Spare parts.

I haven't had to have any joint replacement ops (yet) but I’d just like to thank all of your for your positivity and encouragement! What a feisty lot!

Forgot to say that my Soxon was a great help for putting on socks/knee highs(instead of tights) with both hip replacements two years apart. I do occasionally still use it if my back is playing up as well. I lent mine to my dad once - he found it so good he said it was the best present he'd been given - I had to buy another one from A....N (where I'd got the first one).

For help on living well with osteoarthritis, I recommend: www.halfthebattlecoach.com

After having my hip replaced, last May, it took me quite a while to be able to bend down to put on shoes and socks, and not too easy to put on knickers and trousers at first. I found a nighty much easier while in hospital.
A long shoe horn was indispensable for several months, and one of those 'grabbers' that litter-pickers use was very handy, especially for getting things off the floor.
Good luck with your hip operation SueH69. Do your exercises and keep moving as much as possible. Also try to lose some weight, if you need to. My new hip has made a huge difference to my life.
Best wishes to anyone having joint replacements. Put in the work on your physio, even if it's painful, and it will pay off in improved joint mobility, in the long run.

I have had a shoulder replacement, much the same position as you, restricted movement little pain. Now a few weeks on and no improvement yet but I understand the recovery is months. I do my exercises every day without fail. The thing is I was told it would only get worse, no chance of it getting better due to arthritis and a quadruple fracture. I had delayed for a couple of years as it was.

I had a shoulder replacement, which was a very painful operation. |I slept sat up for around six weeks, my friend who is a nurse emphasised that I must religiously do the exercises given by the physio afterwards, which I did, and I was progressing very well, until the resistance band, (which is a part of one of the exercises) snapped, and ripped all of my tendons, resulting in a further operation to attempt (unsuccessfully) to repair them, the upshot being, I have irreversible restricted mobility, and am in constant pain and on morphine patches and strong painkillers for the rest of my life, but am convinced that if this resistance band hadn't snapped, I would have been fine, so go for it!

annsixty I should mention that my pj's are not full length ones the pants come just below my knees so it was easy.

My mother ended up being a bit like a bionic mum with all her spare parts: elbows, 2 hips, 2 knees, toe joints, a shoulder joint... She never regretted it - she was in so much pain with rheumatoid arthritis that it was a blessing to be pain-free with her new joints!

Let us know how you get on. Good luck!

annsixty, I always wear pj's thus did so when I had my THR. There was no problem with doing so as all that was needed to check the wound was a slight lowering at the waist of the pants. I'd go with whatever you are most comfortable with.

Not arthritis, but I had a half shoulder replacement because I completely smashed my upper humerus bone. Was in hospital for two days. Had to wear a sling for a few weeks and do the necessary physio, but never really got the full use of the joint back. Like a previous poster I cannot lift the arm much above shoulder height, but have adapted.

Hello, yes I’ve had a shoulder replaced May 2018. Pain gone, however had loads of physio and although can’t quite reach top shelves yet it’s been amazing. Also have 2 artificial hips 20 years and 12 years respectively. Both going well.

You will regain mobility but you HAVE to do your rehab at home and at the physical therapists office. The more work you do the better it will be. I haven't had my shoulder replaced but I have had surgery three times on the same one. I was faithful with the rehab and it is as good as new (except when it's supposed to rain )

This is the thing i don’t really have any pain only when I need to reach up such as washing my hair putting on certain clothes hanging out washing , all the little things that get so annoying. Anyway ladies thank you all for taking time to answer my question.

Thank you all so much for replying.
I wore nighties after my TKR but wasn’t so sure about the hip.
Nighties it is then.

Ann sixty
100% nightie. It’s such a faff pulling trousers up and down.
I bought a couple of longish loose dresses ( charity shop). I gave them back once I could remove my surgical stockings and became more mobile.
I had mine done back in April 2019. I went knickerless for six weeks too. I found the least I wore the less I had to contend with!
Good luck, everyone having replacement ops. The recoperation period soon goes by xx

annsixty. A nightie that opens down the front for “listening”. Slippers with a grippy sole.

I had my hip done 3 months ago. Nightshirts definitely easiest ?

@annsixty - I have had two hip replacements and I found nighties were easiest - hope that helps

I had a partial shoulder replacement 13 years ago. I'd been in agony with it and often woke up in tears during the night. There were bone spurs in the joint and I now have a metal ball in there. I asked the anaesthetist if he would put in a nerve block which he did, and I felt no post-operative pain for over 24 hours by which time the worst was over. I had intensive therapy for a month. Don't be afraid. I can honestly say that losing the pain was worth every moment of that physio!
Two years ago, I fractured that same shoulder and the surgeon thought it might need surgery but luckily it healed well and hardly any physio was needed. I can reach almost as high with the left as with the right arm. The moment I knew it was better was when I reflexively caught a ball thrown by my GS!

SueH49
If you are still following this thread, what did you find more appropriate and easiest to manage whilst you were in hospital having your hip done nightie or pyjamas?
I didn't want to start a new thread just to ask that.
I am hoping to get my hip op very soon.

My mum has had both shoulders done due to arthritis.one is really good but she has limited mobility in the other.cant lift arm up above shoulder level.but has changed her life so much...definitely worth it to be relatively pain free

My friend had a shoulder replacement last year and she said it’s changed her life. She recovered very quickly and is now pain free. She did have a lot of physio afterwards and still does her exercises.

I had both by shoulders replaced several years ago and it was the easiest operation I’ve had in terms of getting over. The pain due to arthritis went completely. My mobility did increase but is still very restricted I can’t lift my arms above my head for instance. However, to be pain free is wonderful. Good luck !

Not a shoulder but I recently had a hip replacement and if it is anything like that I'd say go ahead. The absence of the continual severe pain and the hip giving way make up for the slightly restricted movement. I assume with time that will improve as well albeit will never be as good as a natural joint that is functioning properly.

Just don't expect it to be back to "normal" in a hurry.

With time you should be pain-free but double-check with your consultant re restricted mobility.