👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees Part 5 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

After years of niggling groin pain, worsening last Autumn I finally had an X Ray which showed severe OA in my left hip with osteophytes formed causing pressure on nerves. Life has shrunk for me as I am now in a lot of pain, find walking very uncomfortable. My GP referred me to the private hospital on an NHS pathway, I fitted the criteria, fortunately do not have any underlying health problems. The consultant I saw felt that pain relief, injections would only give short term relief so THR but it was my decision. He then went on to tell me about the possible complications of which there seemed to be loads and the trauma of the surgery, "we use saws and chisels." I am aware that they have to inform the patient of potential risks, I am trying to keep distracted but am feeling terrified. Stuck between a rock and a hard place because this enduring pain is getting me down. I can't quite believe that this pain will go once my hip is replaced. I have been given a date for the beginning of July. Despite his frankness, I did leave the hospital feeling confident in him. I do have acquaintances who have had a THR but do not want them to get sick of me asking questions! It's a long time to July, was on the verge of checking out waiting time and cost to go privately. However, this wait gives me time to get fit and him to get more practice! Reassurance please, I am 69 and never had anything like this before.

It wasn't the most sensible move Charleygirl and not to be recommended but although the walk home was slow and my arm hurt, it really is fine this morning. I have a backache but that seems to be normal for me.
DGD is quite light which is good!

OMG, you were lucky you had no after-effects because you and the child would not be expecting it.

I had a whirlwind visit from DD and family, including puppy, for the weekend. I am definitely out of practice.
My grabber was being used as a hockey stick at one point.

Catching DGD aged 7 as she dropped down off the monkey bars at the playpark was not one of the exercises in my booklet.
No ill effects today, luckily.

Well done grammargran you are making terrific progress 👏
Redcar too.
Thanks all for encouragement and explanations.

I'm rather sad to be missing the snowdrop walk with my walking group today but hey, it's better to go slow and steady, like that tortoise.

You are all getting there. It's such a pity about this awful weather, but at least nobody is overdoing it walking. You have to get home again and that can be a minor problem!

Pace yourselves and rest.

grammargran yes that’s the same clam I was taught - impossible to do then as it was only just 6 weeks after that operation. I haven’t tried it this time!
I did manage to put my socks on without the gadget this morning! No ill effects fortunately! Might try tying my shoelaces tomorrow.
nannytopsy good that your knee is better today. I think we all think we’re healed now, and then realise that we’re not quite there yet!

yes grammargran that’s the one. I think before the operation it can be more frequent.
Rested today and I am much happier with my knee. Message to self - you are not fixed yet!!

We do bilateral a version of that while floating at Aquafit. Heels together and knees out then in again.

And Redcar -is this the same version as your clam?

You so did silverlining and I’m not sure I believed you! The clam is where you lie on your unoperated side with your feet and knees together, then slowly raise your top knee, keeping your feet together and then lower it again. Build up to 10 raises twice a week. I think that’s right, nannytopsy?

My GP taught me the clam to help dodgy hips a couple of years ago but it’s too painful just now.

Good news Grammargran, you are doing well. We told you so….
Though Would like to know more about the clam which is new to me.

grammargran well done! Good you’ve been signed off by the physiotherapist, we were taught the clam at one of the group sessions I did after my first hip replacement. No one mentioned it this time round. Well done for walking to the village event, I need to keep walking, but it’s so cold still.
I can’t put my socks on without the gadget either, it’s my knees, no arthritis, they’re just stiff at the moment. Prior to this latest hip op I could put my socks on and tie up my shoelaces with no problems! I’ll keep trying, it’s still early days.
Have a good evening everyone!

Well, ladies, my new physio signed me off yesterday! She said I was beyond where I should be at nearly 14 weeks so I left with three new exercises to do a couple of times a week alongside my static cycling. They involve one called the clam, abduction pulses and hugging stretches. I feel like an Olympic athlete. Mind you, it was slightly spoilt when she asked if I could put my socks on and I had to confess not without my gadget. She then asked if it was my hip or my knees that were stopping me to which I had to confess it was mainly my stomach! Hey ho, I did manage a quarter of a mile walk each way to an event in the village later that evening which is the furthest yet so the edge of the wood is that much nearer. Hope you’re all having a good weekend in spite of the usual miserable weather.

Nannytopsy Where do I start? I think so, and I think you need to pace yourself more during the day.

Can you do as little as possible today and tomorrow with lots of rest and see how you feel?

You were fine before, and being no mathematician, 7 and a 1/2 weeks are closer to six than three months.

I’m nearly 14 weeks after my THR Retired65 and I didn’t get onto my operated side until about eight weeks at the very least. I’ve always used a heart shaped wedge which I find very comfortable.

Over the week or so my knee has been a bit more painful - since I saw the surgeon of course! I have had a busy few days and I wonder if I have over done it. 7 1/2 weeks since op.
I am about to lie down for a bit!

An habitual side sleeper after TKR to follow the consultants advice I used pillows to wedge me in place on my back. Since then I always wake on my back and often begin that way. I seem to have been re-programmed .

I didn’t put a pillow between my knees as I found if too uncomfortable, but I did have pillows in the bed beside me to stop me rolling from my back onto my side. After 14 weeks, I’m finally comfortable lying on my left (operated) side! But I often wake up and find myself on my back again!

Thank you for your advice.

Check with the hospital first before you spend a penny. Retired65.

If you do place a pillow between your legs, you should also place one behind your back so that if you try to roll over in your sleep, the pillow will stop you.

Do not take this as gospel because everybody is different, but I would try memory foam before surgery as it will not flatten out.

We all have different types of pillows, and it is what is comfortable for you.

Each surgeon is very different, and I am only familiar with the thick triangular wedge between legs when lying on your back for six weeks.

I tried a pillow but found it too uncomfortable and prefer to sleep on my back or on my non operated hip.
I seem to be doing OK after 6 weeks.

In my 'Your new hip ' booklet it suggests that you sleep either on your back or on your operated side with a pillow for six weeks after your operation. Can anyone suggest a pillow to buy for this purpose?

charleygirl after my mother in law died (some years ago) I rang the hospital to ask about disposing of the various frames, crutches etc that she used and they told me to take them to the tip! We gave the frame to the Red Cross, along with the wheelchair that we had bought her. It’s good that hospitals want the stuff back now.