👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees part 6 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

Well, that's what it said in the book I was given! Something I will have to check up on!

I find that strange because it specifically states that you can sleep on your operated side immediately post-surgery.

That was always a definite no for six weeks.

Each hospital is different. My Sil is at 6 weeks and can now sleep on her non-operated side for the first time. She does not find it comfortable even with pillows because she desperately needs surgery on that hip so she is on the w/list.

That must surely be a misprint Retired65, worth checking out. Personally, I can't believe it's physically possible.

I slept on my NON operated side last night with a pillow between my legs.
Today my bottom feels much more comfortable. I am currently sitting on my sofa after shopping and a hours walk on the local common with no discomfort, so I will continue with this for the foreseeable future. 😊

travelsafar You may feel more comfortable placing a pillow behind your back.

You did extremely well today.

I think it’s definitely a misprint in the booklet. Please don’t let us worry you, Bea.

grammargran

That must surely be a misprint Retired65, worth checking out. Personally, I can't believe it's physically possible.

I’d point it out to the hospital trust that produced the booklet. Even if it’s non detrimental to the new joint (which I doubt) it must be ‘extremely’ uncomfortable, even painful.
I’ve never seen that ‘advice’ given anywhere else. It’s always NON operated side.

silverlining48

Hello teabagwoman that must have been a shock. Both knee and hip. As fir knee support I used one last week, one of those elastic pull on tight elastic bandage type. The back rolled up at the back of my knee causing discomfort and redness all round my leg which lasted for 12 hours. The top rolled down. V uncomfortable and won’t repeat.

Will be getting results of my knee x Ray this week so will report back then. Hoping I don’t need a new knee.

I’ve had several elastic ones but, having very chubby legs they just dig into my thighs. I have one of those patella straps that I tried wearing yesterday but it just seems to make my knee sore. My skin is now very thin and sensitive. Various creams that I try ( Flexiseq, Voltarol, Ibuprofen) just seems to bring me out in a rash. I dread having a TKR and having to wear those tight stockings. My knee hasn’t been too bad recently but, now staying at my partners I’m finding myself unable to walk the way that I used to. The family have been staying for a few days and I haven’t been able to go on days out with them. It’s times like this that make me aware of how different the current me is to how I used to be. I’ve also started piling on the weight because I’m not getting the exercise I used to. At the same time I still only have pain in my knee when I try to walk distances. There’s no pain when I’m resting or sleeping. I am definitely going to ask for an x ray when I get home. I need to know exactly what’s happening. My son just sent me a photo of us all on the beach. I look so old and my posture is terrible: very bent over. I just don’t know how bad my knee needs to be before I go down the TKR route, especially if it might take me many months to get over it. My skin doesn’t heal at the best of times so I don’t see how it will heal with so many stitches. If I’m honest, I look and feel so old I prefer just to potter around my house reading, listening to podcasts and watching tv.

I used a knee brace from Boots before I had my THR, MayBee, because Ingot a lot of pain in the knee of that leg. It seems to have wider straps than a patella brace but I don’t know if it would still make your knee sore. I found it very helpful and it was quite comfortable. Of course, I appreciate that the pain in my knee caused by my arthritic hip might have been quite different from what you are experiencing.

Have you thought of doing a gentle exercise class, like yoga or pilates? It could help with the posture problem. I did pilates for a few months before my op and it did help. It didn’t make the pain any less but I think it helped to keep my leg muscles strengthened. I’m sure it helped with my recovery, too.

I know a few people who have had TKRs and, while it’s initially painful they have recovered in a surprisingly short time.

I hope you can get an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon so you can talk over your worries. It’s no fun having your life marred by pain and loss of mobility.

I’ve done knee strengthening exercises for years, although sometimes I get a bit slack about doing them. Need to go back to the gym because I used to use the leg strengthening exercise machinery there Stopped going because I was scared of catching covid ( still haven’t had it) although I’m still a member.

I had my left hip replaced 12 years ago. What moot more interesting is the fact that my right leg was amputated at mid thigh, when was 16 (rta).

I couldn’t find anyone else who was in this situation when I had my thr, and the medical/physio staff hadn’t either.

So, if anyone is in this situation (and I can’t be the only one, due to wear and tear caused by an unequal gait,) please do get in touch with me and I will be able to reassure you and offer my support. It’s very doable.

* more interesting, not moot. Typo sorry.

My goodness smintie dreadful that you lost your leg so young.
It sounds like things worked out with your replacement hip on the other leg though, good for you ?
You are very welcome here.

Thank you, but the arrogance of youth got me through, that and the fact that I was taken to a military hospital (nearest one), and those guys are tough 😊
They taught me to never give up. I was very lucky to have them.

Smintie, you have done so well throughout your life. That was horrendous at such a young age.

I also have never experienced that combination and have 30 years of professional experience.

Welcome aboard.

Maybee I should do that also but I am bone idle

You have all done so well, but I am well aware it has not been a walk in the park. I am pleased I only have two knees.

Smintie I was watching tv yesterday and there was a young woman who had been in an accident similar to you but who has a special running prosthesis and will be running in the next Games. She was inspiring.

Smintie you’re incredible and I shall stop my whinging immediately. Well, for the moment anyway. Welcome to the thread.

grammargran

Smintie you’re incredible and I shall stop my whinging immediately. Well, for the moment anyway. Welcome to the thread.

Please don’t, a good whinge is incredibly therapeutic! I prescribe at least one a day.
Thank you.

Charleygirl5

*Smintie*, you have done so well throughout your life. That was horrendous at such a young age.

I also have never experienced that combination and have 30 years of professional experience.

Welcome aboard.

Maybee I should do that also but I am bone idle

You have all done so well, but I am well aware it has not been a walk in the park. I am pleased I only have two knees.

Oh, perhaps it’s an unusual combination then?
I was lucky to have people who pushed me to do my best.
I also favour a little bone idleness 😊 it’s good for the soul.

silverlining48

Smintie I was watching tv yesterday and there was a young woman who had been in an accident similar to you but who has a special running prosthesis and will be running in the next Games. She was inspiring.

I’m so in awe of the people with blades, (running legs), it’s not possible after a thr, as it wears them out too quickly. They are really inspiring to watch.

It's a bit off-topic, but it has taken me over 48 hours to dry my bed, wash and dry everything in sight, and put everything on the bed again. Being 81, I am exhausted. I was fortunate with the weather.

It is a pity I am a cold morsel because I will use a hwb until we have a true heatwave, and that will not be anytime soon.

Enjoy the remainder of the evening and I am sure somebody will do the exercises I am supposed to do. Thanks for that.

That’s a lot of work and time. You must be exhausted. I have always had an electric under blanket Charleygirl. They don’t cost much more than a hottie.
I recommended an electric blanket to a younger friend, they had never had one but now wouldn’t be without theirs.

There is no way I would sleep with one switched on. They used to cool down so quickly, hence my lovely hwb. Normally I can shuffle to the other side of the bed but it was wet also. I am fine, luckily I can still do the work.

I don’t sleep with mine switched on, I just warm the bed before I get in. The heat stays warm for a while before cooling but by then I am warm. The other option is one of those oat things heated in a microwave. They stay hot for ages.
Another plus for an electric blanket is they heat the whole bed area rather than just a small square.
Anyway, hope you don’t get a leak again.

Only 81 charleygirl, you’re a spring chicken, but glad you’re all dry now. Electric blankets are bliss, I’ve got by with a 4 tog duvet plus a throw all winter because I couldn’t bear the weight on my legs after the op. I don’t keep it on all night, but then, I do have a DH ……