1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

getting into bed

Posted , 18 users are following.

laura88064
laura88064

Had my left hip done a week ago but I find it impossible to get into bed by myself, I cannot move my left leg sideways it gets too painful , is this a worry?

3 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

Prev
  • sue50140
    sue50140 laura88064

    Posted

    Don't worry Laura this is quite normal, get someone to lift it carefully onto the bed for you.  Try and keep your good leg the same height and try and turn on the bed with your hands.  Worked for me 2 weeks on still difficult but not so painful.  Good luck Sue
  • alice85142
    alice85142 laura88064

    Posted

    No..Dear girl..I remember it being difficult..when you are in hospital you have that overhanging 'coathanger thing' to grab onto..well I did....Try tying a long scarf round your lower leg ( bending carefully!!) and then you can help lifting your bad leg up and out of the bed.  Chin up a week is very early days..

    ​Alice (ALi)

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK laura88064

    Posted

    I used a similar technique to LDW - by holding my good ankle against my operated leg ankle, I could lift it much easier as the good leg supports some of the weight.

    To actually slide over in bed, I was given a 'sliding sheet' by the hospital, which was a large slippery nylon 'tube' - It was also useful for getting positioned in the car seat.  There are lots advertised on Amazon and other websites.

    Graham

  • MichaelTN1UK
    MichaelTN1UK laura88064

    Posted

    Hello

    Many great suggestions. The nurses suggested holding a towel or the belt from a dressing gown uner the ankle to list the leg. It took me about two weeks befor I could do it myself. In addition, I HAD to use a plastic sheet (a shop carrier bag) under my lower leg to do my exercises - even them, my wofe had to do most of the 'heavy lifting' on the very early days. I thought I would never do them on my own, and then one day, out of no where, I did a few alone!

    Time is the best medicine. Take each victory of each day for what it is worth and the rest will follow in the fulness of time.

    Michael

    • sue50140
      sue50140 MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Thank you Michael I am very grateful for your words of wisdom. Sue x
  • mary0606
    mary0606 laura88064

    Posted

    All great suggestions here to try out...I also had to go alone after about day 5. I wore silk PJ's that way my leg would slide easily.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 laura88064

    Posted

    Hi Laura, 

    Warm welcome to our wonderful forum - as you can se such good responses and tips have already been send to you - 

    I live alone and had 2 THR surgeries - no one stayed with mecry and I didn't want to be tugged in bed by home health nurse at 9 00PM -

    I was taught in the hospital to get out and in bed though - 

    The other leg supporting the operated leg did not work for me as that hip was so painful (surgery 6 months after 1st one) 

    I adhere to  Gail's method :  use momentum, lying down and using abs to swing both legs up - 

    my problem was that the bed's location has not enough space to put anything there to give me support - 

    tender loving care and being gentle to yourself sweetheart - You just had major surgery ....

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • LDW
      LDW renee01952

      Posted

      Renee how on earth did you manage this by yourself? You are one strong and brave lady.

      lindsey x

    • alice85142
      alice85142 LDW

      Posted

      I did too , bit it was only one THR.. But I was dreading it but  a huge cheer for having done so to us lone hippies...especially 2 hips as per Renee. I think its a question of 'having to' not wanting to and maybe do more in the end more quickly than the hippies who have a partner to help..not that it wouldn't have be brilliant to have someone to help  in and out of bed/ socks and pants/cooking ectc  NOt to mention morale support on difficult days.  I don't want to 'bring the violins out' as had very good neighbours..and this forum became  even more vital..and Renees positive and affectionate posts along with so mnay others.

      ​Hey 5 months on and able to support other hippies.

      ​Alice

  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK laura88064

    Posted

    I got home yesterday and have just had my first night with hip number 2. It was an effort for a couple of weeks on the first one. I used a leg 'whoopie' that I had made - a padded piece of fabric about 15 inches long with a loop handle at either end that I can use with my grabber. My leg will feel like a dead weight for a while until I regain some control over my muscles but I push the whoopie under my leg and then use the handles to transport the leg in and out of bed. Like others have suggested a towel/belt/cloth will do the same job.

    Be patient - the sideways movement seems the hardest.

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.