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Anterior vs. posterior hip replacement (THR): How do you decide?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Apr 9 1:08pm | Replies (38)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for the comment. I was wondering what it was like the first 2-3 weeks after surgery and whether patients spent a lot of time resting as this surgery seems like it would take a lot out of you. Did you have to be very careful about positioning your body? i keep reading that you should not lean too far forward and and you should keep your feet straight. Seems like getting into bed would be the toughest
Replies to "Thanks for the comment. I was wondering what it was like the first 2-3 weeks after..."
With the anterior method, there are no restrictions for life - like crossing your legs, bending forward, lifting your knee too high, etc. I took a nap every day because I was tired. I'm sure that was from the surgery because I usually don't nap. My THR was done in December, so I didn't feel like getting out anyway. If it had been summer, it might have been different. I read and watched a lot of TV from my recliner and took laps around the house with my walker. Less than 4 weeks afterward, I flew to Florida.
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No matter the approach, orthopedic surgery does take a lot out of you! Anesthesia, the assault on your body, foreign parts put in, tissue, muscle, nerves need to heal. And every person reacts differently to each surgery. Extra rest is helpful, as is a leg immobilizer block to keep everything aligned as you sleep.
PT should come to your room to help with how to get in and out of bed, up and down from chairs, how and whether to use crutches or a walker for a few days or weeks. Also ask them to show you the safe limits of movement for your surgery and implant.
Get yourself a variety of pillows ready to help make you as comfortable as possible. A shower bench and toilet seat riser are handy the first couple weeks.
If your surgeon doesn't suggest it, in addition to PT showing you the exercises to do at home, I recommend that you insist on an in person PT evaluation of your gait at 4-6 weeks, with additional sessions if they think it is needed. You have probably been favoring the bad hip for a long time, and need to walk properly with the new joint to prevent pain in your back, other hip, knees and feet.
Finally, ICE, Ice, ice... more often and longer than you think is needed. Keeping swelling down helps you heal faster, move better and avoid pain. And take pain meds and/or ibuprofen and Tylenol to stay ahead of the pain the first few weeks for the same reason, and so you can rest.
Good luck! People who plan for their surgery and recovery and take an active role usually do better than those who just let it happen to them.
Sue