👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

Can I ask a question please? I’m waiting for the first of 2 knee replacements which will hopefully be in the next couple of months.

I had a look at the hospital website for post op information and noticed that the patient is discharged with 2 walking sticks rather than elbow crutches.

I currently walk with one stick and find I sometimes need to stop and hold the stick in my other hand while I give my fingers and wrists a wiggle to ease discomfort. I can’t picture being able to do this using 2 sticks as opposed to 2 crutches which would still be attached to my arms if I briefly need to ease my hands.

Is it commonplace to be discharged with 2 sticks and is there a reason why they’re preferable to crutches?

narg you may find a sturdy one as cornergran did. I put too much weight on my normal stick so I know I would be on the ground soon.

The ones I have seen have been very thin. Have you looked at my corner shop, Amazon?

You are probably right narg. Using a cross body bag does make things easier.

Thank you to those who replied to my question about folding walking sticks. I have decided it is maybe not a good idea and will continue to use the stick I have.

Have you had a local infection? I really can't think why you are getting pain in your calf. Maybe a trip to your GP and suggest a scan to see if the joint has moved slightly or if there is any other reason. Try not to go privately because they are expensive and the money mounts up. I waited around 6 weeks, pre op. I live in London.

MayBee
Had TKR right leg nine months ago.
Went private as in mid 70s. NHS wait wasted a whole year to see consultant who told me another 2 YEARS at least before any op.
Op went well and felt great until 6 months in. Had been getting regular physio exercises. Then started feeling pain in my calf, not near my op site.
GP suggested ibuprofen and paracetamol, but they are not helping pain when walking outside. I've always been fit and walked a lot prior to this op

I realised a TKR was needed when my knee finally gave way, after many years of putting up with it dragging along. It wasn't painful so now I think I'm in worse condition since op.
Hope NHS comes up with answer.

I’ve a folding stick purchased from a local pharmacy which is sturdy enough to keep me balanced and is comfortable to hold. It lives in an old umbrella case when not in use.

Wanting one for the car and one indoors I ordered another from Amazon. Looked identical. It certainly isn’t and is nowhere near as sturdy as the other although its fine for a potter round a shop.

My advice is buy a stick from a pharmacy or a disability store where you can try it first.

I doubt if a folding stick will take any weight. My normal stick is fine for that so please be careful.

You can buy rubber ferrules that will make your stick stand up on its own provided the floor is level. Mine works pretty well and also makes my stick more stable. I have a folding one but as others have said it’s a bit flimsy and I unless I put it into a pretty tight bag it promptly unfolded itself. I use a backpack plus a small cross body bag when shopping, have given up trying to look smart.

I did consider it but was concerned that it might suddenly collapse.
I used a cross body bag which freed the hands.

Try before you buy because some are a tad rickety and obviously not as solid as a proper walking stick.

I had to ditch my handbag for the same reason and pop everything in my shopping bag. Because of the stick and mobility problems, I can't carry much.

I am 11weeks post op following an emergency hip replacement.
I am managing to use the bus with the walking stick supplied by the NHS with no problems. I am considering buying a folding walking stick so that I can put it away in shops rather than trying to juggle handbag ,shopping bag and walking stick.
Have you used a folding stick and did you find it ok?

I am just so used to doing everything on my own I rarely think about it. The only time I had a mega problem was when non weight-bearing with crutches. I survived two knee replacements on my own, ordering food online. I am trying to forget I need a new hip and hope my present ones will "see me out".

TKR ten days ago. Having codeine at night but sticking to paracetamol in the day. DH has been amazing help but how do people on their own manage? I find the pressing knee back to 95% very painful and use the ice pads afterwards. Really tired though and feel I’ve left it rather late. My knee was bone on bone and knock kneed to boot.

I know this advice goes against all written rules, but it is temporary and not for life.

Have you tried one or two pillows lengthwise under your leg? Try with it on the pillow and also try with the foot dangling

If you can sleep on your side, a pillow between your legs and another on your back to stop you rolling backwards.

Hello Susytish
I had the same feeling about different leg length after my hip op 4 years ago I had my podiatrist test it snd he said it was ok snd after a while, it was. I think it was the way I walked others prior snd after my operation .
Greetings to all. enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, we are due to go away got a few days next week just as the rain begins, Typical!

I wonder if the foot pain could be due to an irritated nerve. I had this after my THR. It improved once I got a bed cradle to lift the duvet clear of my foot. Hope you find relief soon.

Tkr 7 days ago. In hospital for 4 nights. Live alone but family next door. On 2 paracetamol every 6 hours and 5ml oxymoron every 6 hours. Ic8ng and elevating often which does help. My foot is badly bruised and is agony in bed at night. Steeped foot in hot water, applied ibuprofen gel, warm microwave bag, etc with little co fort. Calf also very tender ( checked in hospital by 3 doctors and told it was post op swelling and pain). Doing g my exercises and walking regularly. Am just dreading going to bed tonight as theast 2 nights have been excruciating. I had cut back on the oxymoron to just twice daily (why I did that I don't know!) and I think that has definitely contributed to my pain levels. Am using a walker but my walking isn't as good as it was initially (much smaller steps and leaning more on frame). Dye to have home visit from community physio re crutches.
Am I just expecting too much, too soon? Any advice re foot pain?

I have now had 2 hips and 1 knee replaced. The last hip a year ago. I feel that the leg with new hip and new knee is shorter than the other leg.
Has anyone experienced this? Should I see a physio? Could be my imagination?

It was a one off walking round the shops. I usually struggle. Maybe it was down to the steroid jab? I’ve done some knee exercises for years, ever since the knee first gave me problems but stepped them up after seeing a physio last year and have done them religiously ever since. I do think my hips are very stiff and my widows stoop makes my back ache after a while when walking outside of the house. The consultant did ask if my hips were ok and I said I wasn’t sure but that I had no pain from them. I’ve never been greatly overweight and all of the weight I do have is in my hips and legs; I have huge legs for a small person…they’ve always been like that. I almost panic when walking outside of the house as I know that however far I walk away from it I’ve got to walk that distance back; I feel very vulnerable knowing I can only walk slowly. I sometimes wonder if much of it is in my head and question my sanity.

Maybe, I am no expert but i do wonder if you can walk round shops fior 2 hours and sleep without pain, you might be best with some sort of daily exercise plan, such as just two or three shorter walks a day, gradually increasing each month. I don't know if you have been knee exercises. I know nothing about knees but do about my hips and back. In a pickle at the moment because I overdid which I know my body is comfortable with. Plus stopped tge exercises because I hadnt time. I was enjoying myself walking with friends so I walked four times the recommended distance. I know you have lost a lot of weight which is brilliant for your knees.I am way overweight although I do try. Hope you get sorted. I an sitting around as can’t even do the shorter distance, but will,

All well so far Charleygirl!

Nannyytopsy please be extra careful when you drive tomorrow. After my last TKR in 2018, I had driven about 1/2 mile when I had to do an emergency stop. My knee, left had a wake up call but was fine.

My left TKR went very smoothly 17 months ago and from the start there was no joint pain - the awful grinding bone on bone in the joint had gone. By the six weeks check, I could walk about half a mile comfortably. Still can’t kneel. Over the last 3 months or so there is tightness over the kneecap. I wonder if it’s adhesions? Still so much better than before the operation.
Right THR is 6 weeks old and very quick recovery. I shall start driving tomorrow (🥳) and I am back to walking and gardening, mostly unaided.

Don't leave it too late. I was pushed from pillar to post (doctor to doctor) and I ended up having an osteotomy of my tibia because it had started to bow. My knee was bone rubbing on bone.

My left knee was always better, but that happens all the time.