Gransnet forums

Health

Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

(1001 Posts)
silverlining48 Mon 14-Feb-22 09:25:47

Cutting a long story short I have (at last!!) been given a date for a new hip. It will be my first proper operation so feel relieved and happy but nervous ?, All I was told at the hospital was it would be a 48 hour stay.

I don’t know anyone who has had this done and wonder if anyone with experience has suggestions or advice about what they found helpful either before or after the operation or useful aids, or anything about the whole process.
Thanks ?

FannyCornforth Tue 31-May-22 12:47:36

I’ve bought this one.
It was a bit pricey, but I know that between DH and me, we will get our use out of it.
Also, I need one that folds up as our house is very small, and I’ll have to carry it up and down stairs too.

Able Life Space Saver Walker, Lightweight Folding Mobility Frame with 2 Fixed Wheels, Elderly Walking Aid, Black Walnut (Eligible for VAT Relief in the UK) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0026IBSUU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NFVE98A0H6EYH0A7BF12?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=gransnetforum-21

silverlining48 Mon 30-May-22 17:24:48

Fanny I Woukd think a walker will help you especially if you have problems with your foot.
I didn’t use mine much fir walking but am still using it to shower, I put it outside the doors hold on and reverse into the cubicle, towels etc on the handle, easy to reach, then after shower I hold onto it to get out safely.
Really useful as I my balance is poor.
I bought it for £10 in a charity shop but saw others fir £5 a few days later. All looked new and have used the walker more than I expected. In fact I can’t see myself giving it up for some time to come.

FannyCornforth Mon 30-May-22 12:36:32

Hello, I’m back. Thank you for your kind wishes.

It’s never very dark here, and I have little sensor lights, and my bedroom fairy lights are usually on all night.

I fell because I’m really struggling just to put one foot in front of the other; and I don’t / can’t pick up my right foot as far as I should.
I’m in bed feeling a bit sorry for myself.
It’s all good practice for DH of course.

Susie thank you, I saw your recommended aprons earlier.
I used your link and added them to my Hip-themed Amazon wish list.
They look extremely handy.
I’ve also been browsing walking frames - now there’s a phrase I never envisaged using!

SusieB50 Mon 30-May-22 12:14:23

Fanny hope you are OK . It really shakes you up doesn’t it. I always have the hall light on which just gives enough upstairs without disturbing me. Where I’m staying it’s out it’s pitch dark no streetlights so make sure I’m back from my daughter’s by dusk
I have fallen over a couple of times it’s so demoralising …

silverlining48 Mon 30-May-22 10:16:51

I mention a light at night because it’s our eyes that manage balance; try walking with eyes closed or stand on one leg, then close your eyes. Whoops a daisy and down you go.
Take things easy today and wish you a better night tonight.

GrannyLaine Mon 30-May-22 09:50:02

Shakes you up Fanny doesn't it? Glad you seem to have come through without major injury. I once fell flat on my face outside Next, really winded myself. People kept trying to haul me up and all I wanted to do was catch my breath....?

silverlining48 Mon 30-May-22 09:05:13

Assume you always leave a light on in the hallway at night?

Naughtyneine Mon 30-May-22 09:04:56

FannyCornforth... Have you any arnica?...to help bring out the bruising. How horrible for you... Did you trip or just fall? My default when I've fallen is a warm bath or shower ..then painkillers and bed rest for the day. I hope you feel more comfortable soon.

silverlining48 Mon 30-May-22 09:03:39

That’s horrible Fanny, hope you got some sleep and feel ok today and take things easy.

FannyCornforth Mon 30-May-22 08:45:48

? I fell down last night!
Not over, most definitely down; flat on my face.
I got up in the night to go to the loo, and bam?
My knees took the brunt of it.
I don’t know how on Earth I got up.
I even got DH to fetch me a bath towel in case I needed to wee right there.
He’s just said that he honestly didn’t think that I’d be able to get up.
I managed to crawl into the bathroom and pull myself up using the edge of the bath (all the while, shouting really, really loudly).
Fortunately I was wearing pyjamas which protected my poor knees.
I’m very sore. But I’m really, really lucky that I didn’t injure myself properly.
I once fell down the stairs and that was utterly horrendous

Naughtyneine Mon 30-May-22 08:41:44

Sad...not dad!!

Naughtyneine Mon 30-May-22 08:41:17

Silverlining48... These are the ones I mean.. I'm normally a 5.5 but the size 5 fitted me best. I think dad as it is...it's time to say good bye to your fit flops...in the end I had to do the same with mine as I'd bought my normal size in them and they turned out to be too big and I kept tripping up so they went to the charity shop.

silverlining48 Sun 29-May-22 19:15:47

No problem Charleygirl, I quite like silverling too.
Yes I will look at other options including repair.

Charleygirl5 Sun 29-May-22 18:07:37

I may even get your name right this time around. *silverlining" I have googled Amazon, not much of a choice but they have come up trumps.

If you do not fancy those maybe look further afield online but they are available and reasonably priced.

Charleygirl5 Sun 29-May-22 18:00:03

silverling before you throw them out it used to be easy to buy stick-on soles and that may solve your problem if you can find what you need.

silverlining48 Sun 29-May-22 17:03:55

Ha ha, yes indeed of course you are quite right. Sadly I dont think a cobbler coukd fit new soles though may enquire.

Suppose because they were way over my usual budget I expected them to last until they fell apart. Cant even give them to the charity shop, they are an accident waiting to happen.

GrannyLaine Sun 29-May-22 16:18:46

Replace? shock?They are not worn or tatty, other than the sole which looks fine, but isn’t, they look like new. I have shoes much older which cost a lot less than that, which are still going strong

Silverlining think of it like you would your car: it might look nice and new and shiny but if your tyres are bald, they need replacing

GrannyLaine Sun 29-May-22 16:14:25

Just to be clear everyone: it was the daftest thing I have done to have attempted to hop, I just wasn't thinking. DO NOT do this!!

I still feel a bit fearful of tripping or falling, must admit I liked my crutches in this respect as I could create space round myself and kind of warn people off with a menacing look

SusieB50 Sun 29-May-22 15:06:40

? * silverlining *. Well you survived the fall so all is well . When I’m at home I also tend to have Radio 4 on most of the day until the evening . So many good programmes . We didn’t have TV until I was about 9 and I remember my mother listening to the radio most of the time too. For some ridiculous reason I feel guilty watching daytime TV except the news first thing with my breakfast and that’s a hangover from when DH was alive- he was a news addict! I like podcasts too ,“Fortunately” being one of my favourites and I catch up on BBC sounds on my iPhone often late at night too. I have walked the furthest today since my operation. There are no pavements here but the quiet roads are so much easier to walk on. Now I have escaped the party for a little rest in my little Airbnb and will return revived I hope !

silverlining48 Sun 29-May-22 13:33:54

I had my own crutches from earlier, so thought I would have them for this operation but the hospital said they use sticks. Initially reluctant I tried both and found the sticks easier to manage, especially when carrying them upstairs as the spare stick is held at right angles to the one being used, difficult with crutches if you see what I mean.
My surgery was done ( after a lot of delay with lost referrals) in a small private hospital on the nhs. I was given two sticks and the toilet seat I had been using while in hospital. ( don’t forget to take yours back in Fanny).grin.
All patients were discharged on Good Friday morning (36 hours after my op) ready or not, as they were completely closing the hospital over the Easter holiday. This is SE London. I had one post op check on Thursday with an X-ray to check and to return again in 6 weeks fir another X-ray and consult. Yet others have had their post op check by telephone with no more follow up.
It’s all very strange, the only thing we appear to have in common is we can’t get socks etc on easily. not allowed to bend under 90 degrees, hop, skip or slip and def not fall.

silverlining48 Sun 29-May-22 13:15:03

I do love radio Fanny but mainly just radio4 and have just been laughing out loud at Just a Minute. I don’t sleep well so often listen to world service through the night as well.
A radio helps me ignore intrusive tinnitus which is so noisy and very irritating.

dustyangel Sun 29-May-22 13:14:21

Glad to see that you all seem to be progressing well and interestingly at completely different rates. It just shows how different we all are. Interesting too is the difference in advice from different surgeons. I sometimes think longingly of the NHS when I’m struggling with the Portuguese health system but I think I’m imagining it as it was 20 years ago and not as it is today. The health service here was modelled on the Manchester health service but unfortunately there have been enormous cuts here as well. We are fortunate that we can occasionally manage a little private medical care which is generally cheaper here.

Fanny one thing I found very useful was a waist apron with pockets at the front, the sort waitresses wear. We don’t have stairs inside but it was very useful taking things from bedroom to living room in the first few weeks. Especially as because of my back I was advised to use a walking frame instead of crutches. I got three in a pack and am quite willing to send you one. If you would like it pm me.

I tried to hop earlier.The leg on the side where the crack was is feeling surprisingly strong. The other side where I have damaged nerves just won’t risk leaving the ground although on level ground I can walk well without any support. My attempts were enough to make me laugh.

I hope your little dog isn’t in too much pain Fanny. One thing about dogs is that they heal surprisingly quickly. They don’t have the psychological problems that we have.

FannyCornforth Sun 29-May-22 12:54:12

Totally changing the subject (sorry!)
Silver, I saw on another thread you mentioned that you love radio.
So do I, I have it on all of the time. Were you listening to LBC earlier by any chance?
I’ve tried to start radio threads on here before, but they don’t seem to catch on

silverlining48 Sun 29-May-22 12:02:54

Enjoy your day Susie, lovely to be able to celebrate a gc birthday, but no hopping! grin

silverlining48 Sun 29-May-22 11:59:41

Fanny your operation will make a massive difference to your life. Not long now. smile

This discussion thread has reached a 1000 message limit, and so cannot accept new messages.
Start a new discussion