I'm gobsmacked

Posted 8 years ago, 11 users are following.

lynn66084

Went for my checkup, 11 weeks tomorrow. I told him I stopped using my stick, couple of days ago, still have trouble going upstairs, like I can feel the implant. He made me walk up and down, I still have a bit limp but I thought I hadn't, then I had to sit on the bed and he checked leg length, it was ok. Said the x ray was good, never thought to tell him I fell the day after that in hospital., took a pic of it. He got me to stand and do the exercise where you lift your leg out to the side, that was fine, then told me to hold it, I couldn't.

So I have to lie on the bed on my good side and lift and hold the bad side and do it while standing as well.

I had loads of questions but forgot them and I have to go back 3-4 month, got an appointment for 4 month.

I had gone out the room and realised he didn't say I was clear of precautions. I asked the nurse and went back in, he said what precautions, that was it total blank, I said sleeping on back, back to work.Said another 4 -6 weeks off work, go back when I'm ready. I don't know if I'm allowed to drive, lower seating, bending, or what. He did say to continue sleeping on back, I can sleep on my good side as long as I use a pillow between my legs. As I will probably be back to work before I see him again, I guess I will have to play by ear.

Really wanted to know how to get down on the floor and back up, whether it was needed to have antibiotics before dental treatment, and I can't remember the rest.

So I'm in a bit of a blubby mood tonight and I'm not going to phone work yet, cos I'll just start up again.

Sorry for the long post.

Lynn xx

3 likes, 52 replies

52 Replies

HollyHop9 lynn66084

Posted 8 years ago

Both my husband's surgeon and his dentist told him he would need to have antibiotics for any dental work (even a cleaning) for the next two years. They say it's to prevent infection in the new hip.
- bini31328 HollyHop9
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hi Holly
  I'm really interested in this - I'm a uk nurse , have worked in orthopaedics and have had 3 hip replacements , one being a revision of an earlier one . I've never heard of people having to have antibiotics post THR in UK and never been advised to myself - and my centre / treatment has been very good in terms of pre and post op information booklets but this is not mentioned. Are you in US ? - it's amazing how approaches are so different in different places - any info you have would be helpful as I intend to ask my consultant about this issue when I next see him - thank you for your post xx
- lynn66084 HollyHop9
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Is this the UK Holly?, I guess I will find out tonight, he said he was going to do a clean this next time.
- lynn66084
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  He didn't do it, said it was 50/50 and to check with my doc.He also said it keeps changing.
- HollyHop9 lynn66084
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Oops, sorry. Missed your posts so my answer is delayed. We are in the USA and are ex pat Brits. I have also worked in orthopedics (as an OT) on both sides of the pond and hadn't heard of this until he was given this advice pre op. I did some reading and it's based on AMA/ADA joint guidelines from 2003. Since then some studies have shown that the infection risk is very low but many surgeons and dentists still follow this guidance. The standard is a single dose of antibiotic to be taken 1 hour before a dental procedure.
  As you say there are so many different protocols not only between countries but between surgeons. At the renowned ortho hospital where my husband had his surgery every surgeon had completely different post op protocols. His surgeon was considered "old school" for giving 90 degree precautions since most of the surgeons there no longer gave their patients any hip precautions at all. Research has shown there is no change in dislocation rate (about 1%) with or without precautions). We have followed the precautions since that's what his surgeon wanted but, knowing that research I was far less vigilant than I would have been years ago.
- lynn66084 HollyHop9
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I've just done almost 11 weeks precautions oh well, I feel back to normal now anyhow. I think there should be a set of rules that all surgeons should stick too, would be a lot easier lol Is that really the rate for dislocations, (is that uk) it's not very high.
- HollyHop9 lynn66084
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  I think (haven't checked) that the 1% dislocation rate is international. However I would say if your surgeon recommends precautions it's wise to follow them to the best of your ability. Knowing the risk is low can just stop you freaking out about it. Although it's only a 1% risk you don't want to be that 1 person that dislocates so a little caution isn't wasted (which I guess is why surgeons still give people precautions).
- bini31328 HollyHop9
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  I think that's so very true Holly - I've got friend who is a doctor who dislocated her own THR at 3 weeks post op because she manoeuvred herself into sitting on a desk edge - was unlucky as it usually takes a fair bit of force to dislocate - her experience of having it manoeuvred back into place under sedation in A and E isn't one I'd want to copy . Also I could be wrong but if you are under insurance and dislocate because you haven't followed restrictions are you still covered ? Xx
- lynn66084 HollyHop9
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  I think, that's why I stuck to it, it's done now, back to work next week. I wouldn't want to be that 1% either, oh no no.
- CelsB lynn66084
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  I've just been to my hip class and definitely broke the restrictions on the exercise bike. I pointed out to the ohysio that I was breaking the 90 degree rule and she said if anything was going to pop out it would have done it already. Quite reassuring.
  Xxx
- lynn66084 CelsB
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  That's good to know, must be ok now.
  I can bend down to reach my good foot to dry it now, no golf stance, but not quite the other. It feels fine.
- renee01952 CelsB
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  How did you break the 90 degree rule ?
- CelsB renee01952
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  On an exercise bike Renee. It was one of those 'sitting back' ones and when I pedalled my knee came up higher than my hip. Quite a bit higher in fact. Scary at first but when I realised it didn't hurt I was okay Xxx
- bini31328 CelsB
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  Hey Cels - did you find the bike comfortable - I'd love to go cycling again but bit worried about getting saddle sore / seat pressing on new hip so haven't tried it yet xxx
- CelsB bini31328
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  Not too bad Bini, better than I imagined, even with this lump on my bum
  It didn't seem to press on my new hip at all. Xxx
- bini31328 CelsB
  
  Posted 7 years ago
  
  Cool I shall give it a go then ! 🚴🚴🚴🚴

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