After Hip replacement

Yes you can bend...I think it is called a skiiers bend or something. Basically you lean forward, bending your knee of your good hip and keeping your operated leg straight out behind you. Have a google and see if you can find something on line

 

Hi Helen, Firstly, try not to worry. It's amazing how ingenious you can be when having to think of a new way to do things. You shouldn't bend but should be given a pick up pincer thing to save bending. So you will be able to feed your animals. Thinking ahead, you could have tins or whatever somewhere accessible before op.Use plastic food dishes that are easy to lift. After opening I used that spray powder shampoo for a week . Without a shower it's going to be difficult..I bent slightly over washbasin whilst someone washed my hair with plastic stick on taps shower thingy. But you can't bend normally, so it's uncomfortable. We didn't have a shower then so I strip washed the best I could. Compromise is the order of the day. Will you have any help from anyone?

Sorry about predictive text mistake It should be, after op I used dry shampoo.

You can reach down - very gracefully.  Stand in front of something supportive, put your operated leg behind you and take the weight on your front leg, keep your back fairly straight and subside gently.  For feeding pets, I suggest getting a box or step and get them used to feeding a few inches off the ground - every little helps.  Top up water using a fresh indoor watering can.  I suggest putting down their food while they are in a different room unless they are really well trained - a nudge at the wrong moment could be disastrous.

Have you thought about exercise - I found that early walking required enough concentration and the thought of tangling a lead round a crutch  would have been scary and how you would poop scoop I don't know. If a friend is helping with exercise could you change feeding times to coincide with exercise. Your grabber will pick up empty bowls.

Until your scar is healed do take care that the animals don't pass on infection - in the hospital we all had our own chairs.

You have a strip wash and washing between your toes is not very satisfactory whatever method you use, you can get a bath board and paddle your tootsies - the long-handled shoe horn will push flannels or towels between toes..  I have a handy local hairdresser and got my hair washed there with a bit of fiddling but I've got long hair which I wear up so frequent shampooing can be avoided if necessary.

There is a thread on tips for living alone after THR and you might find some useful tips there - get your assisted bin service organised, it can take a week or two.

As everyone has said, your grabber will be your best friend!  I used mine for dressing, around the kitchen and house, couldn't have survived without it.  I tended to put my dogs' food on a little stool - made it easier for me and they didn't mind.

Hair wash - again dry shampoo or I also used the mixer tap in the kitchen sink after a week or so when I could bend again.  Bath boards are useful too

Skiers bend is something they tried to teach me in hospital but I was never strong enought for it.

I've had 3 replacements now and I find that the things I worry about beforehand are never the problems I have in the end.  As juliette says you do end up becoming very creative with problem solving and come up with all sorts of little routines for yourself.  I know it's easy to say don't worry and tricky to do, but in the end it does all sort itself out.  The first few days out of hospital are tough, but it gets much easier and after a few weeks, you've got your little routines all sorted and manage fine, it just takes a little longer and some patience.

I also found that my 2 dogs were amazing after my op, very gentle and just knew I needed lots of cuddles and quiet time - again, I was worried they'd be too crazy as they were only a year old at the time, but they were fab and a great comfort

 

You can only bend to 90 degrees so if you're sitting down, that's not much at all as you're already close to that angle.  If you're standing, you can technically bend over to 90 degrees, so head over a sink, but to be honest, when you're sore and stiff that can be uncomfortable especially at first.  The 90 degree rule is to prevent dislocation

You can bend, lift the operated leg straight  behind you and bend the knee on the other leg, they call this golfer bend.  With pets, cats or dogs, it is a bit more tricky, i have cats and the part that was difficult for me was cleaning the litter box, this is when i use my big grabber (amazon) to the fullest, i honestly do not know how i could have done it otherwise.  As for the rest, if you live alone, like me, you pretty much figure out how to do things when you need.  I washed at the sink for over 2 weeks and survived.  

There are some fantastic demos on you tube. Just type in hip replacement precautions. Also if you type in hip replacement excersises it will also be a benefit to you.

I am 3 weeks post open and feeling fantastic. Just follow the advice given and you will be fine.

Can't really add to the great advice from others,except to say its a big advantage if like me you have shortish 29 in. inside leg measurement..I never had any trouble bending and with care  could tie my own shoelaces after 6 weeks.

good luck.

Yes, I agree, you need to know before the op.  Where are you having your op done?  The large centres now usually give the opportunity of attending a meeting before the op and/or give out a booklet with protocols.  If not, suggest approach the hospital and try to get a written protocol. 

Hi Helen

             Regarding feeding your pets i know I am short but Milleys store on the internet sell a novel cat feeding and water bowl which is a cat with the tail as the

handle and the two bowls one each side of the cat my cat had no problems feeding and drinking from it (not upset by cat stand) and I do not have to bend

down too far to be able to hold the tail/handle and picking it up  The down side

is it cost about £40  but it is very well made and I am sure it will last for a very

long time

 

hi Helen I too is having a hip replacement in dec and

would love to hear how you got on after your operation

regarding washing hair bathing etc

regards Iris