since the surgery. It seems like a month, already.
Recovery has been touch and go. Some days better, some worse.
I’m on minimal pain meds (I might have touched on this before…): I don’t want to use any of the opioid-based pain relievers because they’re notorious for inducing constipation, and I have enough of a problem with that right now — mainly due to adjusting thyroid replacement hormone levels that are still fluctuating.
(There’s always something…)
Ibuprofen is out because I’m on Eliquis (blood thinner), so that leaves Tylenol.
Not the most robust of pain meds, but when it kicks in, it works and I’m ok.
Who Are These People?
YouTube and med sites are prolific with videos showing patients immediately after hip replacement surgery up and walking around with no support and with big smiles on their faces.
Not my experience.
Well, I do still have a smile on my face, if sometimes combined with a grimace…
So, this morning (on the fourth day), has been a bit challenging. Some form of rigormortis seems to set in while I’m sleeping and the initial movement of lifting my legs to get out of bed has been quite painful. That compounded with the fact that I’m only a half hour away from my next Tylenol dose means I’m on the down-side of the previous dose. At that point, the pain is pretty noticable.
Bruising
Another thing that is more evident four days in is bruises that have come to the fore. My left side, in particular, seems to have sustained a lot of bruising — big black and blue areas that have surfaced over the last few days.
It makes me wonder if they had some trouble with the left side? I do notice that the left hip feels weaker than the right as I walk. I’ll have to ask the PA when I see him next, although I don’t know if he’ll be forthcoming: “What happens in the operating room stays in the operating room,” to paraphrase a Sin City quote.
Home Health Care
The Home Health Care folks have been coming around, a nurse to check and change the dressings and a physical therapist to get me moving. I think part of the reason I’m so sore today is I’ve been doing some of the exercises from the PT session. Might be contributing to the discomfort.
What else? The nurse wants me to ice my thighs for twenty minutes every hour. Between that and the walking and the exercises and an occasional meal, it doesn’t leave a lot of time for much else. I know it’s my job right now and all, but it’s hard to maintain a strict schedule.
Ultimately, I do the best I can.
More entries in this series:
Latest visit with osteo surgeon indicates hips are deteriorating more rapidly. I get steroid injections into the hip joints to alleviate the pain until surgery.
The steroid injections are successful - vast improvement. Diabetes issues with the steroid, though.
After months of waiting, the day finally approaches.
The day is approaching, I'm starting to get things ready for the surgery and the convalescence at home. A hiccup from the hospital.
And, we're here. Today is the day. I perform some required prep, starve for the day, and reflect on the risk of infection.
Surgery done, I've been in the hospital for two days. Some convalescence, but overall not too bad. I have a couple of nice scars on my thighs.
Day 4: Update —> (This entry)
I can't believe it's only been four days. Feels more like a month. Update, medication, exercise, etc.
Five days out and the pain has increased stupendously. Didn't think it would be like this...
Sixth day, trying the Hydrocodone. Lots less pain, but it messes with my digestive tract. Dropping it.
And here we are at 7 days/1 week out. The pain is reducing somewhat, and I'm doing ok on the Tylenol. More 'monkey walks'.
This morning seemed tougher than usual, a sore on my right heel needs attention, PT visit.
Morning stiffness, knee involvement(!), Vrooming about mid-day.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
When I came out of surgery, I had an open sore on the back of my right heel. That and the fact that the foot is slightly swollen and painful is an interesting side note.
Visit with PA, today. Staples out, X-rays of hips and foot. No breaks in the foot or the ankle - we're calling it a sprain. Not untypical, apparently.
Getting more confident in walks. I went outside today with a pair of hiking sticks and walked about 100 feet or so. Feels better walking than not walking. Fluid build-up in my right hip, again.
Really starting to feel better, walk better. Feet still hurt like hell in the mornings, but quickly subside. More fluid buildup.
Week 3 has come, seems like it should be some sort of landmark. The seroma (fluid under the right incision) is returning. I've scaled back my activities to try to not aggravate it, but that has its own consequences.
Mornings are still a bear, but I'm walking more and better. Reducing the Tylenol a bit - giving my liver a break. The Seroma (fluid buildup under the right incision) is still with me. Best to leave it alone, according to the PA.
Just passed the four week mark, doing reasonably well but still a ways to go.
Just past six weeks and I'm confident enough to ride the scooter. Can mainly dress myself except for socks...
One day shy of seven weeks. Visiting with the surgeon, new X-Rays. Essentially all well, but still recovering.
12 week mark - I'm on the slow part of the healing curve, now. Still issues, especially with my right hip. Left hip is (mostly) great.
After 12 weeks, I feel like I can synopsize the experience