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

Charleygirl, how bloomin’ frustrating for you! Grammaretto, do be careful when you eventually go swimming. When I asked about hydrotherapy (not quite the same but it has some bearing), the physio said the problem was more getting in and out of a swim suit, particularly a wet one. It’s not an easy manoeuvre at the best of times & with a hip and muscles that are still a bit stiff, could prove quite tricky. Then there’s all the palaver of getting dressed again - but go girl, you’re obviously far more adventurous than I am!

Also be careful because the floor around the pool is very wet. It is a really good idea but you have to think of everything.

My sister had her hip replaced a week ago and was given no instructions on how to do anything. Her bed was raised, but she has only attempted to sleep in it for a couple of nights. I have spent ages trying to give her practical advice on doing simple things like washing her hair.

I’ve had osteoarthritis in my left hip for some time but it has now got much worse and giving me considerable pain. I’m seeing a physio privately and will be seeing my GP to request a referral to the orthopods. In the meantime can I ask if you experienced Gnetters have any advice about reducing the pain. So far various painkillers have been completely ineffective.

I cannot help you because nothing appeared to touch the pain I had, so I gave up and had to wait until my surgery date.

If you are in so much pain once you are on the list, ring the consultant's secretary frequently and ask if you could be considered for a cancellation.

Thanks Charleygirl5 I’ll make a note to do that. I had a feeling I couldn’t hope for much help from pain killers.

teabagwoman others may have gained some benefit, you and I are unlucky. Mine were at grade 4 which is bone grinding on bone and you may well be in the same position.

Swimming gives you exercise and takes the weight off your affected limb if you like swimming.

So sorry to hear you are so much pain teabagwoman.
Are you on a waiting list for surgery?
I lived on painkillers, paracetamol and ibuprofen with occasional cocodimol while waiting for surgery.

I don't think my pain was as bad as yours sounds . The other thing I did was attend an escape pain clinic twice a week over last Summer which was good.
It was run by the Council in combination with the NHS.

Try to find out what's available in your area.

I am having my3nd hip replacement operation on Thursday 13th and feeling so nervous for some reason. My right hip was done 2years ago and all went well and I'm aware of precautions to take. But somehow this time it feels so daunting 😩
Anyone had both hips replaced, if yes how has it affected your life afterwards???

2nd not 3rd!!!

travelsafar the idea of a three legged woman was just coming to mind when you posted your correction! 🤣
Good luck for Thursday.
We are doing a churchyard blitz this morning. There is a lot of ivy to be removed.

Grammaretto I’ve just had a look at the Escape Pain Clinic website and there’s nothing anywhere near me. I’m currently trying to divide my days up into half hours on my feet and half hours doing sit down jobs. It is helping to reduce the pain but it’s going to take some getting used to.

travelsafar Mr Maizie has had both hips replaced with no adverse after effects. What sort of drawback are you anticipating?

In fact, I know a few people with 2 artificial hips and they are absolutely fine. If I ever need my other hip replacing I'll get it done like a shot.

travelsafar I had my first hip replacement in December 2023, and my second one replaced in November 2024. I was also very apprehensive but didn’t need to be. I couldn’t have strong painkillers, so got through the recovery period with just ibuprofen and paracetamol. Have had no problems, I thought that my recovery was slower, but on checking my diary from the first one, found that it wasn’t. I hope it goes well for you on 13th. It will be worth it!

teabagwoman on the recommendation from the pharmacist I took 2 ibuprofen then 2-3 hours later 2 paracetamol as and when throughout the day. I didn’t find voltarol very helpful but did find cbd balm very good. And you can use it quite often and no problems with taking ibuprofen. I also found using my walking poles to keep me upright really helpful. The physio said using them gave me a bit of a gap whereas without them it was bone on bone. Not perfect but helped my deteriorating mobility before my THR.

Welcome, Neezie. If you are on the list, are you ringing to find out if there are cancellations? This long wait is a killer I think. Some areas are good, others are dire.

Thank you for your suggestions Neezie but unfortunately I can’t take Ibuprofen. I’m interested in your physio’s comments on using walking poles and will check with my physio. I have spinal stenosis as well and the advice for this is to bend over a little as this helps open up the spine. It will be a case of finding a balance.

Charleygirl5 I had a THR November 2nd 2024. I had been told that my problem was muscular for over 2&1/2 years. My GP referred me to the CMATS team in August and was seen in September, had X-ray that day, 6 weeks later given the results that I had severe arthritis in my right hip and it was bone on bone plus other comments. At this point my mobility had reduced to around 300 steps a day. I was told the waiting list was around 3 years, but a moving feast. I bit the bullet and went privately. Saw consultant the next week and two weeks later had my op, via an interest free loan. Discussed delaying till after Christmas but consultant said no the sooner the better. I truly believe I would be bed bound now if I hadn’t had this op. I couldn’t believe how miraculous the THR was, even right after the operation when getting up for the first time. I am 18 weeks post op today and I can see how poor my mental health, as well as physical health, was pre-op. I have a new lease of life and know how lucky I am to be enjoying life again.

Neezie that’s brilliant, you’re just days ahead of me and Redcar. I had my THR on 11 November last year and I, too, went private ‘cos in my mid-80s I’m just too old to hang about on a waiting list. I’ve near enough got my normal life back now, the hip still doesn’t quite “belong”, I can get pretty stiff if I sit for long periods and stairs are a bit of a bind, but I’m back to my exercise classes and walking unaided around the house, no problem. Just need to get more walking going outside, but now that Spring’s here …..

grammargran well done you! I’m back to chair yoga and tai chi, and hope to get back to on the floor yoga later in the year. I don’t find walking uphill that easy but I’m sure that will get better as stamina improves. I’ve been told at 6 months you shouldn’t know you’ve had a THR but at a year you’re fully recovered. I have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments on this forum, it’s great to read about their experiences and know you’re not the only one experiencing something. Good to be able to sleep through the night again too 😴.

Neezie your last sentence is just soooo true. Those first three or four weeks of watching the clock hands creep round in the small hours, lying on my back just itching to turn over, were excruciating!

Avidly reading all these posts. It's a long time before my THR (7th July) unless I get a cancellation. Pain has been really inconsistent this week, from unbearable to wondering if I really need this? Stopped frightening myself by looking on You Tube and re reading all the risks! Have you Gransnetters any tips, ie what to take to come out of hospital in etc, any things you found useful? I've ordered some Sketchers slip ons as a start. Thank you.

I recognised your sentence about inconsistent hip pain Sealover. I keep thinking the same then I try to get out of the car or climb stairs. And as for sleeping!!

Hello sealover. Keep phoning after your pre op to see if there has been a cancellation, it’s worth a try, though a July date is nice as you will be able to be outdoors and will be so much better by the time autumn/ winter starts.
As for clothes post op, loose, dresses or skirts preferably, nightdress for sleeping. Avoid trousers. A cross body bag to carry things around, a long handled show horn.
Slippers with backs, remove loose rugs….usual sensible stuff.
I really understand how you feel when you have an ok day, wondering if you actually need an operation. I was the same, but after an injection which made things s o much worse for me, I knew without doubt, I needed the operation.
You won’t be in hospital long enough to have to take much in. I shouldn’t worry too much. I had 36 hours before I was discharged.
You will be so pleased after your operation, it makes such a difference. Try not to worry.

Neezie, welcome 🤗 it’s good to hear how sell things have gone for you.

Ah thank you, Silverlining48! I really appreciate these messages. And yes, a bad day today, def need it, find it hard to believe it will all go away! Need to trust! We are so lucky here to have these procedures, elsewhere in the world I guess people just have to suffer. Working on a mindfulness strategy to combat anxt.