31F, total hip replacement — one week out and looking for real stories, not the optimistic internet version please
Hi everyone. Im kinda freaking out and need your perspective on things to adjust my mental state on my situation.
I had a total right hip arthroplasty about 4 days ago. I'd been putting it off for 11 years cause the doctors always told me to.. the joint was basically destroyed by the time I got to the OR, so I'm aware that may have complicated things going in.
Overall I feel like I'm progressing by having a little less pain each day but I've been struggling to find honest accounts of what recovery actually looks like, because everything online feels weirdly cheerful.
A few things that are on my mind:
>Leg length discrepancy:** I have this strong feeling that one leg is longer than the other now. Is this something others experienced? Did it turn out to be real or just a sensation that went away as muscles settled? And if it was real, what happened next? More surgery? Physio to compensate? A shoe insert and that's it?
>The first month specifically:**How was yours? How much medication were you on and for how long? When did you ditch the walker or crutches? Was there a day it suddenly felt different, or was it so gradual you barely noticed?
>What actually helped?** Not what the pamphlet/doctors/youtube says what genuinely made a difference for you. A specific type of support, a habit, something someone told you, anything.
Given that my joint was in rough shape for over a decade before surgery, I'd especially love to hear from people who also went in with significant pre-existing damage to make a fair comparison but obviously would love any helpful input.
Thanks in advance*