Coping with Hip Replacement
We are looking at having to end our 17 year long enjoyment of touring in our motorhome, after I fell breaking my hip joint. The new joint comes with warnings about bending past 90 degrees and reaching down for fear of popping the joint out!
All our lockers containing cables, chocks ,chairs and table are underfloor, beneath knee hight. Similarly, the waste water drain tap, and the drain down valves require bending or kneeling. We had hoped to get another year or two on the road before packing in. We've spent a bit of money to keep the van roadworthy, but buying a fiamma box to fit on the bike rack might a be too much to spend at this stage.
Has anyone out there had a hip replacement and managed to keep going. How do you do overcome the bending reaching limits? How are you coping?
We're both 77, so lucky we've made it this far:-) All advice welcome. (Cath can't do theses tasks for me)
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Sorry to hear of your problem/dilemma but unfortunately can’t offer any advice. All the best whatever the future holds for you both. Take care.
Learned a lot from yours and others posts re adding photos to CT and subsequently more about using programs on laptop.
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Chasncath..................I have had both mine done 8 years ago and it stops me from doing nothing. I walk, jog a bit, garden ,swim {even dive which they say not to]. The only annoyance to me is going through customs at the Airport the screws set the alarms off. When I had the operations I came home the next day ,then on crutches for 3 weeks, no more pain and have never looked back. I am not Superman as I am 80 years old and a bit headstrong, but you can do what you want to if determined enough.
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Oh dear, I’m following this thread with trepidation now!!! I’m due to have a hip replacement sometime next year and am dreading it - already! Hate operations as they don’t seem to agree with me. Haven’t had any information yet as due to see the consultant next month. ADP1963 has given some encouraging news so let’s hope we can have the same outcome.🤞
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I wouldn’t rush into writing off touring at the moment ChasandCath. When I worked as a garden volunteer for EH, had a couple of gardening mates,(both male) who had hip replacements in their late 70’s. Yes it took them a few months to get back to gardening, but they were both more able than before the op. And in a lot less pain as well. Also had an Uncle who was same, he had both hips done, transformed his life in his 70’s.
We got a second hand, nearly new, large Fiamma box for £200, so they are out there. And very useful it is, mainly in Winter. I would simply wait and see how you go, then look how you might compromise. If I saw you on a Site, and you needed help to open/close your drains, then all you need do is ask, and I would gladly oblige. I think a lot of other Members would as well👍 You could use Sites with facilities to cut out a lot of the water handling a good deal, put chocks, cables etc.... in the Fiamma and that will help a lot.
I had a pin put in my shoulder aged 27. At the time, they told me I couldn’t ride horses again, couldn’t swim, shouldn’t do this that or the other. The pin is still there, doing it’s job, ok I never rode over fences again, but we bought a horse the week I came out of hospital and I rode him for 22 years! I have just come back in from a swim! So, what they say, and what you find you can actually do, are often rather different. 👍 Wishing you, and others all the best.
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Heddio, I take it you are in pain!, I know so many, many people that have had the operation and like me from the moment it is done.............no more pain. The second operation I was awake all through the operation and thought I was playing Rugby again, but honestly felt nothing only relief. I am not a masochist either, just being honest.
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At the age of 43 had total hip replacement I am now 68 years old I went back to work carried on touring and last six years with motor home all the things that you are worried about I have been doing .even climbing steps to fit sun blind walk daily .ride bikes . even motor cycle .play golf .garden I just hope it will continue as it is for bit longer as one day I know I will need another replacement but take it in my stride the wonderful surgeon gave me my life back after five years of pain just enjoy your life and continue with your touring 😊
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Good luck Chasncath, give that hip time to heal up well and I hope you'll be like my friend who had hip replacements in her fifties and she's doing up her new home just now and swimming every week. She was an orthopaedic nurse, she's not wonder woman but has done as much as she can. I sent her a card for birthday number 74 last week.
I was quite pleased to see Mary Berry on TV last night giving out tips for making life easier in the kitchen, I think we all need some helpful ideas to keep going!
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Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement, thank you. I got my replacement hip as a result of a stupid fall: I feel a twinge of guilt when I read about those of you waiting to be relieved of arthritic pain. I jumped the queue.
At 3 am in the morning I signed the consent form. As the surgeon put it, it's the op or you'll never walk again. So, everything from here on in is a bonus. I take heart from all your words of encouragement.
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Chas
I had my right hip replaced in March 2010 and we went away in the caravan 12 weeks later and went to France in the September. I was 63 at the time. Unlike yours mine was elective surgery so I don't know if that makes a difference? At the time I really appreciated having the Op because I was in so much pain and lop sided! The operation solved both things. I understand the worry about dislocation especially immediately after the operation. However don't forget they have to cut through a lot of muscle and ligaments to get to the hip and they take time to heal and give the support to the replaced hip. I suppose after the first six months I don't suppose I gave much thought to the possibility of it dislocating as you feel so normal. I would have thought that using a motorhome would be much easier than using a caravan. Clutches and brakes are a bit heavier on motorhomes so you have to be sure you are comfortable with being able to control the pedals. I don't know how long it is since your operation but if have a follow up with the surgeon why not discuss it and explain the situation. I think I would hold back on giving up at least until into the new year. I mentioned we went away 12 weeks after the operation but perhaps I should have mentioned that prior to that I actually changed the wheels on the caravan which involved a lot of bending, fortunately without incident!!!
David
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Had my hip replaced about 10 (?) years ago. Have also had a knee replaced. OK I was younger than you (am now 69). However - make sure you follow any exercise or rules they give you. First 6 weeks is really crucial. At about 6 weeks you will feel lots better, bruising gone, more movement. DANGER! That is time when most dislocations happen. This is when it is still important not to bend the hip too much etc.
It takes 12 months to get full mobility back. But that doesnt stop you doing things.
You can normally drive again after 6 weeks, but it can depend on whether vehicle is automatic or not.
We normally use our own facilities. But after my ops we used sites with good facilities and pitched close by so I could use site facilities as much as possible. Actually I found it easier than I thought to use the van loo. I did use the site shower - using the disabled facility.
Dont know if you are the sole driver? If your OH can drive - get them to do the driving.
Makes sense to do short trips near to home to start with, see how you get on. Certainly dont give up yet.
As for lockers below knee level - hospital should teach you how to bend in order to get things from lower cupboards - think about getting stuff from bottom shelves of kitchen floor cupboards. It is all possible.
Good luck.
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Chasncath, I send good wishes for your recovery, but suggest you have the chance to try something else next Spring while that recovery takes place.
For different reasons we discovered big holiday houses in France with the family, smaller cottages over there without them, and a clutch of bed and breakfasts and guest houses around Brittany interspersed with one or two really smart hotels. We came to learn of another life beyond campsites, and it wasn’t hardship. Good luck to you.
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Chas, I had a hip replacement one year ago today and I have never looked back. I am 77. The 90 deg bending rule was for 6 weeks and then gradually bend it more and I now have full mobility in my hip. A brief diary of events after the op: discharged on day 3 able to go up and down stairs and walk about 20 yds with 2 sticks, at 2 weeks staples out, by now I was using one stick only; a few weeks later no sticks in house and one for walking outside - at 4 weeks I could walk over a mile; 2 physio visits (vip to be religious about the excersises), 6 weeks cleared by Consultant, dreaded pressure socks off and ok to drive and no need for sticks. Last year did 3 trips away in the caravan, the first being in May just over the 6 month point I had no problems and was able to put the awning up with ease (well as much ease as normal!) we also went on a cruise. I was driving at 6 weeks but felt I could have driven at 4 weeks. Don't worry about going away in your Motorhome. My jiving days may be over but I now treat myself as normal, walking, gardening, swimming etc.
New hip best thing I have done for years and now pain free. Chas, don't worry about it the recovery period is very short. Good luck.
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I had a right hip replacement 10 years ago when I was 57. I was an HGV driver at the time and went back to work driving and caravanning with no problems after 2 months, admittedly I was only 57 at the time. Going forward to 4 weeks ago I had my left hip joint replaced and am now 67. I am now looking forward to our first trip away in early January to Broadway CMC site. Bending down and making connections has not been a problem for me since the first Hip Replacement and cannot see any reason to not carry on caravanning going forward ,as long as you feel you OK .
WE use service pitches whenever we can to make life a little easier when we can, but even go on non service pitches when we cant. Hope this helps.
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Chas
I wouldn't mind betting that all those who have posted about their own hip replacements found life a lot easier after the recovery period than they did in the years leading up to the operation. I appreciate that your circumstances were different. Confidence builds as the days since the operation tick by and you find yourself getting back to normal and I suspect by then you will have a different perspective on things.
David
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Yes Chas, persevere with the exersizes; this is essential to a speedy recovery. I did mine at least 3 times a day and they did get much easier as time passed. The one were you have to stand on the operated leg for 2 x 20 secs was initially quite hard and then easy although I never mastered doing it with my eyes shut! Likewise the standing from sitting down without pushing with your arms - almost impossible initially but soon no problems. Walking is also essential. Set yourself reasonable targets and extend them as you recover. I started by just waling down the road and back, then a short circular route, then to the shops and before I knew it I was walking over a mile. Now, a year later, I can walk all day up hills etc. I am sure you will fully recover quite soon.
My experience is similar to hja's above. I am the sole driver and this has caused no problems. My car is an automatic and that did make the driving easier.
David K - agree!
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Thanks heddlo. Clips are off, showering and dressing by myself (with the aid of a grabber), doing exercises, and walked to the coop by myself today. Waiting for physio appointment. Want to make sure I'm doing all the correct things. Meanwhile, our old motorhome is rusting away quietly in storage.
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Chas
Glad you had the op and progressing. I slept in a chair for about a week because as you know you are not supposed to lye on the operated side but never experienced any pain whatsoever after the operations. Are you managing to use crutches yet to get about?....hope so. I am sure by the time the warmer months are with us you will be in that Motorhome and wondering where to go and with this experience far at the back of your mind.
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Yes, good luck Chas from us, too...👍
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Sounds as if things are progressing well, chas, hope it continues in the same vein. Well done and all the best.
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Hi Chas hope things are progressing well -- I had a hip replacement just over two years ago and was driving a month later [ automatic and left hip done ] and after 3 months was back riding my motorcycle --as regards the m/h I've got a PVC and the only thing I'm a bit wary of is having to use a ladder to wash the roof down and that's cos if you fall off a ladder it hurts ! other than that no issues about use of floor lockers , some friends asked some months after if the new joint was 'run in' and I answered that occasionally found getting up off the floor seemed awkward , bit like a turtle on its back , their response was that that problem was nothing to do with the hip but more to do with age and they were in the same boat. Keep walking and in a couple of months you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about.
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which would mean doing similar? 
