I am 5 days post-surgery and wanted to give you a hip labral tear surgery update. Things have been pretty good for the most part. I stopped taking the strong pain medications since they were giving me a bad headache. I switched to Aleve for 2 days, but have really not needed to take much in the way of medication. My first few days have been pretty boring, admittedly.
The surgeon does not really recommend PT, so I’ve been doing a lot of laying around. I am very surprised that my hip and leg are not more swollen. I can see a bit of swelling, but the two legs look very similar. I’ve been icing regularly, and using two crutches to get around the house.
One of the hardest things about crutches is that I can’t carry anything with me. I have a little trail of flat surfaces from the kitchen to the sofa bed that I use to transport drinks and food. Ken has been a huge help with my care and taking care of the house and pets, but it is nice to be able to get my own food.
I was allowed to shower yesterday, so we took the gauze off my incisions (I have 5), covered them with waterproof bandaids, and verrrrry slowly used the crutches to get into the shower. I tried to make it as quick as possible since my other leg was getting tired from supporting most of my weight.
To step into the bath tub, I put in the crutch from my good side, stepped in the tub with my good leg, very slowly raised my heel back, and into the tub. I used the crutches to turn around and position myself under the nozzle. Only then did I abandon the crutches and turn the water on. The way out of the tub was a reverse process, but even more careful since the tub was wet.
Since our main bathroom is downstairs, I had to walk down 12 steps and then back up. To be honest, it was exhausting. I also tried to walk outside for a bit. I made it for about 5 minutes before getting really tired and shaky.
Here’s hoping things get better a little bit every day.
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More about my hip labrum journey:
Hip labral tear surgery one year later: is it worth it?
How to prepare for hip surgery
Day 1 after hip labrum surgery
Day 5 after hip labrum surgery
One month update after hip labrum surgery
Six month update after hip labrum surgery
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Daleen Venter
May 1, 2021Thank you for this detailed blog. Both of my hips are operated. My right with n very bad tear is now 1year an d 5 Mont ago. My left 10 months ago.
My original pain is gone. But I still struggle with pain. The charp pains you talk about.. YES MAM. And at my lower back were I imagine al the muscles come together it is painful and tight after long road trips and lot of walking.
Pilates is the best thing I could do for my hips. Somedays I cant step on my leg.. Nubbness.. Then pilates makes it beter.
I want to do more exercise… I want to see if it will help me.. That is why I am here on your blog… Can you suggest something?
About the second operation.. I think I would do so much better if I waited longer. My right hip was 6 months post operation when I did left. When I put the crutches down.. Every muscle in my body goes in a spasms. It was so scary. I was back on crutches again. I have 3 setbacks. Every time I thought know I can go.. My body did not cooperate.
I still believe that I will be fine after 2 years each hip… But for now.. I still have pain.. Struggle to sit.. My coxine give me a lot of trouble after the operations.
So my advice will be:You are wise to wait till your operated hip is fully healed. The doctor told me I become a risk for success if I waited longer. But (Before 40 is best to do this operation?) It is a huge shock to your body.
Hope to have hear from your.
Daleen Venter
Stephanie
May 15, 2021Hi Daleen-it is crazy that even after surgery one type of pain replaces the other. 🙁 I also really like Pilates because it mimics so many of the exercises I was doing in PT like bridges, leg lifts, planks. Have you tried the stationary bike yet? Or even the elliptical could help loosen things up. I hope you can find some relief!