Section Guide For:
Hip Replacement
Who What & Why
Brief Overview
Weekly Summary Page
Daily Summary Page
Daily Journals:
Surgery + 57-70
Surgery + 50-56
Surgery + 43-49
Surgery + 42
Surgery + 41
Surgery + 40
Surgery + 39
Surgery + 38
Surgery + 37
Surgery + 36
Surgery + 35
Surgery + 34
Surgery + 33
Surgery + 32
Surgery + 31
Surgery + 30
Surgery + 29
Surgery + 28
Surgery + 27
Surgery + 26
Surgery + 25
Surgery + 24
Surgery + 23
Surgery + 22
Surgery + 21
Surgery + 20
Surgery + 19
Surgery + 18
Surgery + 17
Surgery + 16
Surgery + 15
Surgery + 14
Surgery + 13
Surgery + 12
Surgery + 11
Surgery + 10
Surgery + 9
Surgery + 8
Surgery + 7
Surgery + 6
Surgery + 5
Surgery + 4
Surgery + 3
Surgery + 2
Surgery + 1
Surgery Day
Pre-surgery
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Tidbits & Thoughts
This section is intended for travel tips and other thoughts. Hip replacement tips and thoughts are along the right hand rail of this page.
Retirement Adventures and Photo Logs: Total Hip Replacement Recovery - weekly summary
Who Why How Brief Overview Weekly Summary Daily Summary Read Journal
Pain Scale:(0)none (1-2)no problem (3-4)irritating (5-6) very distracting (7+)Stop it now
9th & 10th Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 57-70]
On the upside
Positive note
I'm continuing to progress slowly but consistently now.
First time
Muscles are tiring normally as they strengthen without pain in the hip capsule.
Walk
Without aid
All of the time.
With aid
Not at all
Pain
Virtually all 'sharp pain' has has left. Note: After Megan found the adhesions in the capsule she then determined that there were muscles that I didn't use and overcompensated by using my hip abductors which was also causing sharp pain in the capsule.
Other discomfort
As other my muscles strengthen there is the normal discomfort of fatigue.... but that feels good to me. I means that I'm making progress.
Biggest complaint
No Complaints! I'm feeling the best that I've flet in about a year!
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
For me, and I think for everyone, post physical therapy can mean the difference between a successful and non successful hip replacement.
8th Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 50-56]
On the upside
Positive note
All's well that ends well.
First time
-Bicycle 6 miles out to Saguaro National Park and back. It felt good at the time.
Walk
Without aid
Most of the time.
With aid
Occasionally. Sometimes there is fast onset of sharp pain directly in the hip area.
Pain
-Occasionally at night. I take Ibuprophen. -At times sharp pain in the groin that I can't associate with a specific activity or motion. Note: It turns out that it is adhesions in the capsule that can and are being broken up by the physical therapist now that they have been identified.
Other discomfort
The pain in my hip capsule is enough pain for now, thank you very much!
Biggest complaint
I couldn't determine if I was having normal recovery pain that I needed to stretch and work through or something abnormal that needed to be addressed. I didn't know if I should do more or less. It didn't add up and I felt like I was in a black hole with no way out.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
Each case is different. Someone else may not have adhesions, but may have a different problem, or no problem at all. Talk to your doctor, physical therapist and anyone else who might have insight.
7th Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 43-49]
On the upside
Positive note
Everything is going well!
First time
-Totally off Percocet & Tylenol PM -Back on my bicycle - bicycled 5 miles on 2 mornings! -Hiked in the desert 1 mile 3 different nights! -My cane has remained where I left it a week ago!
Walk
Without aid
All the time at a normal pace.
With aid
Not at all!
Pain
-Occasionally at night. I take Ibuprophen.
Other discomfort
I still have cellulitis. That is what the doctor called the problem with the incision that was referred to last time as abscessed sutures.
Biggest complaint
My sleep is not normal. I stay awake for a couple of hours at night even though I'm not in pain. I think this is my body getting over the effects of the Percocet and Tylenol PM.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
Stretch after activity, especially increased activity so the muscles, ligaments and tendons don't tighten and cause pain.
6th Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 36]
On the upside
Positive note
So far this week I'm feel more normal... more my old self than at any time in the last 8 months.
First time
-Spring type cleaning of the bedroom. It hadn't had it in a year, since my hip caused too much pain to do that type of cleaning.
-Walked on one of the desert trails for about a half a mile.
Walk
Without aid
Most of the time.
With aid
I carry the cane when I know I will be walking a distance and will probably push my limits. I use it just as I feel stress or fatigue in the hip area..
Pain
-Seems to have subsided. I no longer feel a constant ache. It still wakes me up at night. I've gotten off of Percocet and I'm using Ibuprophen during the day and Tylenol PM at night.
Other discomfort
-I feel exhausted most of the time. I suppose that is my body using its energy to heal.
Biggest complaint
It's taking so long and I have so little energy recently.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
I think that some of my lack of energy is also due to the Percocet. I'm hopeful for next week.
5th Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 29]
On the upside
Positive note
I no longer require a nap midday.
First time
Sweat with exertion!
Walk
Without aid
Around the house, condo complex and for short distances. My hip, leg and my entire body felt more fatigued and ached more this week.
With aid
For any distance that I needed to walk.
I didn't do much distance walking to increase my endurance. I stayed home and only did short sets of my stretching and strength exercises
Pain
-Generally I ached all week. It was level 2-4, irritating and distracting. The pain affected my mood and pain meds didn't help a great deal..
-Level 4-5 quick and sharp when Megan helps me increase my movement to a new range. It subsides quickly to a dull ache for a while.
Other discomfort
-The incision still burns in the area of the abscessed sutures. The antibiotic prescription was changed.
-Swelling in the greater surgical area is still increased compared to 2 weeks ago and is tender. Megan works on the underlying soft tissues every time she visits.
Biggest complaint
Raw portion of the incision and surrounding area.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
My emotional well being slid downhill as a constant ache increased. Listening to the birds outside, looking a photos of my grandkids and chatting with my family and friends helped my emotional well being.
4th Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 22]
On the upside
Positive note
-I visited some friends which was very energizing.
First time
Getting in and out of the car normally without pain.
Walk
Without aid
-Most of the time for shorter distances up to a quarter of a mile.
With aid
-Occasionally on shorter distances or later in the day
-Always on longer endurance walks which are generally about a mile.
Pain
Night
-1-3 after 3 hours
-Stretching and 1 Percocet - slept 3-4 more hours
-Stretching and 1 Percocet - slept 3-4 more hours
Getting out of bed in the morning
1-2 for 2-3 min then diminishes quickly with each movement. Mostly tightness
Sitting
0 to 1 dull ache occasionally.
Exercising or walking
-0-3 occasionally
- Over all the pain is reduced from a week ago. Walking with a cane helps as I fatigue.
-As Megan helps me increase my range of motion there is sharp pain with a residual aching
Other discomfort
-Still fatigue more easily than pre-surgery so that I took a nap 4 days this week.
-The incision burns in the area of the abscessed sutures.
-Swelling in the surgical area has increased and is tender.
Biggest complaint
Setback with the incision site.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
Progress is never linear, in a straight line. Some days progress accelerates and others it seems to regress. The trick is to keep my spirits up in both cases.
3rd Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 15]
On the upside
Positive note
-I'm starting to feel more normal
-Incision is mostly healed
First time
-Cycle on stationary bike
-Went mall shopping!
-1/2 and 1 mile with cane
-Sex
-Ted Hose are no longer required
-No pain meds for 1st 3-4 hours of sleep at night
Walk
Without aid
400 yards (1/4 mile) at one time when my leg and hip are not fatigued
With aid
Half a mile on occasion and 1 mile yesterday. Using a cane on longer walks so that I can reinforce proper gait motion even as the muscles fatigue
Pain
Night
-3-4 after 3 hours
-Stretching and 1 Percocet - slept 3-4 more hours
-Stretching and 1 Percocet - slept 3-4 more hours
Getting out of bed in the morning
1-3 for 2-3 min then diminishes quickly with each movement.
Sitting
0 to 1 dull ache occasionally.
Exercising or walking
0-4 - Over all the pain is reduced from a week ago. Walking with a cane helps as I fatigue.
Other discomfort
Still fatigue more easily than pre-surgery.
Biggest complaint (not very big at all)
The area of the incision itches.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
I let pride stand in the way of using a cane. When I realized that, I got an adjustable cane. Using it has helped strengthen a normal gait pattern.
2nd Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 8]
On the upside
Positive note
-I've felt like dressing up more than last week.
-I can get in and out of bed with minimal discomfort.
-My flexibility is 60-80% back!
-Swelling is greatly reduced.
First time
-Shower while standing instead of sitting.
-Drove the car
-Right Left Right Left easily going up and down the stairs
-Crossed my legs, first right over left and then left over right for awhile.
-Slept on my stomach for a while and then on my surgery side.
Walk
Without aid
75 yards several times though out the day.
With aid
Hand rail on the stairs
Pain
Night
5-7 after 4 hours when Tylenol PM wore off. Stretching, walking and 1 Percocet helped me sleep 3-4 more hours.
Getting out of bed in the morning
4-7 for 4-5 min (several areas, sharp and dull). It diminished quickly with movement except for the sharp pain in the center of my left buttocks.
Sitting
0 to 2 dull ache.
Exercising or walking
2 to 8 - Over all the pain is reduced from a week ago. But in specific areas that are being worked, sharp pains flash through during specific motions. Specifically my left ankle and outside calf, left outside thigh, left buttocks and left front groin. The pain is strongest when I first start walking, then it subsides after 10-20 steps. At the end of the walk, as those muscles fatigue, the pain increases once again.
Other discomfort
Fatigue easily
Biggest complaint
I still fatigue very easily and my pain has increased slightly.
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
Pay close attention to do exercises accurately
1st Week Post Surgery - [start journal + 1]
On the upside
Positive note
I am post surgery.
First time
-4 Stairs
-Walking with walker
-Walking outside without Chuck or walker
-Putting on my own shoes and sox
-Shower!
Walk
Without aid
None to 75 yards in a slow shuffle for weight bearing.
With aid
-Few Steps to 75 yards with walker.
-Hand rail on the stairs.
Pain
Night
5-7 after 4 hours. Tried Vicoden, Percocet and Tylenol PM. I had problems with the side effects of the pain medication but worked that out.
Getting out of bed in the morning
4-7 for 10-20 min (several areas, sharp and dull). It diminished as time and movement increased
Sitting
0 to 2 dull ache.
Exercising or walking
2 to 7 - Aches and sharp pains that diminish over time until the muscles fatigue and then the pain increases.
Other discomfort
Fatigue easily
Headache and nausea due to pain medication.
Ankle is sore from correcting my gait and walking properly with my toes pointed forward
Biggest complaint
TED HOSE
Constipation
Thoughts, tidbits and recommendations
Hot shower relaxes the muscles and reduces the tightness and pain. Ice at night reduces the pain when it's not time for pain meds.
In the middle of the night, sitting up (at the computer for distraction) for 15 minutes reduces the pain.
Stretching regularly reduces pain
2'x3' cardboard helps to reduce friction while doing exercises
each opens in a new window
Tidbits & Thoughts
Alternatives For Pain In Between Pain Meds: - ice the area - stretch the area - focus on something else - sit up for 15-20 minutes
My Milestones
1st Week --- Walk with walker @ 2hours Stairs @ 1day Walk 100' with walker @1day Walk 100' w/o walker @3days Socks & Shoes @3days Shower @4 days 2nd Week --- Walk 200' w/o walker Went out in car Shower standing Crossed legs while sitting Slept on stomach Drove car 3rd Week --- Walk up to 1/2 mile with cane Sex No Ted Hose Stationary cycle No pain meds 10pm Another new range of motion 4th Week --- Walk up to 1 mile with cane Pain level general 0-3 Stationary cycle 15 min Another new range of motion 5th Week --- Walk up to 2 miles with cane Stationary cycle 20 min Exert enough to sweat! Exerted too much! Pain later!
Small Complaints
Ted Hose Side effects of pain meds Fatigue Abscessed sutures Extending range of motion
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