THR - three and a half weeks after

[Guest guest]

I've now been home just over a week. My left THR was on 4th August at

Poriya Hospital, Tiberias, north Israel. Was about 6 days in hospital after

surgery, followed by about 10 days in the (geriatric) Rehab unit in the same

hospital. Came home on Wed 20th Aug.

All went well. I had the spinal epidural anaesthetic after all - the chief

anaesthesiologist approved it, told me it was definitely the preferable

method, and wrote " SPINAL EPIDURAL " in capital letters across the top of my

consent form. (I had been concerned as I'd previously been told they

usually do this operation with general anaesthetic.)

They got me up on my feet 3 days after surgery, and moved me to the rehab

unit 3 days later. The time in rehab was well worthwhile for me - daily

exercises in well-equipped PT room. (I think I would have had difficulty

managing alone at home without it.) I'm 64 and live alone, so

appreciated the opportunity of time in Rehab.

I'm already driving my car for several days since I came home (with my

doctor's knowledge and approval - she understood my need for independence

and mobility and to resume some normal routine as early as possible!). My

car is an old Renault 19 with manual gear-shift, so my left leg has to

operate the clutch pedal - but I found no problem at all with this. (I

guess the muscles needed for the foot pedal were not affected by the

surgery). I raised and adjusted the driving seat to provide comfortable

angle for my leg. I'm very relieved that I was able to drive so soon, as

this had been one of my major concerns - I hate to feel housebound!! I

brought my 2 dogs home from kennels earlier this week, and every afternoon

I drive them in the car out to the nearby forest where they can run freely,

while I hobble my short permitted distance on my walking frame on a smooth

level trail under the pine trees (dreaming of the day when I shall be able

to resume my normal hikes.....).

My walking progress feels frustratingly slow - I'm still not fully

weight-bearing on my operated leg, and will still need the walking frame for

a while. (The surgeon had warned me before surgery that I would need it for

about 6 weeks post-op.) I go twice a week for physiotherapy at my local

clinic. My physiotherapist told me my thigh muscles are still very weak,

and that I must be very careful not to overdo walking during the 6-week

post-op period. I'm allowed to walk around the house and for short

distances outside with the walker, but not longer distances. (I think I

did overdo things a bit during my first couple of days at home - was so

thrilled to be able to walk outside the house! - but started getting sharp

pain down the front of my thigh - so now I take her advice very carefully.

She says I shouldn't feel any pain - if I get pain, that means I'm overdoing

it.) She's giving me gentle exercises to gradually strengthen the

muscle, lying down with my leg supported in a sling. I also have to take

care not to put too much strain on my other hip (which had THR 4 years ago).

I also have exercises to do at home - bending and straightening the leg,

raising upwards and sideways.... But she also said not to overdo it, and

that the movements I make in my normal daily activities are also exercising

the muscles. (provided I do them carefully and " listen to my body " ...) I

am hearing some clicks in my knees, which I hope are not portents of future

trouble.....

So I guess " slow and steady " has to be my watchword now. Luckily I'm

retired and not working and have no family or other commitments, so no need

to hurry and rush things.... This surgery definitely needs more

recovery time than my previous one (that was a " minimal invasive " technique

- I was discharged straight home after 5 days; and as far as I remember was

able to walk without the walker but with a cane within about 3 weeks. The

incision was about half the length of this one, so I guess less damage to

muscles and tissues, and quicker healing time.)

One of my friends told me " Don't worry, you'll be tap-dancing in a year's

time! " - to which I replied " well, that would be a first - I've never

tap-danced in my life! " . (The PT in rehab told me a true " warning

story " of one of their THR patients who, 2 months after her surgery, was

invited to a wedding - wore high heels, joined in the dancing - dislocated

her new hip and ended up back in hospital.) So I shall be cautious.....

Margaret

Safed, Galilee, Israel