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

That’s great grammargran. I was offered my consultant appointment for yesterday but knew neither of my DDs would have been able to take me, so opted for after the Christmas rush. I had my last physio appointment today. All well, I can go to a walking stick if I want to, I can drive when I feel it’s safe for me to do so. No way am I driving round this city in the week before Christmas! He checked the scar and agreed there were undissolved stitches and they’d eventually be rejected by my very fussy body! I won’t be ditching the crutches just yet, I feel safer outside with two, especially if it frosty.
My godmother, now aged 99, had both knees replaced in her 80s, and one hip replaced after a fall in her late 80s, and the second hip replaced again after a fall when she was 91. She walks with sticks and not very far now, but is as active as she can be. So it’s nonsense for anyone to say that 80 is too old.

grammargran You are certainly not a wimp. Hips and knees will soon be done as day surgery, whereas I remember patients spending two weeks in the hospital and two weeks at a convalescent home in the late '60s and '70s.

I would hang on to the stick because snow and frost are coming. I know you will not be wading through snow, but the odd icy patch on the pavement can take you unaware.

I think you are all doing so well, each in your time.

Just noticed that you’re not seeing your surgeon till 2 Jan, Redcar - you’ll be running by then!

Evening everyone, here to say I had my six week check up today (few days early, Monday is the magic day, I’m presuming because of the season). Really happy to say all’s well, I can drive again and sleep however I’m comfortable. Sorenesss under scar apparently is an internal stitch hanging on in there but will go eventually & is certainly lessening. However, I must “ditch the stick” as soon as & that’s going to take some doing! Good luck for tomorrow Redcar. Charleygirl5 what a dreadful thing to say to your friend! My surgeon assured me that 85 was nothing, he was regularly operating on 90+ year olds. I’ve had so much help & support from all of you over the past six weeks & reading what so many of you have come through has only confirmed what I knew all along but tried to ignore - I AM a wimp after all …..

nannytopsy my first replaced hip last December only hurt in the day and not at night, but the second hip, replaced last month didn’t hurt in the day, but kept me awake for hours every night.
I’m hoping that my knees don’t develop arthritis, although I seem to have it everywhere else!

You are not alone Maizie, I have only the one new hip too…. But there’s time for another. Not a gambler but if there is a next time it will probably be my right knee.

Goodness, you all make me feel like a complete amateur. All I have is one hip 😂

Marymary I am sorry to hear you went flying, but thankfully, it was pre-surgery; otherwise, it may have been a different matter.

The physio I think was young and inexperienced. My friend has turned from a lion into a wimp and refuses to listen to practical advice.

I live too far away, so I must leave her to get on with it. I think depression has taken over. She is an old polio, and the problems of her knee and hip are on her "good side", so she hardly has a leg to stand on. The consultants she has seen were inexperienced because she is a complex case, but she does zilch, although money is not a problem.

I will be back from theatre week from now! My bad knee causes me no problems at night, but the other hip is a different matter! That’s why I am awake now. I shall see that consultant in a couple more months.
Look after yourselves ladies.

I’m not sleeping because … I went out for dinner and ate too much 🤦‍♀️. Also I was late for my tai chi class earlier today and ran a little bit down a slope - twisted my ankle - went flying flying onto my ‘bad’ side . Total shock - had to ring my DH to come scrape me up. Went to bed - ice on ankle - ibuprofen- very chagrined . What an idiot - normally so careful and a moments carelessness . Thankfully nothing is broken ( so my osteoporosis can’t be that bad 😊) and I think my ankle will be ok in a day or so but I may have to take it easy. I really wanted to go to my last class before Xmas , I really want to walk as much as poss before my op, and I am really really cross with myself !! Be careful out there ….

MaizieD it’s ok you didn’t sound snippy ! I was a bit puzzled myself as he then also said I’d be able to do all the things I do now but not in pain. It’s not like I want to get my leg over my head or anything 😂😂

Charleygirl5 re your friend in Northumberland - if that was an NHS physio then your friend should report it immediately and put in a complaint . It was an ageist comment and against all ethical principles of physiotherapists. I worked in Northumberland NHS for years and I’m appalled !

Think of the amount of scrap metal when we die!!!

Mizuna, great to hear it’s all gone so well. Congratulations
🥳

silverlining48

You are an old hand at this Redcar. Strange about the lumpy feeling.
I wonder if there is anyone on here with two new hips and two new knees, what a champion.

Yep, I've had all four joints replaced, though no longer 'new'. First knee seven years ago, then both hips within four months three years ago, then my other knee in June of this year. They all feel brilliant.

Aveline, you are a champion.

I've got two new knees and one new hip. Fingers crossed the other one stays OK.

Nearly there Charleygirl, hope t he hips hold out.
Saying 80 is too old is unacceptable. Pain is pain and your friend coukd have another 15 years of pain,
I would seek a second opinion if I were her.

I have an ankle pinned and plated and two knees. Thank goodness I only have two! I am hoping my hips will "see me out" but I am doubtful.

A friend of mine who lives in Northumberland was told by a physio that she was too old (80) for a new hip because it would be a waste of money! This is totally untrue and so rude.

You are an old hand at this Redcar. Strange about the lumpy feeling.
I wonder if there is anyone on here with two new hips and two new knees, what a champion.

Hi everyone. grammargran I’m pleased you’re doing well. I’m at five and a half weeks now. I see the physio on Friday 20th, which will be my 6 week mark. I’m not seeing the consultant until January 2nd, which will be 8 weeks. I’m not walking far either because also not going out much. I’m fine with one crutch and can walk a little way without crutches. Like you, the scar is healing well, but I have a slightly sore red patch on the scar. I think it’s a soluble stitch which hasn’t dissolved properly. It will work it’s way out eventually. My thighs ache when I stand up.
silverlining I’m a year on from my first hip op, and sometimes can feel a lump in the hip. I don’t often sleep on that side now, and can’t at the moment because it’s too uncomfortable. I can sleep on my back, but often wake up early.

Don’t want to put anyone off but I am 2.75 years post op and some times if I turn over onto my side in bed I feel a ‘lumpiness’ in the hip. I tend to sleep on the other side now.

My 'wound' healed weeks ago, grammargran, but, yes, it still has a tender spot which sometimes catches me (20 weeks on).

When we do a side lying exercise in pilates I have to put a pad under it, otherwise it's a bit painful.

Nannytopsy apologies, got your name quite wrong - blame lack of sleep!

Hi everyone, sorry to be late to the chat, but GN seems to have stopped alerting me to any movement on the thread. I thought you’d all gone very quiet. marymary62, do as everyone’s advising and get that surgery done, I was lucky I lasted out till 85 so probably won’t need any more, fingers crossed! TopsynanaI’m in deepest darkest Gloucestershire.Redcar good to know you’re still up and about. Five weeks today for me, walking and weight bearing on operated leg much easier, but I’m not walking far as I’m not getting out much. Sleeping is still a huge problem and my “wound” has a very sore internal spot which impinges on everything: walking, exercising, getting in and out of cars (and bed). Hospital assured me this is normal and advises massaging scar with E45. Scar itself is healed and healthy. Has anyone else experienced this? I don’t think I’m going to get my six week follow up at six weeks as this’ll land bang on Christmas!