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Post THR showering

Posted , 12 users are following.

melaruse
melaruse

Hi all,

An wondering if anyone did not bother with the tub transfer chair after a right hip replacement? I feel like it will easier to just stand, and less risky.

I also feel like the wound is going to sting when water and soap touch it :-(

I am 50, 15 days post op, and staples came out yesterday.

Thanks,

M

I

2 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • melody39324
    melody39324 melaruse

    Posted

    I had to use a chair to shower while in hospital but have never used one since I came home. You must make sure your shower area is safe. I was lucky as I already had a rail to grip. I was told that, for the first week at home, I should only shower when there was someone else in the house, so I could call for help if necessary.

    i didn’t have staples; I had dissolvable stitches. My would never stung. Do you still have a dressing on it? I had to keep a dressing on until 6 weeks.

    if your good leg is strong I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t stand.

  • bridget32982
    bridget32982 melaruse

    Posted

    I just stood in the shower from day one waterproof dressing for ten days  then nothing on wound, no problem with water on it
  • diannesk
    diannesk melaruse

    Posted

    I was careful with showering after the staples were removed. Used a shower seat for first couple of times until I was sure I would be totally steady and balanced while standing. I also made sure my husband was within hearing distance in case I needed any help.

    I avoided having the water hit directly on the wound. I was also careful to pat it (not rub) with washcloth and pat with towel.

  • gidgygirl
    gidgygirl melaruse

    Posted

    My wound didn't sting at all. It actually felt good to get some soap & water on it! If your wound looks good, go for it! I have a walk in tub with a shower attachment so I didn't need the tub chair.

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy melaruse

    Posted

    I had never heard of a tub transfer chair. I have a walk in shower and just stood, I could lean against the glass which probably helped. 
  • kaura
    kaura melaruse

    Posted

    HI there, I had a tub-transfer chair and I loved it, actually used it for quite a few weeks, it was nice to sit down and wash then rinse off. What made it so easy and nice was the shower head I found; it has a 7" hose and an off/on switch on the head (Moen), it was nice, easy and safe. My incision never stung either before the dressing was on or after, I had staples and actually had quite a bad infection in the incision, but that is a different story! Good luck but make very very sure that you are safe because falls in the shower/tub are not funny.

  • eggtimer
    eggtimer melaruse

    Posted

    I didn't get one, just be very careful not to slip.  Waited 9 days to shower lol. Soap and water did not sting.

  • margaret83786
    margaret83786 melaruse

    Posted

    My hip surgery was 3/12.. my doc never ordered a shower chair .. a walker and a potty chair .. I just my staples out too and I have not had a issue with the soap.. I love my hip .. I waited two years for mine .. two years of pain 
  • erela
    erela melaruse

    Posted

    I was told to shower until I could get into the tub with out dislocating...... my TRHR has never felt right enough to get in and out of the tub and I am a tub rat!!! I love to soak in a hot tub with a wonderful body bomb of Ginger, Lavender and Epsom Salts....... but I have finally found a solution.  I am sure you know about walk in tubs....... I researched them and found that they take 25 minutes to drain....... no can do......  recently Koehler came out with a "Slide in tub" called Elevance ....... the tub bottom is actually built to stand as tall as a handicap toilet!!! ....... you just sit in it...... lazy susan your legs in and close the entire side....... I am so getting this tub...... it has a waterfall feature...... a heater that keeps the tub water to whatever temperature you desire...... and it drains in under 2 minutes!!!!  and no...... I am not a Koehler dealer......lol..... just a tub lover sharing information.....

    your pain pal..... Erela

    • melaruse
      melaruse erela

      Posted

      Erela,

      This tub you speak of sounds heavenly! I will definitely be putting that on my "someday list"! I'd be interested to know if that bath bomb is a particular brand name that I might be able to get in Canada; it, too, sounds right up my alley!

      Thanks,

      Melanie

    • erela
      erela melaruse

      Posted

      you can get herbal body bombs on Amazon, eBay....... a specialty shop with soaps....... my favorite is one I make!!!  do you have a CVS there??...... they have an Epsom Salt that is already infused with lavender..... also on Amazon..... so I take a good size pot..... put water in it...... a cup of Epsom Salt..... a Table spoon of Cummin and Ginger...... then I bring it all to a boil.... sometimes at the very end I will add a drop of Eucalyptus Oil for aroma therapy......... so you bring it to a boil..... then simmer 10 minutes..... then pore into your bath water and get in....... be ready to chilax!! lol...... There are other companies that make Slide in Tubs...... Koehler is just my favorite product as it is made here in America and I have always have wonderful results with their product.
  • t3chiman
    t3chiman melaruse

    Posted

    feel like it will easier to just stand, and less risky.

    I did the shower-in-tub bit a few days after THR. It was not bad, but I never felt comfortable using a crutch to vault over the tub wall. Difficult, and, when wet, outright dangerous. When I remodeled the bathroom a few years later, I removed the tub entirely. I told the contractor, just abut the shower tile to the bathroom floor, no curb. I had them build in a slight slope to a linear drain to the outside wall. Worked fine, and I never missed the big jump into a cold, slippery surface.

     

  • melaruse
    melaruse

    Posted

    Thanks for all the comments, suggestions, and advice, fellow hippies! I made sure I had someone in the house while I showered, and opted not to use the chair at all. Of course I had my "Easter cart" within reach for directly after!

    Thanks again,

    Melanie

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