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

Two directs… equal success. I hope 🤞

Hi everyone - loving all your chat. Redcar I managed to get out today for a little excursion. There was an exhibition at Tewkesbury Abbey called “The Longest Yarn” (last day today) which celebrated the 80th anniversary of the D Day landings from 6 June onwards with each significant scenario played out using knitted figures. It was fantastic & knitters had come together from all over the world to produce an absolute masterpiece. Please google it and have a look. However, I feel I may pay a price tomorrow, lots of standing in a slow moving queue, didn’t see it all, had to escape into a handy chapel for a quick sit down as there were no chairs at all. My back was soooo unhappy when we came out, but so worthwhile. Now flat out in my trusty recliner ……. Glad you’ve got your home visit “Grammaretto” - enjoy!

Sorry Grammaretto, you should’ve been in bold, not inverted commas!

Well done grammargran that sounds an interesting exhibition, I had heard about it, so will Google it. I hope you don’t suffer too much tomorrow from the slow shuffle round. I certainly did too much on a couple of days last week, including standing chatting to friends on one of my little walks. I’ve been very lazy since then, resting as much as possible and doing the minimum of housework. I think it’s paying dividends as the hip feels a bit more comfortable now. 🤞it continues! I still haven’t driven anywhere, and realised today that with the first hip it was about 9-10 weeks post op before I drove anywhere. So maybe next week, provided it’s not icy! You sound as though you’re making good progress now, despite the back pain.

I know we all tend to feel guilty about resting but it pays dividends when recovering from overdoing it a bit.

I googled the longest yarn. Isn't it fabulous! I don't blame you for wanting to go! Grammargran

I inherited my mum's shooting stick along with her osteoarthritis. It's a been a godsend for waiting at bus-stops or going round exhibitions. The last time I used it a young boy was desperate to sit on it!

I had hoped that I won't need it in the future. 🏃‍➡️💃🤸

Good morning everyone! My 29 staples were removed on Monday and I can finally remove the dressing in a day or so. I had thought there would be a sudden improvement around the scar but not so!
I am considering a private physiotherapist appointment, for reassurance as much as anything, as apart from the surgeon in 4 weeks time, my treatment and care are now finished.
Am I walking correctly? Doing the exercises as I should? Is the odd clunk normal? Can I help the scar with moisturiser? Etc.

I thoroughly recommend the private physio. I had a few private sessions and I think they were worth every penny. Even if only for having someone who will answer your questions.

I wouldn’t put anything on the scar if it hasn’t fully healed, I’d be worried about infection. Unless you have dry skin anyway I’d say leave it alone apart from normal washing.

P.S. Is the swelling you were worried about getting any better?

Nannytopsy a nurse at the hospital recommended I used E45 cream on my scar when I still had a sore patch underneath part of it after my staples were removed BUT the dressing was removed at the same time as the staples and I was told the scar itself had healed beautifully so perhaps not quite the same circumstances. Best to ask a professional in this case.

Once the scar is fully healed Bio Oil is lovely to apply. I loved the smell. Or just leave alone. The skins own healing oils are good enough.

Thank you ladies for your advice. The swelling has gone down nicely. The scar is pretty well healed but I replaced the dressing as it’s just a bit rough (tiny scabs where some of the staples were) and I don’t want clothes to irritate it. Bio oil sounds nice -I find unperfumed treatments so disappointing! 😂.

Nannytopsy we can self refer for physiotherapy here, I just phoned the physio dept at the local hospital and after a chat n the phone was given an appointment within two weeks. I also self referred later for hydrotherapy, which was lovely.

silverlining you are so fortunate. Here, I would have to go privately if I wanted a physio.

I know of one hydrotherapy pool at one hospital, but it is only for inpatients.

Is it worth checking Charleygirl. I had no idea until the-physio I saw after my hip hop told me. I am in Kent/ London border.

nannytopsy I’m fortunate because my GP surgery also has a physiotherapist and I can go onto the website and make an appointment to see her.
Once my staples were removed I was told to moisturise the wound twice a day with E45 cream.
Hydrotherapy sounds good, but I don’t think it’s available anywhere near me.

The nurse in our surgery recommended Vaseline on my TKR scar, the incision had been glued. It certainly kept the skin supple.

No NHS physio available for me, I had a few appointments with the private physio who keeps my spinal issues under control. Found them invaluable to ensure the knee straightened totally, it bent but wasn’t so happy straight. She was also very helpful with exercise guidance encouraging me to walk as much as possible and not to be too focused on the exercise sheet. 18 months later tkr knee behaves perfectly.

I absolutely love Aquafit classes at our local sports club. It's wonderful exercise as the joints are all supported in the water yet it's quite good exercise as you're always pushing against water pressure.

Our gp surgery has physiotherapists who take all responsibility once arthritis is diagnosed and refer you for surgery but post surgery, you just get a phonecall at about 3 weeks from the local hospital physios. Not the hospital where I had surgery, so they don’t know me. Not ideal! I haven’t found a pool yet.

I have done acquacise over the years, on and off, and yes it’s an excellent form of exercise as joints are protected by the buoyancy of the water.
Nannytopsy I had different physios too but both of the the physios I saw were good.
As for hydrotherapy, not all hospitals have a pool. It’s nice because the water is so warm, but you stay in your corner doing the exercises the physio, who was in the water too, give you. You can't really swim because there isn’t the room.
Horses for courses etc but acquacise is definitely a great way to exercise safely,

Nannytopsy I’m about to have my fourth physio session on Friday following my THR in November but they’re all part of the package I paid for along with the op - I think I’m due six. (And I should bloomin’ well think so, the whole thing has cost an arm and a leg - no pun intended - but the family seem happy enough to see their inheritance dwindle.) I’m wondering, Aveline and Silverlining48 whether hydrotherapy is a route I should be pursuing to help out with my back? I can do so much I couldn’t do earlier: turn over on either side in bed, drive, shower and dress more easily, pick things up, walk further with my stick - in fact anything but walk more than a few steps unaided, although I am practising that around the house. I shall have to buy a cozzy though, haven’t had one in ages!

Before going down the surgery path I would consider having your gait checked by a podiatrist - I was prescribed special insoles which have helped enormously.

Grammargran glad to hear things are going well, you are able to do so much more now. Just keep walking, use a stick and don’t go out if it’s slippery. If you have stairs have a gentle practice on them too, holding on of course.
I would have a word with the physio tomorrow to see what they think about your back pain. She may know about hydrotherapy in your local hospital,. My post op physio told me about self referral for both physio and hydrotherapy at our local hospital. I was given an appointment very quickly.
I think hydrotherapy can be very helpful. It’s warm and relaxing, a good environment in which to exercise.
I self referred because of annoying back pain 2 years post op.
Apparently I still have some swelling round the hip.

No hydrotherapy as such available here which is why I sought out the Aquafit classes. I remember being desperate to be floating in lovely warm water after my hip replacement.
Ooh. Just thought of a key tip- get new shoes and slippers. Old ones tend to be worn down by your pre op gait. New ones will suit your new improved way of walking. Just a thought.

That’s a good idea Aveline. New shoes….