Re: Approaching time for THP

[Guest guest]

I had THR with the computer assisted technology - anterior approach.

It was done on a special table.

Recovery was pretty easy. I used a walker for about a week. It was

great because I didn't have to worry about dislocations so I had none

of the usual precautions.

In general it was more " uncomfortable " than painful although I did

take full advantage of the pain medication and sleeping pills.

As for returning to work, a lot would depend on what kind of job you

have. Although I could sit up at my computer after a few days, I also

was quite tired - this is major surgery that one is recovering from

after all. I also had the need to switch my positions so sitting in a

chair with a non-elevated foot for prolonged periods would have been

difficult - I sat at the computer; lay on the sofa and also since I

was tired, took naps. I didn't sleep that well for the first few weeks

so I would get up, walk around; use the computer. It wasn't from the

pain but my leg would just start to feel " uncomfortable " if I didn't

move around.

Commuting would have been an issue. Although I was driving after 2

weeks, I was physically uncomfortable if I drove more than about 15

minutes at a stretch - again, it was just that my leg began to feel

antsy if I didn't move it around.

It certainly gives one's life back - moving had become an agony prior

to the surgery and like yourself, the pain was creeping around to

other parts of the body - I think because I must have been moving

awkwardly in an attempt to favor the bum hip.

On Feb 10, 2011, at 8:18 AM, RENEE WEAL wrote:

>

> Hi All!

> Well I've been with this group about a year now. I'm getting ready

> for my third opinion and interview with an OS. I have FAI and my

> left hip is bone on bone so it is inevitable that I need to have

> THR. The doctor I am going to see this month does anterior surgery

> with some sort of new computer procedure. I hear the recovery is

> much faster. Any input you all have is greatly appreciated. I'm

> opting for this method if at all possible. What is amazing to me is

> how quickly my condition declined in the past year. I went from

> feeling pain every few days to having difficulty walking. I also

> have severe low back pain now which I assume is associated with the

> hip arthritis. I think the back pain bothers me more than the hip

> pain. I've noticed in the past month though that I am having more

> serious strange things happen. Like I will start walking and it

> feels like my hip is just collapsing. I also wonder if this is not

> affecting my immune system. I have a bad case of the stomach flu now

> for 5 days and a month ago had a horrible cold that lasted for 3

> weeks. I rarely get sick which makes me wonder about immune system

> and arthritis. I'm only 54 yrs old, and although I know my chances

> of a full recovery are great, this has been a really difficult time

> to overcome the pain and frustrations of limitation. I have a home

> gym and have been able to ride my stationary bike as well as lift

> weights for upper body. I can't tell you how grateful I am for this.

> Also we have a built in pool and I've already purchased some special

> equipment for my aquatic recovery after surgery. So another blessing

> of having the pool available.

> Questions I have:

> About how long did you have to take off work to recover?

> Were you able to get around with crutches or a walker immediately

> after surgery? How long did it take til you no longer needed them?

> How long did it take to be able to return to your regular activities

> and increase your exercise after surgery? I so want to dance again!!

> I'm sure I'll have more questions as I move through this, but

> appreciate your responses. Although I've been pretty quiet over the

> past, I'm ready now to take the next step and will be on board more

> often.

>

>

>

> You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I had THR on 11.11.10. I have problems with both knees so my hip

replacement

did not cure all my problems so I still limp and have to use my cane a lot

so I am not one

to give you a good time estimate of a complete recovery type replacement.

The anterior

approach will shorten your recovery time considerably. You will be walking

with a walker

within 48 hours or less. The PT will be at your bedside very soon after the

surgery. And

you will be up out of your bed walking. The anterior approach does not

harness you with

so many limitations as the lateral approach would because your muscles will

not be

" attacked " in the same manner. In the three months before the surgery, I

went from some

discomfort to downright pain most of the time so I was very pleased with my

lack of that

type of pain immediately after the surgery. Everyone handles the situation

differently

because it is different for each of us. Just remember that it will be worth

it within a very

short time. I would recommend the hip replacement to anyone no matter what

approach

your surgeon uses. You choose your surgeon and then you have to let him do

what is

best for you. Mine does not have the greatest personality in the world but

I have my

husband to hold my hand. I want the surgeon to do his job and that was to

remove the

cause of my constant pain. I had a text book recovery for me. Good luck

with your

upcoming decisions, surgery, and recovery. BARB in Florida

Approaching time for THP

Hi All!

Well I've been with this group about a year now. I'm getting ready for my

third opinion and interview with an OS. I have FAI and my left hip is bone

on bone so it is inevitable that I need to have THR. The doctor I am going

to see this month does anterior surgery with some sort of new computer

procedure. I hear the recovery is much faster. Any input you all have is

greatly appreciated. I'm opting for this method if at all possible. What is

amazing to me is how quickly my condition declined in the past year. I went

from feeling pain every few days to having difficulty walking. I also have

severe low back pain now which I assume is associated with the hip

arthritis. I think the back pain bothers me more than the hip pain. I've

noticed in the past month though that I am having more serious strange

things happen. Like I will start walking and it feels like my hip is just

collapsing. I also wonder if this is not affecting my immune system. I have

a bad case of the stomach flu now for 5

days and a month ago had a horrible cold that lasted for 3 weeks. I rarely

get sick which makes me wonder about immune system and arthritis. I'm only

54 yrs old, and although I know my chances of a full recovery are great,

this has been a really difficult time to overcome the pain and frustrations

of limitation. I have a home gym and have been able to ride my stationary

bike as well as lift weights for upper body. I can't tell you how grateful I

am for this. Also we have a built in pool and I've already purchased some

special equipment for my aquatic recovery after surgery. So another blessing

of having the pool available.

Questions I have:

About how long did you have to take off work to recover?

Were you able to get around with crutches or a walker immediately after

surgery? How long did it take til you no longer needed them?

How long did it take to be able to return to your regular activities and

increase your exercise after surgery? I so want to dance again!!

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I move through this, but appreciate

your responses. Although I've been pretty quiet over the past, I'm ready now

to take the next step and will be on board more often.

You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barb and Jujulabee! I’m convinced now that doing the anterior approach is

definitely the way I want to go. You explained it pretty much as I thought it

would be time wise since I have had surgery before. I figured I would not be

driving before two weeks and I too work at a computer all day long so its not

too difficult. We do have stairs at work and I most likely will be on the top

floor after surgery so I will have to tackle that when it comes.

Thanks again!

You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.

[Guest guest]

:

I had the posterior approach on both my hips--which were replaced when I was 42

and 44--so I was relatively young. Also, I was in good shape--other than no

cartilage in my hips. I believe age and level of conditioning have a great deal

to do with how long it takes to recover. I recommend staying on the bike or in

the pool and strengthing your hip muscles right up until you go under the knife.

> Questions I have:

> About how long did you have to take off work to recover?

I have a desk job and I was able to do a little work--respond to email and talk

on the phone 2 days after surgury. I returned to the office for part days after

2 weeks and was back full time after 3 weeks. Although, I probably pushed it a

bit and was very tired.

> Were you able to get around with crutches or a walker immediately after

surgery?

I had zero weight bearing restrictions, and was on crutches the day after

surgury--just as soon as the removed the catheter.

How long did it take til you no longer needed them?

I was walking with one crutch before the end of the first week and then a cane

before two weeks and no aid after 3 weeks. I took a 10 mile bike ride at 4

weeks (my physical therapist told me before my second surgury that she'd have me

back on my bike within a month)

> How long did it take to be able to return to your regular activities and

increase your exercise after surgery? I so want to dance again!!

A month.

> I'm sure I'll have more questions as I move through this, but appreciate your

responses. Although I've been pretty quiet over the past, I'm ready now to take

the next step and will be on board more often.

>

Good luck. I waited a year to long for my first replacement--I let my quality

get really bad (to the point I could not go out and play ball with my

girlfriend's son for more than a few minutes without intense pain). I did not

wait so long to get the second hip done.

>

>

>

> You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.

>

>

>

>

>