👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

My hip-op almost didn't happen. On the day of admission, I was having lunch with the friend who was going to take me to the hospital when the phone rang. "Mrs Anno, you haven't had your pre-op assessment. Can you make it here right away". You can imagine my reaction and the speed with which my friend drove. In the event, I was as fit as a flea and they could find no reason not to go ahead with the surgery.They had done a fine job of covering their tracks. The hip is still going strong 18 years later.

fflur
That’s good news.
My pre-assessment was 2 weeks before surgery, then another just bloods a few days before surgery.
Keep us informed and best of luck!

That’s good news fflur. My pre op and surgery were only a few weeks apart.

Hi all, glad you are recovering from surgery Suzytish and Night sky although it is slow progress. The pain in my right is legs is getting more intense. I had an mri scan which showed two meniscus tears protruding into my tendons and an old break that is so misaligned a large geode has grown in the 'step'. All this with severe arthritis and wearing away of the cartilage. I have had this for 2 and a half years. However I had an unexpected phone call this morning asking me to have a pre assessment for surgery next week. Of course I said yes but I was walking home from coffee with a friend and was so discombobulated I didn't catch when surgery might be. How long was it between pre op assessment and surgery for you all?

susytish please be careful when you stand up in the bath to use the shower as the base can be very slippery.

You and Nightsky are doing so well. Please do not forget you have had major surgery so it takes about 3 months to recover from that.

Neither appears to be overdoing anything- just take each day as it comes. If you need any advice there are many of us who have been there and got the T-shirt. I have 2 T-shirts as I have had both knees replaced and have never regretted it.

Nightsky2
I hope you get better sleeps. Someone said it is the residue of the anaesthetic, but after a couple of weeks you would think it would be gone. Did you have general or epidural?
Last night I managed to stand in the bath and have a shower. It felt wonderful! I have been sitting on the bath board and using the shower head. I haven’t had a bath since last year and I look forward to getting a bath!
I have been walking with the 2 crutches round and round the garden (like a teddy bear!) Lovely to feel the fresh air.
My grandson was fine, my daughter had taken him to A&E to have him checked but ok. I sat with him and he wanted me to read ‘The magic faraway tree’ which I read myself as a child, this one has been done by Jaqueline Wilson. Not sure how that works, but he is enjoying it.
Have you had your stitches out yet?
Let me know how you are getting on. We will get there.

No I’m not…….unfortunately just the one good night than awful night last night and still awake at 4am this morning. I went to bed this afternoon at 2pm and didn’t wake till 7.15 pm. Back in bed now but don’t suppose I’ll have a good night.
I’m going to catch up with a couple of tv programmes I’ve missed and then hopefully get some sleep.
I’m having showers now which makes me feel so much better. I’m a bath person but this will have to do for now. I’m in and out vert quickly.
I’m getting around the house quite well and doing a little more for myself.
I see the wound person at the hospital this Friday and am looking forward to having a new fresh dressing put on.
I’m glad you had a good time with your grandson, I hope he’s recovered from his fall.

Nightsky2
You are sleeping better than me. I wake up at least twice each night.
I didn’t have an appetite first week after the op, bit better now, don’t seem able to eat large amounts.
You are doing well. I am glad the shampoo was a success. I am managing to wash my hair in the bathroom sink!
Also I am using the board I was given to sit on in the bath but haven’t plucked up the courage to stand up!
My husband drove me to our daughters this morning as grandson fell at school and spent rest of the day at home. So I stayed with him rest of day and read to him.. it felt lovely just doing a normal thing that I used to do before the knee and hip ops. My daughter and her husband worked at home so I wasn’t alone.

Hi susytish. I hope you’ve had a good weekend. Slowly, slowly is the way to go. I’m feeling a bit steadier on my feet with each day but I still hurt a lot. I’ve started walking a bit further too within the house and garden. This morning I walked through the house out and around the garden 3 times and I did it again this afternoon. For now this is enough. I also do the exercises I’ve been given to do.
I’ve used the Omnitex shampoo and was surprised how good it was. I never knew you could buy such a product!.
I don’t know about you but I’m eating less as I seem to fill up quickly as my appetite isn’t great. I slept from 11pm to 05.30 this morning the best night so far. Still having a lot of discomfort around my coccyx, don’t know if there’s anything I can do about that, 4 more weeks of lying on my back🥲.
Let me know how you’re getting on.

silverlining48
Thank you, trying to be patient!
You and others were so helpful in suggesting stuff to help, like the grabber, shoe horn, and keeping me optimistic.
I feel the knee is holding me back a little, but will get there.

It sounds like you are both progressing well. It’s major surgery and will take a while so patience is needed but you will be surprised how quickly you improve.

Nightsky
You are doing well!
Lovely to get outside, especially as so warm at the moment. I have been going round and round the garden (like a teddy bear!) with 2 crutches.
Glad your shampoo cap arrived. Let me know what you think, I am sure you will find it a relief to get your hair washed.
I had knee done privately in February, and was lucky enough to get knee on NHS at the same hospital with same surgeon.
I bought the Skechers slip ins to use in the hospital and wore them for the first time there.
As for sleep, it’s erratic, last night awake 4 times. Most nights awake a couple of times.

I’m wearing ‘sliders’ which is what you are describing I think. I wear them throughout summer. It’s just so easy to slip your feet into and much better than slippers.

Susytish….I hope you’re managing to get outside. I sat in the garden for an hour this afternoon and it was lovely. I’ve ditched the walker for a stick and so far so good. I have some pain when I walk but it’s not so bad.
My bottom hurts more than my leg. DH has just put his head round the door and when I said that my bottom hurt he said “great, your hips fine but your bum hurts” He wanted to know if I needed anything before he settled down to watch the rugby.
My shampoo arrived today so will give my hair a good wash tomorrow.
My stitches are the absorbable ones, I have an appointment to have a wound check on the 15th.,and to see the physio on the 19th.,
I was on an 18 month NHS waiting list but with that and the doctors striking leading to possibly more cancellations I decided to go private. The operation I had on my rotator cuff last year was at the same hospital but as an NHS patient so I was happy to go back there.
I am beginning to sleep longer during the night, are you?.
I can hardly believe that this time last week I was still in surgery. I’m so glad I’ve had it done.
I hope you have a good night.

The microwaveable hair shampoo is a new one on me but if it works, great because there is nothing worse than an itchy head.

Knee replacements have always been recognised as being more painful and take longer to heal afterwards. For both, it takes around 3 months because at the end of the day you have had major surgery and need to rest.

Please be careful with the bathboards, not every bath is the same and some boards can be very wobbly. I have a shower with a stool inside and I could not live without either.

Silverlining
Yes the shower cap works well, although it feels like you are in episode of Dinner Ladies!
Stitches didn’t bother me that much, suppose I am well padded in that region!
I am finding this hip recovery slow but much easier than the knee. Physio easier and don’t have first hospital physio until next month.
Board on the bath definite must-have, along with leg-raiser, grabber.
Skechers Slip ins amazing, your feet really do just slip in (not Slip ons).
Apologies if I am repeating myself.

My operation site was glued together and surprisingly held too, so didn’t have stitches to take out but I bet you feel more comfortable now they have been removed.
So important to feel clean especially hair what a Brilliant idea the cap is.
My greetings to all hipsters and kneesters, have a lovely day.

Susytish…..shampoo ordered and being delivered tomorrow. My head is driving me crazy as very itchy tonight, roll on tomorrow.
Had another good day and got around with one stick. Doing a bit more each day and feeling a lot better and beginning to enjoy my food again. I hope you have a good night.

Nightsky2
Shampoo cap is Omnitex no rinse shampoo cap with conditioner.
Other one, a liquid, is Nilaqua towel-off shampoo, 500 ml. This was ok until I discovered the cap one.
I am taking Naproxen. Have to take Omniprazole in the morning, then first Naproxen after breakfast.
I cant take codeine, or any others that were tried. Naproxen seems to suit me best, but we are all different.
Good luck, let me know how you are doing.

Nightsky2
Had stitches out this morning, fine. Another dressing on, to stay on 48 hours, then comes off. Nurse said to shower but just allow water to run over you gently.
I use the board to swivel myself onto, then sit there and wash with the shower head. I thought I might use the wash stuff I was given before the operation as it debugs you I think! Was given board by Occupational Health, who gave me a few bits and bobs, like the leg lifter.
I had bought a pair of Skechers slip-INS (not slip-ons). They are great as you don’t have to bend, you really can just slip your foot in.
I bought some dry shampoo in liquid form when I had my knee done, but prefer this shower cap. I will get the names for you. I was a bit naughty yesterday though and washed my hair quickly in the bathroom sink.

Susytish… I’ve read about those boards that you put on the bath which allow you to wash but never about shower caps which you heat up in the microwave and which lets you massage your head. I had my hair cut on Thursday but now feels in need of a wash. I will sit in the shower in a day or two and see how I manage. My consultant said I could as my dressing is waterproof, I expect all dressings are.
Good luck for tomorrow and please let me know how you get on. Having big problems with pain in my coccyx, will have to get some Naproxen as that’s supposed to help. Do you take that instead of Codeine.

Managed to wash my hair in the bathroom sink today. Felt wonderful! Had relied on dry shampoo and a wonderful thing which an Occupational Therapist. A shower cap which you heat in the microwave, and all the stuff is inside. You just put it on your head and massage it.
Managing to sit on the board I was given to fix to the bath and have a good wash.
Having stitches out tomorrow. Feel tired quite quickly.
Onwards and upwards.

Susytish, you poor thing!. I think TKR is more painful than THR. I had a rotator cuff repair op 14 months ago and that was incredibly painful and recovery time was long. It was my right shoulder and it’s my right hip so I needed to have the full use of my shoulder in readiness for this op.
I have never taken Naproxen so will consider taking that instead of Codeine. I am seeing the nurse next week so will have a word then.
It’s a lovely day, the sun is streaming in the window and I’ve had breakfast so off now to battle with the bathroom.

silverlining48

Just a word to say Always take care when using cocodamol as severe constipation may result.

Silverlining48…..Thank you. I’ll see how I go today but will consider cutting back on the Codeine. Leg not so bad this morning, getting in and out of bed quite easily now so we’ll see what today brings.

Just a word to say Always take care when using cocodamol as severe constipation may result.