Hip Replacement with PMR and PAD at age 84

[pegpowell]

A month and a half ago I was in the hospital for four days. Less complicated cases were released the same day or the next. During the second day a nurse accidentally pulled on my leg when attempting to place me back in bed after a bathroom visit. I also hurt myself getting into the bed another time which resulted in bleeding at the bandaged site resulting in a CAT scan to make sure the replacement was still intact. Pain meds also caused vomiting and sleeping during physical therapy. I opted for Tylenol after that. A balloon inserted in my vagina to prevent urine leakage caused incontinence at my friend’s house where I rested for a week before going to my home to care for my cat and dog alone. The plastic Depends caused a painful blister on my backside which finally healed when I could hold my urine two weeks later and wear cotton pants again.

A week and a half after the op I stopped using the walker in my friend’s cul de sac and resumed using my cane that I have used for the last three years. The surgeon, who replaced my knee in 2017, added to the hip so that both legs are now the same length. This takes time to get used to. I am again walking around the south jetty of my small coastal town with my small dog and cane. Physical therapy is walking with lots of don’t bends and twists for a few months which is sometimes difficult when there is no one but me to tend to my various needs. I have three grabbers and a few canes. Baths are a no no so far.

The addition of generic Xarelto for 21 days after the op has improved my PAD blood flow to cause my GP to praise my decision for the hip op and comment that he was unable to feel flow before the op and thought I might lose my foot. I am now hoping that I may get a prescription added.

I got a cortisol test in the hospital while on 3 mgs pred which showed that I had a middle reading of existing cortisol. I just started reducing pred from 3 to 2 ½ mgs using the DL reduction schedule. I started on 15 mgs pred for PMR at the beginning of 2016 and have been on 3 mgs for the last year.

[Kiwisufferer2019]

You poor lady, what a lot to contend with! I had a hip replacement 3 years ago just before I6 months later I was diagnosed with pmr, now I have reduced to 9.5 g all the old aches and pains are coming back, plus my left hip is giving me quite a bit of trouble, I don't want to have a replacement while on prednisone, but may not have much option. Good luck with your recovery and take care. Janis NZ

[Kiwisufferer2019 in reply to Kiwisufferer2019]

6 months later!

[pegpowell in reply to Kiwisufferer2019]

Kiwisufferer, I would not worry about being on prednisone while having an operation. I was on 6 mgs when I had knee replacement. I did have to up the dose to 7 afterwards to avoid a flare. Just make sure the surgeon knows what dosage you are on so that you can continue as usual.

[Kiwisufferer2019 in reply to pegpowell]

Thanks for that, good luck!

[Sharitone]

Thanks for sharing your story. You have overcome a lot and that is always encouraging to hear!

[pegpowell in reply to Sharitone]

Thank you for your response. My point was to share that you can have replacement ops with PMR at any age, provided you are otherwise somewhat healthy and have the desire to continue walking.

[Linny3]

Sorry you had to go thru so much. You must be one strong lady😊glad you are better