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

Good morning everyone!

I made it home at about 7pm last night. My culture results from Microbiology came through all clear yesterday so I could be discharged, with no more antibiotics. Such goods news!
(history of Septic Arthritis in hip April 2021 and that has been my complication, for those who haven’t seen that already! )

My phone rang in the car on the way home. I am always a little wary of ‘Unknown caller’ but it was District Nurse Team trying to arrange for staples to come out, which should happen on Monday. I think they have agreed to do a home visit, to be arranged.

So a new beginning today, comfortable pain wise, and I need to get my act together and do my bed and standing exercises!

Have a good day everyone, whatever hip stage you are at. we need to keep this thread going, it has been a real and genuine support for me over the months. Thank you.

Great to hear you're home iPadGranma. Sounds like local district nurse using the ball. I bet you had a better sleep in your own bed too. Onwards and upwards!

Is on the ball not using it!!

Aveline I had to use a giant ball at the physio yesterday. It was almost as big as me.
Delighted you are home IPadGrandma. Hope you got some sleep and here’s to you and day 1.
Enjoy the weekend everyone. It’s a lovely day here SE, but tomorrow we swop with the north and expect a greyer day.
Wherever you are carpe diem.

I didn't mean a real ball though! Just glad the district nurse was acting efficiently!

I know Aveline and guess what, your post hit the top of Active, hurrah!

Could I ask the people who have had new hips if they were able to walk unaided, after a decent time of recovery. I feel like a very old lady at the moment and I’m worried that I’ll never feel any different. My OH is 13 years younger than me and he seems to be turning into my carer, which I hate. I have started my healthier eating regime, which I hope will help me lose weight.

I can’t remember exactly how long after my operation that I stopped using sticks, it was gradual over a period of weeks. You will feel better and be glad you had the surgery but it is a big operation and takes time to recover completely.

Are you having physio Sue? They can advise.
It’s always good to shift a bit of excess weight, I am on that journey too.
Don’t overdo things it’s early days but you will feel much better sooner than you think. You really will.

I think I used two sticks for about a week after the op then went down to just one then gradually found I wasn't using it at all round the house soon after that. I did use a stick outside the house for a few months after that. That was more for confidence than anything else though. No pain. No sticks for months and months now though.

That sounds about right Aveline.

Hello Sue. You will be on two crutches to start with, then down to one which is great because you then have one free hand to carry a cup or plate from the kitchen. A tiny bit of independence!
I remember even when I was walking around the house without the crutches, I took one out with me, mainly to help in case of any uneven ground.
From six weeks when I saw the surgeon to be signed off, I stopped using anything, inside and out.
There are no hard and fast rules though regarding the time scale.
It takes as long as it takes.
For instance, a lot of people resume driving at six weeks. Strictly speaking, I probably was physically able, maybe it was more a mental thing but I waited until the eight week mark to drive again. Long before then though I had gone to the supermarket with my husband and gradually walked longer and longer there before I had to sit down by the tills while he continued ( putting goodness knows what in the trolley of course!)
It’s good that you are trying to lose weight while you are waiting for your surgery.
It will help the surgeon, so the eventual outcome could be more successful. It may well help a little with the pain too both before and after the operation, so good luck with your efforts!

No crutches issued at our hospitals. Just sticks. I was told I could drive at four weeks. Obviously equipment and general info varies from place to place. Find out as much as you can in advance before the op.

I meant to ask how you are getting on iPadGrandma ?
I bet it’s lovely to wake each morning and realise you are at home!

Thank you so much for your replies. Hope you are recovering well iPadGrandma.

Grandmasue I have coffee regularly with 2 GNs, both have had bil. hip replacements. Both are walking confidently without any assistance. One has had both replaced within the last 2 years and looks and feels like a million dollars.

It takes time but you will get there. 4 of us have coffee monthly and for scrap metal value alone, we are collectively worth a lot!

'Scrap metal value'!! I hadn't thought of that. It's good quality stuff too.

Hi Hipsters.. Been to see the practice Nurse for my 14 days post op as advised
Checked wound, I had dissolvable stitches so they didn't need to come out. Can't believe how good the wound looks, healed amazing well very fine thin line, stitches almost gone. She said it won't show in the future. Really pleased as my other one isn't like that.
Also I am now completely off any painkillers, 3 days now.
Still got lots of bruising and swollen thigh but so much better than I expected.
Been advised by Surgeon not to excerse as I had the Exeter procedure via the muscles so they need to heal, then I can crack on.
Got my 6 weeks appointment in the post so that's in the diary.

iPadGramdma hope you are getting on well, and all the other Hipsters on this thread.

Thanks for the good wishes. The 31 staples came out on Tuesday (after an emergency visit to the dentist on Monday!) and the wound is doing well, with no bruising or visible swelling round it. But there have been some problems in getting back to normal after ten days in hospital, so progress is slow.

One question: when I was discharged the nurse said I should keep the pressure stockings on for a couple of days, but the district nurse yesterday told me to keep them on until my review (four weeks). I also have 28 days of anti-coagulant injections, which I’m coping with. Do I really need to carry on with the stockings as well?

Second question while I’m at it. The ankle and foot on my hip replacement leg have puffed up today. Anyone else with experience of this?

Thanks again to everyone for your interest and support, and Visgirl, glad you’re doing well after your 14 days.

Re surgical stockings maybe it depends how mobile you are. Ice and elevate to help reduce swelling but also walk about to use the muscles to help dissipate the excess fluid.

I also had a swollen foot and ankle iPadGrandma It didn’t happen straightaway but when I’d been home about a week.
The physiotherapist said it was perfectly normal and that it should soon go down, which it gradually did.
As well as walking around I was told to keep the leg elevated when I was sitting, so it was feet up on the settee!
I don’t tend to suffer from swollen ankles so I was a little concerned until I had seen the physiotherapist.

Pleased to hear you are doing well Visgirl1 My scar is also very neat, and the nurse who took the dressing off at the two week mark said the surgeon had done a beautifully neat job!

Hi all. Newbie here. Not sure how this all works yet. Looking for help, advice, friends! Age 63 and fell off my bike and broke my hip. Major ouch!! 2 consultants had opposing views re replacement or repair, went with repair in the end after much discussion. Dynamic Hip Screw was put in place, I'm 7 days post op now but in a world of pain, can't sleep or get comfy, got morphine patch and paracetamol. Had major bowel issues- won't go there! GP giving Oramorph today. What I would like to know is: is this normal; pain so incredibly bad in sacro area (along with cut site and muscles and groin area), when will it ease, how do I get comfy,cannot sit hardly and lie down. Doing physio exercises which obviously make worse at mo as so stiff. My ball was crushed and femur broken, said blood supply to ball, if compromised, could mean ball will die off and I'll need a replacement but won't know for about a year! So worried DHS won't support my weight but expect that's normal anxiety. Just wondered how long this pain likely to last and ant tips, encouragement, help please as I'm really struggling. Wish I hadn't got on my bike that day, never had a broken bone before and this is so getting me down. Please can anyone offer any pearls. Thank you.

Oh you poor thing. That sounds awful. I'm afraid I never suffered the pain you do. Certainly the pain killers reduce bowel motility so constipation is likely. I'm sure you'll be given stuff to address this. I was given Laxido when I was in hospital but didn't need it once I got home. I only took paracetamol.
Much easier to just have a neat replacement by arrangement in advance than a horrible accident like you had. Maybe the surgeons had more damaged tendons, muscles and ligaments to deal with in your case so they'll take longer to heal?
I hope you feel much better soon.

Poor you.. Can't really answer your problem but just make sure you take your pain meds on time to keep the worse at bay.
My first Hip replacement ended up with the Surgeon breaking my Femur so I struggled after but the pain was not bad. I was non weight bearing for nearly 3 months! Drove me nuts, so uncomfortable sitting and sleeping.

Probably sorted by your OT? but have you got the right support equipment. Loo, right size height chair etc?
Is it imperative you do the Physio atm? Can it wait a little while?

Still early days in the Hip world I'm now 15 days post Hip Replacement and no meds still uncomfortable in bed, want to turn over but can't and sitting most of day, so not me.

Can't offer anymore advise just it will be OK, who knows before long back on that Bike!
Best of luck and The Hipsters will help if they can. ?

I am 30 days post op as of today. All hip pain has gone but i still unfortunately have awful lower back pain due to degenerative arthritis in my spine. It is spoiling my recovery from HR and makes me sad that i am still not out of pain. Off to have face to face with physio next Friday so will ask about exercises for my spine. Still doing hip ones at least twice a day along with a 30/40 min walk although not today as it is raining. I use two sticks outside as pavements are dreadful and afraid of tripping but indoors use nothing. Am i doing enough or should i be doing more by now?? My back pain is an issue when walking but at least i am walking which i couldnt do before the operation.

Hi travelsafar I am in the same boat as you unfortunately , a knackered spine with osteoarthritis. It’s 4+ months since my hip replacement , hip is great but back pain persists .Both physio and osteopath say strengthening the core muscles and back muscles will help . Also that your body is realigning to your new hip - like me you probably walked with a lean prior to op, I did get a bit lax about exercises before my hip op as everything was so painful and difficult . Swimming has helped a lot and would recommend it . I’m intending to find beginners classes for Tai Chi in September to try and improve my appalling balance, and hopefully rejoin a Pilates class but so far all local classes are full ?. The Osteopath manipulated my feet yesterday , he said I was walking like a penguin! They certainly feel better today ..