How do I tie my shoe laces after a Total hip replacement?
Posted , 19 users are following.
Guys
I read that bending can lead to the dislocation of a hip prostethesis so how the heck is one meant to tie up one's laces please? At the moment I am 'nursing' a twenty year old compromised hip replacement and waiting for a revision and having extreme difficulty dealing with laces!
Cheers
Richard
1 like, 57 replies
Rocketman_SG6UK RichardKen
Posted
Use slip-ons immediately after THR, but after about 12 weeks you should be allowed (and eventually able) to tie shoelaces. It feels like a major milestone, and should be celebrated as such
Best wishes
Graham - 🚀💃 🤸
RichardKen Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Golly so many helpful suggestions Graham and Maureen thanks and thanks to anyone I've missed but I've read them all! Thanks Richard
maureen44782 RichardKen
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I don't believe you can. Slip ons are the way to go!
nick88041 RichardKen
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On a related topic, has anyone successfully used one of those sock gadgets?! Perhaps it is beacuse my feet are a bit wide, but the tool just does not work for me. Luckily now, 10 days post-op, I can now get my toes into the sock on the floor, and then bend my leg backwards at the knee, and reach behind to pull the sock on.
michael11283 nick88041
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Nick
I had difficulty making the one I got from the NHS work. I've bought (for my op on 22/03) an Etac long socky aid. That, with socks that aren't too tight, works for me. My size 11(UK) feet don't help, nor do my 36inch legs!
Mike
nick88041 michael11283
Posted
Thanks Mike. The NHS in my area didn't supply anything for socks, but the hospital recommended that I buy a 'Soxon' which is what I have. From looking online it looks to be a similar principal to the Etac. The Soxon though is comparatively bulky and fluffy and as well as being very tight around the foot, it offers a lot of friction against the foot that foils the required pulling action. The Etac looks smoother and a lot less cumbersome so I may give it a go! Thanks. Nick
nick88041 michael11283
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Hi Mike, thanks again for directing me to the Etac Socky. One arrived today and it works wonderfully compared to the Soxon, so no more contorted and risky sock manoeuvres for me now!
julie40975 RichardKen
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Don't do it! Do t risk it buy slip ins if you have to. The risk and trauma of dislocation is too much. Hang on in there Richard
Julie
lyn1951 RichardKen
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Even wore in the hospital in place of slippers, but I am in Australia so we don;t have the serious cold and snow to contend with.
Laces are out of question for probably the first 3 - 4 months, you do not want to dis-locate, having come close, the pain was off the scale worse than the hip replacement, minor twist 10 days after surgery, not a good idea at all.
Discussed with surgeron at checkup, and he said I was lucky it did not completly dis-locate, but he agreed I had come a little close for comfort.
RichardKen lyn1951
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Cheers Richard
julie40975 RichardKen
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RichardKen julie40975
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Thanks Julie for those insightful words<G> What with the hip failing and waiting for a revision of my four year old ankle replacement I'm feeling quite fragile at the moment but trying to remain positive.
I'm concerned that I have had to give up my recent form of exercise swimming which I took up to replace walking. I had built it up to swimming over half a mile every other day and now all I'm doing is going around on crutches!
Cheers Richard
judith12644 RichardKen
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RichardKen judith12644
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Thanks for asking. I’m hoping to see my local G P in the morning to discuss the situation.
Cheers Richard
judith12644 RichardKen
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RichardKen judith12644
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Dragged myself inside and tried to relax then tried to stand up but the pain was too much so rang the emergency NHS help line and the call went through. To the local hospital who quickly sorted out a paramedic response who eventually turned up with an ambulance and took me to the local hospital. I was there waiting for much of the time for two x-rays then later for a third one. They concluded but were not certain that the poly cup that the ball of the joint goes into had failed.
They had me try applying weight by standing up then had me walk up and down A+E which although uncomfortable I managed with a doctor at my side. The net,result was I was cleared to be discharged though they were a little concerned as I live alone.
I slowly made my way out of hospital and rang a taxi firm and was back home some time later. When I walked to my front door I had horrible squeaking
RichardKen
Posted
Oops message uploaded in error...to continue. The squeaking was something new and felt really horrible! After getting up the next day and her finding a stick or crutches but not having either I rang the emergency number and to my surprise found myself speaking to one of the doctors from my local doctors surgery who was doing duty there that week.
She was horrified that I had been discharged and without a proper plan of action and no crutches. She asked if someone could drive over to collect some to which I said I would! Lucky that I have an automatic and that my usable leg is my right one.
Soo it is this doctor I am going to try to see on Monday as it is her first day back and I feel that she is very much on my side. She is one of the most senior doctor in the practice and should be best placed to get some action.
One problem is that as I've recently moved to a different part of the UK my notes were not available to the hospital when I was admitted so they had no idea which hip prostethis I have and were therefore unable to do anything long term for me. I hope that they have been able to get the necessary information but in the meantime I've spoken to my surgeon's secretary from twenty years ago to warn her about the need for the information and to get the information for my use. I rang her again on Friday but had to leave a message and I have done a lot of searching to find a surgeon within striking distance with a good record of having plenty of experience of hip revision surgery as none of the surgeons at my local hospital according to the hospital records seem to have had much revision experience and as it seems that revision surgery is far less straightforward experience is very desirable!
Well there we are. Apologies for having written a load of stuff but hopefully it will be of interest to someone.
Cheers Richard
RichardKen
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Cheers Richard
judith12644 RichardKen
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RichardKen judith12644
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Thanks for your posting. I have high hopes that I will be able to get things moving in the morning
Cheers Richard
RichardKen judith12644
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Had a useful meeting this morning with the doctor regarding my failed hip replacement. She was very impressed that I had taken the trouble to research the va
RichardKen
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Cheers Richard
nick88041 RichardKen
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judith12644 nick88041
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judith12644 RichardKen
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Hi Richard, thanks so much for letting me know, I've been wondering how you got on. I hope you get sorted out quickly. Re swimming, my surgeon is ok with breast stroke swimming, but maybe if your hip was getting very worn, it was just too much for it.
RichardKen judith12644
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Thanks for those reassuring words. I use the traditional leg action which on reflection has the potential for stressing a replacement hip joint. Here is what wa written from the hospital
RichardKen judith12644
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Thanks for those sensible words..makes some sense. It would be very galling to think that whilst trying to keep fit for my impeding ankle revision surgery I had been instrumental in damaging my hip!
Cheers Richard
RichardKen nick88041
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Cheers Richard