Bathroom downstairs, me upstairs...

Can you tell me if you needed a toilet seat riser to keep the body at the correct angle

Should l buy a one? What other aids did you find usefull/essential?

I'm still waiting for my operation (14 weeks) and am feeling overwhelmed with the information on the Internet about dislocation , its got me petrified

Hi margi..i bought a couple of frames that go around the toilets so you can lever yourself up for first few weeks i had a raised loo seat too...certainly did help but physio measured my leg length..I'm 5'6...and said a 4" rise would be OK and it was. The most useful thing was a hooky stick thing search on ebay for dressing aid..so useful for many things!..also a good thermod/vacuum cup for coffee or cold drinks. Someone gave me a trolley table on wheels so everything I needed was on hand next to me. PM me if you want more info....if you can get hold of a third crutch so you can leave one at each end of the stairs!

Dont let the tales of dislocution worry you its very rare now unless you do something stupid.....which of course you wont!

Thankyou for your support and experience its very, very helpful, l will probably have loads more questions as lm really stressed out thinking about all the different permutations

problemsl, l will encounter

Hi Margih. If you're lucky you should be provided with much of the equipment you need through the orthopaedic dept treating you. I don't know which part of the country you live in but most of the larger stuff like toilet seat raisers, trollies, commodes and perching stools are often lent by the OT dept through Community services. I have had all the above provided but have bought grabbers, dressing sticks and long handled shoe horns etc from Ebay or Amazon. I also had to source a high backed chair with arms and went to the local furniture restoration scheme in our area and bought one for £30 which is mine until I want to sell it again. I'm due for my THR in 9 days now and can't wait. Sometimes it's best not to read too much frightening stuff about dislocations. As Chris said they're really rare and only happen if you go against the advice on the 90 degree rule for your hip. That's explained at Joint School run by the physios if you get a chance to go and your hospital runs one. Really helpful and puts lots of things in perspective! Good luck.

Thanks for sharing this, l live in north east my health athority is North tees & Hartlepool

l havent heard/been told of any loaning services even my Consultant said l would need to get some aids l have bought some off amazon etc..

l will follow the advice from physiotherapy as l'm having nightmares about dislocation

Thanks for reassuring me

There should't be any difference in the facilities offered by health trusts across the country. Like I said, the small stuff you have to get but it's definitely worth asking your health authority through the OT dept, about the larger items. It all costs money which we don't budget for but they do! I've worked in the NHS for years and if you don't ask.......

i love reading ur comments Chris always so positive. I worry bout dislocation but like you say its not likely to happen unless you do something really silly. Anyway just thought i'd say hello and hope you've settled back at work.I got cabin fever 26th June then I pray no restrictions!!! cant wait get in my car x

 

Thanks Cheryl...settled back in work no probs...hip is unbelievably good...absolutely no probs...need to get the other one done but for now its OK..maybe next year after I finish work! Not sure what you mean..cabin fever 26th June...but it does make you feel normal once you can drive again!

I waited 10 months between the two.  Doctor kept saying to do sooner, he actually wanted to do the second 3 months after the first, but i wanted to be completely recovered before going thru this again and 10 months was just about right.

Mine will be more like 18 months ...no pain at the mo from my other hip...just stiffness after much walking or sitting...probably where my right one was 18 months ago!! Was it better or worse knowing what to expect??

The first was posterior approach and although all went perfectly well and today, i don't even know i have an implant in my right hip, the recovery was more demanding, i hated the weight bearing 50% during the first 4-5 weeks. So 10 months later i decided to go for the anterior approach, having read enough abt it, i knew recovery was going to be easier and shorter and i partivularly was looking for the NO weight bearing part.  Yes, it was mentally easier to go the second time having done it once...the hard way.  All went well with anterior, however, recovery took just about as long as posterior except maybe a little less weight bearing, and i am left with some numbness and a bit of swelling from the incision area to above the knee.  I am now 12 weeks post op and it has not improved and i know that the numbness (and probably the swelling) may be permanent, so said the doctor.  I am so much more pleased with the end results and the look of my posterior thigh.  Had i known what i know today i would have definitely gone to the same posterior doctor, he did a super job!