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

grammargran, I walked outside today for the first time, only for a few minutes, but useful. I find walking on pavements more tiring than walking indoors on carpeted floors. It was good to get some fresh air, but future walks will depend on the weather.

I enjoyed walking on the grass after my ops but it was summertime then.

Both my ops have been in the winter and walking outside has /will be restricted by the weather. My Dd and her husband like to accompany me which restricts available time more as they both work mainly from home. Walking on grass would be good, but a bit hazardous after storm Bert dumped a load of rain on it!
I hope grammargran is more comfortable now the staples have been removed.

I had my new hip in April 2 years ago which was near perfect for being able to get out and about, but we can’t pick and choose of course. I was just grateful to have it done.

I’ll let you know later today Redcar. I thought they were coming out yesterday but my paracetamol addled brain made an error, it’s lunchtime today. As an aside, is anyone else self injecting an anti-coagulant every day? Is this standard practice? Not the nicest thing to do, but I guess it’s necessary, only 12 more days to go…..

I had injected anticoagulant when I was in hospital but was prescribed Apixaban for 6 weeks after. Easy enough to take a pill.

Yes I had to inject for 4 or possibly even 6 weeks. Forget now.

Yes I did after each knee replacement. I also cannot remember if it was 4 or 6 weeks.

No, I was sent out with a 'blood thinner' pill which I had to take for a month. Sorry, I've no idea what it was and I've thrown the packet out now...

I had injections after my hip replacement last year. Only for about 10 days though.

10 days Ginny? Lucky you.
By the time I got towards the end of my 4 or 6 weeks, think it was 6 actually, I was really fed up. My stomach looked like a pin cushion.

I was given 28 days’ worth of anticoagulant injections, but I’ve chickened out of doing them myself. My lovely son in law administers the injections every day! 10 days to go, but my poor tummy is looking very bruised and battered. Do you also have the compression socks grammargran? I’ve sort of plateaued at the moment, improving very slowly! I hope the staple removal went well today grammargran. I’ve still got a dressing on, and steri strips (to make the scar less obtrusive).

I had asked the surgeon and he said I didn’t need to wear the socks which I would have found so hard to put on and off. I thought the injections did the same or similar Job.
You will have plateau periods Redcar. Don’t despair, you are getting there

Grammargran hope you are feeling more comfortable now.

Hi everyone. Staples all out, goodness they looked a bit vicious & one had twisted in on itself according to the delightful nurse who removed them. It was on the curved bit so tugged every time I moved. Still a little sore in that area but otherwise the wound has “healed beautifully”, so much more comfortable in that respect. However, another dressing slapped straight on for another 72 hours &then I can shower and wash my hair! Roll on Saturday. No compression socks for me Redcar, the hospital doesn’t go for them & I can’t wear them because of a slight vascular problem. In spite of all this, like you, Redcar I feel I’ve plateaued or am standing on the same spot. I have that feeling that I must keep moving otherwise I shall seize up. If I sit down for any length of time I’m soooooo stiff afterwards. I’m trying to keep up with the exercises & have another physio session tomorrow. Not helped by that fact that I am so tired - I would love a decent night’s sleep!

grammargran I’m pleased you are rid of the staples, like you, I’m looking forward to getting rid of the extra dressing which irritates my skin, roll on Saturday! Isn’t it odd that hospitals and consultants vary so much on the use of compression socks. I’m also very stiff and achy if I sit for too long, but it takes me a few minutes to get moving again. My first physio session is on Friday afternoon. I’m doing the exercises in the booklet I was given, not as many as I should, but some is better than none! Wet here today so I won’t be going out for a walk. Things will improve for both of us, maybe not quickly, but slow and steady is the best way.

Once the dressings are off and you can have a shower you will feel so much better. I was lucky when I had my knees replaced both times I had the wounds glued so I was able to have early showers.

You are both doing well, it is a pity the weather has been so abysmal.

I got the 'stiff and achey' after sitting for too long, but it seems to have worn off now. I think that as you start moving about much more, and faster than you've been able to move for a long time ( before my op even walking slowly with a stick was painful and hard work for some months) it really will improve. It just kind of sneaks up on you 😀

I'm contemplating doing a 4 mile walk with the local Ramblers on Friday! Unthinkable for the past year...4 months since the op.

Sounds good if you are up for it. Please do not forget you have to get back again! Do you stop for a break half way?

The compression socks and approaches to blood thinning do seem to differ. After a TKR, three pain free years ago now, I was told my surgeon advised compression stockings (up to the knee) and aspirin post surgery. Both for six weeks. He was also very keen on lots of natural walking and few physio prescribed exercises. They all seem to have their preferences. His worked for me, may not for everyone and perhaps hips are treated differently.

Afternoon everyone, reporting in after a couple of days. I’m so glad I started posting here, it’s been so positive and encouraging, thank you all. Redcar how’re you doing? I had a second physio session yesterday which was daunting to start with as there are two long corridors to walk before you get to the Physio suite, but I feel this is good practice as it’s difficult to get outside weatherwise. It’s sunny today, but freezing cold. The physio staff are very good and showed me how to roll over on my side (sleeping still a problem). I managed this last night but, disappointingly, it was not so comfortable as I had hoped, so perhaps I’m not quite ready for it yet. I think the conclusion so far is that progress has been made, but it’s so small on a daily basis, you have to look back days to see it. At least now, with the sutures gone, it’s just the stiffness to be worked on now that the soreness has disappeared. Again, thank you all for supporting me along this unknown path.

Charleygirl5

Sounds good if you are up for it. Please do not forget you have to get back again! Do you stop for a break half way?

Gosh, no break. This is a short walk in Rambler's terms 😆

They always start and end at the same point. I shall take a walking pole and tell them they'll have to carry me if I give out halfway round...

I'm sure I'll be fine.

Well done grammargran! I bet the long straight walks to physio did you good. It's a pity about the sleeping but I never felt the benefit of being sorted of propped up to sleep on my side. However, this too really shall pass!

* grammargran * I’m doing ok thank you. I have my first physio session tomorrow. I’ve been practising walk round the house a lot, because I know it’s a long walk from the hospital entrance to the physio suite! It’s a lovely day here too, but bitterly cold so I haven’t been out. I’m sleeping fairly well on my back at the moment, so won’t try sleeping on my side for a few weeks yet. When I had my other hip done last year, it took several months before I could sleep comfortably on my side.
maizieD have fun on your four mile walk! I’ll be happy if I can do a mile without any kind of walking aid - I have back problems to deal with, the hips will be fine eventually!

I was certainly doing 4 mile walks 4 months post op Maizie. Think tomorrow here at least will be bright and sunny which always helps.
Enjoy but don’t push yourself too hard.