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Information needed about hip replacement recovery. Please help.

Posted , 10 users are following.

peter33394
peter33394

Can someone tell me

1) how long does it take to recover from hip replacement surgery, and

2) how long does the patient need to stay in their NHS area in order to recieve follow-up care and equipment (or how quickly can they move away to a different NHS / CCG)?

I am asking because I have an elderly relative who is scheduled to have a hip replacment but there is no one in her area who is willing to care of her. She is isolated. She has a relative who will take her in and care for her, but he lives in the Midlands while she lives in Oxforshire.

As such, I fear I'm going to have to dump my life and move in with her to help her over the recovery. Can anyone give me an idea how long it will take before I can move her out of her home and in with her relative in the Midlands? I believe there are likely to be follow-up treatments (physiotherapy, bandages, equipment delivered) and that the local authority will not provide that outside of the area the operation took place in.

As I see it, my only other option is to try to get her on the waiting list in the Midlands so she can have the operation near her relative, but I fear that would cause significant delays and and I'm not sure she could stand waiting any longer. I'd even consider going private because it will cost me so much money to stay with her anyway.

Any information or suggestions would be appreciated.

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • lara69400
    lara69400 peter33394

    Posted

    For the 1st 6 weeks will need lots of help  when crutches are gone it gets easier, but still restricted for 3 months

  • peter33394
    peter33394

    Posted

    Wow, thank you all so much for responding! This has been weighing heavily on me and your help is making it more manageable.

    One thing I want to verify, and that I think I'm hearing from several of you is that the post-operation follow-up and equipment supply is fairly minimal. As such, do you think I could move her (with the equipment that the NHS provide) to her relative in the Midlands pretty quickly after the operation? And if so, how quickly do you think? I really thought she had to recover in the same area that she had the operation because of equipment, etc.

    • kaleani75551
      kaleani75551 peter33394

      Posted

      I do not know where the Midlands is - i am in California, but straight out of the hospital, the next day after surgery in my case, i carefully climbed in my daughter's big SUV and she drove home about an hour away.  I was very comfortable and no doubt could have stayed in the car even longer.  But it all depends on her condition after surgery.  I guess you will have to judge the situation when the time comes
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK kaleani75551

      Posted

      Hi

      No doubt Peter will be on to tell you where he is but I just happened to see this before I went off line......11.25pm in the UK

      Basically the Midlands is in the Moddle of REngland {UK}  LOL

      Love

      Eileen

    • Jackie_k
      Jackie_k peter33394

      Posted

      I would let her spend a week at home first and then move her to the midlands, a long drive straight out of hospital will take it's toll, the only thing you will have to go back for is the 6/7 week check, they will give her a list of excercises to do in that time and you can take stuff like loo raisers with you, other than that, use the choose and book system and get her into the royal orthopaedic in Birmingham x
  • peter33394
    peter33394

    Posted

    That's perfect, Jackie. Thanks ever so much. Yes, the Midlands is in the UK. I had assumed this discussion was UK-based because of the site address. I am actually in Canada which makes my position dobly difficult...Based on what I've read, I'll probably go and help her for three weeks then move her to another relative. That way I won't totally lose my job smile Thanks again, and good luck to everyone who is dealing with this condition either directly or indirectly.
  • Flossytwitter
    Flossytwitter peter33394

    Posted

    My sister lives in Cumbria, and had her surgery in the Wrightington Hospital, she stayed with our niece in Chorley for 3 weeks then came home. 

    The only concern would be the travel time fro where she has surgery to where she is staying after surgery. A drive of more than 1 hour just after surgery would be a bit much. She can register as a temporary resident at her relatives GP's and receive post op care from there. The community services locally to the relative will supply the necessary equipment as long as the hospital are aware of where she is going to stay. 

    I am a District Nurse by background and we regularly had clients from different areas come to sty with relatives for recuperation. The NHS will provide the service wherever it is needed. I certainly wouldn't see it as a problem. Not sure what care the LA would provide post op, but I'm sure that the District Nurses can help there too. They are usually very knowledgable as to how to get what is necessary for the client. 

  • Jackie_k
    Jackie_k peter33394

    Posted

    One other thought is that where I live there is a charity that provides post op equipment that will lend things out for a time, or the Red Cross will do this too x
  • gloriajoy
    gloriajoy peter33394

    Posted

    Hi Peter

    Just to tell you that answers to the questions you have raised have been of help to me too.

    I live alone and am quite an elderly 78 yrs.

    I am worried about after care, provision of essential equipment and physiotherapy if I choose a surgeon/hospital in a different area.

    Good luck with helping your relative.You are wise to check everything out.Answers are quite hard to come by.The main worry is about recovery after the operation when living alone.

    Best wishes to you and your relative!

    Joy

     

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