> nice enough out, go for a short walk outside. Oh, and learn how to

> get into and out of the shower! My staples come out this coming

> Wednesday and I'll be happy to put sponge baths behind me.

> Fortunately, I've been able to wash my hair at the kitchen sink, or

> I'd be climbing the walls! The PT also says that week after next I'll

> be cleared to do things like go out to dinner (bringing my easy-up

> cushion, and for short periods so I don't have to use the bathroom).

>

February 14, 2009

Jane sounds like you are doing well. I had my LTHR 12/1/08 & at my

post-oop appointment this last Tuesday (2 1/2 mo) have been released

by my Ortho-surgeon to start back to agility. He said I could not

hurt the hip, just to remember that I will have muscles that have

not been used for some time and if I over do it could make myself

sore.

I think a persons healing time, how they feel post-surgery depends on

the type of surgery approach you have, your attitude and the kind of

physical condition you were in prior to surgery.

I was walking around the house (to the bathroom, kitchen) without

assistance (cruches) by day 3 of being home and by 1 week after being

home I was walking 1 mile. I ditched the crutches by 2 1/2 weeks, for

me it was easier to walk without them. I also was driving at 2 1/2

weeks. As for pain .... I had no pain, I was sore and it is still

difficult for me to put my left foot on my right knee without using

my hand to get it up there, but it does not hurt, just doesn't want

to flex that far yet. I don't think about how I'm doing things

anymore, I just do it, pretty much like I did before surgery, except

without the pain :-)

Keep working at it, it will get easier and soon you will not even be

thinking about what or how you are doing things it will just be

natural.

Patty

>

> Hello all,

>

> I had my left THR at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC on

2/4/09, and I suspect my recovery has been unremarkable, but I

thought I'd share. I had an epidural anesthesia (not general) but

having had both general and epidural anesthesias, I honestly cannot

tell the difference except that the recovery from the anesthesia

(sleepiness and tiredness) seems much easier with the latter.

>

> I am not sure of the type of replacement I had except that it was

metal and plastic; since I am at higher risk for dislocation due to

tendon and ligament laxity, my surgeon used a large ball, which

apparently lowers my risk. Still, I am being extra careful with the

restrictions.

>

> I stayed three nights in the hospital. I can't say that it was

exactly pleasant in my early recovery; when they removed the urinary

catheter, I had some difficulty transitioning back to normal voiding

and it was not soothing. It was also pretty painful getting in and

out of bed unless my leg was lifted very, very carefully (by my

husband or the hospital staff). I was lightheaded the first two days

so that I didn't take my first steps until the evening of Feb. 5 (my

surgery was the 4th)--and only 4 steps forward and then four steps

backward. This was a pretty discouraging day, as I had thought it

would be much easier to walk than it was turning out to be! The

voiding problem also added greatly to my general anxiety about

recovery.

>

> During the next two days, though, things got progressively much

better, and I was released on schedule the evening of the 7th. The 3-

hour drive home from NYC was a bit difficult--it was impossible to

get comfortable--but I took two Percocet and slept much of the way.

I was pretty determined to get upstairs to our bedroom when we

arrived home, and didn't even stop to rest--but getting upstairs

wasn't too difficult. I have also been able to sleep in bed with my

husband without difficulty (he's not a restless sleeper, though!).

>

> This past week has been busier than I would have thought, with the

visitng nurses, physical therapist, and lab tech who takes blood so

that my INR levels can be monitored (I'm on Coumadin) coming in on

what seems a very full schedule. I've been doing my rehab program

pretty faithfully from the beginning, and progress has been good--I

am still using the walker, but quite honestly I can see that I COULD

walk without it (the PT wants me to keep using it--says it's " too

hard " on my hip to transition off of it so soon). My balance,

stability and muscle control have come back pretty fast. However,

the leg hardly feels normal! It's going to take awhile, I can tell,

and lots of rehab before the leg feels and works normally.

>

> The PT is going to come this week as well, and then will release me

to outpatient PT, to which my husband will drive me. We're going to

learn how to get into and out of a car next week as well, and if it's

nice enough out, go for a short walk outside. Oh, and learn how to

get into and out of the shower! My staples come out this coming

Wednesday and I'll be happy to put sponge baths behind me.

Fortunately, I've been able to wash my hair at the kitchen sink, or

I'd be climbing the walls! The PT also says that week after next

I'll be cleared to do things like go out to dinner (bringing my easy-

up cushion, and for short periods so I don't have to use the

bathroom).

>

> I also started working from home a couple of hours yesterday. I'm

an IT manager, and I " attended " a teleconference meeting just with my

staff, who were ready to throw a couple of thorny political problems

my way (I guess that's what I get paid for!). It is nice to be able

to relax this weekend, though, away from PT's, nurses, staff, lab

techs, and hospitals!

>

> Well, I'd better get up and do my exercises. Question for

recovered THR patients: how long before the hip and leg feel totally

normal? That is, not stiff, no groin or gluteal pain, full strength,

etc.? When I had extensive foot/ankle surgery 3 years ago, the

initial " rehab " recovery after the cast came off (10 weeks post-op)

took about 2 months; after that, I probably continued to improve

slowly for close to a year before I reached optimal recovery. Is it

similar?

>

> Thanks for your thoughts,

>

> Jane

>

February 15, 2009

Patty, to clarify--you walked a MILE with CRUTCHES? OMG--I can't quite imagine

that. Rollator, yes, I could imagine that--but crutches seem like they would be

very slow going...obviously, you're very agile with them!

I sure wish I could drive. Unfortunately, both of our cars have standard

transmission, so I don't think I'll be cleared quite so soon. The next car we

get is going to be an automatic, since I have had two surgeries in the last

three years in which I could have driven sooner with an automatic. My husband

is very patient about driving me, but I'd love to be able to, say, go to PT

independently.

I could walk short distances around the house without the walker or cane, but it

would really hurt and I would limp so badly that the rest of my body would

probably take a beating. The leg feels very stiff and the range of motion is

not really there yet. There is one exercise where I have to lift my leg while

standing, without violating the restrictions...I don't think I could violate

them if I tried. The leg and hip feel much too tight to bring up to a ninety

degree angle. This feels strange, since I am very flexible (too flexible,

actually) normally. When I take long strides, I can also feel the pain and

tightness, particularly if I put all my weight on the leg.

I remain impressed that you could walk a mile a few days after surgery. There

is no way I could attempt that now, 11 days out. Of course, it's too icy up

here in Albany, New York ; ) If we get a warmer day here, I am going to try to

take a short walk outside...

Another question--I'm having trouble finding a comfortable sitting position.

Sitting with my knees below my hips is kind of uncomfortable, and my leg is

still swollen, so having it hang down eventually causes stiffness and throbbing.

The swelling has gotten a lot better in the past few days, but three hours of

sitting in my " hip chair " (which I rented) is about all I can manage. And, it's

much easier to relax propped in bed or in the recliner. Anybody else? How did

you hang out during your recovery?

Jane

---- Patty <dsmpks@...> wrote:

> Jane sounds like you are doing well. I had my LTHR 12/1/08 & at my

> post-oop appointment this last Tuesday (2 1/2 mo) have been released

> by my Ortho-surgeon to start back to agility. He said I could not

> hurt the hip, just to remember that I will have muscles that have

> not been used for some time and if I over do it could make myself

> sore.

>

> I think a persons healing time, how they feel post-surgery depends on

> the type of surgery approach you have, your attitude and the kind of

> physical condition you were in prior to surgery.

>

> I was walking around the house (to the bathroom, kitchen) without

> assistance (cruches) by day 3 of being home and by 1 week after being

> home I was walking 1 mile. I ditched the crutches by 2 1/2 weeks, for

> me it was easier to walk without them. I also was driving at 2 1/2

> weeks. As for pain .... I had no pain, I was sore and it is still

> difficult for me to put my left foot on my right knee without using

> my hand to get it up there, but it does not hurt, just doesn't want

> to flex that far yet. I don't think about how I'm doing things

> anymore, I just do it, pretty much like I did before surgery, except

> without the pain :-)

>

> Keep working at it, it will get easier and soon you will not even be

> thinking about what or how you are doing things it will just be

> natural.

>

> Patty

>

> >

> > Hello all,

> >

> > I had my left THR at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC on

> 2/4/09, and I suspect my recovery has been unremarkable, but I

> thought I'd share. I had an epidural anesthesia (not general) but

> having had both general and epidural anesthesias, I honestly cannot

> tell the difference except that the recovery from the anesthesia

> (sleepiness and tiredness) seems much easier with the latter.

> >

> > I am not sure of the type of replacement I had except that it was

> metal and plastic; since I am at higher risk for dislocation due to

> tendon and ligament laxity, my surgeon used a large ball, which

> apparently lowers my risk. Still, I am being extra careful with the

> restrictions.

> >

> > I stayed three nights in the hospital. I can't say that it was

> exactly pleasant in my early recovery; when they removed the urinary

> catheter, I had some difficulty transitioning back to normal voiding

> and it was not soothing. It was also pretty painful getting in and

> out of bed unless my leg was lifted very, very carefully (by my

> husband or the hospital staff). I was lightheaded the first two days

> so that I didn't take my first steps until the evening of Feb. 5 (my

> surgery was the 4th)--and only 4 steps forward and then four steps

> backward. This was a pretty discouraging day, as I had thought it

> would be much easier to walk than it was turning out to be! The

> voiding problem also added greatly to my general anxiety about

> recovery.

> >

> > During the next two days, though, things got progressively much

> better, and I was released on schedule the evening of the 7th. The 3-

> hour drive home from NYC was a bit difficult--it was impossible to

> get comfortable--but I took two Percocet and slept much of the way.

> I was pretty determined to get upstairs to our bedroom when we

> arrived home, and didn't even stop to rest--but getting upstairs

> wasn't too difficult. I have also been able to sleep in bed with my

> husband without difficulty (he's not a restless sleeper, though!).

> >

> > This past week has been busier than I would have thought, with the

> visitng nurses, physical therapist, and lab tech who takes blood so

> that my INR levels can be monitored (I'm on Coumadin) coming in on

> what seems a very full schedule. I've been doing my rehab program

> pretty faithfully from the beginning, and progress has been good--I

> am still using the walker, but quite honestly I can see that I COULD

> walk without it (the PT wants me to keep using it--says it's " too

> hard " on my hip to transition off of it so soon). My balance,

> stability and muscle control have come back pretty fast. However,

> the leg hardly feels normal! It's going to take awhile, I can tell,

> and lots of rehab before the leg feels and works normally.

> >

> > The PT is going to come this week as well, and then will release me

> to outpatient PT, to which my husband will drive me. We're going to

> learn how to get into and out of a car next week as well, and if it's

> nice enough out, go for a short walk outside. Oh, and learn how to

> get into and out of the shower! My staples come out this coming

> Wednesday and I'll be happy to put sponge baths behind me.

> Fortunately, I've been able to wash my hair at the kitchen sink, or

> I'd be climbing the walls! The PT also says that week after next

> I'll be cleared to do things like go out to dinner (bringing my easy-

> up cushion, and for short periods so I don't have to use the

> bathroom).

> >

> > I also started working from home a couple of hours yesterday. I'm

> an IT manager, and I " attended " a teleconference meeting just with my

> staff, who were ready to throw a couple of thorny political problems

> my way (I guess that's what I get paid for!). It is nice to be able

> to relax this weekend, though, away from PT's, nurses, staff, lab

> techs, and hospitals!

> >

> > Well, I'd better get up and do my exercises. Question for

> recovered THR patients: how long before the hip and leg feel totally

> normal? That is, not stiff, no groin or gluteal pain, full strength,

> etc.? When I had extensive foot/ankle surgery 3 years ago, the

> initial " rehab " recovery after the cast came off (10 weeks post-op)

> took about 2 months; after that, I probably continued to improve

> slowly for close to a year before I reached optimal recovery. Is it

> similar?

> >

> > Thanks for your thoughts,

> >

> > Jane

> >

>

February 15, 2009

She walked a mile a few days later...o.m.g. wow i could never either...didnt

feel my leg for 4 days.....tigs