👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

Morning, I hope you’re all having a lovely Christmas and BAGY found some pain relief at the hospital visit.

Taut.

Morning all, hope your plans go well today.
Leg on side of op swollen last night, went down overnight, not hot or taught, to be expected I think.
Sunny here but cold.

You aren't alone.

I’m good at low level grumbling 🤣🤣

I was too polite to mention impatience!!!

As it is low-level grumbling, I doubt there's much wrong, and the three months will whiz by.

Thanks Charleygirl I am walking and doing foot/calf exercises, shame I have little patience!

It is just a waiting game now. You can organise Christmas Day from a comfortable seat. All I can suggest is that you stand upright and then walk/stand for 5 minutes every hour. It stops DVT also. You have done well considering it was totally unplanned.

Day 10 and hip aches this morning, I was rigorous with exercises yesterday, paracetomol taken. On antibiotics now for UTI, probably from catheter.
The worse thing is still sore bum from sitting in ‘hospital chair’.

Welcome BAGY. Have a word about painkillers when you go to the hospital tomorrow. You are nearly 2 weeks post op, probably the worst time. It will slowly start to get better from now on. Try to plan in advance with your son what makes things easier and get them in place before he leaves.
We are always here if you want a bit of support or advice.

I was on my own after both TKRs, and the pain was so bad after the 2nd op that I was prescribed Pethidine or similar. I did not exercise, I was more concerned with getting fluids and food prepared. Unfortunately, this carried on for about 7 weeks, and then one day I woke up almost pain free. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Sounds as though you’re having a horrible time Baggy. I hope they find you better painkillers. When it comes to coping on your own I found it best to do a little, sit down for 20 minutes or so and do a little more. Do the exercises very gently, maybe spreading them out throughout the day. I found the first couple of weeks difficult but after that things improved quite quickly. Meanwhile download here.

TKR nine days ago, discharged after 3 nights. Live alone, son here for a couple of days more. Cannot imagine coping without him but must. I’m only on paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. I have chronic kidney disease so ibruprofen and some others are not allowed. No constipation is a plus. Pain relief not happening. Haven’t experienced a moment without pain and any exercise is excruciatingly impossible, but I can walk around on two crutches. That will have to suffice. Return to hospital on Tuesday for dressing removal. I hope there’s some compatible pain relief out there. Thank you for reading my downbeat post, it helps to share my self centred frustrations!

I used a walking frame when I came out of hospital after the first hip replacement, but found that it made me bend forward, which wasn’t good for the hip. At 5ft11 inches jax it might be hard to find one tall enough for you not to have to bend forward onto it.

Any chance of getting a walking frame from the Red Cross? Much easier to use and have the advantage that they stay put when you’re not holding on to them.

Sadly not Maizie. Not sure why we have them!

Elbows should be at right angles to the stick. I have already mentioned they are more practical and easier to manage. Worth a try.

Jaxjacky

I do have sticks from ages ago, no idea if the right height, I doubt it as I’m 5’ 11’

Are they adjustable?

I was given two very ugly but fully adjustable sticks after my THR.

Have a Google - it's something to do with having your wrists aligned with your waist, I think.

I do have sticks from ages ago, no idea if the right height, I doubt it as I’m 5’ 11’

Maizie’s right, Jax, stick with sticks if you can - but they must be the right height.

It’s a shame they gave you crutches, Jax. Sticks are far less tiring and don’t stress so many muscles. If you lived anywhere near me I’d pass mine on to you😆

That makes sense teabagwoman especially when the "staff" weren't around.

You didn't need that power cut yesterday Jax. You couldn't nip in your car and visit somebody with heating or go to a local cafe for a meal, if there is a cafe available.

Difficult to keep warm when incapacitated.

I solved the drink problem by using a small thermos flask that I could carry in my cross body bag along with a mug.

My appetite is certainly reduced, I’m eating, but no desire to snack. Had a power cut yesterday from 1 - 9, another challenge! So shower delayed to this morning, blissful, but longwinded, it all takes so long and is tiring, I’m not very patient!
MrJ off to pharmacy to get some dressings.