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To make people feel better

Posted , 14 users are following.

bini31328
bini31328

just thought i would contribute how things were when i started nursing 35 + years ago .i remember being a student nurse on an orthopaedic ward - hip replacement patients spent 10 days minimum  flat on their backs in bed with a large triangle of foam called a charnley  wedge between them. You had to be rolled in that position to go on a bed pan , have sheets changed etc . You were utterly dependent on nursing staff for eveything , plus no tv in hospital other than the day room which you couldnt get to . Hospital food ( yuk) , very limited visiting hours . Plus a catheter for 10 days was standard . After the 10-14 days you got up for half an hour each am and pm and at about 3 weeks you went home . Its amazing how far everything has moved on since then , most of us are up the day of surgery , home in a few days etc etc im not saying we are lucky needing hip surgery but im very glad to be a patient now and not then ! 

9 likes, 40 replies

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  • betty07083
    betty07083 bini31328

    Posted

    Wow, that certainly puts things in perspective! Thanks for sharing! I've not had my hip replacement yet but it is soon to come, which is why I follow this forum.

    It honestly makes me feel better about it, knowing how much worse it would have been 35 plus years ago!

    Betty

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK bini31328

    Posted

    Thanks for that - puts it all into perspective.

    I just wonder what it'll be like in 30-40 years time.

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • bini31328
      bini31328 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Probably zap them in with a laser in outpatients ! 3d printed , straight back to work in the afternoon ! 
    • lori50016
      lori50016 bini31328

      Posted

      And add an adjustable prosthesis to correct leg length discrepancies later in recovery 😊
    • bini31328
      bini31328 lori50016

      Posted

      I like that idea ! Computer programmable should work ! 
    • lori50016
      lori50016 bini31328

      Posted

      Yes they could increase it with a computer chip inside a cm or 2 at each visit 💕💕😊💕💕
  • senora31074
    senora31074 bini31328

    Posted

    Omg that would have bed. A nightmare ! I was up day after surgery and thought that was a miracle even though I was so stiff that my surgical leg felt four inches longer than the good one. Now at six weeks still some swelling and pain but surgeon says I am walking great my legs feel more normal than ever. Have been walking around the block with cane and hubby and it is so nice to be able to do something I haven't been able to do for years. I put this off so long because I was terrified of having it done but one day I could feel it was getting even worse and knew that I would be in a wheelchair if I didn't do something about it I have my daughter who is my best friends wedding coming up in a few months and I am a bridesmaid yay😥Know I am going to be so much happier and able to stand and enjoy her big day with her and not be miserable . 💜
    • bini31328
      bini31328 senora31074

      Posted

      Thats a really good goal to aim for - sounds like you are doing very well . I put two of my three surgeries off for longer than i should have done , guess a lot of us are  scared of it all - like you i knew i was getting to the stage of being proper disabled , even though still working , dragging my leg behind me all the time . Im 8 weeks now and feeling great , back at work , walking straight , using a stick intermittantly outside and just ......getting back to normal - lovely feeling . The wedding is going to be so amazing for you , what a lovely thing to be looking forward to xxxx
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure senora31074

      Posted

      So good to hear your recovery is going so well. You have a great attitude. It's a scary event in all hippies lives. Once the surgery is done I wondered why I too waited so long. Soon this will be just a memory & no pain.

      You are doing so wonderful, keep walking and remember the exercises and caboose squeezes to build up the core muscles. 

      You I'll be a beautiful bridesmaid. I too gave my son away 8 months after surgery. It truly is a blessing. 

      Keep moving! confused

       

    • senora31074
      senora31074 hope4cure

      Posted

      Ty so much Hun. I won't say I don't still have a few weepy days when I can't do everything I want to yet but I look back at how little I was doing before and how everyday was a weepy day and know that I am Improving every day. I am so grateful for having a terrific surgeon and family support through all this ! Any suggestions for sleeping? I do want to sleep in my waterbed but I know that's not going to happen for awhile but laying in my back is miserable .
    • senora31074
      senora31074 bini31328

      Posted

      Ty so glad you are doing so well post op too. This has been so helpful talking to people who really understand your concerns and your achievements😊
    • bini31328
      bini31328 senora31074

      Posted

      The sleeping thing is horrible , but it does get better I promise ! Xxx
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure bini31328

    Posted

    Hi bini,

    Yike's , so glad the techniques for THR have changed. My aunt in her 70's had the very same recovery you described 20 years ago. 15 years ago I had to lay flat on my back at home with a wedge between my legs for 10 weeks . That was in order to allow time for the bone to grow into the femor prosthesis which hade holes designed in it for bone to attach and to stabilize the implant. Went home in 3 days once learned all the requisite movements .( double meaning there).. Pardon the pun! 

    I can not imagine being on a catheter that long. How crazy. Such a set up for infection. The poor nurses had a lot to do! Now it's generally 2-3 days in hospital & off catheter in a day & this is due to no general anesthesia, now they simply do a block. So it doesn't effect the bladder as long. 

    Next computers are taking the stage to design software for the surgery. 

    Hope you are doing well. Nurses Rock! confused

    Thanks for the reminder how much easier this process is today! Not to minimize the recovery it is very difficult. A good attitude is definately important.

    Have a Great day!

     

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