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Not sure how to sit at the dinner table - 4 days post op

Posted , 10 users are following.

TJ007
TJ007

Hi, I had LTHR on Monday afternoon. Came home from hospital yesterday afternoon. I seem to be coping ok, no pain, exercises & walking with crutches ok. Only query I have 'is there any war to sit at a dining table without breaking the 90deg rule? 

If if anyone is considering whether to go have a hip replacement, I am 49 years old & have been in pain for 5 years not able to walk the dog, swim, shop or general housework. Even after 4 days I feel as if I have been given my life back. Wish I had pursued a hip replacement years ago instead of being fobbed off that my core muscles were weak & I needed to do strengthening exercises. By the time they got round to giving me an x-Ray my hip was bone on bone. Needless to say I had a THR within 12 weeks of the x-Ray.

This site helped me prepare enormously for my op. 

Hope all fellow hippies are doing well.

TJ x

3 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • shirley17649
    shirley17649 TJ007

    Posted

    Glad yu are making good progress.

    To sit at the dining table you need to keep operated leg out in front of you. Lean back slightly from the table so the angle is less than 90degrees.

  • amanda1827h
    amanda1827h TJ007

    Posted

    Hi well done! It's always good to be at home.Have a cushion underneath you .Also sit with the operated leg out in front of you.Hope your not over doing things.regards Amanda
  • tony30891
    tony30891 TJ007

    Posted

    My wife moves my 'orthopaedic' chair to the table, not to far from our sitting room.
  • deborah26839
    deborah26839 TJ007

    Posted

    You can sit straight up in a chair, just be sure your knee is lower than hip and don't mean forward and stretch across the table. I got one of those tables you pull up to the recliner, then you can stay back and pull table to you.
  • sue1957Geo
    sue1957Geo TJ007

    Posted

    Glad your home and its all over, first week was the worst for me, pain, sleepless night the lot, after that its all been good, every day i try to do something new.  Like you i was fobbed off, but now i have i am thrilled, my life is now becoming mine again and the word pain, is no longer part of it.

    sue xx

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK TJ007

    Posted

    Yes !

    My wife came up with the idea of using an office typists chair - you can alter the height, and it has arms.   Absolutely first class !

    Best Wishes

    Graham

    • deborah26839
      deborah26839 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Your wife has a good brain, she and I think alike. I use that chair put it as low as I can, THEN I can reach my feet to get shoes on.....
  • diane80279
    diane80279 TJ007

    Posted

    try putting a pillow or two on the chair before sitting,  Make sure your leg is out straight in front of you before sitting and then you can bend it at the knee after you have sat down.  Just sit as if you were going to sit on the chesterfield or side of your bed.  Good luck.  It gets easier as time goes by.

     

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK TJ007

    Posted

    My wife says it's not a typists chair, it's an executive style office chair - the main points being ...

    1. You can alter the height

    2. It has arms to help you to get in and out

    3. It has wheels, so you can pull yourself closer to the table

    Hope that helps.

    Graham

  • TJ007
    TJ007

    Posted

    Hi,

    Thank you to everyone who replied to my thread.

    I have padded a chair with cushions, get my husband to push me near to the table as physically possible & keep my operated leg as straight as possible. Not the most comfortable of positions but it means I can eat with husband & children.

    Ideally I would like one of the adjustable tables on wheels that they have in hospital.

    Graham, your setup sounds the most comfortable, your wife is a star. If I ever need the other hip doing a wheeled, office chair with arms will be on my pre op shopping list.

    TJ x

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK TJ007

      Posted

      It sure is a wonderful discovery - we are able to have all meals as a family - rather than me being stuck in the lounge or conservatory with a tray on my lap.   So much better to be at the usual table with everyone like a normal human being, not having to balance evrything on my lap and trying not to slop food all over myself frown.

      If you can get hold of one, it's really worth it for your own sanity.

      Graham

    • diane80279
      diane80279 TJ007

      Posted

      once you are seated at the kitchen table you are allowed to bend your knee.  Just keep it straight when starting to sit.
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