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having total hip replacement in next few months.

Posted , 10 users are following.

attractac
attractac

i am having  a THR in thenext few months . any advise onhowto prepare for this.after reading posts i am tying to sleep on my back to try to rewire my brain before op. Getting about 2 hours then back on side. Any pre op advise wouldbe helpful--the kind of things only those who have beenthrough it know. I am 69 and quite active up until one month ago when a stumble took osteoarthritis from about 6 to 10

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  • ann19982
    ann19982 attractac

    Posted

    Hi go onto arthritis UK THEY HAVE SOME STRENGTHENING AND STABILISING HIP EXERCISES WHICH ARE HELPFUL PRE OP. I prepared food for freezer, practiced on line grocery shopping, contacted council to collect bins from garden, got hair cut and a pedicure. Put anything that needed plugging in on kitchen worktop as you can't reach low sockets. Occupational therapy (OT) organised delivery of necessary aids. Most important - BOUGHT LOTS OF CHOCOLATE. I am 66 and live alone. Told friends when visiting to always bring a pint of milk. Made a notice for door to say- PLEASE BE PATIENT. I am now week 8+ and progressing well. Royal College of Surgeons England have a good online leaflet

    Good luck xx

    • pep
      pep ann19982

      Posted

      Thats really sound advice ann regarding the chocolate!!!  did it help your recovery??  x

      smile

    • ann19982
      ann19982 pep

      Posted

      Oh yes chocolate helps particularly when appetite is diminished. Appetite back to normal now so not so much chocolate
    • annedi
      annedi ann19982

      Posted

      I had my hair and nails cut too - and it was really worth doing. Like you I started online grocery shopping too and the delivery people have always put iit on the kitchen cupboards for me.  I never thought about a note on the door - that's a good idea. I try and make sure I have my mobile in my pocket all the time as I can never get to the land line in time!

      Glad you are progressing well. I try and focus on the little improvements to cheer me up as it's easy to to get a bit worried when you see some posts of people who are doing really well and you're not at the same stage!

  • susan20909
    susan20909 attractac

    Posted

    Hi there, I too was quite fit before my op. Always been sporty, but for a few months before op did exercises to strengthen thigh muscles butt muscles nd anything else in that region, it really paid off. Nurses said they hadn't' seen such a quick recovery. Not much pain and went home after 3 days. 2 weeks post op and I can walk comfortably round the house and gardens without  any crutches, and just use one for safety when going out. Had my clips out the i other day and that really helped the movement. It really is worth putting in some effort now if you are able to. If not sure what to do google post THR exercises and do those. I am 64. Good luck and always be positive.
    • attractac
      attractac susan20909

      Posted

      thanks susan. Good news stories ar always a confidence boost.
  • annedi
    annedi attractac

    Posted

    Good luck with your op. I knew it was going to be hard sleeping on my back but didn't try a lot before other than getting loads of pillows ready - 2 for under my knees and lower leg and about 4 to make a  slope for my back. This has enabled me to sleep on my back since the op in a slightly curled position- not perfect but loads better than flat out.

    The month before my op I made sure as much as possible that I did not come into contact with anybody with colds etc and increased hand washing on return from shops etc. Result no infections.

    If possible I think its good to keep your leg muscles as strong as possible before the operation as it helps with recovery. I've had both hips done and the first time my leg was stronger and I made a quicker recovery. This time my muscles were a lot weaker and I'm 3 weeks post op but it is taking longer.

    Look at the website for people's opinions on general as opposed to epidural - I didn't find this website till after my op and would have appreciated knowing what an epidural only was like. I had epidural and was awake the whole time so no deep sedation. I was very nervous but once I knew I couldn't feel anything I was able to relax a bit. Staying awake means you can hear and smell what's going on but I found that ok and of course there was no pain. I had general the first time but if I ever had to go through it again I would opt for epidural as the recovery is so much quicker. I was drinking tea very soon after being taken to the recovery room!

    • attractac
      attractac annedi

      Posted

      Thanks for all yor advice. I found out how to reply.I also live alone but luckily have family support fairly close and grandkids who will go to the local shopforme,so that is a blessing.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 attractac

    Posted

    Ohj, you are so lucky to have found this forum before your operation !!!! I was like a babe in the woods and not too well prepared except for the obvious things -I live alone in a tiny bungalow - I put things on kitchen counter - had one of those remote light controls (sockets are ground level) - got the raised toilet seat, a grabber to pick up things and one of those sock aids - SInce I live alone I was told to get a walker instead of crutches -  I also wanted to get stronger prior the surgery, however something went wrong with physical therapy (exercises too fast and too heavy and I ended up worse - muscles felt as if they were torn - I was not in the best of shape to begin with :-(    ---- 

    good luck and please keep in touch - 

    I am 9 weeks post op tomorrow, live in Holland and am 66 -

    WARM HUG

    • attractac
      attractac renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks Renee.♥Another question. My home is on an incline.Will this cause problems when starting to walk with crutches.?

      Like some of the posts I have read,I hate the thought of being dependant on others even if it is only for a short while. Is it agood idea to have a bed downstairs for first few weeks.

    • ann19982
      ann19982 attractac

      Posted

      Hello I live up a hill a mile from town centre. Walking with crutches no problem, hard work coming back but great exercise. I also live in a split level town house with lounge on top floor have a walk in shower by entrance hall and bathroom and bedrooms down on lower level. None of this has presented a problem for me. OT assessed my house prior to operation and Physio showed me how to manage. I live alone 66 on week 9 post op

      Hope this reassures

    • attractac
      attractac ann19982

      Posted

      Thanks Ann. Great to hear stairs hills no prob as I love mybedroom but would have a bed downstairs if needed. I had a downstairs toilet so I just need to make sure that i have what I

      need downstairs and up stairs so as not to be up and down.

    • ann19982
      ann19982 attractac

      Posted

      Yes it can be a challenge with my shower room on entry level I have to negotiate 7steps down from lounge for loo trips in day. In the early days with loo trips most frequent I was getting enough exercise. Had to make sure I went before desperate- you have this experience to come but don't worry that urgency passes. Best to wear easy clothing. The male hippies are more fortunate and they don't need the toilet raiser for these trips. I do think layout of my house has aided my recovery. I did not venture out until stitches out on day 14. Leg and foot swelling made shoes a no no
  • sonia97062
    sonia97062 attractac

    Posted

    I think the most important thing I did, was upper body exercises to make sure I was able to support myself. The other, was as I was very overweight....I managed to lose 4st. I still have a bit to go. I am on day 12, and its great! It does take a lot out of you, but it is amazing how quickly you recover and I Feel so well! Good Luck with your op, you will feel so much better.xx
  • miele55255ch
    miele55255ch attractac

    Posted

    Hello!

    I bought a grabber, a sock aid, a long handled bath brush, a long handled litter scopper for cleaning my cat's boxes and I practiced using every one of them. I can't live without the sock aid and the grabber!

    I had an epidural with sedation and didn't remember a thing from the time my family left until I woke up in recovery. I was allowed to sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs but slept in a sturdy recliner for the first 2 weeks.

    I wish you much luck with your surgery!

     

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