👯‍♀️👯‍♀️Hips and Knees part 4 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

Grammaretto I know exactly how you feel. Unfortunately paying privately for the surgery is not the end. You have to pay for the surgeon's fees and any physio afterwards unless you were lucky enough to be offered a "package".

Would swimming be an option? It takes the weight off for a short period and most people find it enjoyable.

If the affected hip hurts in bed say it was your left hip and you were lying on your right, I would place a pillow behind you so if you rolled over would not land fully on the painful hip.

If watching TV elevate the affected leg on a stool with a couple of pillows.

My friend lives close to you but on the English side and has the same problems. Time is not on our side at our age.

I am feeling for you as well.
I didnt want to just read, but I dont have much advice.
Only thing I can think of is, and I would not know how things work in Scotland, is, can you have the operation at a different NHS Hospital? Where the waiting list may be shorter??

Hello everybody
I'm new on this thread but have been reading through as I can't sleep for discomfort.

Most of the posts are about post op.
I have been on the waiting list since my assessment for 18months for a new right hip. (no cartilage left)
Recently, January, I was told it's 2½ to 3 years here in Scotland.

I saw the NHS physio who has given me exercises and I'm in another queue for the escape pain course!
I see a chiropractor once a month who "adjusts" and 🚶‍♀️ also go to gentle yoga weekly where I'm noticeably less and less able.
I have had to stop my U3A walking group as I can't keep up. Even short walks are painful.

Sorry but l am feeling a bit sorry for myself

I am 75 and live alone since DH died 3 years ago. I have v little savings and I was told the cost privately is 16k.

I would value advice and tips from you who are through the other side.

Btw I feel like I live on paracetamol and ibuprofen. Codeine for emergency but it makes me constipated. 😔

I agree being free from pain is just fantastic.

That’s true! Trotalong perhaps! I’ve been climbing up ladders today and enjoying being able to do some boat maintenance after a winter of being cooped up indoors. Yesterday I went back to yoga and enjoyed it, although I took a chair to sit on for some of it. It’s a joy to be on the mend and getting back to normal, or better than normal as I am now pain free.

Not 'hopalong' any more? Need another name 'skipalong' maybe?

Oh being balanced after so long is great. You must be really pleased hopalong.

I don't think what I went through was any different to the rest of you apart from the partial weight bearing and the fact I am now balanced up after years of being lopsided.

Eek sounds awful Hopalong! I didn't know that bone donation was possible. Quite a procedure.

@Aveline I had a complex procedure with a donor bone impaction graft into the hip socket to build it up. I had to be partial weight bearing only for eight weeks hence the crutches. I agree most folks can fully weight bear immediately but not me.

SL enjoy your weekend.

Well done nannytopsy not long now.

Thank you for your long and informative post Corner. I’m slowly getting closer to my TKR - early May or I’m priority for an April cancellation. I’m doing the exercises!

Well I am off to abba voyage this weekend ….. and booked for the dance floor so no seat available. Am excited and nervous at the same time.

My second hip is now playing up again,note to self dont do the twist on a seventies weekend away even if wine is involved as liquid lubrication.
I am seriously paying for it now,ouch!!

I also asked to use a zimmer in hospital but wasn’t allowed. However I had already bought one brand new in a charity shop which proved helpful as a towel stand by the shower and I attached a bag for carrying odds and ends .
It’s in the loft awaiting possible use in future. Hope not too soon though. 🙁

I was very happy to have a Zimmer the day after my op but I fell asleep and it was whipped away by the physios!

The person I know, who is very elderly, she has been using a zimmer frame, initially.
Is now progressing onto crutches.

I already had some shiny black crutches and thought I woukd use those but found the sticks I was given at the hospital easier to manage /less cumbersome . I stopped using sticks indoors pretty quickly but found them useful outside for a while longer.
I have noticed a pain in the top of my other leg and hope this doesn’t mean another new hip but if that’s the case I won’t be as nervous as I was first time round. I know it makes a huge difference and woukd not hesitate,

The hospital physio gave me the choice aveline, I said I’d prefer sticks. Guess different hospitals have different procedures. You’re right, using one or both when out does keep most folk away a little. Useful!

I'm surprised you've still using crutches. I never had them. I was issued with two sticks, was soon down to one and didn't need to use it in the house. I did like it when I went out. It was like a beacon saying 'steer clear'!

I woukd agree that it’s definitely worth having and pleased all is going well hopalong.
Enjoy the next stage of recovery and keep in touch.

I saw my consultant on Monday and he discharged me from the clinic after the X-ray was fine. I’ve got to wean gradually off crutches over 4 weeks. I’m allowed to go back to yoga and ride my bike now. I’m so happy with how it’s all going at seven weeks. It’s better than I ever expected.
If you are reading this and wondering whether to have surgery, I would say definitely it’s worth it!

I am so grateful for my free travel pass and I am well aware the removal of it is under discussion. If so many bus routes will be drastically reduced.

I agree, prices are horrendous and add a cup of very expensive just drinkable coffee and it becomes an expensive outing.

Yes I was surprised when the post hip replacement physio said I should call my local hospital ( Kent) which I did and after a chat was in the water 2 weeks later. No charge and 6 weeks of excellent treatment with an option to extend.
I am sorry that’s not an option fir you Charleygirl but on the other hand the outer London border is at the end of my road half a mile away, but we don’t get free train and tube travel, etc like my neighbours, who are up and down to London regularly. We only have a bus pass so are a bit envious.
I had to go to London last week and was staggered by the travel cost.