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

I think the saying that pain has no memory is so true as none of my friends who had had hip replacements told me how awful the first few weeks would be. I got behind the wheel for the first time last Thursday, just over six weeks. It could have been sooner as it's an automatic and it was my left hip, but didn't on physio's advice because of busy Christmas period. As regards changing of dressings Etta (thanks!), my op was done privately so I just returned to the hospital to get the sutures removed, I didn't need a change of dressing. Onwards and upwards Loobs, although different joints, I truly feel for you!

You are right grammar, I too thought I had little pain post op til I found notes I made at the time… then it all came flooding back.
It’s probably like giving birth, awful at the time ( well it was for me) but quickly forgotten.
My hip op was left too so having an automatic 🚙 driving wasn’t too difficult.
Enjoy your independence.

silverlining my memories of my first hip replacement in December 2023 are definitely rose coloured! I’m convinced I was so much better then, than this time, but logic tells me I couldn’t have been! Due to reactions to the opiates I had last time, I’m existing on ibuprofen and paracetamol and still taking them. When I look at what I was doing at DD1s (nothing basically) and what I’m trying to do now, it’s no wonder the hip is protesting. I’m now resting a lot more, just getting up from the chair for a little walk about the house every now and then. Consultant wasn’t bothered, just said it would be better in its own time! I’m trying to be patient. it’s too cold to go out anyway.

I'm going to phone the surgery on Monday and ask the health visitor to come here to change my dressing. There's no way I can get to the surgery. Cheers Etta

Could a friend or family member change your dressing Grammaretto? My DH changed mine. It was during COVID so I was just given a spare dressing when I was discharged and left to get on with it. DH did a great job. No need for a nurse.

Yes I could Aveline but I would much prefer a professional to do it, at least for the first time.

I am not used to baring myself in
front of my friends or children. I am a widow and live alone.

Good luck with getting a nurse to come to your house to change your dressing, Grammaretto. I thought those days had passed.

I'll have to wait and see Silverlining
I may be lucky.
I have spent the sleepless hours reading back through this thread, well most of it.
It's a wonderful support group.

It seems unlike some of you, I have dissolvable stitches, not staples and a big waterproof plaster which reaches almost from my back waist to my groin, at an angle.

I had a shower as soon as I got home on day 2. I thought it was a bath not a
shower which wasn't possible.

My Dsis who had a THR 5 years ago and is now 78 tells me she can do everything she could before and is going skiing next week. I won't be joining her 😆

She raves about her exercise bike. We both have OA and blame our poor mum's genes.

I keep being told I must do the exercises 4 times a day. I have tried but must try harder.
NY resolution? From Etta

Hello Grammaretto, sounds like you're doing well. I was sent home with a spare dressing following my hip replacements but a district nurse came and changed it. When I had my knee replaced I changed the dressing myself because it was easy to reach and anyway I couldn't wait to see what was underneath. 😄

Ooh Mizuna! I hated having to look at my knees immediately post operatively. There were 30+ staples. Looked like a zip each time! Luckily my hip was glued but I couldn't twist round enough to see the scar.
Grammaretto try looking at the Bonesmart post op posting forum. It's a bit like this thread but much bigger. The mods are ex staff. Lots of practical info and very supportive posters. Check their consensus on exercise! Most posters are American but there are UK posters too.

I had both of my knees glued (at different times), so I could shower soon after arriving home. I am allergic to Elastoplast, but I cannot remember what type of dressing I had. It was the pain which nearly finished me off.

I have 30 years of work experience, so I can offer tips from both sides.

You see now Etta why I love this thread, so much experience and wisdom here. I’m struggling at the moment like Redcar as my back is still playing up a bit though getting somewhat easier. I feel as though I’ve plateaued again at nearly eight weeks, still very wary of putting weight on my operated side and trying to walk without my stick. Can anyone say if this is normal? I have a physio session due next Friday so hope I can get some help there.

Your wound seems quite long, Etta, my scar is just over 6” vertical along my hip, finishing just at the bend of my leg. Although it’s fully healed, it’s still quite sore to touch but that’s probably underlying tissue.

grammargran what stops you putting weight on your operated leg? Is it pain? Can you walk about the house without a stick?

Grammargran have a word with the physio on Friday who will be able to reassure you. I wonder if your back is a different issue and not necessarily connected to your hip hop but it’s affecting your walking, which it would of course.

As for scars, mine was around 10” in total. It’s hardly visible now but wouldn’t be bothered if it were.
Different Surgeons seem to have different rules about the entire process.

You should be able to put your full weight on your operated side with a stick. Get used to that first, and then slowly discard the stick. forget about time and concentrate on pain relief.

Thanks for even more suggestions!
I have 2 booklets on hip replacement.
One is from Lothian NHS where my journey began. I was assessed there.
After 2 years I had a call to say if I was prepared to go to Clydebank, the far side of Glasgow I would have a shorter wait. Thus I have their booklet too.
They contradict eachother!
Glasgow folk can have a shower right away. Edinburgh folk must wait 7 weeks of stand up washing and then have a bath. 😅🤣

There you go….they all have different views.
Just check in with us and we can put you right.

Silverlining 😂🤣😅

Grammaretto, I’ve read how you were home quite quickly after your operation. I’d like to ask if you had to have anyone with you then and now. (or if anyone else can tell me their situation on returning home).

Beechnut I live alone but there is a small flat in part of my house, so I have a tenant. It shouldn't be anything to do with her but she has popped in to ask if there is shopping she could do.
I have friends who live near who call in too.
I'm sleeping on the same level as my kitchen and loo. I have been upstairs to shower.
I am far more able than I thought I would be.

I have been struggling to put my socks on

Aveline I am putting some weight on my operated leg but not enough, I can do a couple of steps without my stick but that’s it. I was doing more before my back issue kicked in. I had trouble with my back before the op inasmuch as I couldn’t stand for long as it ached so much & was told that the hip op would cure this. The ache now is on the left hand side of my lower back, nothing to do with my spine or the other side, just in the vicinity of my new hip - dammit!!! (On the plus side - have I mentioned this before?! - I’m sleeping so much better ….)

Oh socks… still a bit awkward after nearly 3 years. Like the car seat, there is a way to put socks on the op side, with the aid of a plastic bag, thin Plastic works better.

I also live on my own and managed fine after each knee replacement but I have a cleaner who changed my bedding and obviously cleaned the house.

That has been my thought if I have a hip replaced as one does not have the same leeway after a THR.

Are you hipsters aware you can bend differently if you extend your operated leg. That is how I would fill and empty my washing machine because it is placed so awkwardly.