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

Bea, I’m astonished your leg length problem has only just come to light - surely your physio should’ve noticed! I do hope the heel implants help sort the problem.

Charley big decision re your car, well done, I hope it’s not too traumatising. Just don’t lose your bus pass!

Susytish, seven months on from my THR, I find walking exhausting! Still trying to recover my stamina. Back in April, I was so concerned I had an ECG, chest x-ray and blood tests, to see why I was finding it so hard to walk around the village like I did - all came back negative I’m glad to say so I’m guessing it’s also an age thing as much as as anything. Slightly disappointing as I did hope to be functioning somewhat quicker than I am although I don’t use my stick indoors.

Whatever, well done us as we soldier on …… xx

Before I had my first hip replacement, the right leg was 1 cm shorter than my left leg. The consultant managed to adjust it so that after that first hip replacement my legs were almost the same length. After the second hip replacement I think that my left leg is now fractionally shorter than my right! I do think this is making my back pain worse. The pain is caused by spinal fractures due to osteoporosis and I’m now 10cm shorter than I was.bea I hope that the heel insert helps your pain. I’ve given up on nice shoes and wear trainers all the time now!
charley brave of you to give up your car, I hope you manage with public transport and taxis if necessary.

I have had my 6 week check today after left THR and Consultant seems happy with my progress.
He asked about the left knee and whether any problem with it, as it the last chance saloon, having now had 2 hips and a knee! Could be the title of a book!
I don’t feel 100% by any means, tired and not sleeping well, awake every 2 hours at the minute. Not getting going with walking, as I seem to remember I was doing more at this point after right THR.
I have had breathing issues since last year, several investigations, but not really anywhere with it. Had 24 hour heart monitor yesterday.
Feeling a bit fed up I suppose.

Oh that is a brave decision Charley. Do you have shops doctors, dentist, buses etc nearby? I do know you can’t walk too far.
Gosh, the vultures were quick off the mark. Cheeky. Good for you to fend them off. It will take getting used to, but if you are not running a car you can afford a taxi when needed. Hope it works for you.

This is the end of an era for me, I have given up my driving licence and sold my car today on Friday the 13th. Already the vultures have asked for my car park space. I am keeping it for friends and tradespeople but I will have a bollard fitted.

Initially after my hip op I my legs seemed to be different lengths a weird feeling, and was concerned but was told it would resolve and it did. I no longer notice any difference though my other foot gets very hard skin around toes and soles. Where pre hip op both feet got hard skin equally. I just need to treat one foot now.

Had dental trauma Jan/Feb this year including extraction and bruising of cheek/gums ..need partial denture and next appt July as was having THR ..u can’t risk infection before a major surgery

Saw consultant yesterday- knee X-ray shows wear&tear but joint spacing looks okay will need in future
The pain he believes now is coming from lumbar region as my L3 and 5 are bulging ..great..
He gave me a heel lift for left shoe as have leg length discrepancy which was mentioned before surgery could happen but I didn’t process this until now…am seeing him again in 3 months but I told him I was very stressed about this but he said if the heel lift improves my pain, I can order more online or go to
Timpsons for a permanent replacement heel fix…
Has anyone done this after a THR? Feeling somewhat again annoyed/upset by these circumstances…also told me to continue with Rehab physio..I nearly told him to get 😠

Maybee Always good to get teeth checked before an operation especially hips and knees, well most things actually.
It won’t be that long before you are walking after your operation, my neighbour has had both knees done and she was walking with out group after 8 weeks and walked on her own after the first couple of weeks. You will feel so much better, and best of all no more pain.

Just been to the dentists in the next village. Did a bit of shopping on the way back to the car and someone kindly asked me if I needed help to cross the road .That is how bad my walking outside of the home is. On the plus side I was chatting to another lady about mobility scooters and another lady walked past us who, I was told, had had a TKR 6 weeks ago. This really made me realise that I've got to get out of my worst case scenario mode in which I assume I'll struggle to walk for months and months. And the dentist x rayed my teeth so that, if I do have a TKR I know I shouldn't be at risk of any dental problems [a friend of mine had to cancel her TKR at the last minute due to a tooth infection].

Hope all goes well today Susytish and hope your breathing problem resolves.
Greetings to all and hope everything is going ok. Enjoy the sunshine if you have it.

Well I have my 6 week follow up on Friday after left THR.
Not doing too bad, just paracetamol now and doing the exercises given by the hospital. I have first (and maybe only) physio appointment on Monday.
I had right THR August 2023 and can’t remember how quickly I could walk unaided after. Just using 1 crutch but getting quit annoyed with. Can take a few steps but walk like a Geisha girl!
To add to the mix I have to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours from tomorrow, so will be wearing it when see the Consultant for the follow-up! Linked to breathing problem I developed early last year.

Oh Bea I’m so sorry to hear about your ongoing problems. They need investigating thoroughly.

Happy Birthday and much sympathy Bea. Definitely take a list of the problems you’re experiencing and tears can often work wonders.

Happy birthday Bea.. Your surgery was supposed to improve your pain, not cause more problems! I hope the consultant can help you on Thursday.

Happy birthday Bea. Hope you feel miles better soon.

I am losing the plot, happy birthday Bea

Birthday wishes bea. Hope there’s something positive

Totally agree, write a clear, concise list with two copies if you can . In the past I’ve asked medics to read the list before we began to talk. None have objected and have sent my list for scanning into my records which is why it’s helpful to have a second to keep. Hope you can get reasonably comfortable today.

OMG that sounds awful. Please create a list of questions you need to ask. As grammergran said, it is "only" a couple of days.

Oh my days, Bea, sending you birthday hugs, you sound as though you need them badly. Your whole situation sounds awful. It sounds to me as if you should be back in hospital being properly looked at. Your physio is just pulling things out of the air, but you have “only” a couple of days until you see the consultant - for goodness sake, let it rip, don’t be stoical and, if necessary, weep. You cannot go on like this. All the best, my lovely.

So update..shin pain when the PT pressed on it and groin pain quite severe when she tried rotating the leg whilst lying flat..knee pain ongoing..
What the PT did say that sometimes you can get small bone fractures during surgery…great…and .hernia in my groin/pelvic area..another great …she also suggested I have post op bloods taken to check I don’t have some little infection in the ? bone

Anyone told this …all I will say is, have had another terrible interrupted sleep…feeling more tired and OLD - my bday today..
W
Seeing consultant 12th so will have another illuminating chat🤔

I suffer from IBS so have to adapt what I eat if I’m going somewhere! Even have to make any appointments for later in the day. I think now that I’ve finally admitted to myself that I need a TKR I can start planning for it properly. My last hope was seeing my osteopath, because he has helped me with that knee in the past. But when two sessions with him didn’t improve things I realised that things were only going to get worse. I really want to get started with any pre op exercises etc although I’ve been doing what I think are suitable exercises for a long time.

Redcar good to know you also experienced some groin pain and that they don't last long...

MayBee70 I totally get you when you say you have to 'gear up' when suddenly offered an appt on the following day etc.. ive terrible anxiety and the closer the hospital to travel to - the better..just walking too much to get inside to the appt, can be a negative..
Good luck for Monday...I've a physio session Monday and I absolutely hate the thought of it and KNOW its for my benefit but my knee is totally opposed!! Its a new PT so maybe won't be that bad...

Well, the system seems to be working well. Did an online request for an appointment, doctor did phone me within two days and I could have gone for an x ray this afternoon, but I have to gear myself up for things like that, so going on Monday. Efficient as it all was it seemed so clinical compared to the recent past in which I would have gone to have a chat with a doctor who I would have known ( no idea who it was who phoned me today and it was all very brusque ). I can also go to a hospital that’s much closer to where I live. I thought I was going to have to go to the main hospital which is miles away and difficult to get to; added to which they’re having work done on the car park there so it’s a long walk from the car park people now have to use. I am impressed with the efficiency of it all, though.

cornergran, your exercise regime sounds like mine! Exercises to be done lying down, some sitting and some standing up! For hips, back ankles and feet! But it takes a while each day doesn’t it?
bea six months in from one THR and 18 months from the other one, I still get odd aches around the groin or top of leg. Fortunately they don’t last long.