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Almost five weeks since hip replacement.

Posted , 9 users are following.

shelby64486
shelby64486

I'm 19 years old and five weeks ago I had a hip replacement as I had severe osteoarthritis and cysts in my left hip joint. They didn't really tell me much at the hospital about after the operation so there's a few things that I'm unsure about that I thought some of you might be able to help me with. 

How long do I have to use the raised toilet seat ?

How long (roughly) will the swelling in my leg last ?

Will I be able to sit on the sofa again ?

When will I be able to use the shower again as it is over the bath ?

Will I be able to reach my feet again to put on shoes etc.

This morning I tried driving again which was absolutely fine, but the only thing I was worried about is the fact that my car is quite low so I had to sit on a few cushions to make it the right height, but then my head was touching the roof. If I don't sit on the cushions will my hip dislocate ?

 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 shelby64486

    Posted

    Have you got a date for a post op check up. As far as I am aware the bending restrictions are quite often lifted about 6-8 weeks. I am nearly 4 weeks and am still obeying them all. I do have a check up date at 7 weeks. Do not risk anything too soon, better be safe than sorry
    • shelby64486
      shelby64486 maggie93798

      Posted

      My post op check up is on Monday which would make it almost six weeks since the operation. 
  • ann19982
    ann19982 shelby64486

    Posted

    Ah Shelby some questions difficult. Your surgeon will keep your restrictions until your follow up. Occupational therapy should help you with necessary aids to ensure daily living is easy - ask the hospital. Swelling can be anything from 3 weeks to 3 months according to my booklet. I am week 7 and still not fit to drive. My follow up is week 8 so next week I hope to get the green light. An excellent site to Google is The Royal College of Surgeons who have produced an informative leaflet.

    Good luck with recovery

    • shelby64486
      shelby64486 ann19982

      Posted

      My follow up appointment is on Monday. I'll have a look at that website 

      Thank you smile good luck with your recovery

  • amanda1827h
    amanda1827h shelby64486

    Posted

    Hi Shelby! Welcome to the forum! Its a great place! Well done you! We are all at different levels of recovery! I used my raised loo seat for 6weeks! But have sent off for my own! As I have grotty knees as well! And oa in my other hip! Regarding driving,I would ask your consultant! But take some with you in case and only a short way! Tomorrow I start hydrotherapy! I am just over 8 weeks and still bruised! Consultant said it can last for months! Good luck regards Amanda
    • shelby64486
      shelby64486 amanda1827h

      Posted

      I have other joint problems too. There's usually someone with me when I'm driving anyway as I'm usually with my mum most of the time. I've heard from a few people that the bruising can last a few months.
  • GeorgiaS24
    GeorgiaS24 shelby64486

    Posted

    Hiya! I hope your well - I'm Georgia and I'm

    23 I had my hip replacement 3 weeks ago.

    You will need to use a raised toilet seat for

    Around 10-12 weeks in order to keep the hip at the right angle and height.

    As for bathing I purchased a stool to get myself In and out of the bath and this helps a lot but a shower is better in order to keep the wound clean and not too wet.

    The swelling is supposedly meant to last around 8 weeks as it is a big operation and the muscles need time to settle and heal.

    Shoes and socks can be a problem for many weeks as bending and reaching is out of the question for again at least 10-12 weeks or depending on your pain. However it isn't good to move the hip past 90 degrees as this can case pain.

    As for driving I would try and put off driving for as long as possible - although it may not hurt the position in which you sit in the car may not be good for the joint as if it is too low getting in and out this can cause problems too. As for dislocation I have a very good surgeon and he was very upfront with me in the fact that it can dislocate within the first 6 -8 weeks and after that the bones would have grown strong enough to hold your body weight.

    I hope this helps ? And I wish you luck message me with any questions as I've had a lot of different his surgeries and I had my THR three weeks ago and have lots of booklets from the hospital with advice in.

    Also can I ask if you had cement or not with your replacement ?

    Sending hugs Georgia

    • shelby64486
      shelby64486 GeorgiaS24

      Posted

      Hi

      i was told that I can't use the bath because you have to twist yourself to get in and out of it.

      I'm struggling with shoes at the moment anyway because my foot is swollen. My mum has been helping me with it though.

      If I think of anything else I'll message you smile

      I'm not sure whether or not I had cement, I'm not even sure what replacement I have to be honest with you. The surgeon mentioned having a ceramic one before I had the operation but I don't know if that's what he used. I was going to ask when I go to my post op appointment on Monday. 

  • GeorgiaS24
    GeorgiaS24 shelby64486

    Posted

    Yeah that's fine Hun - when you go for your post operation assessment make sure you ask all of the questions you need to. I made a list so I didn't forget anything.

    They used a titanium rod with a ceramic cup and ball in mine with no cement, as they said that they would give me the longest time without needing another until my mid 50's. So i wouldn't be surprised if they used the same or similar materials with yours as your even younger than me!

    Make sure you take the hell and don't over do anything it's important not to over do anything for the first 12 weeks. And again showering is better anyway it keeps the wound less wet and cleaner.

    Hope your well x and don't hesitate to message me x

    • shelby64486
      shelby64486 GeorgiaS24

      Posted

      I always forget everything I wanted to ask when I get to the appointment.

      The surgeon spoke to me about a ceramic one because of my age, I'll ask when I see him.

      I've just been doing what the physiotherapists told me to do, there's a few excercises to do when I'm standing up and some when I'm lying down. And I've been going for a little walk every couple of days. I'm stuck having a wash in the sink at the moment.

      I'm okay, my back is aching/quite painful but that was an issue before my operation though.   X

  • Lama22
    Lama22 shelby64486

    Posted

    Hi

    I agree with everything already said but have you checked if your insurance for driving had any restrictions? My cover was only valid once I had been told by my consultant I could drive again.

    Lots of good wishes to you

    Barbara x

  • miele55255ch
    miele55255ch shelby64486

    Posted

    Hi Shelby!

    I am almost 5 weeks post op and will continue to use raised toilet seat. It just feels easier on my hip.

    I had very little swelling which went away after 2 weeks. I had no bruising.

    I think a sofa would be fine as long as it isn't a low setting one or a fluffy one. Ask your surgeon.

    I still need help to get into and out of my shower because I have to step up over a high tub.

    Some people say they can put their socks and shoes on by themselves but I can't due to other hip and back.

    Good luck to you Shelby!

    Just don't push yourself!!!

     

    • shelby64486
      shelby64486 miele55255ch

      Posted

      Hi!

      The occupational therapist said that I can't sit on anything lower than 50cm and I think the sofa is 5-10cm shorter so I was told I can't sit on it for a while. I'm hoping I'll be able to sit on it again soon.

      I was also told that I'm not allowed to step into the bath.

      I won't. I wouldn't do anything that I didn't think I'd be able to do.

      Good luck to you too

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