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Pre Op Question

Posted , 18 users are following.

MichaelTN1UK
MichaelTN1UK

Morning all, Just joined up. What a great find!!

I will be going in for a RTHR on January 21st (very excited). I am trying to prepare as much as I can and have researched on the web. However, I am perplexed as to which side of the bed I should be getting in/out (stupid - right). Also, I have been recomended a ceramic hip due to my age. If you recommend anything else I can do to prepare, I would very much appreciate any and all thoughts/comments.

0 likes, 70 replies

70 Replies

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  • vicki00016
    vicki00016 MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Hi I'm 4 weeks post right THR and I had a home visit prior to the op from occupational therapy to measure my furniture, loo etc for all the aids I required. I was provided with a nice chair with arms, as I have 2 sofas which I was advised I wouldn't be able to get up from very easily (I can now), 2 X raised loo seats, a grabber, shoe horn and sock aid ( never used as my family do it), a trolley with 2 trays on to push meals from the kitchen while on crutches (a bit time consuming but works) and a perching stool which is very handy. My parents bought me a small table on wheels which is also really handy. I've been out for meals/ visiting family and don't take anything other than a cushion to sit on in the car as my seats are low. You can sit on a low loo/chair by straightening the op leg so as not to break the 90 degree rule!

    Lots of cushions to help you sleep on your back. Joggers with pockets to carry things in. There are loads of good ideas on this site. I also have a bell but strangely it's always out of reach!

    I'm still on 2 crutches as not using op leg yet and although it's frustrating having to ask other people to do things having family to help is a godsend.

    Vicki

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK vicki00016

      Posted

      What an encouraging message Vicki - thank you.

      I shall wait with baited breath to see if they call. Did you have a ceramic one? Oh, and while at it, did you opt for the local or general anaesthetic?

      It does appear that the THR operation is a fairly standard affair, but I can't help but think it must be a major one nevertheless.  

    • vicki00016
      vicki00016 MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Yes mine is ceramic, I had a bone graft too. (I had previous Hip surgery as a child). All hip replacements are major ops but incredibly common. No one tells you what the recovery entails, you just hear comments about someone's grandad who had one and was running around in no time! That's why this site is so good. Like any forum everyone has a difference perspective to offer.

      I often work in theatre and had already decided on a spinal. This is the preferred option for most people and there is another thread in this site about people's experiences. You can choose your level of sedation and if you wish can sleep through the op. Some people prefer the thought of a general but personally I didn't want to be intubated.

      Vicki

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      The medical profession do a wonderful job of selling it as a routine procedure. It's not, to your body it's a major trauma. I had a spinal with no sedation (not for everyone) so I heard it all ... The saw taking off the femoral head, the drill making holes for the screws, hemispheric rasp preparing you for the acetabulum (the bit that attaches to your pelvis), and the hammering in of various parts !!!

  • Thursday_Next
    Thursday_Next MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Hi Michael,

    has anyone at the hospital mentioned a pre-op hip "school" or else meeting with occupational therapists yet?  If not I would contact admissions or pre-op on Monday and ask about it.  Almost every hospital does it in some form or another and it will answer many of your initial questions.  

    Many authorities will provide equipment to help you afterwards.   In my case my operation was at Wrightington but I live in Blackpool and I chose to do "hip school" at Wrightington but Blackpool provided me with 2 toilet surrounds, a perching stool, a grasper, a long handled shoe horn and an aid to putting on socks.  They would also have provided me with toilet seat raisers (2), chair raisers and bed raisers but I already had or didn't need those.  they would not provide a kitchen trolley which Wrightington recommended and would have provided if I lived in their area.  

    I know that what is and isn't provided varies between health authorities, Rocketman said he had to buy the smaller things like grasper, sock aid and shoe horn.  Do find what your authority will do as some things are expensive and will only be needed for a short time.  The occupational therapists will often visit your home and assess things for you and then things will be delivered for you.

    physiotherapists and occupational therapists will explain how to do things like walk with crutches, get into and out of bed, put on socks, we even had a demo on how to put on knickers and trousers at hip school.  Before I left hospital I had to demonstrate I could get in and out of bed without help before the Occupational Therapist would sign release papers.  As you have someone at home the requirement might be that you can manage with her help - it is tailored to each individual's need.

    best wishes, please pm me if I can help further.

    Joan

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK Thursday_Next

      Posted

      Thank you Joan. I shall call them on Monday and explore the options (I am in Kent). Thus far I have only had a meeting with the surgeon and the nurses who checked my various stats and MRSA bits and bobs. Nothing since then and that was all in early December.

      Thank you for your kind offer. I shall explore how to pm in due course. 

      Michael

    • linnet2015
      linnet2015 MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Hi Michael

      Really good idea from Joan as sometimes you can get missed. If the worst comes to the worst and you cant get to a hip school before your op you will have to see a physio in hospital (and occupational therapist if you need to speak to one). They will provide crutches, a raised toilet seat and any other aids they can supply. They can also measure you for bed and seat height - its usually the length from the crook of your knee to the floor plus 2 (minimum) to 4 inches. So you can always do that yourself to get an idea.

      My bed was the right height but I used 2 different chairs one upright leather dining chair with arms and a more comfortable armchair also with arms plus an extra deep cushion to ensure the seats were high enough. 

      Linnet x

       

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK linnet2015

      Posted

      Michael, one thing I did find was that a firmer mattress helped me, so I headed for the spare room. Getting into bed is an art in itself - I used the Fosbury Flop high jump action, holding my ankles together for support.

      Best wishes

      Graham

  • sue1957Geo
    sue1957Geo MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Hi,

    i had my right hip replaced 8 weeks ago. I got in and out on the left side of the bed, so bad leg got a lift from left leg.

    i was in hospital 4 days , took tablet in, and earphones are very important. 

    If you are not given a grabber, you can buy them off eBay, brilliant and most important item of the healing process.  Sort ou before you go in, clothes  - best have joggers or leggins, larger size than normal. Keep clothes undies etc, at above waist height. Also you most probably will need help for the first 3 weeks, so get that sorted. Good luck hun.

    suexx

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK sue1957Geo

      Posted

      Thank you so much. I think most things are in place, but I have learned soooo much in the past 24 hours (thanks to this page and all the contributions from you lovely hippies). 

      If this site can be so helpful pre-op, one can only wonder at its healing power post-op :-)

      Michael xx

  • gail2910-US-MI
    gail2910-US-MI MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    I don't think your question is stupid. It's one i never thot to ask and I just went to "my side" of the bed. (the left) My THR was the right hip and it was almost impossible to get in. One day I wandered into our spare bedroom to rest and instinctively went to the right side of bed (since it wasn't my bed, there were no preconceived notions) It was so easy! No one ever mentioned this nor did I read it. I was in the hospital one night. Came home the afternoon of day after surgery.
    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK gail2910-US-MI

      Posted

      Crickey -one night?? I am being moved to the spare room so will prepare good clear access to the left hand side.  Thank you.
  • abby21470
    abby21470 MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Has anyone mentioned extra pillows, hog tog? After the op most people are advised to sleep on their back - extra pillows to put either side of you, under your knees, etc are useful, as sleeping on your back is not the most restful! Good luck to you - not long now!
    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK abby21470

      Posted

      Thank you Abby. Pillows were mentioned but not in so much detail. And details are very important.

      I was concerned about sleeping on my back all night as I rarely do so. Apart from anything else, whenever I do, I miraculously get a jab in  my ribs from the snore-police :-)

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Just when you're getting used to being on your back, they allow you onto your side again twisted.

      Graham

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