Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

Thank you for your good wishes Jennifereccles, Granny Laine and Silverlinings. Well I'm through the other side thankfully. I had to have a GA in the end as previous spinal surgery meant a nerve block or epidural were not possible. They did say pain control would be harder and initially when I came round I was in distress but a morphine pump was set up and things got a lot easier. I struggled to move my right leg though. It kept going into spasms along with my back and I was back to my pre op having to lower it in stages from knee bent. I started in HDU for 24 hours....I felt sick after moving and slept propped up. Back on the ward... Getting out of bed was tricky...my leg had swollen to twice it's size and really didn't want to play ball at anything. I couldn't straighten it properly as it would go into spasm. I did weep a bit as I so wanted to be on wards and upwards. The bruising started on Saturday and is spectacular... From my waist to my calf but the more it's come out the less stiffness I've had. The 3 hour journey home was better than I thought it would be...I felt really sick and the air con was on all the time but I did sleep some of it. Back home and trying to navigate around a cottage I'd only lived in for 13 days was challenging and I felt out of my depth on how to cope with the toilets as getting down was hard but getting up was even worse. Getting into bed was painful and by yesterday morning I was despairing even though I kept on saying it's only 4 days. I have given up the strong pain killers every 8 hours as the dreaded constipation was making itself felt and took paracetamol every 12 hours and diclofenic sodium once a day. I'm upset about the leg difference. I had said that in the last couple of months if I straighten my right leg my left leg lifts off the floor. This has only happened since the accident and deterioration of my hip. I have been referred for physio so am hopeful it can be rectified so am trying to be positive. I slept on my good side last night with a huge cushion between my knees. I had been told I could but to be careful and I have to say I did manage to sleep for longer and woke up in less pain. So today....Day 5 has been an ok one. I can straighten my leg...the bruising is coming out still but the stiffness is lessening. I still have the pain under my ribs...which could be because my posteur is still bad. I can move around without my crutches by holding onto whatever is available and I actually feel safer on our Victorian stairs just using the handrail. I have accepted that it really is maybe one good day followed by maybe not such a great one and that I am going to feel weak and tired for a while. The excruciating labral tear pain in my groin is gone and that is worth its weight in gold. I had my surgery at Epsom Orthopaedic Centre and I can honestly say I was treated with care and compassion by everyone I came into contact with and I am so glad I stayed on their list and didn't transfer to a nearer hospital. I hope my fellow pre Easter op hipsters continue onwards and upwards. Xx

Thanks for coming back to tell us how it went Naughtyneine. It sounds as though you've had a pretty difficult time of it but glad to hear that you've received good care. It must be even more difficult when you've moved into a new home so recently.

I hope we hear from silverlining as soon as she's able, I've been worried about her after her post yesterday.

FannyCornforth how are things with you? Not long till your Consultant appointment now I think?

Good to hear that you are through the operation although it sounds quite traumatic! Naughtyneine and that you are coping . Yes it’s wonderful not to have that tearing groin pain . Day 9 for me and I’m progressing well . Clips out tomorrow and a shower ?. My leg remains bruised and swollen but I’m moving around quite well with crutches and often just the one now . I’m also down to a reduced dose of codeine / paracetamol . Constipation not an issue with the antibiotics I’m taking ?.
silverlining please get back to let us know you are OK .

Oh yes the constipation! I was kept topped up on some sort of anti constipation drink in hospital but found that on discharge my morning cup of strong coffee and an orange did the trick very effectively.
I remember after my first knee a poster on here called Wobblybits told me that he felt he should have notified the coastguards regarding what was coming their way when his bowels finally moved. TMI? Maybe but it certainly cheered me up at the time.
Have a good day hipsters.

Good to hear back from you SusieB50, all sounding good and you'll be more comfortable when those clips come out. A shower will be bliss

Day 6 no sticks. Today I'm finding I don't need my crutches...I feel more secure without them especially going up and down stairs. I hope that listening to my body about this is the right thing to do. I managed to put a wash load on too. I had to use the grabber to get the items from the bottom of the laundry basket and carried out down in a carrier bag over my wrist. I wondered if I'd be able to carry my lunch and cup of tea outside at the same time and I was able to.... That said I'm utterly pooped now. I didn't think I'd be so tired but I'm being a bit sensible ? and heading upstairs for a siesta.

I wrote a long post earlier but had a call from the surgery so lost all i had written.
I tred aga in but surgery called back to tell me tyey were concerned so sending a team (!) round to assess.
So lost my second post in all the drama.
He gas beeb and gine. So hooe thurd time lucky, but will keep it short just in case.
I am ok, but Simon the paramedic noticed i have oedema which is quite high up my leg so will get simething prescribed.
Warnings About high temperature and weeping wounds not to be ignored for fear of sepsis but otherwuse am not bad enough to go to Hospital. Phew!
As An aside Simon was an nhs anbulance man but now works fir a private company employed by the nhs to be a Paramedic. As i learned only this morning it is the first rule of private companies to give shareholders first dibs in profits. An example of why the nhs is being run down.
Back to hips. Naugytymeine jyou have beenntgrough the mill, but have turned a cirner tday. I raise my hat to you abd to us all who are going through what we a ll hope will return us to active life.
Another visitor so will sign off nefore i lose all this but will return

Have they put you on an antibiotic?

Sorry Naghtyneine, misspelled.
Visitor left now, I am sittng with my legs up hoping the oedema will travel away from my lower legs, feeling chilled but otherwise ok.
Glad Susie you are on the move and cutting back on my meds too, as they are strong but dont seem to make much dfference. Instead i will take a sleeping pill tonight in the hope of a necessary nights sleep.
Greetings to all, GrannyLane and Aveline. Heres to us x

Seems strange that exactly this time last week I was wheeled off for my op. It seems longer... Much longer ...

No anti biotc Lucky but told to call 999 if my tempersture goes over 38 and if my breathing affected. The wound isnt weeping, but have to wait til next wednesday to have it checked.

Relieved to hear from you silverlining and glad you've been assessed and are able to remain at home. I hope it all settles down soon for you. My (affected) leg was swollen from toes to hip for about 5 days and I was mightily relieved when it went down. I had been warned to expect swelling though. Hope your visitors lift your spirits

Susie I was replying to your post in my first attempt earlier and realise I didnt in my next, so wanted to say how pleased and envious I am to hear you are about to have the dressing removed and are doing so well. Heres to mobility.

Thanks GrannyLaine. I really appreciate your input and concern. I feel very well looked after today.

silverlining so glad all is OK with you I was a little concerned. I hope you start feeling better soon

Thanks Susie x

Just had my first walk outside, down sloped drive and along the road for about 5 houses and back up the drive to the step up to front door, and I made it.
Has anyone else been outside?

Today I went to my hospital appointment and walked from the car park to the main entrance . Seemed OK but a bit wobbly , although I have walked in the garden at home . Anyway arrived for my appointment expecting to have my clips removed but unfortunately it was just an extra wound check as I spiked a high temperature in hospital and had to stay 24 hours longer . All seems fine though and clips will be out Monday . Plenty of exercise today and definitely getting far less stiff. So going to try back in my own higher bed tomorrow night.

Day 8 for me. I was told to do 3 days 2*5 minute walks, 4 days 2*10 minute walks, today I’m allowed 2*15 minute walks. I have stuck religiously to what I’ve been told, except that I am down to one crutch.
All on the flat and initially very slow. I’m afraid of overdoing things, as I’m sure I could. At the end of a walk I get an odd feeling in my thigh, not really uncomfortable.
Also doing exercises 3 times a day and they are getting easier.

Well done ladies you are all doing so well

So good to hear everyone's progress from yesterday though you'll have been a bit disappointed SusieB50 to still have your clips in. Good that they are keeping a close eye on you though. I don't have much to report as everything is pretty much back to normal and most of the time I forget about my hip altogether. Had a happy time gardening in the sunshine yesterday.

My DD had her hip replacement 12 weeks ago. On holiday she went for a pony trek. It only occurred to her afterwards that she should have thought about her hip as mounting and dismounting and riding for two hours could have been a bad idea but all was well. What an excellent surgery this is. It transforms lives.

Really looking forward to gardening again and walking for pleasure without pain . I’m really struggling with the support stockings , the carer puts them on in the morning but by lunch time they have wrinkled and are digging into my skin . Think I will ask on Monday when I have the clips out if I can stop them . Still injecting a blood thinner every night and walking about a lot . Seems pointless really ….

I gave up on my support stockings early too. I was taking blood thinners and walking about a lot. It was fine.
I met another local hipster also on daily walkabout and she said she was never given these stockings in the first place.

Susie B50 if you are having blood thinners, whether oral or injected, the stockings confer no additional benefit. I had a chat with my surgeon about this and he did a rather hilarious mime of someone putting on elastic stockings and asked me if I thought it did more harm than good. And mentioned that often people have to have carers in specifically to assist with the stockings.... But that is just his opinion on the matter. Other opinions available.