Advice please about preparing for hip replacement

firstly you will be taught in hospital how to climb stairs etc using crutches. It was arranged that I borrowed, via NHS, toilet seat raiser, perching stool and I had to measure the height of my chair and issued with "elephant feet" to raise it to the correct height. I bought 2 pick up gadgets, one for upstairs one downstairs and a sock putting on gadget. These were available from the hospital but are also sold by mobility shops and amazon. I also got a long handled skin lotion application device which was useful. I did not have, but could have done with, a wheeled walker/trolley so that when I made a drink and/or meal I could easily get it back to to my seat. It is not long before you begin to be quite mobile

Stock up with food etc or shop on line if there is no one else to do it.

I was told to not bend more than 90 degrees and to always keep my knee lower than my hip for the first 6 weeks, consequently household items, pans fridge contents etc, that you need to use have to be at waist height.

You will be given exercises to do at home and also advised to walk outside as soon as possible, using crutches at first,

My husband went to work after my first day home, although he did the cooking for the first week, and all the shopping, and the bare minimum of housework. When friends visit get them to make the tea coffee etc for the first few days.

All the best

hi Margaret, you really need someone to be around for the first 2 or 3 days. After that, with crutches, a litter-picker ("helping hand") and a "soxon", and if your husband could make sure you have food & drink easily reachable, you could probably manage while he is at work. The OT dept should provide the crutches and a raised toilet seat (also essential). Does your hospital run a Joint School? That was really helpful for me. I also have a very useful PDF file from my hospital with lots of useful info if that would be useful for you.

Hello Margaret, if you are in reasonably good condition now (aside from hip) and independent, it is likely you will manage most things yourself post op. My husband too not a good 'carer'!. Hospitals usually discharge patients only when they are able to perform basic day to day living activities e.g. walk with crutches, manage steps and use the bathroom. I had 2nd hip done 3 months ago. The single thing I was unable to manage myself and needed help with on both occasions was putting elastic stocking on operated leg. My husband did help with that.

In terms of equipment, I managed well with the following; 2 long handled 'grabbers' (one upstairs and one downstairs) to pick up things you drop and assist with e.g. pulling up pants/clothes. For the shower, a stool plus long handled brush to reach feet (difficult to bend that far down initially). And, always 2 bars of soap to hand so you have a spare when you drop 1 - again, impossible initially to bend down and pick it up. A long handled shoe horn is a great help along with slip on shoes. Alternatively, elastic laces for lace-ups. I also found an over the shoulder handbag (light) great as reaching into it was no bother with crutch/es.

Finally, a positive attitude will be a great asset... while you are likely to experience some discomfort (take your painkillers) initially, this should not last too long and if you follow medical instructions and take your time you can expect to do very well. To be free from hip pain really is miraculous. The very best of luck.

Margaret

A lot may depend on your lifestyle and fitness and age and from reading on this site there is so much difference between people . Generally a care plan of sorts should be done by the team ie asking about your home ,stairs toilets,shower and is someone there to help . they should ask you about toilet and give you raised toilet seat etc if needed. I could have managed on my own but I was fit and younger but my wife was with me to assist with socks and shoes for a week or so and she was a god send. stairs may be an issue also and they generally will not let you out until you are capable . There isn't generally someone to come out to see you are bed bound but you would not be allowed out . really you need assistance for at least two weeks. I was adamant I did not need toilet seat and didn't but this was more male ego than anything accept everything and ask plenty before surgery. Did I make the right decision ,hell yes .

I think that I only needed help with getting in and out of bed. My bed is rather high up and I did not want to tumble out! My husband was home, but after a couple of days I was glad when he ran some errands and left me alone! The nurse and the physical therapist came to the house. I needed a walker and a raised toilet seat. Later on I used a walking cane.

hi. I'm 12 weeks post OP.

firstly I live on my own and came home 4 days post OP. I'd already arranged my home to suit the new lifestyle I knew I'd have to lead for a while so no bending except for the fridge / washer etc. organised on line food shopping weekly - mine will bring it inside for me and put on a table. my hospital booklet sd avoid bending to the oven so get microwave meals in which I did for a couple of weeks.

i also found :-

using a dressing gown tie helped lift my leg / foot into bed the first week home.

I used sandwich bags to put sandwiches / toast and anything else that was ok to walk with holding in my hand and crutches but later I used the same bags and put them in a little jute bag I'd got to carry that and my drinks from the kitchen to my living room. id got a couple of Tupperware type drink cartons for all my cold drinks - with lids so I didn't spill them. but I also used 2 flask type mugs with lids for hot drinks. 've found these a god send. as someone else has sd I got loaned by the ot dept a small wheeled trolley that's been great for transferring fd but also washing etc to my tumble dryer - the ot suggested that one. like someone else I'd had to complete a form stating the height of my bed and chair so they could work out if I needed any raised feet for them . I'd already got raised toilet seats as it helped eased the pain - they do them in 2 " or 4" depends how tall yu are.im 5ft 2 only needed the 2" . you can get them off amazon . if you've a bath theyll check you can use a bath board ok . I've only a shower and was already using a stool to sit on . if you're booked into a NHS hospital the ot dept will loan you all yu need but they usually from my experience organise it all pre OP and mine got delivered. they also supplied me with 2 toilet frames to help me get off the loo. if you're booked into a private hospital which a friend of mine was but thro the nhs she had to get all her own equipment - they didn't loan anything.

I practised pre OP going up and down stairs with the advised legs as I was naturally doing the opposite altho I couldn't come down on my bad leg first as it was too painful but it's been fine post OP.

one thing I didn't do pre OP which I wished I had is to do the exercises they tell you to do post OP. I know if I had it would ve helped my muscles as that's been my biggest problem . no bone pain but muscle weakness and muscle pain as I'm re using them . all this sort of info was in my hip replacement booklet they gave me when I was originally listed in Jan for my OP.

anyway good luck and best wishes and as the consultant anaethetist sd to me as they were wheeling me out of theatre " congratulations on your new shiny hip " lol.

let us know how you get on x