Yikes - crutches help!

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Contact your GP and ask for an occupational therapy assessment given your new situation.

They may do this over the phone but there is lots of equipment they can loan you for the duration such as a perching stool for the kitchen (previously mentioned) and a kitchen trolley.

They can also assess you for any bath/showering seats as well. I would advise against buying items that you may never use again, and may also find are of no/limited use.

Get the experts to advise and then you can decide if you want to purchase anything on top of what they can loan you.

It was very poor of the urgent treatment centre not to ask you these questions before sending you on your way.

Dotpocka - Dr Josh Axe is based in the USA much of this information re pork meat is not relevant to the UK.

In January I injured my hip and ended up with a zimmer frame - it was initially so frustrating because my only way of carrying anything was putting it in my pocket! Then I had a bright idea and tied a shopping bag to the handles, Wow! that was great, butnI couldn't carry a cup of coffee - a friend told me I could buy a tray that clipped on to it on Amazon - I bought a tray with a container under it - it was wonderful - I was made!! Thankfully I no longer need the zimmer, but the attachments helped me keep my sanity and independence!

Thanks for the tip about only using one crutch - and I thought I was doing so well!

Something for carrying things around is vital - the cheap cross body bag I bought is an absolute boon. I also bought a 12 pack of small bottled water - it means I can have a bottle in the lounge, the kitchen and the dining room so saves remembering to take my water bottle from room to room. With my painkillers in my bag I can take them wherever I happen to be.

I broke my kneecap last summer, and the local Occupational Therapy team were soon on the spot -and very helpful. I found the zimmer frame and the little trolley mentioned above really excellent - though the crutches not at all!
A Tesco’s home delivery for all my food for a week really helped, though being housebound for several months did feel rather depressing. Hopefully you will soon be on the mend - and able to enjoy the summer. Very best wishes from a survivor!

My friend used an apron with a big pocket on the front to carry small items around.

Isn't it sad, I'm sure most of our very good friends would be more than happy to call in and help us if we were in the same predicament, (I certainly would) but don't like to ask, as it feels 'cheeky'. 🙄

I have a ruptured Achilles Tendon and am having to wear a boot 24 -7 and use crutches which I find very hard. I find that carrying stuff around in a small back pack is useful. Thankfully a friend lent me her crutches so I have one pair upstairs and one pair downstairs. However I prefer dragging myself round on furniture where I can.

I’d caution you against trying to go with one crutch too soon my gran did that and ended needing to use a walking stick the rest of her life. I was advised by my physio not too try it to soon after my hip op, as it’s a common outcome, to be left needing a walking aid

Oh, you do have my sympathy! I’m in a slightly better position than you, inasmuch as I can waddle around with a zimmer frame, & the GP’s Rapid Response Team brought me a bucket thing which fits over the frame. Last night was my second upstairs in my bed after a week on the couch, & I now have carers morning and night to help with stairs, dressing and showers. Crutches would be no good for me as when I hurt my leg I also put my wrist out of commission. I use one of those screw top drink flasks because it prevents spillage, and of course the reinforced pants we all think are for old folk not us - but in the middle of the night it can take an age to get to the loo. The worst thing, for me, isn’t the pain or inconvenience it’s the garden & all the seedlings which I’m going to have to watch die if I can’t either pot them on or plant them. Tragedy! Wishing you the very best.

Try a zimmer type frame with wheels and a tray on the front, that would help for transferring food & drink etc

If u have to keep the weight off your leg completely I found an office chair on wheels very useful to propel along with one foot after I broke my ankle. Can even take back or arms off if they come off for more manoeuvrability. Hope u recover quickly.

DeeDe

After I had an accident found crutches difficult when shopping
Managed at home.
Only easy trips was when I took my baby grandson out in his stroller…so lovely having free hands again while out shopping

Supermarkets or the Garden Centre are ok as they have trolleys as something to lean on. In fact, some other shops do have trolleys eg Hobbycraft, TK Maxx, HomeSense and DIY stores.
Room to put the crutches in them too!

However, shopping in a local High Street would be difficult.

I broke my wrist in january. Readymeals were a great stand bye.

After I had an accident found crutches difficult when shopping
Managed at home.
Only easy trips was when I took my baby grandson out in his stroller…so lovely having free hands again while out shopping

A friend found she could transport various items around by wearing a hoodie and using the pouch.

I have a small lightweight bag, which I put things like pens, remote control, paper tablets glasses or whatever. This is easier to deal with so I take things in it to the bedroom or back to the kitchen or whatever, and you only have to think of that one bag of things , which you need to take things in, so that the infuriating effort of getting somewhere and finding you have left something that matters elsewhere. So I put a tape through the handles with a bit of velcro to then make the tape like a circle and could hold that with the crutch handle. Or again, talking about lightweight things you might be able to carry them in a bag over your shoulder. another useful thing I find is having a washing bag with a zip. Again to put bits and pieces in and then it is easier if you only have the bag to put somewhere rather than wretched little things falling to the ground where you cant reach them.

Also keep a little notebook and jot down things as you find them difficult. Then if you have a visitor you can ask them to do something for you. I often have difficulties opening jars etc and things like the oil bottles , and get cross with myself when I go to try and do them the next time and think I should have asked someone to do that for me. As regards meals, do you have a friend or neighbour who is a decent cook? I have done this for someone before. So I got a pound of minced steak and made up half into a good mince with onions, celery carrots etc, and the other half I made into a curry. Then split them up into indivdual portions and put them in the freezer. That way she just did a baked potato with the mince which reheated in the microwave, and she had that 2 minute bag of rice for the curry. If you had someone who could do something you like to go in the freezer that would make it easier for you and also tempt your appetite too. Then I think you might get the menus from chinese, piazza, and of course fish and chips! It may also be worth your while to check if a local church or community group do any lunches where either they might collect you and take you there or bring something to you. Hope you find something to enjoy

silverlining48

A zimmer is a good idea. 👍

There are caddies for frames, a sort of box that attaches to the top rail. NRS supplies lots of this sort of stuff I think.

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524

However, irrespective of pork’s nutritional value, some experts advise against its consumption. For example, Dr. Josh Axe has highlighted several problems with pork:

The pig’s problematic digestive system.
Increased cancer risk from bacon and other processed pork.
Swine flu in humans.
Trichinosis dangers (caused by roundworms in pork).
Pigs harbor common viruses and parasites.
Factory farming and pigs.
Drug resistant bacteria in pork chops and ground pork.

address why you have gout since brits love their pork

Allira mine did once!

ferry I would wear a nightdress and sleep with my dressing gown on.

Have you got a picker-upper to help you put on knickers and PJ bottoms? I find them difficult to use, but others find them easy.

When I have a hip replaced, I will buy another so I have one upstairs and the other downstairs. At least you will be improving daily, but you still will not be able to bend properly for many weeks.

ferry23

Grannylynj

Do you have anyone near to help?

Well, my cousin lives quite close and she's been an absolute star - but her husband has snapped his Achilles tendon and he's also on crutches and a boot so I'm trying not to call on her too often.

I've managed to get a home help from an agency just for an hour today and again next week and although eye wateringly expensive it's money well spent. Today she cleared my fridge out for me as I had a load of food rotting in there as I usually cook but haven't been able to for over a week now. Rubbish is out and a couple of other jobs done.

I'm cautiously optimistic that this is going to be a relatively short term situation as I've been able to put a little weight on the bad leg today and actually made it from the bathroom door to the loo with just one crutch.

It is what it is and even though I'm finding it rather challenging I'm trying to see the funny side of my attempts to adapt!

Would the neighbours put your rubbish out?

Have you heard of a knee walker? Sort of a tricycle where you rest your bad leg on the 'seat' and push with the other.
Your local health agency may assist with a loan of one.

Grannylynj

Do you have anyone near to help?

Well, my cousin lives quite close and she's been an absolute star - but her husband has snapped his Achilles tendon and he's also on crutches and a boot so I'm trying not to call on her too often.

I've managed to get a home help from an agency just for an hour today and again next week and although eye wateringly expensive it's money well spent. Today she cleared my fridge out for me as I had a load of food rotting in there as I usually cook but haven't been able to for over a week now. Rubbish is out and a couple of other jobs done.

I'm cautiously optimistic that this is going to be a relatively short term situation as I've been able to put a little weight on the bad leg today and actually made it from the bathroom door to the loo with just one crutch.

It is what it is and even though I'm finding it rather challenging I'm trying to see the funny side of my attempts to adapt!

I’d justwear a pj jacket and some knickers

Do you have anyone near to help?