Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

Good Heavensnaughtynein what a lot you have to recover from far less your hip replacement!
Please take it easy. Sounds like you finally had a good sleep. It's a truism that recovery is a marathon not a sprint. Give yourself permission to slow down or it'll be the two steps forward one step back problem. Have a good peaceful day.

Oh what a relief to catch up with my Easter week operation peeps. I was really worried I wasn't making progress at all. Having read Activerelaxers post about 2 x 15 minute walks a day I panicked a bit as I didn't think I could manage 5 let alone 15. I did push myself and paid the price for it too. Part of my problem is I have very long femurs (all my height is in my legs...hardly a gap between hip bone and ribs) and the muscles around it seemed to seize up before the op and I could only straighten my leg slowly. Since the op it's there still .... Sensible me knows the muscles need to readjust but panicky me thinks it's not going to happen. I'm waiting to hear back from the new GP about the extra physio so hopefully they can take me it's ok. Sleep has been dire too. I am glad to read that you are still using lots of pillows. I tried a position I saw on line.... Just 2 pillows and legs apart ...I woke up after 20 minutes in agony...crying with pain....and spent the next 4 hours in and out of bed....doing exercises...sitting in a chair...standing up ..lying across the bed with my feet on the floor etc. By yesterday morning I was in bits. We did go to Mass as I was reading and I had a lot to be thankful for...my lovely cousin came through his major brain surgery on Wed to remove an aggressive tumour and my only girl cousin became a Nanny the next day....and I have come thru my op too. I have gone back on paracetamol 4 times a day and yesterday did walk about half a mile in total with what I would call uncomfortableness but not discomfit. By the time dinner was cooked though both hips hurt and I was glad to sit down. I had begun to dread going to bed but was sooo tired so decided on a new regime. Don't shoot me....but I had a bath.. it's always been my go to for pain relief and I did manage to get in and out without compromising my hip (with help). My dressing was actually still dry (it's s water resistant one) but we changed it anyway. Then I took 2 of my normal pre op pain meds (Codeine Phosphate) and a diclofenic sodium ( they don't seem to prescribe this much now but I've had it for intermittent use for years and it does work for me as oppose to Naproxen that made me feel unwell. I had a cup of Horlicks (panic not I did have a small glass of wine earlier in the day) and my last paracetamol. (This was stretched out over about an hour). I slept....oh dear readers I SLEPT. I d wake up twice to change position....from non op side to back and one walk around the room but in total I slept for around 8 hours. So going forward I'm going to continue in the same vain....and hope it works. Mentally the last 4 days threw me and my usual cup half full persona was definitely dented. Sensibly my head was saying...hold on a cotton picking minute....in less than 12 months... You've been through a divorce...had to sell you family home of over 27 years.... Move to a completely different part of the UK...rent a home for 8 months for the first time in 40 years... Work for 6 weeks on the biggest project that a major soft drinks company has ever done..all the time getting physically more limited and finally pack up again and move into a new home just 13 days before major surgery. I suppose putting it like that maybe 11 days isn't long to start healing. Ok end of diatribe. Silverlining and SusieB50...and all you other lovely support group. Thank you.

ipadgranma ?
Hope it’s not too long a wait til you get a date and glad this thread has has helped you as it’s helped me.
It’s almost two weeks since my operation, with a few ups and.more downs but slowly getting stronger. It’s been harder than I expected and think my dh would agree as he has done a lot so am aware how lucky I am.
I look forward to getting my independence back and that is my goal.
Not long now, ?

Still following this thread with interest as the nonq specific date for my hip replacement approaches. Pre admission appointments by phone and at hospital took place in February and Surgical Rehab will be phoning me mid May to see what equipment I might need.
My Consultant phoned two weeks ago, explained the procedure and said he would contact Admissions for an end May/early June date for surgery. Every day I await a letter or text message but nothing so far!
I wish everyone who has had a recent operation all the best for their recovery and thank them for the very helpful information about their experiences so far. I hope to do the same when my turn comes!

@travelsafar

we shall be the Hic-Hop Hipsters???

I am throughly enjoying hearing about all the ups a downs after this operation. Its good to know the truth and when and if I ever get the call, I shall be prepared for all eventualities. Take care all of you, not too much wine don't want to read you've had a fall!!!

Thanks fir the kind words Aveline. I can’t believe how slowly the process is, but know it too will pass.

Changed my mind about a walk, popped a nose outside and it’s a bitter wind out there. Tomorrow maybe,

This really too shall pass! I well remember the awful nights trying to sleep on my back. I often gave up and came through and stretched out on my recliner. DH used to find me fast asleep when he got up. I did find that as long as I got 7 hours sleep across the 24 hour day I felt OK. If that meant a three/four hour sleep at night and a couple of long naps during the day so be it.
Since I went back to normal I never, ever, take a good night's sleep for granted. This joint replacement lark doesn't half make you grateful when it's all settled down.

You are welcome to join us Susie, you have had a lot if anti bios and will be glad to stop I bet.
I use about 5 pillows with one to keep my heel from touching the bedclothes and sleep with 3 but will try one by my operated side tonight. I can’t understand why my trusted sleeping pills aren’t working anymore.
Getting ready fir a little walk up the road now, it’s windy but won’t be out long. Only managed about 25 yards each way yesterday. Woukd like to better that but maybe not tiday.

Another 5 days of antibiotics , then a nice glass of red … I’ve had family visit today DS has done the bins for tomorrow - hate to be dependent .I’m not sleeping well on my back either but have found that putting a pillow at the end of the bed for my feet to rest on and one tucked next to the operation side seems to help me relax a bit . No more codeine needed now , but backache causing more problems than my hip !

Cheers indeed! I do like a nice glass or two of red.
My sleep isn't great but it is improving and my energy levels are much better. I don't think I quite realised the extent to which chronic pain was affecting my life.
A little top-up? Don't mind if I do......

Thanks GrannyLaine, having taken myself off the opioids can I share a nice glass of white with you? actually it’s red but cheers anyway.

You're allowed to moan debrief on here silverlining . Think of how far you have come in a week! ?

I will find out about my wound this week. I don’t have much more than steri strips so hope it doesn’t all explode, beautifully glued together, like Aveline’s , would be perfect.
Am still having trouble sleeping despite taking tablets for the purpose but walking ok indoors with one stick unless it’s aching.
Can it be little more than week since I came home. Do I have another 5 weeks if self injecting, sleeping on my back. Will I ever stop moaning greetings all x

Ooh. Horrible thing to happen.

Aveline I've just had a quick look at the information I was given before I signed my consent form: Under 'Specific complications of hip replacement' it gives

Split in the femur when the stem of your hip replacement is inserted, if the bone is weak (risk 1:50)

So yes, it would seem that osteoporosis would increase that risk.

I was given Apixaban to take twice a day for 6 weeks. I had the injections when I was in hospital.
I don't know how my wound was repaired. It looked like it had just been beautifully glued together. No stitches or staples.
I was wondering if osteoporosis had an effect on how hip replacements are done. Hearing about that femur being broken was very worrying. I'd think that more fragile bones must be harder to work with. Any thoughts?

Dizza I have to inject myself every day fir 4 or might be 6 weeks but wouldn’t manage the stockings, I did discuss with surgeon.
How lovely to be looking forward to your first grandchild.
Enjoy

Silverlinings, no , I didn’t think you were being nosy at all! I was only given 2 injections for anti coagulation in hospital, none at home, maybe that’s why they advised the 6 weeks? They are a handy thing to keep hold of I think for flying and decreasing the risk of DVT, although no flying for 3 months is advised. Hoping to be back to absolute fitness by September as we welcome our first grandchild then, can’t wait!

Visgir1

Thanks Aveline for replying ref Robot assistance.
That's made me feel better.

I also had robotic assisted surgery Visgirl and my experience was pretty similar to Aveline's. The benefit is that it allows precision placement of the implant which should result in a good outcome. It doesn't affect recovery time as far as I'm aware. I have two small incisions, one about3" long which was for the pins that guide the robot and the main incision is only about 5" long and healing well. I'm about 9 weeks post op now and a new woman.

Dizza I wasn’t being nosy and asked as I was under the impression that if you are moving about and injecting there us no need and didn’t want to be making a big mistake and have been looking for them just in case.

Enjoy the party, lovely to have something to look forward to.

Silverlinings, I’m still wearing them as that is what the hospital advised, up to 6 weeks, they are a pain to use and I have no idea how someone could take them on and off if they didn’t have significant help at home. It may be that because there is family history of clotting and strokes I have been given that advice, however we have a weekend away with a big group of friends next weekend and I definitely won’t have them on then! I won’t be able to do our usual activities of bowling, antique centre and dance at the party but I can hopefully do a bit of shopping and make the meals out. I’m afraid my vanity won’t let me wander around in knee length white socks with three quarter leggings! I should also have mentioned medication history, I started last October with over the counter 3mg codeine/paracetamol, then onto 15mg and by January and up to 30mg in February, my tolerance was such that I really had very little relief at the end of March. Now just on 2 paracetamol and I ibuprofen twice a day. For info I am 62.

Thanks Aveline for replying ref Robot assistance.
That's made me feel better.

That’s interesting Aveline. I banged my wound last night, it’s really long and very sore.