1 Week Post Hip Replacement - Turning the Corner

Turning the Corner

I can't say the last week has gone quickly. I have sat in the same spot the entire time.  Of course I get up and venture to the bathroom and the kitchen often. It's not good, and not comfortable, to sit in the same place and the same position for too long. But couch to kitchen is not a broad horizon and is basically the same space for a week. But that's okay, I expected such. Certainly it could be worse as far as recovery time. Although I'm not recovered at this point, but I have made great inroads and it's only been a week.

Also, for the first part of this week it was hard to move at all and the muscles in my "surgery leg" just didn't work. So I was confined to my little place in this world. The important thing is to keep doing those small movements suggested by PT as they strengthen those weak areas. If left alone motionless I would only get worse. But, I think I have seen great improvement in a short period of time as those small movements evolve into larger movements, and the muscles start waking up. Again, "start" waking up as I still can't raise my left foot more than 4 or 5 inches off the floor and can't do a straight leg lift on the left leg. But I am bearing more weight on that side and I have ditched my walker for canes.

My Home Care nurse removed the bandage from my incision this morning, which has been covered completely up until now. The incision sight was clean, with no infection. There was nothing on the underside of the gauze, as should be expected. They say you can shower and maybe swim and the dressing is water resistant. It's not water tight. I showered once, and no pool or jacuzzi for me. I cleaned up every day and went through the "nooks" and "crannies" to remain clean and fresh everyday. Still as the dressing has been removed, I'm not soaking that area in the shower and will steer clear of the water. 

I had more PT today and although my therapist wasn't keen on ditching the walker, she didn't tell me not to use the cane. She is just taking a conservative approach, and she knows more movement is more improvement and with the canes I am bearing more weight on that side and getting more confident in my abilities.

To me it is odd, that the pain that I have is primarily in my left quad like someone gave me a "charlie horse" with the direct hit to the thigh. At the same time there is no pain on the business end of the leg, right at the hip joint... none at all. And I can bend at the hip with no problem... the pain is in the thigh and bending my left knee hurts the thigh as there is swelling in that area. I guess the objective is a pain free hip joint with freedom of movement, Which is what I received. The benefit of the bargain so to speak. But, my left quadricep seems wrecked in the process.  Also the groin and hip flexors just don't work. But there is no pain in the hip joint. 

 I do feel like I am turning the corner, but there is still work to be done. I am more mobile and independent now in just one week and feel like it won't be long until I'm only on one cane and then no cane. 

Anyone who has concern, or is undecided, about hip replacement, like I was. Rest assured, this is doable and won't stop your entire life for too long. It's not a radical approach and these days it's very routine. Make sure you have a good doctor, with a good team and a good process... ask around. You will find the right guy for the job, and you will be surprised to learn how many people you know have had a full hip replacement.