Cold weather and new hip replacement
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi all,
I am in the United States and the polar vortex is delivering a very intense cold snap! The temperatures just fell from 28 degrees Fahrenheit down to 20 degrees (-7 Celsius I think) in the last three hours alone. We are supposed to be experiencing wind chills in the negatives later on this evening and when I leave work to go home it will be another 5 degrees colder. I had an experience in December, two months post-op, where my friends and I were eating dinner in a nice, warm, cozy restaurant for a few hours. When we walked out it was bitterly cold and it hit me like a ton of bricks, going from the warm restaurant out into the bitter cold. My newly replaced hip joint literally just locked up! It's like not being able to swing your leg forward to walk. It was so scary my husband went and got the car from the parking garage because I didn't think I could make it that far. It's hard to describe, but does any one else have sensitivity to the cold temps shortly after their hip replacement? I am dreading leaving my office building later to get into my car. I'm afraid my hip joint will go into shock again like this experience I am describing.
1 like, 14 replies
PierinaAnn kelly99515
Posted
Having mine on Friday, but they report on news here in UK, that certain government place, attractions and schools etc would be closing for the day or two in the States, could you not just see if your employer would let you have a snow/ice day??? Or work from home if possible??
Ann
kelly99515 PierinaAnn
Posted
Hi Ann,
Good luck to you on Friday! They let us leave an hour early yesterday because of the snow, and many schools are closed today and probably will be tomorrow. It's so cold they are saying you can get frost bite in 30 minutes! But sadly, I don't think my office would understand. But yes, if I had my choice I would be bundled up in a blanket right now at home not going outside until it warms up a bit! I am the office administrator for a busy law firm so unfortunately I need to be here and I can't do much from home.
PierinaAnn kelly99515
Posted
Hopefully they will let you leave early again, hope you get on ok, take the rice bag advice, Ive used a hot water bottle walking up to work and all the time at home when needed especially at nights.
Hope you get on ok and take care Ann x
kelly99515 PierinaAnn
Posted
Thank you so much Ann! I hope your surgery goes well! I will take the advice regarding the microwavable bean bag. It's a great idea and it will keep the joint warm as I walk to the car. If I don't forget to bring it with me, I might try it tomorrow!
HLMUK kelly99515
Posted
Hi, suggest you buy a bean/rice filled bean bag, if you have a microwave in your office you can heat it and use as required, also you can add oils for relaxation to it. Working on your backside doesn't really help the healing process either but in bad weather my consultant advised using your stairs as a cross trainer instead of going out walking, ie, up, down, up, down for 5 minutes, 4 times a day, not including your regular trips to the bathroom. Hope this helps
Helen
kelly99515 HLMUK
Posted
Thank you Helen! I do have a microwavable bean bag and I could bring it in and heat it up right before leaving and walk out with it. That is a GREAT idea and I never would have thought of it myself. I have been walking around inside a lot lately trying to get 10,000 steps a day. It's tough but it can be done inside! Looking forward to spring when I can get back outside.... That's for sure. Thank you for the great advice!
fredzepplin kelly99515
Posted
Im just norrh of Pittsburgh. THR October 15 2018. so almost four months. Never had any locking up. well my whole body not wanting to go in the cold but never just one part. be safe...fred
kelly99515 fredzepplin
Posted
Thanks Fred. My whole body never wants to go out in weather like this either!
pathenryd kelly99515
Posted
hi there
had my hip last august and am finding the cold weather we are having making my hip a little stiff when i go out walking the dog
achey also when i get home but not requiring any painkillers
guess we'll feel better when spring comes along
good luck
pat
kelly99515 pathenryd
Posted
Hi Pat, that's exactly how I felt yesterday - stiff when outside and then achy once inside. Spring will be wonderful! In the mean time stay warm! 😃
connie53617 kelly99515
Posted
hi...my goodness i didnt even think of this happening...im also in US..Pa .we are experiencing the polar vortex..so far so good..and ive been going out to care for my horse..
connie
kelly99515 connie53617
Posted
Yesterday was much better... I walked out of work and it was about 15 degrees. I was expecting the worst.... I was stiff, but could still move and walk to my car okay. Last night my hip was hurting me, just aching. I think I will always be affected by the cold weather unfortunately. But I was pleased that I didn't lock up yesterday afternoon! It's still a blessing and at 37 I am so glad to be getting my life back again! So I will deal with this cold and get outside more in the spring 😃
PierinaAnn kelly99515
Posted
I was going to ask how you got on, glad you made it to your car ok
ANN
RichardKen kelly99515
Posted
I have never been aware of cold in my THR hip and am not aware of feeling it anyway after say six weeks or so. Cheers Richard