A good friend of mine, who is older than I am, is struggling with extreme pain as her hips are basically deteriorating, and she needs to have both her right and left hips replaced. Previously about two years ago, she was scheduled to have the surgery; however, about two weeks prior, she ended up in the hospital with a blood clot in her lung, rendering her unable and too high of a risk to have the necessary surgery.
Since then, she has been in physical therapy as her legs have lost muscle strength, and she is incapable of walking without a walker. More recently, she cannot lift her legs to walk at all, so she has been wheelchair-bound. It’s like a double-edged sword; she’s losing muscle control, unable to walk on her own, and, as a result, is at greater risk of having a blood clot again.
When she has the necessary physical therapy, she is in excruciating pain. Because she does not want to take pain medications, she has begrudgingly agreed with her healthcare team to use an affordable pain relief medication patch. It works as an extended-release administration of the medication, so she does not have to feel “high” or groggy.
I, too, have struggled with some chronic pain issues and have tried a Lidocaine patch; however, while it worked amazingly, unfortunately, it turns out I am allergic. But all is not lost as I found the following pain relief solutions that work best for me, based on consultation with my healthcare team:
- Biofreeze spray and gel
- Doterra Deep Blue
- Fifteen minutes in my jetted tub while meditating
- Followed by twenty minutes in an Epsom salt bath
- Acupuncture
- Laser light therapy
- Dry needling
- Physical therapy
- TENS unit
More recently, I have started going to the gym in an effort to strengthen my muscles around the injured areas, thus decreasing the pain and gaining mobility.
According to research done by Very Well Health, in an article titled “Pain Patch Types, Benefits, and Warnings,” they cite the following, “All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturers. Check your prescription and talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re taking the right dose for you. Some common doses are as follows:
Non-prescription .025% capsaicin patch: This is applied to the skin three or four times a day and for no more than eight hours at a time.1
Qutenza 8% capsaicin patch: For diabetic neuropathy, up to four patches may be applied for 30 minutes once every three months.1
Nonprescription 4% lidocaine patch: Apply to the skin for no more than eight hours up to three times a day.2
Lidoderm patch with 5% lidocaine: Apply once a day to the largest area of skin that has pain for up to 12 hours. Check with your healthcare provider on the number of patches that can be used at once.2
Flector patch with 1.3% diclofenac epolamine: The manufacturer’s recommended dose is one patch applied to the most painful area twice a day.
The fentanyl patch: Apply to the skin once every 72 hours.6 Your healthcare provider may start you on a low dose of fentanyl and gradually increase it if needed. Fentanyl patches do not need to be placed on top of the area of pain. Apply to clean and dry skin. Choose a flat area, such as the upper arm, chest, or back,”.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
3 types of hip replacement surgery
The other day, my friend saw her doctor, and they determined that she was now a candidate for hip replacement surgery and was ready to schedule the surgery. After a long, painful two years, she is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and will get her life back very soon.
An orthopedic facility names and describes three types of hip replacement surgery, “There are different types of hip arthroscopy, depending on the damaged areas in need of prosthetic materials. Your orthopedic surgeon will consider your condition, age, and lifestyle to determine which type of hip replacement surgery should best suit you:
- Total Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip arthroscopy is the most common type of hip replacement surgery. In this procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will remove and replace both the ball and socket components of the hip joint.
- Partial Hip Replacement Surgery
In partial hip arthroscopy, your orthopedic surgeon will remove and replace only the damaged tissues and other degraded components of the hip joint.
- Revision Hip Surgery
A revision hip surgery is usually a follow-up procedure when a previous arthroscopy fails, and the hip pain or disability continues. Sometimes, an orthopedic surgeon may need to perform a total hip replacement after a partial hip replacement in order to fully correct the issue,”.
My friend will be meeting with her surgeon next week to discuss which type of surgery will be best for her condition. They will also consult with others on her healthcare team, such as her endocrinologist, the nephrologist, her homeopathic doctor, and the general practitioner.
Hip replacement surgery recovery time
Another consideration for my friend is how long will her hip replacement surgery recovery take. Because she lives alone, she will have to rely on friends like myself, her sister, and home health services to assist her in her recovery time at home. The surgeon already said that they will definitely keep her overnight after the surgery, if not longer, depending on her body’s response.
The Mayo Clinic cites that, “Full recovery from a hip replacement varies from person to person, but most people are doing well three months after the surgery. Improvements typically continue during the first year after surgery.
The new hip joint can reduce pain and increase the hip’s range of motion. But don’t expect to do everything you could do before the hip became painful.
High-impact activities, such as running or playing basketball, might be too stressful on the artificial joint. But in time, most people can participate in lower-impact activities — such as swimming, golfing and bicycle riding,”.
What is the most effective pain relief patch?
In conclusion, choosing the most effective pain relief patch is highly individual, as it depends on specific needs as well as health conditions. Options include capsaicin, lidocaine, and even fentanyl patches for severe cases. Ultimately, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to tailor the solution best suited for each person’s unique situation, ensuring both safety and efficacy.