Coping with Hip Replacement
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What's a joint like this doing in a nice girl like you?
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I think there probably were more likes the first time CY posted it.
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I have had two hips done. Never looked back. Brilliant. The operation was easy and painless with an epidural and I was up and about the next day. Stairs on day two. Two elbow crutches for a few days then one only. Most important follow your professionals advice, don’t bend down to pick up things off the floor (use a litter picker) don’t let the angle between your thigh and body compress to less than 90 degrees. Be careful getting in an out of cars, sleep on your back or on your side with a pillow between your knees. Don’t cross your legs. All this is for the first couple of months then, wah hay, do as you want. A sock-puller will be useful too, probably shower instead of bathing.
I had one done in 2009 another in 2013. We’ve since caravanned in Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, and the UK with no problems at all. Even put up a full awning many times, dealt with aquarolls waste tanks and so on.
Don’t worry about it. Be careful for the first three months or so and do as the professionals instruct and just enjoy doing all those things you could not before but now pain free.
You get used to setting off the metal detectors at the airport!
best wishesPeter.
PS then get together with some friends who have had theirs done and have a joint celebration.
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Hi Chas , hope things are improving -- just caught up on this post , as regards raising your leg at my first check up I had the same issue - the message was being sent to the leg but unfortunately it had decided to disregard instructions [bit like when your gaffer asks for a cuppa ] , a strange sensation to say the least but after a few days of perseverance it responded and at my second check everything worked ok . One of the best things I've done . Keep going brother .
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For those of you anticipating or recovering from a hip replacement, I wish you all well and a speedy recovery. Do not be alarmed or dissuaded from proceeding by my situation.
An xray today showed that bone has grown into my muscles. It's a rare but not unknown complication. There is a small possibility of remedial surgery but I must wait until the bone growth appears to have stabilised. It looks like my driving and motorhome days are ended.
I am going to unfollow this thread, but others keep heart.
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Chasncath,
Glad you saw the Consultant to get things sorted. Do not loose heart I am sure that Surgeon will sort you out and you will back behind the Motorhome wheel. The human body and ones self determination is a powerful thing. Chin up Chas !
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Chas, you started this thread after you'd had a fall and emergency treatment to repair your broken hip, you've been through a lot! But I sincerely hope the situation improves with time, we have a friend in a similar situation but she has made progress and I hope you'll let us know how you are getting on. So sorry you've had this news but take care, thinking of both of you. 🍀
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Well, I had my hip replacement done on Thursday. To be honest, so far the ‘walking’ is the easy bit! Anything else is really hard, moving - sleeping, using the loo!!!! I know is only 3 days but ………. just hoping next week will be better! 🥴🤞
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Well done, that's the worst bit over! I assume you are home now? When I had mine done I was told to sleep on my back for six weeks which I found very difficult as I never sleep on my back. Before I had mine done I had to fill in a home assessment form from the hospital and as a result they provided me with various aids including a raised toilet seat and frame. If you think that might help you could contact the hospital or the local Red Cross who often hire out such equipment at very modest fees. I am not sure what happens now, mine was 12 years ago, but initially I had regular visits from the physio for the first few weeks.
David
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Yes, many thanks for the advice. I came home yesterday afternoon so early days for finding the best way to do things. I was given all the necessary equipment, toilet seats, toilet frame, reachers, shoe horns etc etc! It’s just the physical requirement is harder, not anything they go through with you pre-op! I have found that my arms are really weak so hauling myself around, in bed for instance, is hard work. It’s still six weeks of back sleeping David, as you say it’s not the most comfortable position for me either! I have a stitches out appointment next Friday, and a Physio appointment 4 days later, all go!!!
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Heddlo best wishes for a steady recovery. I don't expect it will be easy, but then nothing worth doing is!
Take it easy and do any exercises as prescribed and be kind go yourself.
I wouldn't suggest venturing outdoors until this wind subsides......
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But surely in order to get out of the lounger your knees would have been higher than your hips? I had to tell them how high the bed I would be sleeping on is, if it was too low they would have suggested elephant feet to raise it up. I am just trying to visualise a sun lounger!
David
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DK
I am telling you what worked for me, I hasten to add it was a reclining Sun Lounger. I listen to advice, but if I find something better then, I implement it. First operation I went home next day, the second operation I did the same exercise going up the 3 steps on the day of the operation but they would not let me go home until the next day. I was off crutches and driving within 3 weeks. They say whilst swimming do not dive, I have done since 2012 when I had last operation. One of my mates was riding his Mountain Bike within a fortnight of having the operation. Different people have different criteria to reach their goals. As I said my biggest hate was those dam compression stockings and found them a real nuisance, but D.K you say these are not used now so hey ho.
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Sadly the compression stockings are still being used !!!! At least I’ve been given them to use for 2 weeks, awful things, how people ever manage these without an OH I have no idea. I’m also on blood thinners for 5 weeks! Seems he covers all bases my surgeon.
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I never got the physio appointment my discharge paperwork led me to expect. I phoned up after 4 weeks and was met with indifference and a promise to investigate. Never happened but I thought I was doing ok until iI tried to sit in my car at 8 weeks. Could timely physio have saved me? Who knows, but I'm trying not to harbour resentment. Seeing my consultant again in May. Remedial surgery not possible until about 12 months and the rogue bone growth stops.
Posting my emovis tag back today
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Heddlo
Belts and braces isn't a bad thing. I feel for you with those stockings mate.
Chasncath
Once again I will reiterate I am no Doctor and have no Medical knowledge whatsoever, but I was kind of concerned that you thought the Physio would be your answer. I think your solution lies in the hands of the Surgeon as others will tell you when the operation is done right and the healing process starts everything works perfect.
Good luck both of you.
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Chas
As I think I have said before what happened to you is different from those of us who have had hip joint replacements through general wear and tear. In our case the physio is there to help build up the strength in the surrounding tissue. I am not qualified to comment but your problem seems to be beyond just general mending. Certainly a question to ask the surgeon.
David
PS We have also handed our Tag back in. It needed a new battery anyway but we don't think we will be venturing to Europe in the van.
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