Convalescent care after THR

Hi Ann, I'm five weeks post op posterior full hip replacement. Had op on the Wednesday afternoon home Friday afternoon. I did have six days at my daughters and then came home. I live alone too, I'm a fit 63. I live in the U.K. Wasn't offered any physio once out of hospital, just walk as much as able. Once home I managed quite well and by week four could manage most things on my own.however, we are all different. Your case will be yours alone. It's a case of suck it and see really. Going back to transport, they will show you how to do certain things, car, bed, stairs etc. So long as the car isn't extremely low you should be fine. I hope all goes well for you, do let us know how you go on. 

Cindy

You need help for the first few days at least for sheer lack of energy. If you are likley to be alone after that for very long prepare meals now that can be re- heated easily. Things that might cause a problem are stairs if you have a lot, putting on compresion socks, picking things up off the floor- get a grabber,  standing in the shower- get a seat, putting on shoes or slippers - get velcro fastenings, avoiding bending more than a right angle- get cushions nder you chairseats to raise the level. For the car get a wedge cushio to reduce the sitting angle, put the seat as far back as possible. Water exercise i did at about 5    weeks - one session with my friend who happens to be my physio- to work out the best exercises and how to get in the pool.

Hi Annie

I think in general they don't like you going in a pool until the wound is healed. That is probably 2 weeks. But your doctors will advise you on that and, at least in the UK, you will get advice from physios and occupational therapy about what you can and can't do.

Hope it all goes well.

Mike

I live alone and had no help offered had a nurse change my dressing once that was it. I came home in an ordinary car with a cushion o n the seat th he nurse did escort me to the car and show my driver how to help me out.

I had arranged my house before I went in. I managed fine, the only thing I found hard was boredom. Five weeks on I have done well can walk over two mile (weather permitting) using just one crutch. I think I could manage without but don't want to take any chances.

I think it depends on how well you prepare both physically and mentally.

This site is the best thing ever when you feel unsure or just need reassurance.

Good luck

I don't think you should/are allowed to go into public pool/physio or otherwise until your incision heals.  I did not have stables, but internal stitches and glue.  I had to wait until my six week checkup before swimming.  Boy was I out of shape when I went back to swimming.  I managed to swim about 2/3 of my normal workout, but got dizzy and had to get out of the pool.

Hi Annie. Because I live alone, it was suggested I went to a care home , but the thought of that was too depressing. I live in uk and apart from nurse changing dressing I've had no help. Surely hydrotherapy has to wait until scar has healed? I spent quite a few weeks excercising before op but obviously because of pain, I was very limited. I shopped , stocked up with everything I need and may want. Cleaned everything so that I wouldn't have to worry about that. Bought gadgets such as a sock aud( never used) grabbers are essential and more than one! If you drop one, which I do, you'll need another to pick it up. I bought a walker on wheels that had 2 trays, but like a tea trolley, couldn't have managed without that. Move things to counter height, save trying to reach into cupboards. Boredom has been biggest problem. After a short time you'll be out walking on those crutches. Came home in ordinary car then up 28 stairs !! Best wishes. You'll be great x

Thanks everyone. I have been going to the gym every week day for the past 3 months and doing a variety of adapted exercises to try and get as fit as possible in preparation. I was surprised at how much I can do especially with the pool exercises. I will miss going after the op but hopefully will get back there fairly quickly if only to walk in the pool. Just looking forward to being able to walk properly again without this horrible pain. I don't like taking Naproxen but it allows me to exercise so I'm using it and hope it doesn't give me a heart attack (all sorts of horror stories about it and the lansoprazole that I have to take so it doesn't hurt my stomach!) How did you manage with things like rugs? Did you have to take them up or were they ok? I have three furry trip hazards to contend with, feline variety, and I've ordered some long handled bowls so I don't have to reach down to put food down. Can you bend if you stick the operated leg up behind you ballet style? I know I won't be able to at first while the initial healing is going on but after I build up strength? My main worry is having to sleep on my back. I'm a side sleeper normally and fear I will turn in my sleep without realising. What pain killers do you have afterwards? I don't want anything that would knock me out if I'm alone. I have a very steep staircase to contend with and it has a curve at the bottom with not much room to manoeuvre. Sorry for all the questions. Just want to prepare myself as well as possible. 

Thanks

Ann

I asked the GP for hydrotherapy, was sent to a hospital that gave me a 6 week course and the I could pay to go in the spinal hydrotherapy pool as I wished during the open sessions

It helped me a lot

However this was about 2 months post op when All was well healed. I think I could have gone at about 1 month, but the wound has to be completely healed before you can go

dear ann, 

warm welcome to the hippies forum ... wonderful responses to your post and I have little to add - 

I live alone too and had 2 THR surgeries 6 months apart - I was clueless, to be honest and didn't find this forum until 3 weeks post-op from 1st THR  so you are much better prepared - I had home health nurse come in every morning for about 2 weeks to assist me in washing (no shower for 14 days) and getting dressed - also checked scar and changed dressing when needed (I had staples) -

My friend has a van type car and seat was at perfect height - but you will be shown how to get in/out of car before you are discharged ...

I also think your scar should be totally closed and dry before you can go in the water ...

On hindsight, and this is just an afterthought, perhaps going to a rehab center for a week (or 2) would have been better for me - There would have been someone who would get me moving more,perhaps a physical therapist - more motivation to exercise -

I also had a 4 wheeled walker to get around in the house - this was actually advised since I live alone , instead of crutches ...

Come here any time okay /// with the forum you are not alone !!!

big warm hug

renee