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A trivial but genuine dilemma

(81 Posts)
Aveline Sat 15-May-21 11:00:43

I'm due to have a hip replacement in July. In preparation I'm wondering what to do about my feet. At this time of year I generally have a pedicure before 'getting my feet out for the summer'. My dilemma is whether I should go to a beauty salon for a pedicure (my poor feet have been immured in boots all winter and spring and could do with a treat) or to a chiropodist/podiatrist for a more serious tidy up. I don't want nail varnish so beauty salon might not be appropriate but neither are my feet in serious need of eg corn or hard skin treatment by a podiatrist. I know I'll have big problems after my op as I believe you can't bend more than 90° for a while so toe nail trimming would be a problem. It could be useful to be on a podiatrists books then.
So I just don't know. What do Grans think?

Buttonjugs Tue 08-Jun-21 12:46:16

Odette52

Looking for recommendations for leggings.. material, sizing, comfort etc...
Many thanks❤️☘️

Boden leggings are the best on the market imo. Made from viscose I think, and they last forever, don’t wrinkle at the knee. Except the grey ones for some reason, don’t buy the grey ones.

Aveline Mon 24-May-21 20:32:43

Am off to check the Damart website! DH is an expert with compression stockings after my TKRs

Nell8 Mon 24-May-21 20:02:01

If you're looking to top up your supply of big comfy knickers, Aveline, you could look at Damart. I bought some of their pure cotton bloomers with soft loose "cuffs" which don't dig in. Not exactly Agent Provocateur but raised a laugh when I met my very handsome young surgeon.

A friend who lives on her own used a backpack to carry a flask of coffee and snack from kitchen to lounge.

If you have to wear compression stockings after the op remind your helper that when any wrinkles need straightening out only the stocking should be twisted not the whole blooming leg! (DH got a bit carried away at times.)

effalump Mon 24-May-21 15:33:42

Do whatever makes you feel good.

Aveline Sun 23-May-21 22:06:08

I'll go to our local chiropody practice. I don't mind paying. It's well worth it to me and no more expensive than a pedicure.

MelBB Sun 23-May-21 21:22:04

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. ??

Aveline Sun 23-May-21 09:43:42

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.

GrannyGear Sun 23-May-21 08:33:58

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.

Aveline Sun 23-May-21 08:04:18

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.

GrannyGear Sat 22-May-21 22:00:54

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.

Aveline Sat 22-May-21 21:36:05

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.

GrannyRose15 Sat 22-May-21 20:53:33

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.

Babs758 Sat 22-May-21 12:49:09

@Aveline Bonesmart were really helpful to me too.

Aveline Sat 22-May-21 07:28:13

tictacnana and grannyrose have you actually read the thread?

GrannyRose15 Sat 22-May-21 00:13:17

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.

GrannyRose15 Sat 22-May-21 00:09:45

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

tictacnana Fri 21-May-21 23:33:46

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 !

Aveline Fri 21-May-21 16:19:35

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!

sparkynan Fri 21-May-21 11:21:41

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.

Aveline Fri 21-May-21 09:29:37

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.

Elvis58 Fri 21-May-21 09:13:35

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

eagleswings Fri 21-May-21 08:12:16

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.

Gelisajams Thu 20-May-21 21:10:51

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.

Yorki Thu 20-May-21 20:14:48

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.

Aveline Thu 20-May-21 20:08:35

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.