Most helpful aids after THR?

Hello there, I too am waiting for a THR but mine is a bit further off than yours.  I am a regular gym user and the instructors there have all said that using an exercise bike both before and after the op is beneficial.  I got one secondhand and paid a fiver!  I try to use it twice a day for five minutes as well as doing my usual workouts.  My surgeon said it is important to build up the muscles in the leg and to be as fit as possible.  Walking also helps if you can do it, personally I can't walk far but hope this will improve after the op.  Have you asked your GP about things you will need after the op?  Like a shower stool, a raised loo seat etc.  in this area they send someone round to asses your bed and chair height and to arrange for any equipment you might need.  Can't answer the question about silk pjs, sounds like a good idea to me.  Bets of luck with your op, hope it all goes well and that your life improves as a result.

I was given a raised toilet seat, bars for round the toilet and chair raisers from the physio dept at the hospital. I bought a long shoe horn and a grabber. I already had a shower stool which I bought from on line a few years ago for my Mum. The grabber is the most useful tool as it helps me to get dressed too.

Your occupational health department should help with necessary aids for the home. Cannot advise on bike as it depends on your individual problem. I am under instructions not to go to a gym or to use any type of gym equipment. For me the exercises given while in hospital plus daily walks of at least 3 miles but to increase as time goes by. To also try and increase walking pace. Now able to do 6 miles T least 3 times per week and 3-4 on other days. Permitted to carry my camera kit that weighs 8 kilos

I wore a long Tshirts type nightie and used dressing gown belt to lift leg - a tip given by my Physio

Hope this helps

The hospital via the physio dept will organise some things. I had to measure height of bed, chair and loo. A perching stool was also supplies for the kitchen. I discovered grab bars were much more use in the shower than a stool. I bought two grabbers one for upstairs one downstairs and a very long handles shoe horn, pavers £1. Ther is also a lot of stuff on Amazon

Hi Howeller -- That is exciting news !!!  Also had sleepshirts in hospital - (and at home-make sure bed is raised ) - raised toilet seat and shower stool we can rent from a home health store (I live in Holland):  a grabber (2 is better) and sock aid -  remote control to switch lights on/off (sockets are too low) - some pots and pans on stove - 

exercise bike is good (I don't have one) -  and of course crutches or, like me, a 4 wheel walker - nice, roomy pants .... and patience !!!! a lot of patience, keep 

your sense of humor at all times and keep coming back to this wonderful site, seriously ....warm hug

Hi sleepshirt users... are they better than PJs; easier to get on and off?

for me it is Howeller  - you have to use the loo very often after surgery - that alone is a challenge to be in time (you'll find out) - you will be taught how to get in and out of bed ... do you live alone or is there someone to help you?  

I wouldn't go for pajamas as it's a palaver getting bottoms on. Short nightie for me and it's been no problem getting in an out of bed.

Your occupational therapy team should get you all the equipment you need. I got a trolley to take stuff from the kitchen to lounge etc - invaluable, a perching stool for the bathroom, a frame for the downstairs toilet as well as loo seat raises.

I'm having strip washes as my shower is in the bath.

I could do with some sort of long handled washing tool for my lower legs and feet as I'm having to rely on my partner for foot washes.

Hi

I seem to be one of the few that wore PJ's....yes mine were satin and no it wasnt me said that before lol

Before my op I was given a form to fill in.....the height of bed, toilet, chair etc.

The Occupational Therapy dept then provided everything I needed.

I had 2 toilet raisers with rails around them...one for upstairs and one for downstairs.

A chair because I only had 2 settees and they didnt think they were suitable.

A grabber.....crutches, shoe horn, long handled sponge for my back

A trolly so that I could push it in to kitchen , make a cup of tea and push it back if my husband want there. Not easy to do on 2 crutches

I coldnt manage or shower.....its very small and I did try a seat in it {boght from Argos} but it wasnt comfortable.  I always have a bath.

So for 6 weeks I managed with strip washes and towards the end of that with my batch board across the bath I managed to sit on that and hubby helped me

Sorry I'm sure there is more but thats all I can think of a the minute

OT dept should sort you out

Love

Eileen   UK

 

Congratulations I'm having a new hip on that exact day! ! I am already set up as I have limited mobility in my right hip. I have a raised toilet seat, trolley for moving things around the house, sock aid, grabber and long shoe horn.i will be getting a shower chair but hopefully won't need it for long. Not sure about you but I'm counting the days!!

I am in Wollongong Australia. I was scared when I found out I needed a hip. Now I'm on a countdown. Looking forward to a relief from pain and immobility. I'm having anterior approach, expected time in hospital is 3-5 days.