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

Was your wound glued or stitched/stapled Grammaretto? That seems to be the difference. Several of us on here had to wait weeks for that first wonderful shower. None of the horrors you mention have befallen me - yet, although I have had a grotty back from overdoing things from sitting too long on low chairs to pastry making before Christmas; luckily, it's easing. Your hairdresser sounds a treasure, does he visit? I had to cancel mine a couple of weeks before Christmas as my walking wasn't up to it,

What no shower? grammargran
I've already had one. My hairdresser says he'll wash and dry my hair for nothing so I may take him up on that.
The horrors I have been told include infections, falls, and a dislocated hip from doing too much exercise.
😫

Welcome Grammaretto - it's seven weeks plus since my RHP and I love the horror stories. They made me feel so much better in the early days to know that I wasn't the only one watching the hours drag by through the night trying to get comfortable on my back, or wondering how on earth I was going to manage to get through four weeks with no shower or hair wash. Enjoy!

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

Hello fellow hipsters and knee replacers.
I had my THR on Tuesday and was discharged yesterday. I couldn't believe I would be able to walk but I can.
I will read back through the thread if there's time between exercises and medication.

I hope it's good news. I don't want to hear horror stories.😉

nanny topsy I know it has been no time since your surgery but a quick phone call for reassurance is better than 6 hours in an A&E dept. on a late Friday evening with all of the well wishers from the local pub!

Just keep walking about. Your muscles will help pump away the excess fluid.

Thank you for the reassurance ladies. I do have a phone number for the ward but I think I am just being a bit impatient. (Moi?! 🤣)
I will keep up the exercises!

Nannytopsy

Advice please! My knee, leg and foot keep swelling. First thing in the morning it is better but soon swells again. I lie on the sofa with my leg up as high as I can and ice packs and it improves. As soon as I put it down, it fills again.
Would more walking and exercise help?

I agree that contacting the hospital would be a good thing to do, but I think that you are on the right lines about walking and exercise. Using the muscles will stimulate the flow of blood and help to disperse the swelling. But don’t overdo it..

My operated leg was quite swollen for a few weeks after my hip op. It’s a reaction to trauma, too, isn’t it? But the swelling did go as I became more active.

I agree with Mizuna. You should contact the hospital, if only for reassurance.

Nannytopsy, it's still very early days for recovery from what I found is a gruelling operation (compared, say, with a hip replacement) but I had good access to my consultant following my NHS op and could email his secretary with any queries. If you're very worried about the swelling it would be worth seeking reassurance or advice from someone at the hospital if that's possible. I was also advised to ring the ward staff if I had any concerns once I was at home. I did that a couple of times with queries about my scar.

Advice please! My knee, leg and foot keep swelling. First thing in the morning it is better but soon swells again. I lie on the sofa with my leg up as high as I can and ice packs and it improves. As soon as I put it down, it fills again.
Would more walking and exercise help?

Just to say Happy New Year everyone

I hope we all continue to make good progress in 2025.

One would think he would and should know better. All I can suggest is he rents the room including the furniture.

The consultant who did my hip op has two of the lowest, squishiest armchairs possible in his consulting room at the hospital, possibly touting for custom?

I wish our loos were higher too.

I have two bathrooms, and it was the best thing I did around 10 years ago. They cost me more, taking advantage of the elderly, I thought, but I have never regretted it.

Even the loo at my GP surgery is about 3" off the ground.

I am also a fan of higher toilets, much easier on hips and knees. If I were able to change my bathroom Would definitely increase 🚽 height.

I bought one of these cushions to give me a bit of height when driving the car and it’s very helpful on other occasions too.

Aveline that is excellent and will not wobble. Our corner shop never lets us down! It has a handle, so it can be taken anywhere.

I bought a cushion like this one from Amazon. It's about 5 ins deep and quite firm. It even has a carrying handle. Was ideal after my last op. DH uses it now as he has back trouble.

charleygirl it’s ridiculous but true, that the lowest chairs (without arms) and the lowest loos, even the disabled ones, are in hospitals! I complained to the physiotherapist on my last visit when I struggled to get out of the chair!

I know this is very minor, but it's something to consider. A cushion, or at least mine, is not straight, and you could wobble. Maybe a straighter pillow would be better.

Please do not forget the places with the lowest chairs and loos are hospitals!

charleygirl it’s 7 weeks since my operation, and I won’t drive until I am sure that I can do it, certainly not until we’re well into January. Then it will probably depend on the weather!
grammargran your back sounds so painful, I hope it improves soon, I’m paranoid about low chairs and do take a cushion with me when visiting people and places where I know the seats are low! I do feel stupid though!
Before I had my first hip replaced last year I was given a leaflet, the first line of which said that you will not sleep well for 6-8 weeks after the operation! Not very encouraging, but true.

I’m sure you’re right Charliegirl5 and it is complaining, very loudly. I shall take up your suggestion, it’s a very good one, thank you!