?‍♀️Hip Replacement #2 ?‍♀️ (Knees Welcome!) ?‍♀️

And me too silverlining. Even though its only a small thing, it feels like such a gift.

....and we are no. 1 on Active, ! There is no rhyme or reason.

Hello everyone, I’m following all your news and developments closely.
Some progress here, the hospital has brought forward my MRI scan appointment from August 18th to August 6th. They have said surgery will follow soon after that, providing the scan results are ok, whatever that means.

Just a little question, did everyone have to apply Hibiscrub all over themselves before showering for FIVE DAYS before surgery? And use nasal antibiotic cream four times a day for FOUR DAYS before surgery?

I will struggle with the Hibiscrub as cannot bend or reach most of my body to apply it! I can only do my best.

Hi ipadGrandma
Yes to your question re scrub and nose thing , no one can reach everywhere so do what you can. I didn’t do the nose thing regularly and was asked to use the hibiscrub on my hair the day before the operation.
Hope the mri is ok and you get a date soon, keep in touch.

That's sounding very positive iPadGrandma, you've had such a long wait. I used the Hibiscrub and for the bits I couldn't reach, I used a long handled body brush. When I came out of hospital, they gave me a sponge on a stick to use in the shower as part of my equipment. It might have been useful pre-op but I didn't need it post op. I had nasal and body swabs taken but was clear for MRSA so didn't need the nasal cream.

Hi everyone, hope you've all had a reasonable day today. I feel like I have. I have started to notice I have a small window of almost pain free time between my meds now. Taking them 6hrly as instructed by the discharge nurse. Currently lying in bed ready to take them at 10.30. Not such a struggle getting my heavy operated leg into bed tonight either. I am still gonna take it easy as don't want to undo anything good that's happening. The bruising is incredible!!! It goes right round the whole top of my leg and halfway down my thigh so hoping once it starts fading the pain will go. Regarding exercise did you do it from day one. I am trying to do 3 /4 times pr day plus moving feet when sitting and of course walking round house downstairs. Am interested to know what everyone does please. Have a good night.??

Well that’s good news travels, glad you have had a better day. Sounds like things are improving, really pleased for you.
As for exercise I havnt kept rigidly to them but was walking some distance from a week or so post operation and thought that was enough. It’s not and
realise I need to do the other exercises as 15 weeks post op am still not very flexible. I do a lot of walking but can’t sit down in the bath/ on the floor /get up and can only just about with difficulty, put my sock on. So keep up with the exercises you have been given.
Here’s to another good day tomorrow but if not, the day after. You are getting there. Well done.

Oh wow silverlinings48 so sorry to hear this, but glad to know as I'm struggling to do exercise and thought
I could get away with just walking more each week until my 6 week check. What about driving, are you or do you drive?? I ask because I need to be able to drive again ASAP to regain my social, voluntary, and family life. Well, my independence basically.

I have an automatic car and my op was left hip so started driving after about 4 weeks I think.
Keep up with the exercise and have a good weekend.

I drove at four weeks. Not an automatic gearbox though and right hip replacement. I just gradually increased my walking and introduced lots more stairs. No specific exercises given by physios anyway. All OK.

travelsafar re driving, by law you need a doctor's agreement, usually your GP that you are safe to drive again. This is usually around 6 weeks.

Do not forget you may need an extra cushion in your car to prevent dislocation. Did your physio teach you how to get in and out of the car? Mine did after my knee replacement and it was very useful.

travelsafar I couldn't manage physio exercises prior to my surgery and have to confess, I've never been very motivated to do exercise for the sake of it. I like to move with a purpose so walking, gardening, cleaning - fine with all of those.
So post op, I've just moved in ways that were comfortable to me and as I've mentioned further up thread, my muscle strength is returning and my range of movements is almost back to normal. Just need to even up my bum cheeks - affected side had all but disappeared!
So two different perspectives for you - do what feels right for you. Hope you had a good night, you sound as though you are doing amazingly well at such an early stage!

Due my second Hip replacement on 10th August.
I have had to wait good 6 months, after having my knee replacement done just before Christmas.

So far I have had Occupational therapy phone to tell me about dos and don'ts plus order kit I would need. All should arrive in time.
Good long phone call with loads of advise. She also told me Hip replacement is a doddle compared to Knee Replacement.

I have Re-seen the consultant just over week ago, who told me don't worry about the excersises, it will come.

I have my pre op assessment on Tuesday so all systems Go.. I hope?

Last Hip replacement about 7 years ago, when they broke my femur putting the joint in, ended up on ITU with blood loss, then 10 day on the ward, after that spent 6 weeks non weight bering. Really hope History doesn't repeat itself.

To add to this pre op saga.. I had AF last summer, had Cardioversion, then about 8 weeks ago my meds reduced as I was in normal rhythm, 6 weeks later had a 72 hrs monitor to check no AF. I had no AF but found I had intermittent Heart Block, so they pulled out all the stops, had a Pacemaker fitted last 10 days .. Making sure I'm safe for surgery.

When I saw the Orthopaedics Surgeon and told him the Heart Block issue he just looked at me and said OKay and laughed.

Can't wait to be pain free and get my life back..

Charleygirl I was told when I was in hospital that I could drive at four weeks. I took notes of all the info I was given there at the time. All was well and I felt quite comfortable and safe to drive.

Aveline everybody appears to be told something different. The problem is if there is an accident the person who recently had surgery would be blamed even if they were innocent.

I tried to get my GP's permission to drive after my last knee replacement and I did so reluctantly. It was sod's law I had to do an emergency stop within minutes but I was okay.

Hello Visgirl. Welcome if you are new. Yes hip surgery is usually more straightforward than knee so all being well you should be up and about in just a few more weeks.

You seem to be getting all the info and equipment needed, I had neither which us why I started the first hip thread last winter. This is no.2. So lots of info should you need it.

We have Learned a lot over the time one of which is that different areas do things their own way. Do keep in touch and let us know how things go and if you need a bit of support or have a question, there is always someone here to respond.

Thanks. I will told different operation style /procedure from the one I had last time. Hopefully it goes well ?

Hello all , I have been away for a few days with intermittent connections! “Travels”you seem to be doing very well and the others that are still waiting it will soon be here. I meant to say the last time I posted after my physio discharged me, he mentioned that if or when my other hip needs replacing (I’m sure it will?) to contact him for preop exercises . The NHS used to do them apparently and they improve recovery. Mind you I suppose he would say that as it’s private. “Silverlining “ I agree about flexibility , I can’t bend down easily and haven’t dare try the bath or kneeling. My DD and family are coming to stay for a few days , I might try then so I have backup if needed. I walked today trying to take longer strides but used my stick in case I was unsteady . To my irritation my step counter only read 4000 steps when I got home and I’m exhausted! I walked so much further along the seafront when I was away so much more enjoyable and walking with someone else helped too I think . I’m seeing my osteopath Monday to see if he can help my back pain .

Sorry used the wrong inserts for making names bold letters, losing the plot I think …

No problem about highlighting names Susie I know I shoukd highlight them but dont always.
Hope you enjoyed your break. I am practicing kneeling by a chair and getting up with a view to eventually getting into the bath. My friend bought me some lovely bath salts/bubbles etc yesterday and was upset that I havnt been able to have a bath since pre op so I owe it to her....hi ho and on and on I go.
I had a good walk this week and realise my steps are also much shorter than usual.
Hope your osteopath can help on Monday. I am seeing my podiatrust fir my painful toe Monday too. Its affecting my gait, hip ok, toe not, hoping to avoid surgery.
Greetings to all hipsters and have a good weekend everyone.

Hi everyone. Found myself standing in the kitchen earlier this evening with no sticks!!! I had propped them again a unit whilst washing something in the sink and realised I moved independently. I quickly grabbed them incase I damaged any healing going on.Anyone else done this?? I also knocked off a dose of codiene during the day and have only taken one tonight so just 3 today instead of 5 in total. Taking paracetamol regularly as prescribed though. I have noticed blurry vision yesterday and today which can be side effects of codiene, fingers crossed I can get off them completely soon. Doing my exercise as instructed and aim to increase repitions on Monday. Wishing our new poster good luck for HR. ?

Good to hear you are on your way Travels , still early days but so far so good.
I Lost the sticks and stopped the opiates fairly quickly post op went onto paracetamol and ibuprofen, reduced and stopped them too.
We know for ourselves when it feels the right time to progress
and looks like you are moving along the road to recovery. Well done ?

Travels you may feel fine just holding on to a chair indoors.

You will know when you can stop using your sticks. You appear to be doing remarkably well but please do not forget there may be the odd blip when you will feel you have not progressed.

The awful pain has gone, you can only get better now!

I found myself cruising around the work tops in the kitchen too, and then soon stopped using my crutch indoors . My legs are stiff today from walking longer strides yesterday so presumably it’s doing me good !

Travels ( I don't know how to highlight names.. sorry). I think you do have to use your instinct too. I have up my sticks very quickly as I felt they were more dangerous for me on steep winding stairs and holding onto the wall/banister was better. I did use them when I was out on my own for a couple of weeks but held onto DOH when he was out with me. Driving was a contentious point on the other feed as I did drive very early (12 days post op) because the urgent physio appointment that they wanted me to have because of different leg length was 30 miles away ( no local ones available for 4 weeks). My OH works full time ( and needless to say they had staff shortages/Covid so he couldn't have time off to take me) and we have only been here for a short while and don't know anyone well enough to ask. I made sure I could stamp my right foot to do an emergency stop if necessary. If I made any mistake it was thinking I could follow up the physio session with a big shop in Aldi. By the time I got home I actually could hardly get out of the car. I think you are very much like me and want to be back to 'normal' asap. The advice seems to vary so much as to what you can/ should do so maybe check with doctor/insurance for clarification pertaining to you. I did garden very quickly too...I have one of those kneeler/seat things and used my arms to push myself up rather than using my legs. My measure was if it hurts...don't do it... Leave it a few days and give it another go. I've spent the weekend in a pair of really quite shorts wielding a pick axe removing a bank of very compacted earth in my in laws garden. I would never have believed anyone who told me 6 months ago that it would be possible. The only thing that hurt was my bruised bottom from falling down the mole hole. !!!. You are doing great!.