Journey home from hospital after surgery

Hi Dale,

I cane out of hospital 10 days ago and was dreading the car journey home. What we did was make sure the passenger seat was fully pushed back so making it easier to get in then try raising your leg so not flat on the floor. I was lucky as our car has a foot rest that comes out from under the seat which really helped but you could use a few cushion so your foot is slightly of the floor this way the bumps dont jollt your leg and keeps it elevated until you get home. Hope this helps as i was worried about the journey home as well.

Good luck in your recovery as im slowly getting about now but i was already disabled before breaking my hip .

hi dale

I reiterate what mandy suggests too.

personally for me, I found the first 2 weeks the car seat the comfiest chair to sit on too, so would go out/be driven about daily as could not get comfy in chairs at home.

good luck with your recovery. good support network on here...

Hi Dale,

I had a two and a quarter hours journey home. From England to Wales when I had my new Hip. We have an A4 Audi Estate which was fine

Apparently the nurse said a normal car/saloon was better than an SUV which is a bit too high.

But on top of the journey, we came across a delay in Tarporley as there had been an accident and the road had to be closed for over an hour. So my journey ended up a 3 hour one!!

Ah well, all's well that ends well. Everything turned out OK in the end and I'm here to say I'm fine now!

Good luck!

Hi. I found it much easier getting into a higher car - we have a Vauxhall Zafira - as it didn't seem so far to lower myself. As others have said, push the seat right back. Also, pop a large plastic bag on the seat...reverse against the car seat, lower yourself down, and the plastic bag will allow you to swivel your legs together into the foot well. You'll be grand. Good luck with your recovery.

it will be fine. Getting in and out is a bit scary but once you get the knack its not too bad. It does make a difference whether it is right or leftleg . I found it easier when the operated leg was in first as lifting the operated leg inwards feels quite uncomfortable. The porters at the hospital were great and very knowledgeable i found. I hope it all goes well

Hi Dale, It is now over a year since my THR but, just like you, I was so worried about the journey home. I was discharged only two days after the operation although there are reports of people going home earlier, even the same day. As others have said, push the car seat back as far as it will go, wind the seat back as flat as you can, then with the help of a plastic bag slide flat and backwards into the car. You will be surprised how robust your new joint is, though I should wait some time before you resume playing rugby.