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

Yes my hip was more painful in the hot weather and my operated knee and level were a bit swollen too. A bit better this week.

Leg not level!

Has anyone received any help from Versus Arthritis?

I havnt, but have you been in touch with them maybee?

I’ve signed onto their website but haven’t contacted them. My daughter has just lent me a knee brace that she was given to help her with joggers knee. I’ve never bought one because they’re quite expensive and most things like that eg patella straps, just make my knee hurt even more. But, thus far it’s helping because my main problem is the lack of sideways movement and a wrong step makes me feel as if someone has stabbed a knife into my knee and I don’t have any confidence when walking. I’m really hoping that this will help. And I’m going to send away for an ice pack thingy, too.

I hope you get referred to physio , am I right in remembering your appointment is tomorrow ?

No. Next Thursday. I’m not leaving the surgery without a referral for physio! I’m going to do a GP appointment bingo to see what I get offered. NSAID’s ( not going to take): steroid injection ( not going to have…). Wonder if GP will look at my knee (s)? Doubtful. Wonder if I know more than he does about arthritic knee problems/treatments? Highly likely…

Good morning all,
Having suffered from hip arthritis for a year and finding my mobility get less and less I have decided to go private and have a THR booked for 11th August.
I'm 55 and have used the gym for low impact exercise 2 to 3 times a week since February this year.
I'm starting to get last minute nerves so wondered if any of you could share your experience of life after a THR. Are you able to do a lot more again and was it worth it?
We are planning on moving to the Peak District next year and I would love to be able to walk in the glorious countryside.

Foxgloveandroses at 55 your recovery from a THR should be an absolute doddle. I have 30 years on you and had a THR eight months ago. I have just come back from my weekly circuit class for the over 50s. I can do just about everything now except stand for long periods. It’s still stiff and ache-y if I sit for too long but the total recovery period is roughly a year so I’ve another four months to go. But most importantly, the arthritic pain has gone. There’s no denying the first couple of months are hard going but, believe me, you are bloomin’ young! You will be striding over the Peak District countryside before you know it. Is it worth it? I went private too, because in my mid 80s, time isn’t on my side, and it was worth every penny. For what it’s worth, the best advice you’ll get is to do your post-op exercises every day without fail. I’m pretty sure there are loads on here who will agree with me.

grammargran I agree with every word you say. I have not had my hips replaced (yet), but I am reasonably close to your age.

At 55, you are a spring chicken Foxgloveandroses, so you should sail through it. If you want any tips or advice, however small, feel free to ask. I have had both knees replaced, and I have experience from both the professional and personal viewpoint.

You will be surprised at just how quickly you recover foxgloves. It’s a brilliant operation and you will be able to go for a short walk in weeks. They tell you it takes 18 months to properly heal but as long as you take care not to fall you will be fine. Woukd suggest you use walking poles if you don’t already. To be free of pain is wonderful. Definitely worth it,
Hope all goes well, and if you have any questions just ask.

Thank you all for your responses, it's very encouraging to hear how positive you are.
I've been sent all the information today, outlining the risks etc and for the first time it's put some doubt in my mind and I'm feeling a bit down. Your responses have been just the 'pick me up' I've needed.

From the legal point of view, you have to be told the doom and gloom but by Christmas, it will be surgery? What surgery? Because you will be fine if you follow the basic rules, and we will keep you on the straight and narrow. What part of the country do you live?

Have you researched the orthopaedic surgeon? I hope he does not only operate privately.

Just before I left hospital after my operation they gave me something to make me ‘go’. Not very wise….given I had a journey home of half hour. By the time I got home I needed the loo, urgently. So didn’t hesitate and actually ran straight up the stairs….a mere 36 hours after my operation.

I am not suggesting anyone try it but needs must and much to my surprise and relief, I did it without too much of a problem. 😮

This is common straightforward surgery. You will worry but once the pain has gone, and it goes immediately, you will be so pleased you had it done.

What a good day today. Went shopping in the next village using my new knee brace. Didn’t walk any better or faster but the panic feeling I get these days now wasn’t there ie scared that the knee was going to lock and I couldn’t walk forwards. And then went into a shop and started boring the assistant (who I know really well) about my knee and she’s given me the number of a really good physio who also runs the local chair Pilates class and, if you go to them she’ll tell you which exercises you should and shouldn’t do. So after I’ve seen my x rays I’m going to book an appointment with her. I’m feeling more positive than I have for months. I’m still going to ask my GP to refer me for physio but I had put some of my savings to one side to pay for the sessions with my osteopath that I’d cancelled, feeling that I needed to see a physiotherapist instead. I need to work out how to access my x rays to show her.

MayBee70 do you have the NHS app? If your X-ray results have been sent to your GP, they should also be on the Test Results part of the app where you can read them & show to the physio.

I’m such a technophobe. I need to work out how to do it.

Do you know anyone who’s IT savvy who might be able to help you download it? It really is useful and quite easy to use once you have it.

Charleygirl5, thank you for your lovely message.
I live in West Wales, I've done some research on the surgeon and he does also work for the NHS.

foxgloveandroses, I’ve had both hips done and am free of the awful grinding pain. Unfortunately I have a back problem so have to use either a rollator or walking sticks to hold me up, but I can do a couple of miles quite comfortably. I couldn’t do that before my operations. I’m still doing the exercises I was given in hospital and my legs are definitely stronger now. Hip replacement is major surgery, but is a routine operation and you’ll be up and about before you know it!

FoxgloveandRoses

It's almost a year since my THR. It's like a miracle! The arthritic pain goes immediately and the

I was driving again after three weeks, pilates at 6 weeks, got on a horse again at 3 months and was walking with the local ramblers at 6 months. And I was 74 when I had the op. you're a spring chicken...

I completely forget I have a 'spare part' now.

I did have a few private physio sessions and work on a mechanical horse for the riding. But not everyone wants to ride....

Do the exercises, walk and be very positive and determined.

My OH had both his done in his 50s and he recovered quickly, too. Half the group I walk with has at least one 'hip' or 'knee' Unless you are extraordinarily unlucky you'll be fine.

Lots of help and advice on these threads, too.

Sorry, missed a bit. The post op discomfort doesn't last for long.

Foxglove I am pleased to hear he works for the NHS also. I will not bore you with the reasons why. Stay with us lot and we will get you through the surgery.

May I suggest that if you do not have a cleaner and can afford one, I would recommend employing one now so she is familiar with the layout of your home. Remove rugs which can be trip hazards, and look around to see if there is any furniture which could be placed elsewhere.

In the kitchen, move items from lower and higher cupboards to areas you can reach after surgery.

It may be difficult post-surgery to do simple things like putting clothes in the washing machine, so practise now as though you have had surgery. The easiest way is to slide your operated leg backwards so that it's straight, and you should not be bending your hip using that method.

If you have a DH who does not need a map to find the kitchen, problem solved.

Foxglove especially as you're private, you'll probably find you'll leave hospital with a goody bag of helpful items. I came out with a long handled shoe horn, a 'grabber', a loo seat, a walking frame, two walking sticks and a slidey nylon sheet for the car to help getting in and out. It'll feel like Christmas!