Just had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago and feeling fatigue. WHY?

I'm a very healthy 46 year old male that had to have a hip replacement (due to a motorcycle accident). My recovery has been going great, but I'm feeling unusually fatigued. I'm doing PT, exercise and walking and not over doing it. Any info. out there? Any suggestions? help.

I've had both of my hips replaced in separate surgeries and I definitely remember fatigue during the weeks post-op. Three weeks really isn't very long and the fatigue and tiredness aren't that unusual. I blamed several possible factors: poor sleep and lack of sleep; pain meds that made me drowsy during the day; loss of blood during the surgery that my body was working overtime to replace (I had transfusion day after surgery); and finally, everything I did seemed to take extra effort and concentration which can be tiring. If your fatigue persists and continues to bother you, it wouldn't hurt to bring it up at your next OS or regular MD appointment. You could be anemic from blood loss or ?? If you're still not sleeping well at night, you might be given a sleeping aid. My experience with sleeping (or trying to) was that I was instructed to sleep on my back using an abduction pillow for several weeks. I found this arrangement terrible and uncomfortable, and the sooner I could abandon it in favor of side sleeping, the better my sleeping was. After my first THR, I napped a lot during the day and then didn't sleep at night. After my 2nd THR I tried staying up and awake all day and took Tylenol PM at bedtime and found that I slept a little better at night because I was tired.

This is major surgery and your body is working hard to heal things up. A mix of activity and resting is probably the best remedy - that, and more time. Patience is the watchword when recovering from THR surgery. Good luck to you. I am very happy with my new hips and my new life and hope you are too.

My Father (75)is now three weeks post op after hip replacement still feeling very tired and low now He wants reassurance from me that all is going well I am a little concrened , Im wondering about tonics or any other aids to recovery . Report It

That is a powerful surgery and it puts your body through hell and back. I would add some vitiams. I have had several knee surgerys, and when something is taken out and something is put back in that is not the bodys it takes a toll. Vitiam E is great, it helps promote red blood cell growth which helps healing fast. Omega 3 oils you get from fish would be very good for you also. Adds some extra vitiams to your daily thing could help alot and you might not feel so tired.

You may be experiencing fatigue due to blood loss from the surgery. Have your doctor check you blood count. If it shows you are anemic he can prescribe an iron supplement for you. Good luck.

There are many things to consider regarding fatigue after hip replacement. First, is the effects of anesthesia. Next one must also consider the following: blood loss, pain medication, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite (common after joint replacement); and finally one must consider that our body is focused on healing from the trauma of surgery. It's telling you to slow down a little bit and let it "heal."

Fatigue is very common after joint replacement surgery. Your doctor should be monitoring your blood count, appetite, etc. Ultimately, the fatigue typically lasts about 2-3 months. The third month is usually the turn around time for pain, function and energy levels.

It's normal. It's mainly that your body is adjusting to the new hip. My dad had the same thing 2 years ago and he was just fine in the end, so don't worry about it.