Bilateral hip replacement 2 weeks ago

Thanks for that :0) Mmm I do keep wondering if the bad days are round the corner! So far, so good. I found the days in hospital tough though, I really had to have faith in my new joints and forget what I never used to manage.

I can full weight bear yes, managed a shower yesterday which was bliss!

Thanks for the lovely welcome,

Sheila

Thanks for that info. Sounds like you are doing brilliantly.

I've just been out for lunch which involved a short trip in the car and felt reasonably sore after an hour or so sitting for lunch. A bit nervous about the course as its a 1.5 hour drive followed by full day with unknown chairs. I'm trying to find a balance between doing Physio, increasing my walking but not doing too much as everyone keeps warning me to take it easy!

Best wishes,

Sheila

Thanks. Sorry to hear you've osteoporosis too, that sounds really challenging. After all my positives, I got cramp in my right calf after slightly twisting my leg lifting it onto sofa and now I've got pain all the way down my right side. Really hoping I haven't torn anything and it's just a pull! It was all going so well too!

Best wishes,

Sheila

One thing I learned is to rest when I overdid or strained anthing. Perhaps some heat to loosen muscles folowed by cold/ice to curtail any swelling.

Good luck,

L

Hi there,

I had 2 done 4 weeks ago today. Ok still on 2 crutches but yesterday launched across the kitchen without any! Totally instinctively which obviously wasn't wise! I'm 45 years so a lot older than you which will impact on progress I imagine!

I get lower back pain usually on a morning from sleeping on my back, but I think your lower back can take the strain if your core isn't strong.

I managed to walk a mile yesterday which I was pleased with but find it tricky to know how much to do or not.

Best wishes,

Sheila

Yeah, I'm trying to walk about 4 times a day otherwise you end up sitting for too long. I'm just thinking that if there isn't pain then you should try to walk as much as possible not sure this is the correct thing to do or not?!

Have you been given exercises to do? When do you go back to see your surgeon? I don't see mine until 8 weeks after my op so 3 weeks yet.

Keep up the good work!

Hi Nicola,

I'm going back to surgeon in 2 weeks, yup was given Physio exercises in hospital, not a huge amount really.

I'm a single mum and have 3 young kids so I spend a lot of time up and about anyway. Have really cut down my painkillers in last couple of days which I'm really pleased with so just need to up my walking really :0)

Best wishes,

Sheila

Wow -- sounds like all you double hip people are doing amazingly well.  Kudos because it must not be easy.

And just wanted to say 'wow' to you Sheila for doing all this while being a single mom to 3 young ones.  I can't imagine.  I'm here with one hip done and retired and both daughters long out on their own.

So congrats to you and make sure to not overdo it!!!

Hugs,

Leslie

Hi Leslie,

Aww thanks! I feel like I'm really wasting this time, never have I had so much time where I'm not working or studying so it feels very indulgent!

I can think of a million things I could be doing if I could bend! I'll get there though ..

Best wishes,

Sheila

Hi Nicola,

When I left hospital I was given a sheet with some exercises - standing and bending knee upwards, standing and bending leg straight behind me and standing and abducting leg. Those are the advanced exercises as well as glute squeezes. TBH I feel a bit at a loss as to what else I could be doing. Been to the pool twice this week though and being doing some widths if the front crawl and for the first time in my life I'm swimming straight! My right leg is much weaker but it's always been the worst so presume my left has been taking the strain for years!

Feeling stressed today admit kids are not feeling like helping out and the house is a bomb! And it's a great day for putting the washing out - haha.

I see consultant in 10 days when I'll be at 6 weeks :0) how are you getting on?

S

Wow sounds like you are doing amazing!! I've not ventured to the pool yet as I was told my the specialist nurse that I shouldn't do this until after 12 weeks but I think I'm just going to go. Feel like I've hit a wall and not sure where to go next to try to make more progress. Are you using any walking aids now? Or in any pain?

My right is much weaker too and unsure how to get it stronger? I don't have my appointment until 8 weeks which is really frustrating!

Nicola

Hi Nicola, I totally get the frustration!

I'm still on 2 crutches, I've tried going down to one but I just waddle and am not strong enough yet.

I phoned the hospital ward and spoke to my Physio who said as long as my wound is healed the pool is fine and to do Physio in the pool and walk in the pool to but no breaststroke.

I do some walking in the pool with a woggle float for security and do my Physio in the deep end. It's amazing to see my range of movement which I've never had before especially abducting my leg outwards!

The pool is an outdoors seawater heated pool so it has a lot of benefits! I'm not sure if I would be so keen if I was in a colder pool for proper swimmers!

The follow up seems pretty slack here, I'm not sure how I should be progressing or how to strengthen my legs further but am just trying to do walking and get to the pool plus Physio. I tried walking up the stairs normally and am definitely not strong enough for that yet but it'll get there.

Best wishes,

Sheila

You are only 4 weeks so you are doing really well! Keep it going, I found the last 2 weeks I have made lots of progress, and can walk more with no crutches and limp is decreasing.

I agree about follow up. Where are you from?

Here I get no follow up except seeing a specialised nurse (at 8 weeks for me) and given a sheet with the same exercises as you. I really feel you should get Phisio follow up especially with 2 hips as I couldn't do any of the exercises when I was in hospital.

I'll try go to the pool this week, was just a bit worried as I still need one crutch to walk properly, but I guess the pool maybe helps that?

What type of hip did you get? I got ceramic on ceramic.

Take care

I might add too that proper position in exercises makes all the difference. This is especially true for adductor exercises and glutes that bedevil us all and need solid work for enduring recovery. So I truly belive that seeing a PT images a big difference to our ability to recover. They are also knowledgeable enough to offer advice on small matters that we encounter and to refer us when needed. Of course, the PT I saw, was based in a coordinating centre for joint replacements which was a huge advantage.

I also strongly support work in the pool while urging some caution - ideally to would help to have physio advice on site there as well.

Wishing you a safe and strong recovery.

L

Hi Nicola,

I take one crutch into the pool down the steps as there is a handrail into the pool and leave it at the side and use the side of the pool as a handrail until I'm deep enough to swim. Also I have a woggle as support in the pool.

I got ceramic ball with titanium stem, think they use them on younger folks as we are more likely to need them longer and possibly more likely to dislocate due to increased activity (risk taking!) levels I think...

Ooh forgot to answer that I'm in the north of Scotland. .

Sheila

I'm going to give the pool a bash hopefully this week. Thanks for your advice.

Getting to see a Phisio next week so hopefully they will guide and advise me. I'll report back

Thanks for your advise!

I'm getting to see a Phisio next week so hopefully they will put me on track and check everything is as it should be.

Take care