Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

I know that like anything, surgeons varying in their advice for the post operative period but I think the message to do as much physical activity as quickly as possible could actually do more harm than good if people took it literally.

We all realise that sitting down for hours on end isn’t good, but I don’t honestly think many people would do that as physiotherapists in hospital get us up for short walks along the corridor, interspersed with resting on the bed or chair.
Hip and knee replacements are, after all, major surgery, and as I have mentioned before, there was a time when folk were in bed in hospital for three weeks after surgery. I’m certainly not saying that was a better approach but there has to be a balance doesn’t there?

I'm now 8 months past my hip replacement and can honestly say that I haven't even thought of my new hip for months. On a recent holiday I ran for miles at airport terminals lugging cases then queued for ages at various check in, security and immigration areas and had not only not a twinge but it didn't even cross my mind until I pinged on the X-ray at security.
You'll all get here too maybe sooner than you think. I sincerely hope so anyway!

Oh dear Naughtyneine do you imagine I've been sitting and lying around all this time? I could be very offended by that ? That wasn't' the advice at all! The consultant was talking about people who push physical exercise and activity to the limit thinking that more is better but ending up permanently damaging the surgeon's work.

Very wise words GrannyLaine... Everyone has to do just what they feel comfortable and more importantly confident to do at all times and of course be mindful of the amount of help available too (Having had 2 major back surgeries and had little or no help afterwards...it was very different this time) and of course how you were physically pre op is going to play a major part too. I love the image of curtseying.... I'll keep that in mind next time.... And imagine I'm on the set of Bridgerton!!! It seems the advice given by Consultants really does vary vastly. I was specifically told to not sit or lie around but to resume as much physical activity as possible as quickly as possible. When I pointed out that we lived in a cottage over 4 floors...he just said... Stairs are good do them at every available opportunity. !!He also said ... Listen to your body... Do what you can and build on it each day.

Take it easy on uneven ground.

SusieB50

Thank you Grannylaine for the wise words. I do feel a bit low and frustrated by my seemingly slowish progress ( 3 weeks today) and low energy levels , but then a friend pointed out just actually caring for oneself when you live alone takes a lot of energy after major surgery which it is still despite only short hospital stays! I’m sure I will get there eventually. .*Charlie girl* I will try elastic shoelaces too, also think I will be able to pull the Velcro strips across my shoes with the excellent picker up thing , it seems to have very good fine movements! my slip ons don’t feel supportive at all . My DS and family are taking me out for a drive to a favourite pretty forest nearby and hopefully a walk . Perhaps I will absorb some energy from the trees and plants ?

SusieB50 I've just had to get my calendar to count and I'm 9+weeks on now. Some thought my progress was slow beyond your stage.
You do you!
Forest walk sounds lovely ???

Thank you Grannylaine for the wise words. I do feel a bit low and frustrated by my seemingly slowish progress ( 3 weeks today) and low energy levels , but then a friend pointed out just actually caring for oneself when you live alone takes a lot of energy after major surgery which it is still despite only short hospital stays! I’m sure I will get there eventually. .*Charlie girl* I will try elastic shoelaces too, also think I will be able to pull the Velcro strips across my shoes with the excellent picker up thing , it seems to have very good fine movements! my slip ons don’t feel supportive at all . My DS and family are taking me out for a drive to a favourite pretty forest nearby and hopefully a walk . Perhaps I will absorb some energy from the trees and plants ?

Good morning fellow Hipsters!
Its been a while since I dropped by so I've been catching up with everyone's news, so lovely to hear of all the slow, steady progress towards a more pain free life.

Now, I could tell you that I've been trampolining / fell running/ doing circus classes but no one would believe me and would rightly conclude with a sigh that social media lets you tell all kinds of stories. I'm well and happy, beginning to sleep better and getting my old energy levels back which is lovely.

Before I was discharged from hospital, my surgeon visited me and emphasised that slow and steady is the way. He has huge experience with hip replacement and he told me categorically that the people who do best in the long term are those who don't push themselves to ridiculous limits early on. And I listened up because I have good reason to trust him.
So for those of you who feel your progress isn't enough or for those who are awaiting surgery ( and I think there will be many who perhaps follow but don't post) keep your expectations realistic

I bought some good slip ons before my hip op for just that reason. I find them so comfortable that I haven't gone back to trainers although laces don't pose a problem any more.

May I suggest if you live on your own to buy elastic shoelaces and these can be used for trainers and you can put them on using a long-handled shoehorn? They may not look the best but who will be looking at your feet? It is for safety and comfort.

Naughtyneine and Aveline Yes I am tending to do the straight keg thing but if I get it wrong/fall/ over balance I will be so cross with myself, after coming this far. My balance is poor so need to be careful.

It's called a golfers reach. I always felt very graceful doing it somehow. It sort of reminded me of curtseying - well subsiding gently towards the ground.

Silverlinings48....if you drop something...try keeping your unoperated leg straight and bend forward with your operated leg out behind you. It may not work for all dropped things but give it a go and see. Well I really did intend doing nothing today but after Mass we remembered that the local Mayday show was on and there was a dog show.....so I spent 2 and a half hours standing in the rain...entering Luna the Cane Corso into everything from the prettiest bitch ( dog not me)..... Dog most like owner...(Not looks in our case...she and I waddle very much alike). We won both those classes....and were just pipped at Best in Show. .... Walked round the rest of the show slowly (as had dog on lead). By the end I was admittedly walking like Miss Piggy but I felt so happy to be acting/moving (ish)
more normally. I now have wine. I know I am pushing myself but I have felt so down over the last 6 months because of the pain...I think I'm on a mission to boost up those endorphins as quick as possible. It's lovely to read that all of you are improving day by day too. We are made of stern stuff....

A well deserved Cheers to you Susie, anti bios finished at last and glad you had a walk today. Slow and steady is the way to go. Velcro is a good option, but it still bending that is the problem fir me. Drop something and have to find my picker up. Still can’t put on a sock, pants are being lasooed not always successfully, but Otherwise things are moving fairly positively. One stick indoors, or sometimes if just going across the room I can do without altogether. Two outdoors.
Sleeping better and more relaxed as i know I can go on my side if necessary.
I gave up the opiates the first week, also codeine and have been on paracetamol since and it’s working ok. If I were in huge pain would reconsider but am managing it.
Two more weeks of daily injection, not great but would dislike stocking option even more.
Is it only 2.5 weeks ago I had my op and have to say it’s getting better, every day.
Onwards and upwards

A longer walk today with a friend, I felt much more secure with trainers, as she was able to tie my laces . Looking at some Velcro strap shoes that maybe better than the slip ons . Otherwise I will just have to stop total strangers and ask them todo my laces when I go for a walk !!
For the first time last night I took no codeine , I was down to one 8 mg codeine and paracetamol and one plain paracetamol at night for the past week . But it goes to show how used to it your body becomes . My legs were restless and I couldn’t settle for ages . Definitely no more codeine !
My energy levels are no way near some of you on here, but feel I am making slow but steady progress . Antibiotics at last are finished and a glass of red ? is called for this eve I think .

Actually I hung out a washload and took it all off the line later, but couldnt manage to carry the basket, dh did that. Very satisfying,

Naughtyneine your energy floors me. Why are you doing so much and please be careful about dogs tripping you up.
It’s still barely over 2 weeks, and is major surgery.

Obviously we are all different but I swan about gently, have been nowhere, done nothing but looking forward to a night in a hotel next weekend, I really do need a change of scenery.

Blimey! Please do listen to your body. It must be shouting 'stop'! Take today as a day of rest then up and at 'em again tomorrow?

Morning all. I hope everyone is doing ok. My pillow mountain slope has gone....MIL and FIL came on Friday bringing back dogs no 1 ( pointer cross) and no 3 (Cane Corso). Dog no 2 (Lab cross) had kept me company over the last 2 weeks. Their arrival meant a search in packing cases (it's just a month since we moved in) for pillows.... But they remained elusive so I decided the time has come for a normal bed again....I actually slept ok...I sleep ok for about an hour then the need to sit/stand/walk until the spasm eases off and then I can go back to sleep mostly. (The lab and I shared fruit pastilles at 3am yesterday though). Thursday was a full on day with physio and shopping and Friday prettying the the cottage and baking quiches etc was also busy so the reason I slept ok on my normal 2 pillows and on my side was probably exhaustion. Lol. Yesterday too ...a trip to the Farmers Market... Then the Garden Centre and then somehow I cooked a full roast beef dinner. I was struggling by the time it came to serve up though. So this morning I only have myself to blame ( well not really...we had to eat)...if I ache.... Even my groin where they cut the tear out is grumbling and my right buttock feels as if someone has stabbed it. So today I will listen to my body which if I understand it is saying...could you just b....y well stop for a bit. Wishing you all a restful pain free Sunday.

Surgery was 15 months ago silverlining but mine was emergency procedure after I fell and broke my hip! It may not be a direct comparison in terms of recovery, maybe someone else could shed some light?

* silverlining * yes I have that one as well as standing up and down on my toes ( holding on to a chair!) bringing my leg up behind me to stretch the hamstring and then on the bed pressing my knees and calf’s hard down into the mattress . I walked to my sister in-law’s for a coffee yesterday , not far but uphill . I still feel unsteady on the pavements. Maybe because I can’t wear my supportive trainers with laces ….

Susie my new exercise is lift knee then straight leg out to the side. Lift knee straight leg out to the side,
That’s it. At least I don’t have too much to remember.
Keep on keeping on

I know another recent hipster mentioned it briefly but assume hers cleared up.

Seriously katek? I thought it was just me. WoW! How long ago was your surgery?

I’ve had a golf ball in my behind since surgery silverlining. It’s not as noticeable as it was, but I can still feel it if I lean to that side.