👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

Good luck with the op. The fact that you’re in pain makes the decision easy I think. If I was in constant pain I wouldn’t be so hesitant about having a TKR. I would like to start doing hip exercises along with the knee ones.

Hello everyone, firstly please accept my apologies for not replying sooner, as my post was at the bottom of the bottom of the page (17) I stupidly didn’t realise there were replies on page 18! Thankyou for your messages and reassurances, I have now met my surgeon and waiting to meet the anaesthetist before getting a date for the operation. I am still apprehensive of the op but the the pain is so awful that I am hoping it won’t be too much longer. I hope that you Sparkle and Susie are feeling much better now too

For not first a checkup

Another thing I just remember , always see the dentist first a check up before an operation.

Sparkle definitely take things slowly. It’s very easy to overdo things. That’s me telling you to do as I say not as I did!

If you are sure you have an infection you must be on antibiotics. If you can't get past a receptionist to see a GP, ask her (slight exaggeration) if she would like to be responsible for your amputation?

I had to give great detail today explaining whey I needed anti histamines for my bil. lower leg lymphedema. This of course this was in the middle of the surgery but if it was a more personal area I wouldn't have been happy. I deliberately went into " medical speak" to confuse her, so heaven knows what the doctor read.

A friend of mine had to delay her TKR because she had a fungal nail infection so it’s something I’ve always been aware. But, blow me, after deciding that I needed to tackle the athletes foot that I’ve had for years but was getting worse due to the humid weather, I realised that I also had a nail infection. At least, I think I have because I can’t get a doctors appointment to check it out. Have bought all sorts of stuff in an attempt to clear it but I think the only thing that really works are the terbinafine tablets. I’m so annoyed with myself.

Twelve days now, my foot and leg remains very swollen but the physio wasn’t concerned. Just irritating asI can’t get my shoe on. It’s probably one of the disadvantages of not having to wear the elastic stockings. First day on my own today but coping (just) . I remembered my travel mug today and made a cup of tea then carefully carrying it to the lounge in my back pack . It will be much easier once I’m using one crutch. Staples out tomorrow and a proper shower thank goodness. I do feel a bit more of a wimp this time even though it’s only been a four year gap .

silverlining48 that sounds absolutely awful . The pub lunch was a treat though and must have been nice to get out .I was dreading the staples so very relieved to discover it had been glued . I did have a wound check at my GPs at 2 weeks and then again at 6 weeks and the dressing changed . Since writing my previous post about how wonderful it all was I've developed dreadful lumbar pain , think I've been overdoing it . Hope it settles down . Spoke too soon lol 😆

Sounds like all went like clockwork sparkle. I was also glued, but still asked to return for an appointment to remove nonexistent staples. She dug around for a bit before deciding there were none to remove.
.
Never did understand why they thought I had staples, didn’t they look in my notes? It was over an hours round trip for us, but we stopped at a pub for lunch which made it worthwhile.
Just as the operation was worth while.

Hello VerityMargaret .I am nearly 6 months post THR . I was very anxious about the surgery , putting it off , in denial , all through fear . The pain and becoming virtually immobile really decided it for me , I knew I had to have it done and im so glad I did .
I was frightened of all the things you've mentioned but I can honestly say that now , having gone through it , there was no need .
The surgery was at 8am , first down , with epidural and sedation , I asked the anesthetist to make sure I didn't hear or see anything and I had the deepest sleep and was cared for on PACU by a wonderful nurse afterwards . Surgeon said I was a text book case and after passing my physio assessment later that afternoon I was discharged at 6pm and home by 7.
I didn't have a single bruise , no staples , it was glued and I can barely see the scar now .
I was very diligent with my pain relief and exercises and I have healed well .
The difference it has made to me , the joy of walking with no pain , I have got my life back .
Yes each day of recovery brought new challenges but listen to your body , it has amazing powers to heal and recover . Some quicker , some slower . I wasn't in a hurry , I took my time .
Yes it does come with risks , of course but follow all the advice you are given . Try and eat well before the op and look after your immune system. I'm sure all will be well and you'll be so happy when it's over . One day at a time . Give yourself a chance . All the best to you .

grammargran. You mentioned other joints started to give trouble after a while
Not joined in on knees and hips before but I had both hips replaced in 21 / 22 with only thirteen weeks in between. I was in quite a bad place before first hip as they had to be delayed because of aorta replace ment. But the point I want to make is that after the first.op things got increasingly worse because of the discrepancy of leg length Surgeon grinned when I mentioned it saying he thought i would rather be a bit taller than shorter. Probably a cover up but true to his word he evened me up and after rehab no trouble at all
Others I know discrepancies have caused problems

I already had unused crutches ( long story) so took them to the hospital with me for after the operation.
I was given two sticks which were much easier to manage than the crutches and when going upstairs you only need one stick as you will be holding on the other side.
You will see a physio before discharge who will advise.

veritymargaret I was terrified at the idea of going up and down stairs on crutches too. Please don’t worry, a physio will teach you how to do it and you won’t be discharged until you are confident that you can go up and down safely.

SusieB so pleased things have gone well. Early days but you know the score.

Welcome VerityMargaret, we all worried about hip operations , that was why I started this thread over 4 years ago. I didn’t know what to expect.
We aRe on our 7 th chapter now. That is a lot of information from a lot of people who have had new hips and knees. Someone will always respond to questions, worries and also make helpful suggestions for what helps post op.
Your knee has been supporting your hip so yes it’s possible the knee pain will resolve after the hip is replaced.
Easy to say try not to worry, because you will, but once it’s done you will be painfree and be able to get on with your life and be on here cheering others on.

Thankyou Charleygirl5, I know it’s bone on bone because I’ve been told that from the x-ray I had but not sure what the grading system means and yes the knee pain is the same side so I am hoping that once I get the new hip that will go?! To be honest on bad days I have pain in both knees but it’s the right one that is worse

It is major surgery but unfortunately hospitals are treating it like a minor op. We will keep you on the straight and narrow, and please ask what you think is a silly question. Somebody will answer it. Is the painful knee on the same side?

When you are seen, please try to find out what grade the OA is in your hip, 4 being bone rubbing on bone. When we know we may be able to give you some tips.

Hello everyone, I’ve joined Gransnet because of this thread! I have had hip/back pain for two years and long story short I’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and I need a hip replacement. I am seeing a private consultant under the NHS next month. I’ve been reading all your stories and it’s helped but I am still quietly terrified! Everyone has said it’s a routine operation but to me it’s still a big operation! Thankfully I have a husband who will be able to help me at home but it’s things like using crutches up and downstairs, fear of infection, well just anything that might go wrong really. I am telling myself that it will all be worth it but I’m worried that by the time of the operation I will be a nervous wreck, I haven’t voiced it out loud to anyone 😟

Well back home on the “other side “‘from having second hip replacement last Friday . The worry of being discharged early came to nothing as I felt quite faint and breathless getting up to the loo that evening. I have to say I was most impressed with the staff reaction, came to to find the resident doctor and senior nurse clutching the resuscitation trolley! It turns out my oxygen levels were low and on CXR it showed my lower right lung had some infection. Thank goodness I didn’t have a general anaesthetic.After 48 hours of IV antibiotics and 24 hr oxygen all was well so came home to my sister who had been waiting 3 days at my house! Otherwise hip very good much less pain than last time and no elastic stockings 👏👏. Just thinking that maybe the fact I had a small female surgeon this time meant less gung-ho butchery ?? She was also very nice and came to see me twice. I had it done in a private facility but on the NHS
Anyway all good now mobilising very well and looking forward to pain free walking. Just pleased I only have two hips though ..

It takes months to advertise and eventually interview and offer the new consultant the job. He will have to give a minimum of 3 months notice so as you read, time marches on.

I think you should make an appointment to see him and get on his waiting list asap. He will have "inherited" many like yourself but get to the top of the queue because, in theory, he has no waiting list (yet), which is a bonus.

I think the previous consultant should have had the courtesy to tell you he was retiring. One I saw many years ago told me a year before he retired!

The steroid injection did nothing. I need to get my possible fungal nail infection checked out and was going to go to a local place that has chiropodists, osteopaths and physios thinking that I might get another opinion on the state of my knee but then thought why on earth am I having to pay so phoned the hospital. If the consultant retired at Christmas why has it taken so long to replace him ( and the new one hasn’t started yet). Seeing various members of my family at the weekend several of us have got medical problems but don’t know where to go. One was told not to bother trying to get a doctors appointment because ‘ there aren’t any’! My partners just been told that he needs a blood test for a medication review even though he’s just had one. It doesn’t give me much confidence. Having said that, one person ended up in A&E last week and were well looked after (ditto my partner the other year when he fell down the stairs) but you’d really want to sort problems out before they reach that stage.

MayBee you should have been contacted, so somebody slipped up. If you hadn't contacted the hospital you would be at home wondering. Did you have the steroid injections and did they help?

I am hoping my hips, especially the right, will "see me out."

When I saw the consultant nine months ago he said he would call me back in six months to see if I still wanted a TKR but wanted me to try other things eg steroid injections first. Not having heard from him I phoned them up today only to find that he retired at Christmas and that they had only just got a replacement for him. Which is a blow as I really liked and trusted him. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t phoned them especially as I think there is a new system starting in October when it comes to referrals.

Gemma can’t believe you were awake for your operation!