👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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

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.

I’m good at low level grumbling 🤣🤣

You aren't alone.

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.

Taut.

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

Thank you for your uplifting messages exactly the tonic I needed. The hospital visit was productive and sympathetic, more painkillers were prescribed.I was given pregabalin which under my son’s supervision I’m taking sparingly before bedtime. It certainly aids sleeping between the inevitable night time loo visits. There are side effects, fatigue and a little disorientation but worth it. Oxycodone has been marvellous for quicker acting pain relief in the day. I feel progress is being made. Thank you all for your understanding. It helps a lot.

BAGY pleased to hear you have had a change of drugs and more to the point, they are working. You can face a day better after a decent night's sleep. I can't say sit down and enjoy TV because for me, it has been abysmal with so many repeats. The evenings will get lighter, and I promise you Spring is around the corner. You will feel totally different then.

Good news BAGY, once you’ve had some decent sleep life will begin to improve.

Two separate hip replacements within 18 months, from initial diagnosis, brilliant service from the NHS

Hello all and Happy New Year.

It’s just over three months since I had my left hip replaced. I was doing well but recently I seem to have gone back a bit. The muscles around my hip are more sore and my ankle has become very stiff. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m wondering if I’ve overdone it a bit and am planning to take things gently for a couple of weeks to see if that makes a difference. Any advice will be gratefully received.

Hello all , I have a date for my pre op assessment for my hip replacement. How long after the assessment were you given a date for surgery . Is it optimistic of me to think that if all is well it could be soon after or am I still looking at months away

I had my pre-op last Monday for a THR in “January or February “. However, I had 3 pre-ops before my knee was done. They repeat every 13 weeks.

I think it depends on where you are, sparkle1234.

I'm in the NE. I got a date for the op before I had a pre op date.

(I won't detail how short our waiting list was and how many centres I had to choose from for the op, others might find it a bit annoying)

Thankyou Nannytopsy, that sounds positive. I'm really hoping I get a date for early February. I need 3 months clear to fly in May . I'm also in so much pain and very miserable . Good luck , keep us posted on your progress 👍

Hi MaizieD , I'm in Surrey , I saw the consultant mid Dec and things have moved surprisingly fast , I had a phone call on 27th giving me a date for the pre op . I wasn't expecting that at all as was told its roughly 18 weeks but you go on the list according to clinical need . I don't want to overthink it but surely they wouldn't do a pre op unless the surgery was imminent.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, sparkle1234.

18 months on and I still think my THR has been like a miracle. It has changed my life