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

Hip replacemant

Posted , 6 users are following.

carmen56984
carmen56984

I had a hip replacement 9 weeks ago, i slept on my back for around 5-6 weeks, now i've being sleeping on my none apporation side with a cushion betewwn my knees. Is that ok to do?

How long do i have to use the crutchs for, am now using one of them when going outside as am still a bit weak on the opperation leg?

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • jan00794
    jan00794 carmen56984

    Posted

    Hi there.  I was told to use crutches for six weeks.  That's what I did though felt that latterly I didn't need them.
  • marg6910_-_NI
    marg6910_-_NI carmen56984

    Posted

    I'm now 5 months post op, stopped using crutches 9 weeks Post op & bought a walking stick instead.  I don't need it now EXCEPT when outside and only for security purposes i.e. so that others realise I'm not exactly fit.  I also sleep with pillow between my knees. The walking stick is very useful in supermarkets and is easily popped into shopping trolley.  Good Luck
  • ros007
    ros007 carmen56984

    Posted

    Yes, that's fine, I'm now 15 weeks down the line and still use a pillow between my knees because it is more comfortable. I sleep part of the night on each side and have done since about 7 weeks.

    I don't use any walking aids indoors or for short flat walks out of doors but, partly because I'm waiting for a new knee and partly because I can't dodge, I do use a crutch or stick when I'm out and about. In fact I use 2 crutches on buses as that way the driver lets me sit down before he moves off! My balance still isn't 100% and falls are bad news.

    Don't worry about progress, listen to your body and if you don't feel confident then use an aid. Do keep doing the exercises though to build up your muscles and think about the way you are walking - if you get into bad habits now they will be difficult to get rid of later. Try to keep your head up and go for a steady rhythm with even steps on both legs. Make sure you stand and walk tall to keep the muscles at the front of your thigh well stretched.

    Good luck, you're getting there

    • carmen56984
      carmen56984 ros007

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your advice I'll keep that in mind. It's very helpful.

  • Jodi-France
    Jodi-France carmen56984

    Posted

    Hi Carmen. My 6 week anniversary is today. I have not used crutches since week 4, however I just took a long week-end and visited a toursist site that I knew beforehand had a lot of stairs, I think I went up (and then down) 4 or 5 flights of stairs. For this trip I brought my crutch (one crutch) and I am so gload I did, I really needed that crutch.

    In my opinion I do not think it is at all odd at 9 weeks, to still want the reassurance of a crutch in certain situations. How old are you and how was your health before your THR?

    Are you taking iron pills and getting good nourishment?

    • carmen56984
      carmen56984 Jodi-France

      Posted

      Hi Jodi thank you so much for your help,

      Am 58yrs old.

      My health before was ok just high blood pressure, which was control by tablets, Now the blood presure is down from i had the replacement which was 10th April 2014.

      No am not taking any iron pills but eating healty.

      Not sure what to start taking any idea and what to take?

       

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France carmen56984

      Posted

      I had two physical therapists look at my blood test ans tell me that I needed Iron pills after surgery. There is something about surgery that drops your iron levels, and both of them told me it takes a long time for you to get your iron levels back to normal. I also was very very fatigued and after about 2 weeks of taking iron pills I felt more energy. I am sorry the pills ar in French so I don't know how many mgs the pills are, but it is one per day. You can get iron pills over the counter, in your position I would simply speak to your pharmasist and go with whatever they recommend. By the way I am 60 years old and other than tendonosis in both my legs from my hip to my knee on the outside of my leg, my health was pretty good. I only suffered really bad hip pain for about a year before I went under the knife. Honestly, after a couple weeks the iron pills did make a difference in my energy level.
    • carmen56984
      carmen56984 Jodi-France

      Posted

      Thank you Jodi, i will get some iron tablets tomorrow.

      Hope you'll get well very soon.

      Am getting some pain in my groin, spoke to my GP to day he told me to take pain tablets that will help.

      I've also noticed that after a little walk outside am beginning to feel pain in the hip don't know if it's because it's still new and need to settle in and will take a long time. It's also click sometime. also the cut is still tender i cannot wear throuses (pants) as it on the side of my leg.

       

  • carmen56984
    carmen56984

    Posted

    It's coming up to 10 weeks since my THR, am not sure when i can use the shower, I've being having strip wash so i don't get the cut wet, The cut looks like it seal, i've notice that there's still a couple of the desolable stiche knots are still in place i dont want to get it wet incase it causes problems and stop the underneat healing.

    When can i start using Bio-Oill on the scar?

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France carmen56984

      Posted

      Carmmen,

      There is another recent topic on groin pain going on. You might find that helpful.

      I started showering after about 3 1/2 weeks and yes I had 2 little strings sticking out, I just took a nail clippers and clipped off the excess. Mine looks like a seal also. Before you shower you have to feel "strong" enough to shower. I have a terry cotton bathmat that I usually have on the floor outside the shower. I put that inside the shower (tub with overhead shower) and once wet that provided all the stability I needed not to slip.

      I don't think that little excess string sticking up from your incision is going to fall off by itself, it won't hurt to snip it off real close to the skin. I did and didn't have any problems. Best of luck hon, I think the iron pills will help you. You can google Low Irion after surgery for more info.

    • carmen56984
      carmen56984 Jodi-France

      Posted

      Thanks Jodi. Do you know if it's ok to use Bio-Oil on the cut that's looks like it's close on the outside?

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France carmen56984

      Posted

      I think my staples came out at 3 or 4 weeks. My physical therapist simply used his regular massahe oil on it and massaged the scar starting right after the stitches came out. Now 7 weeks, throughout the day I firmly massage the scar, just right through my pajamas, no oil at all.

      It was pretty thick feeling and seems to be thinning out. Wish that woud hurry up a bit quicker, but it doesn't give me any pain.

Back to top

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.