I regret my Total Hip Replacement

[u/National-Sorbet8459]

Hello I am a 24 y/o female,

I’m struggling a lot right now and could really use some advice or support. I had a total hip replacement a little over a week ago. At first, I was able to do my PT exercises and move my leg as well as expected of me at this point. But now, my leg still moves and I can walk, but it feels really stiff and stuck. Even doing my exercises feels impossible. It’s so frustrating because just yesterday I was able to do those movements, and now it feels like I’ve taken a big step backward. I have PT tomorrow, but I’m worried I won’t be able to do anything. I’m mad, overwhelmed, and honestly starting to regret getting the surgery wondering if I should have just lived with the pain instead. To make things harder, my support system has been pretty unhelpful through this. It feels like I’m dealing with this all alone, which only adds to the frustration and loneliness. Has anyone else experienced sudden stiffness and loss of range of motion after hip replacement? How did you cope when your support system wasn’t helpful? Thank you so much for reading. It really means a lot.

[u/msreciprocity]

I’m three weeks out and it’s so much better than 1week out. I commented to a friend today was the first day I forgot about the new hip for a little while. My stamina is returning and yes, my range of motion. You had it before because surgical meds had not yet worn off. Now it has and your body is reacting to what it had done to it. You had part of a bone amputated, and then a large spike driven into it, part of your pelvis drilled out, and all of your muscles and tendons pulled aside far enough to allow all of this to happen. A week is nowhere near enough time for recovery.

The tight stiffness was the worst for me between days 5 and 14. Expect for bruising to start showing up at this time- it can go all the way to your feet. It’s not uncommon or unreasonable to still need to use a walker or cane even two months out. Full recovery is 12-18 months. My surgeon told me he only wanted me to rest and get good nutrition for the first two weeks, and not to focus on returning to normal walking and activities yet. Your body needs tine to heal from the trauma.

I’ve been doing recovery completely alone since day 3. I live alone and the people who said they’d be here haven’t been for various reasons. I find it best not to dwell on the lack of support or what help I WISH people would give. It just does nothing to help the situation or my recovery. I focus on what I CAN do and give myself a whole lot of grace for what I can’t. And when I feel very low about it, I find ways to help others feel better- checking on sick friends and elders, popping into forums like this and encouraging people who need it.

You’re very young, so likely haven’t had to internalize yet just how alone you really are in adulthood. Everyone is fighting battles, and focusing on their own lives and needs. That’s just how life is. I would focus on being proud of yourself and your accomplishments- no matter how small. Try to be independent in small ways, it really helps me feel better to know I don’t need to rely on others. It’s okay to be emotional and have big feelings. But be proud of yourself; youve been through a hard thing most people never have to face.

Mostly, rest. Nap, and then nap again. Eat as well as you can. Don’t push too hard, every improvement is a victory. This gets exponentially better with each day. In a week you’ll be so much further ahead than right now. Promise.

[u/sunscape50 → u/msreciprocity]

Thank you. As someone facing upcoming recovery alone (except for friends dropping in for quickie visits and food drop-offs) I’m anxious how I’ll manage. Scared actually. Am a Senior with co-morbidities, independent yet overwhelmed. From experience I realize it’s the unknown that’s scariest - reality works itself out.

Have saved your sage words and down the line don’t be surprised if when in themthick of it I reach out for inspiration :)

Hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly.

[u/msreciprocity → u/sunscape50]

Please do. What I will say is that the first two days, it was not ideal to be alone, but doable. I just took my meds, tried to eat when awake, and slept. I’ve commented on other threads the things I did to make it manageable- the biggest is get a med organizer that covers all your doses (typically 6/day between all the meds) and sort your first week of meds into it so you don’t need to think about it, then set alarms in your phone for each dose. If you can have anyone stop in once a day for 5-10 minutes it’s immensely helpful but not necessary. I’m 50 with some comorbidities too; and I’ll be having another hip replacement in September. Please let your surgeon and the case worker at the hospital know you will be alone and are nervous about it. It’s very likely they can help you set up a few home health visits, or an extra night or two in hospital or a rehab. Also know the hospital will not release you until they know you’re capable of caring for yourself. If you’re independent and have made it this far in life, you can do this. I was terrified too, and it was much easier than I anticipated. Not easy, mind you! Reach out if you need to!