Anxious about my day case surgery but I was more comfortable than I thought I would be on leaving hospital for home.
Crutches were essential for leaving hospital and the ride home of 4 hours was fine.
I had some soakage through my dressing but mainly water and blood with little swelling. I changed dressing once and nothing after that.
I took my pain medications regular and the next day was the most uncomfortable with pain, stiffness and swelling. I found short periods of walking, sitting and lying and varying each position was helpful.
Having my wife do some gentle range of motion exercises as described was helpful in relieving pain.
Over the next few days working on my exercises I found my mobility improved quickly and I needed less pain medication.
I started at the gym on Day 3 with 20 mins of stationary cycling on the recumbent bike great at relieving stiffness and aching. I did this twice a day for the first week as I followed the other exercises and started at my physiotherapist.
Physiotherapist great in guiding my rehab and with some traction, muscle stimulation, acupuncture and exercises.
I returned to work after 10 days which was harder than I thought and very tiring but the subsequent weeks got easier and I was religious on my exercises and going to physio twice a week. Even when I thought I was doing well I did better the next week. I did have a relapse when I over did it and had to ease off on my exercises. Probably being a bit too competitive and progressing quicker than I should.
I was driving after 1 week but it was my left hip and I was using automatic that helped. I think it might have been more difficult had it been my right hip.
I continued to limp after surgery for a good month. Slowly moving towards running, still with discomfort at 6 weeks but much better. Now I wish I was going to the gym more than I should as with work and life finding the time has become more difficult. I think twice weekly visit to the gym should be the minimum. I still have some muscle weakness and pain with restricted range of motion at two months but very happy with ongoing progress and much netter than I was pre-surgery….
Mr CAW age 42