👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

I am so fortunate to have DH who will look after me. With my knee, I had no problems but was there from early Christmas Eve until Boxing Day morning. I expected something similar. Thanks for your advice.
MayBee it depends on the size of your toilet for knees. I’m short and ours is reasonably tall, so I didn’t need one of those seats. Maybe I will need one next week?

Nannytopsy, I agree with Charley, feel faint regardless of how you actually feel. I was in one night and was fine going home but would have found it very difficult to cope if I hadn’t had help for the first three days. You will feel very tired. You will need a raised toilet seat, preferably 2 if you have a downstairs loo and at least two litter pickers because you won’t be able to bend over to pick things up off the floor. I moved everything I thought I might need for the first 6 weeks up to where I could reach it without bending but dropped things, including my crutches, with annoying frequency. A crossbody bag and a small thermos solved the problem of carrying a hot drink and UTube videos taught me how to put socks on using the towel method. You’ll also need a long handled shoehorn. Apologies if I’m telling grandma how to suck eggs but it doesn’t sound as though you’ve had much advice from the hospital.

"in my day" you would have stayed in until your sutures were removed then sent to convalescence for two weeks! Some went home, but the offer was there.

I need a hip replaced, live on my own have no relatives except in Eire and if I couldn't cope, God help anybody else.

I was fine on my own after my knee replacements but it didn't matter which way I twisted to get out of bed or a chair.

Nannytopsy do what Charley suggests and feel a little “faint” when they get you out of bed (you may not have to, it could be real!). I was going to say something along those lines but thought better of it; however, I know Charley has some medical background so go along with it!

Nannytopsy that is horrendous and as said, it is major surgery.

I would play their game and when they try to get you out of bed for the first time, feel "faint" even if you are fine. That would at least give you one night in hospital.

Have you got any help when you do go home? You can't carry even a mug of coffee if using a frame or crutches.

My appointment is in 2 days time. Being partially sighted, 82 with mobility problems was insufficient to get hospital transport, I had to answer 50 million questions why I couldn't go by public transport. which would be buses, a tube and shanks pony.

This was after the service my GP surgery uses rang to sau they had unsufficient drivers. I am not surprised so many appointments are wasted if tat is the general treatment. I can stand up for myself and I know the system or did, which helps.

How long after having a TKR would I need to use a raised toilet? One stumbling block I’ve had is that I replaced the toilet several years ago but the plumber fitted a strange shaped toilet with a seat that is not a universal size ( I’ve never been able to find a replacement seat). So I didn’t think that a raised seat would fit. But I’ve realised that I can buy a whole unit that encompasses the whole unit. What happens if I go anywhere…Will I need to use the raised seat for a long time?

Goodness, that’s mean of them Nannytopsy. I’m assuming the op will be in the morning, but it is major surgery after all. I was in for two nights. Do you have someone to look after you?Wishing you all the best anyway for the op which I’m sure will be fine. I’m afraid I have no helpful advice to offer sadly but I know others will as there’s such a wealth of experience on here.

Morning! The hospital phoned yesterday to check I was ok for the hip on Friday. Their parting shot was that their aim is to send me home the same day. As I have had no pre op advice other than “ you will be on crutches and can’t drive” from the surgeon, I am alarmed. I was relying on having a little time with the physios and occupational health to find out how to proceed.
How is it going Jax?
Did you get any joy at the hospital Charleygirl?

Thanks teabagwoman as you can probably gather I am beyond caring!

Charleygirl, I really hope your appointment goes better than you expect it to.

I agree with cornergran each dentist is different. I have had bil. TKRs and mine wouldn't see me until I got the benign brain tumour seen. That "emergency" appointment is next week because somebody decided 2 years ago I needed to be seen by ENT and not Neurology, Next week I will be told I am too old for surgery and need yet another MRI scan. I need hardly leave the house to hear that!

I was advised to have a dental checkup prior to surgery maybee and told no need for antibiotics afterwards unless prone to infections. My next appointment was a few months after TKR, no mention of antibiotics then. If you’re worried I’d discuss with both dentist and surgeon/nurse.

Do you have to take antibiotics when having any dental work done ( even cleaning) when you’ve had a TKR? I know someone that seems to get infections in his new knee.

Nannytopsy crossingof ankles used to be a no-no for life. When did it change?

Nannytopsy I found double tread slipper socks - hospital gave me a pair, Amazon supplied more - invaluable for non slip confidence.

That seems to have gone quickly Jax. I hope the surgeon is pleased with you.
Thank you everyone - crossing at my knee I can’t do now, but I do cross my ankles. I have ordered a step today so that I have a fighting chance of getting into bed. It’s rather high and I am only 5’ 1”.

Not being able to cross your life sounds very difficult 😬.

Thank you teabagwoman for the pointer, beats the one sheet of exercises given by the hospital, I have my consultant appointment on Monday - 5 weeks and two days since op, 3 weeks and two days since dislocation.

I found it wasn’t so easy anyway to cross my legs after my THR,*Nannytopsy*, but I’m always crossing my ankles!

GemmaMack the no crossing of legs used to be for life, and I cannot see how that could change significantly. The stems have shortened but the cup is basically the same.

The 90-degree bending used to be 3 months or longer but no doubt that changes with the surgeon, as some are conservative like me.

That’s great news about your op date nannytopsy.
I’m no expert but my understanding is that the hip ‘precautions’ (no crossing legs, bending more than 90 degrees) last for at least 6 weeks at which time you will have your follow up appointment with a consultant

How long!!

The exercises are ok but it’s things like how high should the chair be, what should I avoid, howling do these rules last that are not clear on the internet. I shall have to ask the physios.

Nannytopsy, Arthritis UK have a video of exercises to do before and after the operation. Look for surgery toolkit. I found it excellent and the exercises were very doable.

That is good news- two weeks time. As you are aware, if you have a question, just ask, and we will answer to the best of our ability.