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

As I’m finding out, thank you!

grammargran we aim to please.

I got the results of my hip mri today and it appears I still have soft tissue bruising around my operated hip from a bad fall 18 months ago. He was surprised it is taking so long to heal but I have been discharged so assume it will get better in its own time.
Who would have thought bruising would last so long.

Old Codger don’t let the physios string you along. Get referred to orthopaedic surgeon as soon as you can. The wait for a surgeon here is not too bad. If you are young, slim and fit you won’t wait too long for surgery in a quick turn around hub. If you are not you can wait for months. I am currently at 15 months. My surgeon hasn’t had a theatre slot since July and doesn’t have any for December either. I’m on for any surgeon at short notice but it doesn’t help.
Hope you have better luck.

It definitely depends on where you live. A referral letter was sent for a neurosurgical appointment in May of this year and I still have not received a date to be seen. I live in London and it is not my local hospital.

OldCodger Keep going with leg strengthening exercises if you possibly can, it will help your recovery after the op.

I am bumping this up.

Silverlining48 so sorry to hear of your soft tissue bruising. Does this mean that it’s inside and out of sight? That must be uncomfortable, do you really have to wait it out? I have the most spectacular bruising outside from the top of my thigh to around and over my foot and ankle. The latter is now what is really keeping me awake at night because the warmth of the bedclothes seems to cook the pesky joint. I managed to get a cold compress on it last night (thank you for asking, it involved my large glass of water, a sodden hanky and a grabber) which helped a little. It feels as though it’s enormously swollen but it’s nothing like as bad as it feels. Not troublesome at all during the day. Anyone any thoughts? Operation Day + 9

Thanks grammargran and hope you feel better soon. Day 9 is still very early so be patient and take it easy.
Do you have one of those wheat things you put in the microwave? You could try it in the fridge or freezer to cool yourself, without getting soaked, at night.

I had pains in the operated leg at night in the first month. I didn't have much bruising, but still had some pain. We have a gel pad which can be frozen for pain relief, but a bag of frozen peas (unopened) makes a decent substitute.

Do you have someone who could get you a gel pad? (And some frozen peas ) I was worried about the pain at night,it was disappointing, but it did wear off and I've had none since.

Do you have a painkiller you can take at night and would arnica help the bruising?

Thank you, Silverlining48 and MaizieD. I do have a gel pack but last night was far more organised and went for a cold damp flannel. Who would have imagined the difference?! Two reasonably good chunks of sleep, not so good restless period, then another hour of sleep. I feel there’s a corner in sight & it’s for turning. Had a ten minute walk yesterday afternoon on two sticks in the Village car park which may have helped - fresh air! Back to hospital this morning for first full physio session, so many questions lined up, but not quite so many, thanks to GN. Operation Day + 10

PS - I do take painkillers at night *MaizieD” and my daughter is up later with the arnica cream.

Brill, grammargran 😃

I'd be really interested in what your physio gives you to do as mine went so firmly against the conventional advice in some ways.

Two weeks on from my hip replacement and I had the staples removed this morning, thank goodness. I seem to alternate between almost no sleep (last night) and a good sleep (the night before).
I have my first physio session next Friday (3 weeks from the op), which I expect to be fairly gruelling. I’ll do what I can and lie about doing the rest!! I have a booklet of exercises I should be doing.

MaizieD I’d be interested in what your unconventional physio gives you! Mine was pretty straightforward - sideways stretch, backward stretch, backward knee bend, up onto tiptoes, minor squat, all ten times, repeat twice (with the exception of the tiptoes which was 20. At home there are lying flat on the bed exercises. All this with some walking thrown in two to three times a day. Two sessions of lying flat on bed “to stretch”. I tell you, I have difficulty fitting it all in!

Just don't do 'gruelling' physio. It's just not worth it effective. Walking and stairs will do the trick but don't forget to allow yourself time to recover from this pretty brutal surgery.

I know aveline, it’s major surgery, even if it is routine, and a major shock to the system. I’m walking around the house quite a bit and have two flights of stairs to deal with and they cover most of the exercises I’d be given.

I don’t want to put anyone off but I was told it’s closest you can get to amputation. Suppose that must be true given the size of the scar. Mine was just glued together, given I have a generous Haunch, it’s a miracle it didn’t go 🥤 POP.

Redcar I think I’m a couple of days ahead of you surgery wise, and do you know what my mental block is now? Putting weight on my operated leg and not my sticks. It still feels a bit heavy and “foreign”. Am I alone in this? Gosh, I sound wimpy! Tell you what, though, silverlining48, reading your last comment, I’m glad I’m this side of the op! 🤣

Yes I bet you are grammargran. It rather shocked me at the time, but it does make one realise this is major surgery,

When the NHS had more money in the early 70's after this surgery one was in hospital for around 2 weeks and then many went to a convalescent home for another 2 weeks so that was a month before one saw a cooker or washed a mug.

You have had major surgery and it is not a race. You are not catching a bus so please look after yourselves and if that means a couple of hours having a rest, so be it. Please keep the affected limb elevated.

grammargran is it painful or more of a psychological block that stops you from putting weight in your 'new' hip?
I did it without thinking one day in the shower and was amazed as soon as I realised- no pain no problem! Just persevere and try not to think about it.

Aveline I’m thinking psychological block, to be honest. Once I’m over the first couple of steps, it seems to have loosened a little. I can’t say it feels painful, just odd! Redcar I was wrong about the timing of our ops, you’re ahead of me with your staples removed on your two week “anniversary”. Mine come out on Monday, I’m soooooo looking forward to my shower.

That first shower is lovely! Enjoy it and - best foot forward!!

I’m sitting here imagining it in all its glory!