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

Phone your GP practice Loobs. I did that yesterday and have co-codamol, with liquid oxycodone for any breakthrough pain.

Day 3 of my second partial knee replacement and I had forgotten how brutal it is. Last one was five years ago and worked brilliantly and I know this will be fine but I do wish the hospital would prescribe stronger painkillers. I was given Oxycodone whilst in the hospital but now have strong paracetamol, a small bottle of liquid morphine and some anti inflamatories (plus one of the 'prazol tablets to protect my stomach). I know that the stronger drugs are addictive but surely 5 days worth wouldn't be a problem? I cannot wait for 6 weeks from now when I should be back to normal but it is in these early days that I am suffering. I will now go and put a bag of peas on my knee - I think if I have any more drugs I will throw up. Oh, Happy New Year everyone.

Thanks everyone. This gives me hope that I will be able to drive fairly soon.

Think it helps to start driving a bit earlier is if you have an automatic car, and I do. To get in and out easily use a plastic bag to swivel round onto and out if the seat. There are different types of plastic bags so check them out first.

Right TKR and right THR 2023. All good.
I am waiting to have left THR done in the next months.
I have had breathing problems since a year ago and under care of chest clinic at local hospital. I was prescribed steroids 6 weeks ago, decreasing by 2 tablets fortnightly until the middle of March.
I seem to think they will not operate if I am steroids?
The good thing about the steroids is that they mask the hip pain!!

Redcar Six weeks appears to be the magic time. I certainly was not fit then after either knee replacement, so it is not written in stone.

I live in London, and as I do not fancy going out in the snow, I have just finished a small shop at my local Waitrose. That should tide me over until early next week.

grammaretto my DH was driving after 4 weeks, he had an automatic and the hip replaced was his “clutch” leg, so he didn’t need to use it to drive.
I have been told 6 weeks before driving, when you should be able to do an emergency stop safely. Both my physio and consultant have said it’s up to me to decide when I’m safe to drive! My insurance company weren’t interested either!

When are we allowed to drive again?

I was driving after 3 weeks. I'd asked the physio who said that if I could cope with it and could do an emergency stop without any difficulty he didn't see why I shouldn't. He left it to my judgement. I tried the emergency stop several times and it was fine.

My insurance company was informed and they didn't seem concerned about time since op. As far as I was aware, no-one connected with my care was going to give me the nod about starting driving again so it seemed to be in my hands.

Others have probably had different experiences. Obviously it must depend on how fit and confident you feel about driving.

We have a snow scene here!
Very pretty but far too treacherous to venture outside.
Luckily my neighbours have popped in and are doing errands though probably I should be doing more myself now.

What happens when the dressing needs to be changed? Do you or did you have to go to the surgery or does a community nurse come here?

Sorry our names are so similar Grammargran you can call be Etta if that's simpler.

When are we allowed to drive again?

Went shopping yesterday so won’t starve. We are in the far south east so hope we miss out on any snow though it’s cold enough for it.
I went to my favourite cancer charity shop and found a brand new pair of black stripe joules slippers in their fancy box with original price tag attached. £20. I happily paid £5 and like Cinderella, the slippers fit but my goodness for £20 they are flimsy. But pretty. 🤩 Hope they last longer than a few weeks but double bubble, for me and for the charity.

Happy New Year everyone - I"ve been a bit tardy with my good wishes. Yep, staying very local this weekend with friends just up and across the road. Luckily, down here in the South West we may just have rain and miss the snow, fingers crossed, but commiserations to all of you in the white zone!

I've just been out for a big shop to stock up in case the promised heavy snow actually appears. It's lovely to be home and cosy with lots of tasty things in the cupboards and fridge. Sorry. Smug alert or maybe just snug alert!

Frost not crust!

I have just been out for the first time since Boxing Day. Over the road to the garage as the car tyre keeps going down.
It’s bitter cold with some crust in the pavement but it was ok.
I am home safe.

I need to go out to the garage, which doesn’t have access from the house. I’m waiting until the temperature gets above the 2 degrees it’s showing at the moment! Frost is very pretty but…
I’m not keen to go out in it any more. Stay warm and safe everyone.

It is so frosty. May I suggest you all look at the winter wonderland from within closed doors? The furthest I have been is to the bins, and then I was very careful because the cars were very frosty.

Hahaha, no problems, MaizieD, I guessed it would happen, it was only a matter of time!

None of the above. Shall I add them to the order?

Apologies, I got grammargran and Grammaretto confused in mt last post

Immediately after the op walking is absolutely the best way ahead. My opinion of physios is very low after my experiences with them. Interestingly, my surgeon agreed with me.

It obviously depends on the hospital policy re showering. My dressing was completely waterproof & didn't need changing at all but even after the staples came out after four weeks and the dressing removed, I was advised to leave it another 48 hours - this despite the wound having healed "beautifully" and I quote!

Aveline

Walking about is easily the best exercise - it's what your legs are for. Much better than static repetitive exercises.

I think it depends on what you want to do in the future. My ambition was to get back on a horse so just walking wouldn't have been adequate for achieving the necessary muscle stretching for sitting astride and re-educating muscles that hadn't been used for a few years

My physio emphasised that it was really important to strengthen the operated leg, which involved going up steps operated leg first and not using the other leg to 'push' you up... also getting up from sitting using the operated leg to push off from, not the sound one (which one is tempted to do) and practising this from progressively lower seats...

He said very sternly that I would regret it when I was older if I didn't do this. I'm only 74 so I think it worthwhile. If I were older and less active I might not feel the same..

I wouldn't listen to any horror stories if I were you, Grammargran. I understand that dislocations are really quite rare. That was my main niggly worry.

Like you Aveline I have a long waterproof bandage. My stitches will dissolve. I must see the practice nurse in a week who will change the dressing.

My hairdresser is just across the road so I'll go there.

I had a shower the day after the op. I had a long waterproof bandage. I did use dry shampoo for a while though.

Grammargran congratulations on your new hip and also, you took us to the top of active, blink and we will be sliding down at a great rate, but for now, well done.
Ps my wound which was huge as are my hips, was glued. I didn’t believe it Woukd hold, but it did and two years on my scar is almost invisible.
Hope you get your hair done soon.