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

grammargran I’m using one crutch around the house and can just put my weight on my operated leg. I’m not pushing it yet though. My godmother whois 99 and has had both knees and hips replaced, was horrified that I was only in hospital for 3 nights. When she had her knees done, she was in hospital for 2 weeks each time. I do feel that maybe a week or two in a convalescent home being looked after would be beneficial. That said, I’m being well looked after by my daughter and her family, but I’m aware that they’re fitting me into their busy lives!

Where I live some THRs are being done as day cases. I need a new hip and I would be very much on my own at home. I am independent but I could not cope being a day case.

I was admitted first thing Monday morning and back home late Tuesday afternoon. They discharged you as soon as you could manage stairs and two sticks.

I don't think a long stay in hospital would be useful, the sooner you get moving the better, otherwise you would lose more muscle tone and it would take longer to recover. It would be a waste of a bed, too because no real nursing is needed and you can rest, alternating with short bursts of activity, at home.

I thought the first couple of weeks were the worst, though,

One has to be so much more careful after a hip than a knee. After my latest knee replacement, I had to twist to get out of bed or a chair, I could not do that with a new hip.

I had my wound glued together so could have an early shower, bliss.

I thought my present unoperated hip would "see me out" but I have a nasty feeling it will not.

So pleased this thread is still active. The posts so useful to me when I had my TKR and Hips done. ❤️

Visgirl that is the reason we are doing it because there is always somebody about to have or has just had surgery and needs a bit of advice not previously given.

I started a twice weekly, six week course at the Pain Clinic yesterday. I am hoping that the tips and support from there will distance me and my arthritic knees from the Slice & Dice department.

Sarnia please do not leave it too long. There appeared to be a delaying tactic when I needed surgery and I was sent from pillar to post in the end I also needed a tibial osteotomy because that area was starting to be affected.

If bone is grinding on bone, surgery is the only option.

It seems cruel to force people in pain to delay surgery. Physio can help up to a point but the bone on bone pain really needs surgery.
maizieD I was just feeling sorry for myself yesterday when I suggested convalescing after a hip replacement! I was actually bored brainless after two nights in hospital, and now am itching to get home from my DDs. Realistically I know I’d struggle on my own at home. It’s nice to have some help and company.

Had my 2nd hip done 16/10/24, so almost 6 weeks post op.
Very frustrated as can't walk outdoors due to snow and ice.
Starting to feel stiff after a great few first weeks.
Doing physio but need the benefits on 20-30 stroll, any ideas ?

Morning everyone. MaizieD it was so reassuring to read your comment where you thought the first two weeks were the worst. My two weeks are up on Monday and today am feeling that nothing is improving -which is daft really as I look back to when I actually left hospital last Wednesday & I know they are. But any task takes so long to do, and lack of proper sleep makes getting out of a comfortable recliner so unenticing. Add in the miserable weekend weather and you’ve got my mood for the day!

I promise you it will get better, gg. Just keep on with the exercises, even if you don't do the daunting circuit your physio gave you to its fullest extent every little helps. Walk around the house if you can't get out.

I'm 17 weeks on now and telling all and sundry it's like a blooming miracle! I still limp a bit if I've been sitting for a long time, and on first getting out of bed but apart from that it's like being normal again

My physio's really unconventional advice was to try to hug my knee to my chest, from wk 2. It violated all the usual instructions not to allow an angle of less than 90 degrees between thigh and body. He's the head honcho in his department, so I did trust him...

He also put a lot of emphasis on strengthening the operated leg. He said that if I didn't do it it would cause problems when I get older. So, when going up steps try not to 'push off 'on the sound leg when the operated leg is in advance. And try to use the operated leg when getting up from seated, don't favour the sound one all the time. Though it might be a bit early for you to be trying that, yet.

Have you tried sleeping at night in your recliner?

Thought I would add my experience with a THR in July 2022.
I was told in 2018 I would need a THR in a year or so as I was down to bone on bone but I was ‘too young’ at that point. Nice when 61 is too young!
Anyway was given pain patches to wear, and used a stick to get about. Was due op in early 2020, of course Covid stopped that,by then arthritis was also in both knees and I was walking with a pronounced stoop and limp.
After the THR I was out next afternoon but no physio was offered, just to keep doing the strengthening exercises.
Ive been left with the left(replacement side) slightly shorter than the other,so the limp means I use a stick for longer walks.
But to be pain free was and is a marvel.
I apologise for rabbiting on but wanted to add six months after the op I paid for one on one Pilates sessions, I now walk tall, no knee pain and I can get up and down from/to the floor.
I would highly recommend Pilates to anyone who’s had a THR.

I would highly recommend Pilates to anyone who’s had a THR.

I'd agree with that, 'Trisha'* I think that Pilates helped to keep some strength in my 'bad' leg prior to the op and I was back to it at 6 weeks...(and I'm a decade older than you )

grammargran I’m only a few days ahead of you, but some days feel I’m going backwards, especially if I’ve had a bad night. Even getting washed and dressed is tiring! Today I’m feeling ok, but would really like a little walk outside. None of my family will take me because the weather is so bad, so I’ll have to put up with walking round the house. But things will improve for you, two weeks is very early days!

Thank you Redcar and indeed everyone. I think my downward dip is due to poor sleep and the wretched weather. (I wonder if summer TH and TKRs fare better, but then, it could be too hot.) I think, too, I’ve overdone the exercises a bit (should’ve listened to you Aveline ) & pulled a muscle, nothing to do with the new hip. I haven’t tried the recliner for sleeping MaizieD as I don’t really want to go down that route, preferring to keep day and night separate - but never say never! Mind you, things have not been improved by finding out my staples are coming out on Tuesday, not Monday. Honestly, it’s one thing after another!

Sleep is sleep matter when it happens and we all feel the better of a good sleep. I used to get up and sit in my recliner if I couldn't face another night on my back in bed. Also I happily embraced a nap whenever I came overcome with sleepiness. Immediately post op is not a normal time. Things will settle soon enough.

That's 'no matter' when sleep happens

You all sound so wise and sensible on here. I feel, as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, I’ve learnt nothing over the years and have simply reverted to childhood in a period of less than two weeks ….

Och you'll be just like us in no time!

I had a THR on my right hip 12 weeks ago. I was encouraged to walk with a zimmer the same day as the operation. The next day I progressed to crutches.
On my return home I walked outside every day. Also did all the exercises from the leaflet. We visited garden centres & had lunch out quite a lot as there was no problem getting in & out of the car.
Sleeping was impossible until 5 weeks as I only sleep on my side. Cheated before the 6 weeks were up, but it was fine.
By six weeks I was walking unaided.
The first two weeks were difficult & painful. However I now have zero pain in my hip, which was bone on bone.
My surgeon was brilliant & used a robotic arm during the operation. I had been CT scanned so the new hip was 100% in the right place. I feel extremely fortunate that everything went so smoothly.

Pollensa that’s a positive story which will doubtless help others who are waiting fir their operations, really pleased it has gone so well.

I agree, you have done so well. A pity we have snow and ice around so please stay indoors.

I am extremely careful when walking outside in the rain or snow. Hopefully the winter won’t be too bad!!

Pollensa21 thank you for your useful and encouraging post. My two weeks are up today. The past few days of snow and ice followed by Storm Bert put paid to any outside walking recently but I’ve managed ten minutes today. I’m still find it hard to put weight on my operated hip as I feel it doesn’t belong to me yet, but can stand quite happily on my own. I’m going outside again this afternoon, tempting as it is to stay inside in the warm! Not too thrilled about three more weeks of dodgy sleep, though ….