Occ Health visit on Tuesday 10th Feb
Posted , 6 users are following.
HI - I have my first THR on 24th February in Staffordshire, the surgery has been contracted out from the NHS to Mr Phillip Roberts at the Nuffield, Newcastle-under-Lyme. (any comments or experince of tnese places very welcome)
I have managed to get a home visit from the occ health service to assess my needs post op. I would be very grateful if anyone could share their experiences of this as I dont really know what level of support/equipment to expect
0 likes, 26 replies
sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul. I made a private app at Newcastle Nuffield with a consultant called Ajay Malviya. He had been recommended and when I googled him it was all very good.
On seeing him he transferred me to NHS and all my care happened at Newcastle Nuffield.
So firstly. Google and find out something about this guy.
I had two ops at Nuffield. hip aroscopy in Feb last year and hip replacement on 23rd Dept 2017. I could not fault the care I received. Same level of care as I used to provide in 1980's.
I had a private room and overall absolutely superior to any NHS hospital.
Couple of things. They do spinal block and three options. Stay awake. Light sedation or full general anaesthetic. I opted for GE.
How I wished I had either stayed awake or gone for light sedation. I was ill for a few days after GE. Missing out on the great food provided at the Nuffield. Honestly it's like a 5Star hotel. It's brilliant.
Another thing. Don't believe that in 6 weeks you will be back to normal. I'm just getting there now. Physio follow up is not great. They give you exercises on a print out. However that seems to be a UK thing.
Overall patience is the order of the day and this Patient site. It's great and in the early days and weeks is a lifesaver.
So best of luck Paul and keep us hippies advised at how you get on. Sandra x
beth2509 sandra_84282
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I was in a different hospital but same group. And I agree with almost everything. Surgery fantastic, care wonderful, food great. I had to have GA though - they couldn't get the needle into my aarthritic spine. But I had no problems. I suspect it's down to individuals.
Also physio follow up not great. I am lucky and have my own, and she said they were at least 20 years behind the times. There were two group sessions, one at two weeks and one at six. I was so shocked at the way they acted in the first one I didn't go to the second. They sent me a121 instead which was ok but pointless!
I was walking and out at 36 hours; and discharged to annuals at two weeks.
paul170864 sandra_84282
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Do you mind me asking what alterations and gizmos you had once at home please ?
Thanks again Paul
paul170864 beth2509
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you have got me thinking about physio afterwards now which is good. I have found that the Nhs is absolutely brilliant so long as you research what outcome you want and how to get it. (ie. if you dont you are stuffed !!)
sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul
Sounds like your guy has plenty of experience. What did I need. The raised toilet seats and bars were a must. A couple of grabbers were good. One upstairs. One down. I was always dropping things lol.
A V pillow was great for the horrible sleeping on your back as it meant I could sleep semi sitting up. Also the car. There is a great gadget on Amazon which fits into your car door and is something to pull yourself up with when getting out of the car. I will get the name of it for you. Also a turning pad for your car seat. Still using mine. A high firm seat in the living room. When you can't wait to be able to lie on the sofa.
That was about it for me. Some people like a long pillow to sleep with between your legs but I couldn't do that. Also lying on your back can make your heels quite sore so a pillow to support your calves so that your heels don't touch the bed. I will get back to you with the name of the car door gadget. Sandra.
sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul. Me again. Gadget is called car bar handy bar. My Best Buy as getting in and out of the car.
I didn't leave the house at all for first 3 weeks but then had to go back to Nuffield for physio appointment. This and the turning cushion were a god send to me. X
paul170864 sandra_84282
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beth2509 paul170864
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A shower seat! It means you can have a proper shower without having to worry about balance and stretching.
?And for physio I wasn't NHS but it really was rubbish. But I suppose that deoends on where you are and who you get.
ptolemy paul170864
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paul170864 ptolemy
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paul170864 beth2509
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did you have an occ health home assessment please ?
ptolemy paul170864
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sandra_84282 paul170864
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I had a brilliant older physiotherapist as it was the weekend. She was lovely. At the pre op assessment I saw a physio to discuss home needs. I had already provided for most of my own needs. She provided the bars for round the toilet and a perching stool.
I left the Nuffield with a sheet of exercises and a phone number. These exercises were really good in the first 3 weeks and a set of crutches.
Went back 3 weeks later. They checked how I was walking and were really pleased. I left with 2 walking sicks which to be fair I never used. Oh and another sheet of exercises. I then developed awful groin pain. Quite common but the exercises just made it worse. There was a great guy on this site that told me what it was and told me to stop all exercises as I was aggravating the condition. I googled it and treated it with rest and massage.
It took about 3 weeks but he was right and I'm fine now. I did phone physio before Xmas but to be honest he reluctantly offered another app. Told me if I was in NHS hospital there would be no physio follow up. I declined this app.
This site as I say was a life saver for me. Even in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep there was always someone there to respond and chat too. Sandra. X
paul170864 sandra_84282
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judith12644 paul170864
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Hi Paul, I didn't get a home visit, just had to measure my leg, and loo, bed, sofa etc, and then it was discussed with me at the joint clinic/school. Then a company came and fitted raised toilet seats, raised our bed and sofa, and gave me a perching chair. A friend gave me a grabber. I hardly went in the car, (except for coming home from hospital) until I could drive again at 6 weeks, so didn't need any car stuff. Was out and about on my crutches!
paul170864 judith12644
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Great service so far ..She said no shower or bath for 12 weeks - can this be true ? Also do you know how I will access physio ? My op has been contracted out to the Nuffield but only the operation and consultant are paid for. Follow up and physio seems to be up to me to chase up - same as the occ health visit.
judith12644 paul170864
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My wound was covered in plastic initially, so v easy to keep dry. I had a shower in the hospital on day 2, before I came home. Or are you having both hips done at the same time? That would be trickier.
sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul. Mine was NHS at Newcastle Nuffield. I was in Fri till Sunday. Saw physio both days. I left with exercises which are easy. Physio phoned a couple of days later and made an appointment for 3 weeks time. I left with 2 crutches which were changed to sticks at next physi app.
A community nurse visit was arranged for a week later to check wound and another a week after that to remove clips.
Shower was another matter. I was advised no shower for 6 weeks. All advice varies. I did have a shower before leaving hospital. Mine is an over the bath. A bath /shower which is curved so bath seat not suitable as too wide and higher than normal bath. So it was strip washes !
To be honest probably all I could be bothered with first week. I lasted 4 weeks then enough was enough. I had bought a grip bar for shower and got round it by sitting on edge of bath and swinging both legs. Keeping them straight as not to push the 90 degree rule. Then with help of husband and grab bar could stand up. Bit wobbly first couple of times so husband stayed with me.
First 3/4 weeks just nurture yourself as sleeping is rubbish for most of us. I would be up early washed and dressed. A bit of walking round the garden and a sit in chair. Then I would lie on bed as it was more comfortable.
Getting to physio. I went by car. Husband driving. They will show you how to get into car when you leave hospital. As I've said I found the turn around cushion and the handy bar grip a great help. Both off Amazon. I still use them now at 14 weeks post op as it's still uncomfortable getting in and out of car.
You will be fine. Any questions about Nuffield just ask me. Xx
paul170864 judith12644
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Thanks for the reply. Yes shower is over the bath but just having one THR at a time. Pre-op on the 7th so might get some answers then hopefully.
paul170864 sandra_84282
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sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul. My hospital was Nuffield Newcastle upon Tyne. My op was with Ajay Malvia and posteria. Not sure if they do much anterior in UK as they need a special op table and the op takes longer making it more expensive. So likely not an option on our NHS.
Anterior has a much shorter recovery though by listening to others on here.
I was given a choice of anethetic all with spinal block. Stay awake. Light sedation or GA. I opted for spinal with GE. I regretted this choice as I felt sick for days afterwards. I don't normally react like this to GE. Given the choice now I would go with light sedation.
Surgery itself is the easy part Paul. The recovery is a marathon and I'm no winger. They tell you 6 weeks and then you will be more or less back to normal. Don't you believe it. 8 weeks before I could drive and 10 weeks before I was back to work a few hours a week. I have had no other option but to take it slow. I'm normally 100 miles a minute person. The grinding hip pain is gone straight away but the achy pains especially groin pain go on for ages. Have you watched the op on YouTube. ? Brutal lol. No wonder we hurt. Recovery is a roller coaster ride so be prepared. Loads of advise from people on here. Keep us posted on how you are doing. You will be fine. Xsandra
paul170864 sandra_84282
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sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul. Well I'm not one for pain killers. I cannot take anti inflammatory or codiene. I came out with tramadol but after a week had had enough of those as well. I have quite a high pain threshold so I managed with paracetamol.
I took them regularly for a couple of weeks and now just if it's really bad. That said they don't seem to touch recovery pain. I just keep thinking this too will pass lol.
I am off to Australia for a month in Feb so I am hoping the heat will help the aches. I am no good in the morning until I have had a long hot shower. Thankfully I can make my work work around me. If you still work and get paid while off sick don't go back too soon. Keep us posted as I will be interested to follow your progress. X Sandra.
paul170864 sandra_84282
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I only use papracetamol too ! I am amazed at the similarities we have so might just be getting on your pip asking loads of questions post-op. I hope you keep checking in on here whilst you are away. Enjoy your holiday though you lucky thing. Thank you Paul
sandra_84282 paul170864
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Hi Paul. Happy to help any time. Think the big problem on this site is everyone expects they will be back to normal in 6 weeks. That's what they tell you 😂😂😂
The word is patience and far from my strongest point !
I will be watching this site when I'm away. Somewhere I have never ever had any desire to go. Going for a month to catch up with an old friend who has gone for 3 to visit her son. I'm going out to come home with her. We will be in Adelaide but hoping to spend a week in Sidney.
When is your op ? I got to choose my date. I said put me on the list. My surgeon said what list would this be.
He said this is a private hospital. You tell me when you want your op. Doesn't come better than that. I'm of the mind that allelected surgery should be in the private sector and free up NHS for emergencies and Cancer treatment. Just my view.
Anyway best of luck. You will soon be on the other side. XSandra.
paul170864 sandra_84282
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Yes the surgeon let me choose when to have the surgery so it is good to have that control. I am up for my first one 24th Feb. The second one will be dependant on recovery of bloods etc - but I guess also how my pain levels are, 8 weeks might be ambitous ?
I dont envy you the big plane journey and hope you get a comfy seat, The warm weather is bound to be a benefit though. Dont forget slip slap slop (or something like that anyway )
Best wishes
Paul