How did you get home?

I was also only in hospital for 2 nights.  I was told to make sure the seat is as far back as it will go and also the back of the seat as well.  Put a plastic bag or piece of polythene on the seat.  Stand with your back to the seat, bend down gently until you reach seat level and slide over as far as you can to the driver's side, lean back and swivel round keeping your operated leg as straight as you can.  You will probably have to bend your knee a little to get it in the car, I did anyway, as long as you don't bend your knee too far you will be okay.  It was much easier than I thought it would be.  It was quite comfortable travelling in the car.  Adopt the same procedure when getting out of the car, slither round and get both your legs out while leaning backwards.  When your feet are safely on the floor, then you can lean forwards a little to stand up.  As long as you don't bend more than 90 degrees, you will be okay.  Take it easy when you get home and I didn't get back in the car again for 6 weeks, although the nurse said I would be okay after 5 weeks but they recommend 6 weeks to everyone in case they start going out in the car much too soon and then dislocate their hip.  I am now 8 weeks post op, have had no complications and getting in and out of the car now is pretty easy and I do it without thinking.  Good luck with your op and getting home.

Hi

You havent had your THR o why not have a bit of a practice now as to how to get in and out, what cushion you might need etc.

A nurse came down with me to the car to make sure I got in OK.....although I had been told previously how to do it.

Stand  facing out of the car {your not in yet lol} then put your bum down very gently, knees together {very ladylike lol} and bring them both round ...this is where the plastic bag can come in handy.....slid your bum round, both knees together then feet down. Just make sure you dont lift your knees too high.

More than a year later thats how I still get into my husbands car LOL

I cant do it in my own because as the driver i would hgave to have the seat well back etc and its a nuisance having to change it everytime. If i tried to do it in the drivers seat in my car my knees would bang the steering wheel

Have a practice before you go in and i'm sure they'll tell you how.

Once in....I had a 30 min drive home and it was quite comfortable

Love

Eileen   UK

Hi Shirley, yes I came home in car, collected by my sister she has high car so perhaps easier. You do have to be careful, pushing seat back, putting back of seat back, sitting sideways then bringing both legs round carefully together and half laying back so hip isn't more than 90% close to body.

Good luck look forward to hearing from you after the op.

Thank you for all your replies. I have my pre op assessment tomorrow - when I sat down yesterday to fill in the forms to take, I found there is a section asking if you have transport home or require hospital transport. (Wasn't asked this on the pre-op at the origional hospital)  Think I will go with their transport if possible.