Okay, I’m ready to share my joint replacement journey. I thought with so many of us having to contemplate one or more of these surgeries, I’d walk you through my own experience.
I’ve been having severe pain and limping on my left hip for more than 3 years. I was, in earnest, trying to wait until my 65th birthday for a hip replacement, so that Medicare would pay for the surgery, but alas, I had to give into the pain just prior to my 62nd birthday instead. Things got bad enough that I realized that without surgery, I couldn’t continue working on the ranch.
Once the decision was made and I realized how much muscle mass I’d already lost from my left leg and saw the size of the bone spurs and lack of padding in the joint in x-rays, it was a no-brainer to forge ahead.
I chose Reno Orthopedic Clinic because they were covered by my insurance carrier and I’ve been incredibly happy with the entire crew there.
I had my consultation on December 4, and surgery was scheduled for ten days later. My surgeon scheduled direct anterior approach complete hip replacement. All that really means is that they access your hip from a forward position, and then replace both the socket and ball of your hip.
Surgery day for me started with a 7:40 am check in, surgery at 9:40 and with everything running ahead of schedule, a physical therapist got me up and walking and on my way home by noon the same day.
My general good health qualified me to have the 45 minute outpatient procedure at the ROC surgery center rather than in the hospital. ROC really is a model of efficiency.
I did a lot of sleeping once back at my mom’s on surgery day and didn’t notice significant pain until the middle of the night. I took pain killers then and the next morning and consistently for two days. Without doubt, days two and three are the most difficult and painful. I used my walker with help from Patrice and could make it to the bathroom and back, but especially on day two, that was all the walking I was up to doing. I do wish that I had invested in a leg lifter because getting my left leg in and out of bed was my toughest chore, and I needed assistance for most of five days. Day three was better, balance and pain wise, and I used the opportunity for a shower. I was glad that I put a bench in the shower with me and had Patrice standing by, because it may have been dangerous if I had not. I hurt less and trusted the new hip more by day three even though it tended to pop and creek each time I took a step. That was scary and not reassuring. I called the nurses station at ROC to report the noisy new joint and they assured me that all was well and the popping would likely subside.
On the night of day three I was first able to get myself out of bed and use the bathroom without assistance. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my left leg back into bed without help.
Day four, self imposed stop on prescription pain meds during the day. So far, so good. Most of pain is confined to incision site and left femur. I walked once an hour and that wore me out. I took a prescription pain pill near bedtime and it allowed me to fall asleep and get 4-5 good hours of rest.
Day five, we drove home to the ranch and Patrice helped me get comfortable at the one story house on the ranch. All the traveling left me pretty stoved up so I woke in pain several times during the first night home on the ranch. Made a mental note to put Advil at my bedside.
Day six was far better. I only woke once in pain and was able to take Advil and fall back asleep. Also able to get in and out of bed on my own and walk without walker. I have not ventured outside for fear of my dogs knocking me over but I’m doing lots of walking and standing inside.
I’ll get my staples or stitches out on day 12. They put a sealed bandage on the incision site with an electronic monitor to warn of moisture or infection. So far, all clear.
My new hip stopped popping a couple days ago and other than some minor incision site pain and deep bone pain at night, I’m feeling good. No swelling or other issues. I use Advil to control pain at night, and am following doctor’s orders by taking a baby aspirin to avoid blood clots and the Advil to bring down inflammation.
Take aways? You’ll need help, someone who can stay right with you for the better part of a week. Hydrate - can’t stress enough how much staying really hydrated helps in recovery, and how multiple trips to the bathroom help with strength and mobility. Ice - I should have done more of this, and each time I do, I notice reduced inflammation.
Planning - I’m so glad that I planned for help, groceries, pet care, everything I might need in advance. Tools - like I mentioned before, get a leg lifter, have a bench for your shower, a wedge pillow for between your legs, and a practical spot near your bed to hold water, phone and charger, pain meds, and a booster pillow to sit on if your furniture is low. Exercise - Don’t let anyone tell you this is easy surgery. It is major and it hurts. You won’t want to exercise, but you must.
After I get up to use the bathroom, I try to take an extra lap around the house and I do each of the exercises prescribed by my physical therapist. It might seem silly to rotate ankles, bend my knees or work on building the strength to get my leg back in or out of bed, but you won’t fully recover unless you make it your number one priority. Waiting to see the PT won’t do the trick. You have to be the one to make it happen.
Would I do it again? YES. The possibility of feeling well and whole again is definitely worth the pain. Each day, I trust my new hip more and I concentrate on undoing a lot of the unhealthy walking patterns I developed to deal with pain. I can’t wait to get the stitches out and put on jeans and boots again. That will make it all seem real. This surgery was the scariest but best gift I could have ever given myself and I’m excited for a new year with good mobility and no pain.
Kris Stewart is a rancher in Paradise Valley, Nevada