A trivial but genuine dilemma

Definatly chiropody .Comfort is most important ,while you are recuperating from the op.

Hope all goes well with your operation, Aveline, and enjoy your feet being pampered, before and after.

Do get knickers without elastic legs and I wore skirts for some time.

I found one of those 3-wheeled trollies very useful for going to the loo at night. Much less risk of falling, and easier than fiddling with elbow crutches.
I also used a tray trolley downstairs for transporting food etc. It was a big help.
If your local hospital doesn’t lend mobility equipment out, charity shops often have items for sale.
Good luck with your op. I had my hip replaced 2 years ago. It was quite painful for a while, afterwards, but well worth it I’m good as new now.

If you lived near me I would recommend a visit to my daughter, she works in the NHS as a Podiatrist, but had a private clinic where she does the things that the NHS don’t cover and has just added pedicure to this service too.
Sounds to me like you need a Podiatrist, but you may not qualify under the NHS as they tend to see people who have a clinical need (that her than just cosmetics or because you can’t reach your feet), so you are probably best looking for a private Podiatrist locally and paying.

Thanks. Some great tips here. I was actually wondering about the underwear situation. The sponge on a stick sounds sensible too. I'll add one to my list.

Aveline... Why don't you just wait until a problem arises then go to a foot specialist of whatever kind you need. Why don't you have your usual pedicure anyway, treat yourself. Your worrying too much.

If you don’t need the services of a podiatrist then go for a pedicure. That will give you the lovely pampering and care for your feet and nails. You don’t have to have them polished. Your pedicurist can cut your nails after your op, she just isn’t qualified to use a knife to deal with corns etc, but it sounds as though you don’t need that.
Hope all goes well with your op.

Hi Aveline
Long message alert. 12 weeks ago I had a hip replacement and am recovering nicely and very glad I had it done. However I was worried about getting to sleep on my back for 12 weeks, but as I left the hospital, the surgeon suggested a slumber cushion that would enable me to sleep on my side. It is the length of my whole leg, so as well as supporting the hip area it supports my ankles too, keeping everything in alignment. It has definitely been the most beneficial and helpful item for helping me sleep on my side. If you are interested, you can order online from Cambridge Futon and it’s called a Slumber Cushion. Around £45 but I’ve found it worth every penny. A supportive mattress is really important too. The NHS might provide a raised toilet seat with handles and crutches. Also possibly a hip kit containing a long handled sponge, grabber, sock applicator and long-handled shoe horn. (You can get this ‘hip kit’ online if one is not available at the NHS). I have used all of these. Still using a couple of them. My husband put a grab handle on the wall in the shower and he borrowed a wing chair (which sets my hips higher than my knees, with arms to help with getting to my feet also really useful.) I had my feet done by a podiatrist beforehand. I still can’t quite reach one foot yet. Keeping up with the exercises is very helpful for a good recovery. I hope these hot hip tips might prove to be useful. All the very best with it in July Aveline.

Chiropodist if you have corns and hard skin.As u say best to be on their books for future treatment if the need arises.

Thanks very much eagleswings. I've already got one of those long, banana shaped body pillows. I kept the raised toilet seat and long handled shoe horn from my knee knee replacements. I'm planning to order a gripper thing, a sock puller onner and a raised cushion.
At the moment I'm keeping as active and mobile as possible as I know exercise is good for the whole body. Yes it's sore but I tell myself that joint is going in the bin so it doesn't matter if it gets even more worn out!
I hope your recovery continues well.

There is a web site forum called Hippy, after my husbands hip replacements, he spent a long time on this site.
Stock up on nice things for yourself before your op.
Hope it all goes well.

Thanks. I'm on the Bonesmart forum. It saw me through two knee replacements and I'm enjoying their company as I prepare for my new hip. There's nothing more useful than actual experiences of other people!

I had a hip replacement in my 40s. I was told not to wear nail varnish at all . It may have changed now. I’d say definitely a podiatrist and save the nail salon as a treat for after. Good luck with it . It will change your life !

Have both. The podiatrist to be sensible and the beauty salon Because you'd enjoy it.

Not having nail varnish is important though. Those caring for you will use the colour of the skin under your nails to assess how much oxygen you are getting during the operation and during recovery. Best not put anything in their way.

tictacnana and grannyrose have you actually read the thread?

@Aveline Bonesmart were really helpful to me too.

tictacnana and grannyrose have you actually read the thread?

If you don't want to know what we have to say there is no need to read it.

There is no need to be rude about it either. Just trying to be helpful.

But I even put in my opening post that I knew not to have nail varnish! I repeated this several times as so many told me not to have nail varnish. My exasperation must have been obvious but people persisted in repeating this very well known information. Others posted genuinely useful info that I acknowledged and was grateful for.

I had 2 hip replacement operations - in 2015 and 2016. Afterwards I found I couldn't reach to cut my toenails. So I looked for a chiropodist in our local area and found a mobile chiropodist who came round to her patients - a great advantage for me. She was very friendly and I looked forward to her visits.
Alas she had now retired - I can see why. Before Covid she treated many elderly patients and had elderly relatives, as well as grandchildren and didn't want to risk catching the virus.
I now go to a podiatry practice where they do a good job despite have to comply with the covid restrictions - masks etc . But at least they were allowed to operate during lockdown - as a medical treatment. Nail bars were closed. I don't know if pedicures were still available.

I hope your operation goes well. By the way have you got someone to look after you immediately after your op? I know I wouldn't have been able to cope alone.

Thanks GrannyGear. I remember finding a chiropodist who did home visits for my mother. Long retired now. There's a local practice nearby so I'll just go there.
I'm fortunate in having my DH to help and my ACs live locally too and have expressed willingness to help out.

Glad to hear you have got plenty of help for afterwards. It's silly little things that got to me like not being able to pick up something from the floor or carry and cup and a plate while using a crutch.
One other consideration - have you got a walk-in shower? It's difficut to get into a bath after the op.
Best wishes for your operation.

Oh yes. We converted the bathroom to a shower room after my first knee replacement. That made a big difference. I know I'll not be able to bend beyond 90° for a while. It'll be a steep learning curve. The knee replacements were bad enough! However, well worth it.

I haven't read through all posts, but does your GP surgery have a chiropodist because my neighbours have regular visits from theirs. It's through the NHS. Hope your operation goes smoothly and a fast recovery for you. ??