Hip Replacement Recovery? Gym Bunny Or Lazy Slob Method
Mar 5, 2016
I am 53 and have had two uncemented THRs in 6 months, both because of OA, and have been encouraged to have the Lazy Slob method of recovery.
That is, in the first 6 weeks...
Walking with aids only
No physio
Exercise is moving leg back and forth and slightly out to side a few times a day and rotating and pumping foot.
I take 1 blood thinning tablet for 35 days
No stockings
My recovery for both ops looks as if it's going to be the same and now at 3 weeks after the second I am again walking around the house without aids but using my crutches to support walking when I am out.
The first two weeks were tough but I had had no strains or injuries. my first hip is very strong and doing an admirable job of holding up the new lefty.
After my 7 week check with the first I was advised to slowly build up strength (I drove to the appointment) but was also given some lifetime restrictions of no impact sports, twisting or pivoting to preserve the hip for as long as possible. (My surgeon said I can do the splits, run marathons and take up rugby if I wanted to but he would see me back in his office in 5 years for a revision!!!). Because I was waiting for the second hip to be done my exercise was restricted by pain so I kept fit by swimming.
I know there is no right or wrong and every method depends on the consultant but I have been surprised at the number of stresses and strains that some people have suffered after being made to do exercises by PT's.
I have read about torn tendons, inflamed muscles, swollen knees and ankles and wonder if there is any correlation to the amount of exercise we are given.
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Had a seasonal exercise idea:
Log fire, nice rug, glass of wine, lovely person you adore..... lie down, slowly remove clothing, look into their eyes, and the exercise will very naturally occur.
later.....
fall asleep, having burnt off 4,000 calories
good idea?
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Just had staples removed wound healing well after partial knee replacement. Am in pain in morning hospital sent me home with minimal pain relief and no physio. I am now taking ibuprofen every 4 hours, I am going to ring the Doctor to see if I can get more pain relief. I feel abandoned.
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Laser liposuction and traditional method of liposuction are both ways to obtain same results, but which method is more effective?let's find out.
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I have a sibling who suffers from Turner's Syndrome. I've studied a little about it in school's Biology class and I understand that they have multiple issues such as infertility. Is there a way or method to overcome infertility?
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This is not cure, but it really worked for me for 8 mths to reclaim my life. I have hemorrhoids since 2012, and bleeded furiously at times. I have tried several methods to cure, tried pushing in the piles using KY gel during work or soap when bathing. But no success. Then one day I tried using wet tissues to push in. Worked like a charm! Even when I have diarrhea and had to go toilet 3 times, it still worked!!
This is how I would advise...
Right after your bowel business, take 3 wet wipes (pref the flushable type - otherwise do not throw into toilet bowl).
I use the first for cleaning. I would wipe twice with it (mine is 19x20 cm)
Then I would fold the second into half, wipe once, then fold again.
Position 2 fingers onto the center of the wet wipe (now quarter-sized) and push gently into anus.
First push at the center of piles (I have 2 big and 1 small, the smaller one most painful).
Push gently in, while relaxing your anal muscles.
Withdraw fully till the tips of your fingers are just touching the anus, then push in again.
Repeat one or twice more, then begin targeting the piles, pushing them in.
Total of 6-8 times shd do the trick.
Third wet wipe? Just a spare. I usually used it to confirm that it is clean.
But why wet tissues? Because they provide enough traction to draw the piles in, but wet enough to make it painless, and tough enough not to break.
Tips:
1. Experiment with different hands when pushing. I used to do it with the hand I normally wipe with, but my first finger started to ache after 3 months. Then I tried the other hand, and behold, angle is such that it is much easier to push in. And because it takes less effort, my finger of that hand has not ache even now.
2. Squeeze your anal muscles gently after the piles have been push in. If you feel a slight sensation of piles being drawn in fully, then you'll know it is done. Even if not, as long as your piles is no longer painful nor interfere your life, it shd be considered ok.
The whole thing only takes one more min in the toilet. And by using flushable wet tissues, it is so convenient, you can just throw into the toilet bowl, at home or outside.
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Can you get a cream/method that removes back hair permanently?
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I am considering a vasectomy, and according to the medical literature (see links to citations below), the recommended methods for vas occlusion are cautery and/or fascial interposition (preferably both methods).
However, I have consulted with two local urologists, and neither of them use either of these techniques. Instead, both simply do an excision and ligation, and one of them takes an additional step of folding back and suturing the ends of the vas deferens. Both physicians have very good credentials and are highly experienced.
Is it unusual for urologists (in the U.S.) to perform only excision and ligation without any cautery or fascial interposition, or is excision and ligation still commonplace and considered good practice? Is it important to perform cautery and/or fascial interposition, and should I therefore continue to look for a urologist who performs one or both of those techniques?
Note, I am particularly concerned about long-term recanalization (i.e., a year or more after the procedure). I know the rates of late recanalization are generally assumed to be low, but as I understand it, the true rate is difficult to ascertain due to a lack of systematic long-term follow-up.
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I have moderate hallux rigidus and am interested in investigating having cheilectomy surgery done by the minimally invasive, keyhole method. I don't normally have pain whilst walking but the lump rubs up against shoes, aches and limits the sort of footgear I can wear. I should love to be able to wear heels again but do not want to end up in a worse situation post op.
2 questions:
Does anyone have experience they can share of the pros and cons of this newish method of operating ?
Are there centres in Somerset / South West who offer this treatment?
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I've had a thr April 2015 and was recovering well then both knees went and I was back in Crutches again. I had an arthroscopy and it was found I need the knee caps have to be repaired as i'm bone on bone. Has anyone had this procedure? Im also lined up for the other hip to be replaced as well. Im 53 and a bit worried.
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Day SIx after falling out of shed and braking 5th metatarsal
day 1 a&e visit for what I thought was a badly sprained ankle but oh no x Ray and1 hour later in shoe cast with crutches.day 4 visit hospital doctor v quick look at x Ray and placed in removable cast ski boot. struggled with this, really uncomfortable plus I kept fiddling with straps etc phone plaster room and next day fitted with solid lower cast. Much better than boot.
I love walking outdoors and cycling etc so finding life on crutches a bit hard. Also reading to many internet recovery experiences which is making me a bit low. Coming to terms with it no going to be cast off in six weeks then bouncing around again.
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I posted the other day about something more specific, riding my bicycle, but today am just more curious about recovery times. It's been 6 weeks since my vasectomy and I'm still not better. I seem to take 2 steps forward, 1.75 steps backwards. My wife wants me to remain optimistic..."Some people just recover slower than others", I however am VERY worried that the pain could be with me for the rest of my life. How optimistic/pessimistic should I be? It's difficult to find good info about vasectomy recovery on the internet. How long has it taken some of you or someone you know to heal completely?
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Just bought some CBD oil.
Understand I'm not looking for something new to get addicted to but done some major reading on this in the past. I wasn't aware it was even legal to buy here in Alabama (2nd state to legalize it) but I'm willing to give it a shot. It's supposed to help with not only cancer and tumors but anxiety, inflammatory issues and other small problems. I used to smoke pot and remember it always helped me when I was having headaches or my calves burning. I am no way encouraging any kind of drugs but I will write down what I feel like and give a report on it. If I feel like this is helpful then it could be something natural that can be helpful to others in recovery.
I would like anyone's input please, I want to make sure this is a safe product to use to help with recovery. If it's not then I will not want to continue this use. I will listen to all constructive criticism, I feel it will be necessary in this.
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So I made the big plunge yesterday and went through with something I'd been tossing around in my head the last couple months. I went to a clinic and got a prescription for Suboxone.
Since I'm a school teacher, one of my biggest worries was actually walking into a Suboxone clinic and someone recognizing me. It would come as quite a shock to some (in my mind) to see Mr. B____, the local English teacher, lined up to get a prescription for his opiate addiction. Just goes to show that addiction doesn't pick and choose whom it affects. But I overcame my ridiculous fears and went on in today.
There are actually two clinics in the small city where I live (at least nearby). One clinic as open on Saturday, looked to be a nicer looking facility, but they don't take insurance. It would have cost $500 for the first visit, without even considering the cost of the drug itself. So I went with other clinic that did take my insurance, and I was only out 35 dollars (My prescription copay was to be $40 for the name brand strips, but the clinic gave me a discount card that took care of my copay, which was a pleasant surprise...this wasn't a one time deal...it will cover my copay each time I get the med). Being a teacher with a wife and three kids...every dollar helps for me. For those interested, the card will help those who are either pay in cash or use have insurance other than Medicare. The card pays up to $50.
The clinic is only open two hours (two days a week), so I was a little curious how they handled so many patients in so little time. The answer came to me as I was shuffled through the clinic cattle at a sale barn. Though there was a thick stack of papers to sign, some of which asked detailed questions about my addiction and health history, I got the feeling I was getting a product wrapped up and sold for the masses, not for me as an individual. It is sad for me to think of those who don't have the ability to educate themselves on what it is they are taking. Even I, after months of research on the internet, am still confused on quite a few contradictory opinions and ideals regarding Suboxone.
The clinic is located in a less than desirable part of town, and the waiting room did not exactly make one feel comfortable. It was hot, and everyone in there looked pretty miserable. I was comforted, though, by the fact that there were no familiar faces. It also gave me comfort knowing that we were all there for the same reason, and none of us had anything to hide. I could go into more detail about this experience, but I have jabbered too much already.
Long story short, I peed in a cup, the results of which I was not told. I knew coming into the clinic that there was no dispensing medication at the clinic, so there was no worry for me to stay clean for 24-48 hours. I took 40mg of hydrocodone at 7:00 the night before, so I wasn't completely miserable at the time of the appointment.
Strangely, my vitals or any other normal "clinic" methods were practiced. I went straight from peeing in a cup to talking to the doctor who was sitting behind this big beaten up wooden desk in a stale smelling office. The doctor thumbed through my file and asked basic questions about how much I was using and where I was getting it. I was in and out of his office in less than 5 minutes.
I didn't lie about my drug use, and I was prepared to share much more. I pretty much told him that I got hooked on opiate painkillers after multiple operations that required them. Also, I have had two DVT blood clots that required me to be on blood thinners, and thus not able to take most standard OTC painkillers such as naproxen or ibuprofen. I had been fed hydrocodone for years with few questions asked. My problem is that I like the way they make me feel and have spent the past ten years trying to get my hands on enough to manage my pain and feed my addiction.
I believe it us by the grace of God that I have not found myself in a worse predicament than I currently find myself. I have never injected anything, but I suppose that would have been the next stop for me. I had been doctor and pharmacy shopping for years and I knew how to work the system pretty well. Even in my heyday though I wasn't able to get my hands on quite enough. I was always counting pills and worrying about when I would run out. I soon found myself "borrowing" from my mother and other friends. I found myself doing things I never imagined I'd be doing. Shameful things to feed my habit. My wife discovered my problem years ago as and threatened to leave me more than once. To lose her and my children would have devastated me. One would think that I would turn my back on the pills considering all I had to lose. But that was not enough to stop me. I guess if my wife didn't love me (a lot) she would have left me tears ago.
I was fine while on my hydros,though, but when I ran out and became sick from withdrawals, I was miserable. I felt miserable , and I was miserable to be around. I made and broke more promises than I can count to my wife, mother, and father, friends, and family.
I have had many of those moments of enlightenment where it became clear that I could no longer go on with this. There have been months at a time where I was able to stay clean. But some kind of life event always drove me back to the pills. I would have a surgery or other physical problem, or life would become so stressful that I would choose to hit the exit door and insulate myself from the world around me by delving into the world of pills.
There is another component yo my story that is important to share. In 1995 I had a bad auto accident that broke several of my bones and kept me in the hospital about a week. Worse than the physical wounds, however, I found myself battling emotional wounds. By the time I turned 22 I found myself battling terrible panic attacks that marked the beginning of my struggle with chronic depression that has lasted until now (I'm now 41). I have tried. nearly every antidepressant known to man. In the end I settled good old Prozac and Klonopin. Neither of which has done a great deal to relieve my depressive symptoms. I currently take 40 mg of Prozac and 2 mg of Klonopin in the morning and 2 mg at night. No, I have never abused Klonopin in the way I have hydrocodone. I don't feel blissful on either medication. I only notice them in their absence. I have tried to quit both and have experienced hellish withdrawals with each. My sub doctor indicated that he would like to see me come off of both quickly. I understand that taking benzos with Suboxone is a dangerous combination, but quitting cold turkey, especially with the Klonopin can be equally dangerous. He said he would like to see me off of both within six months. I don't see this happening but maybe Suboxone will allow it?
Getting to my main point. I have not been drawn to opiates because of recreational use. They were, as I've written, prescribed for physical pain. But the best aspect about opiates to me was their positive effect on the symptoms of my depression. Nothing I've taken comes close to making me feel "normal" as do opiates.
Hydrocodone, oxycodone etc... do make me feel "not depressed" but they are a kind of fools gold. My body and mind quickly build up a tolerance for them, and I find myself taking more and more to feel "not depressed". So when I started reading more and more about Suboxone, I became very interested. The medicine might be able to help me break the cycle of pill addiction, and help me as a type of antidepressant.
There seem to be two opposing camps on this issue. Some believe it is ridiculous to even consider Suboxone as a long term treatment for depression. Some might say I'm making the same mistake as I did with hydrocodone...expecting a band aid to heal a much deeper disease. There others who see Suboxone as a type of synergistic agent that might be legitimate weapon to combat depression. I can understand the viewpoints from both sides, but as for me, I'm willing to at the very least give Suboxone a few days to see how it makes me feel. I can tell you this, that I can already feel the positive effects of the Suboxone on my depression. There was an initial semi state of euphoria a couple of hours after I took my first strip, but I don't exactly feel " high". I feel rather normal capable of doing things that I would ordinarily struggle with (like typing this ridiculously long post that most people won't have the patience to read!)
I'm not sure how things will go from here. I'm not sure how I will sleep tomorrow or how I will feel with my next dose. But I will say that it feels good to have some hope. I have been worrying all summer how I would be able to gut out another year in the classroom with my raging depression and addiction cycles. I don't know how it will end, but at the end of the day it is nice to be able to look back and say that I did the right thing, that I tried to make the right choice.
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I am a US citizen living in Costa Rica the last 10 years. I had my second child on Nov. 28th at age 40. It was a difficult birth and the wall between my anus and vagina was torn 10 cm. They had to do emergency surgery to repair the wall and also did a colostomy in order to prevent infections to the repaired wall.
The stoma education provided in a third world country is lacking in every way possible. If it wasn't for the internet I wouldn't have survived the first difficult weeks. Eventually I was able to live a pretty normal life, even with a colostomy bag.
It is six months later, and I am scheduled for my colostomy reversal in two days. I have started a clear liquid diet. What can I expect? Is it a painful recovery? How soon will I have a bowel movement?
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Today is day 1 one of my recovery. I have tried to give up alcohol a few times before but hopefully this time will be different. I'm 28 years old and have drank almost every day for 13 years. There are times when i think i'm controlling it and other periods where it's controlling me. I'm getting to the age now though where I need to accept that drink isn't a good fit for me and needs to be left behind. Whilst almost all my happiest memories are of good drinking/drug taking sessions so are all my worst and i can't be bothered with the shame, sickness and anxiety and having no food in the house anymore (as well as all the other problems it brings that we all know them intimately). I no longer want to be defined by alcohol. I want to pursue my other interests and be healthy and happy.
I have been to AA but like so many other on this forum the higher power element it doesn't sit well so if anyone has any tips for me I would be extremely grateful.
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I had a haemorrhoidectomy about 4 years ago with a very painful recovery and problem now back so going for the Halo/THD procedure very soon.
Has anyone had this done and how was the recovery from it?
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Two weeks ago I had an arthroscopy and microfracture done on my left knee. I shattered my kneecap over ten years ago and doctors predicted I would have issues in my late 20's, low and behold I did.
I'm wondering if there different recovery periods to microfractures as prior to going into the surgery a health consultant told me I would be up and walking the next day and the microfracture sounds a lot severe than it actually was! This was quite a surprise considering feedback I'd found on the internet tends to suggest months to recover.
After the surgery my Physio told me the exercises I'd need to do and that I need to leave the brace on for 6 weeks, I had my second appointment with the Physio on Monday and he was very happy with my progress, I can fully put all weight on my knee, I can walk fine and nearly fully bend my knee now. My thigh muscle has deteriorated so he gave me exercises to build that up, I'm just wondering what the knee brace is needed for now and also every other experience this surgery people haven't been able to walk for a while etc? I never even feel pain despite all the pills I was given to combat it.
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Today is day 3 for me. I am prescribed 90 norco a month and found this month for the first time I finished them 9 days early. So, I guess that means I take about 6 day. I use to take 1 at a time. I soon discovered that if I take
1 1/2 at a time , not only will my back/hip pain subside, but I feel pretty "good" also. I've been known to take 2 at a time also...
I ran out and had no way of getting anymore. I found myself waking up at 5am like clockwork for the past three mornings with the "bubble guts" and having to take these weird bowl movements. Truth be told, I am not in a lot of pain. I am just anxious to get more meds to avoid having the bubble guts first thing in the morning and using the bathroom at work (which is a very small office by the way =/). I don't like the sleep deprivation either since I have a very demanding job and three kids aged 13, 8, and 4.
Bottom line is, I know I take the pills for more than the physical pain. I can admit that. I do have physical pain, but there are times where I can hold off. No other pain med will do. My body laughs at Motrin 800 and Baclofen and I am trying to find a way to get to work tomorrow with a clear head. I have Tramadol and hate it. It just makes me feel in a cloud, but not so much "good". I am seeking the "good" sensation. It's the truth. I know meds aren't good for the body, so if I'm going to take them I'd rather take the good stuff-something that will work.
I feel sort of bad for saying this as I know there are some real troopers out there who can quit cold turkey...but, as soon as I can fill my prescription (in 5 days), I will probably pick them up on my lunch break. Sad. For those of you who can quit cold turkey, I applaud you because withdrawals SUCK. I didn't mention the other symptoms: runny nose (odd), cough (something in my throat causes me to go on these brief coughing episodes), goose bumps (chills), night sweats, irritability (and feeling like a crackhead for being in this position). I can totally deal with those things, but the deal breakers for me is the insomnia and the bubble guts...I will try to taper off. Until next time.
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I thought I would write something about this (highly out of character), as when I did it (in an effort to find some comfort and provide my rugby club with information as to when I would be fit again) I searched the internet for all the articles I could, and it was in this minefield that I encountered, from miracle healers to those reoccurring 2 year problems, and as such my mind was boggled. Doctors also provide some guidelines on what is normal to be off crutches but after that recovery rates varied due to ages and previous physical nature of the participants, so whilst this is by no means a complete list, it may offer some help to those who are physically active and still relatively young (sorry).
So to give you my information, I am 25 y/o, male, play rugby to a reasonable standard, cycle 100km plus a week, as well as gyming or some kind of training most days (so needless to say I normally tick the extremely active box).
Previously I had not had any injuries to my feet, and it was just a freak occurrence due to the weight of several men going through it whilst being tackled, the break was fortunate enough to be closed fractures, but still it bloody hurt.
I did this on the 24th January 2016, and was in a soft shell boot for four weeks, at week two I got back in the gym but was very limited on what I could do - machines only (free weights were impossible as I could not lift these without putting pressure through my foot). At the beginning of week 5 I got rid of the boot yet continued using crutches for another 2 weeks. At the start of week 7 I could finally walk again (albeit with a heavy limp), however I did manage to get back on my bike (solid sole - clip in shoes), at the start of week 8 I was squatting with light weight, walking with a slight limp, though many gym exercises were still difficult, at the start of week 9, most gym exercises were becoming easier and getting more weight on them, in week 10 I decided I was close to being able to jog - not the case and got quite a bit of pain going through it, however I am confident my foots resistance will build up over the week.
Anyway I thought I’d write this now, as once I am fit again I will forget all about the injury, and so probably would not write this and be of any help to anyone. So it will get better, just it does take time, finally over the last few days I looked up more information on general bone healing; this states around 3-4months and I believe this to be more accurate for these recoveries than anything I read on forums.
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During a taekwondo fight, I broke my right 5th Metacarpal with severe displacement and had 2 pins put in on May 29. They were taken out 3 weeks later, and I was told to move my fingers as much as possible. Extreme pain, bruising and swelling for 1.5 weeks after pins came out.
I tripped and fell on July 1st, breaking my left 5th Metatarsal, at the base, and have had an aircast for 4 weeks. First 2 weeks were non-weight bearing, 3rd week I was partial weight bearing, and this week I am walking without crutches, aircast to be on for 2 more weeks.
I unfortunately also rebroke my right 5th metacarpal in my fall, and was splinted and told no surgery this time, but they would do a more conservative approach to healing. Splint came off last week, and I was again told to move my fingers and had a lot. I cannot move my pinky except for up and down a little bit. It will not bend at all at the knuckle. Physio starts in a week, and I'm super nervous. It is quite painful right now.
Anyone else with a similar experience? Especially with the 5th Metacarpal? I'm mostly wondering what they will do at Physio, what to expect for pain and how long until my hand is more useable.
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