Total Right Ceramic Hip Replacement - Six weeks on.

Hi Jane I am 53 and I am needing a right hip replacement Andy despite all positive s I have read , this is my exact fear nobody seens to tell you of any setbacks I hope you are feeling better as we speak but I really can't decide whether to go for the op

Hi, I have to say that if and when I am able to feel "normal" again the pain prior to the operation was almost

unbearable. I had so much arthritic pain and immobility that that pain has gone and so I think it is just a matter of time before things get back to normal.

Hi Jane

Hope you are getting on better by now but do carry on using your stick for as long as you need it. I had my second hip done on 13 june and carried on using a stick for longer walks up to about 10 weeks postoperative as I kept getting a bit of discomfort if I didn't use it. I'm now walking really well but wouldn't hesitate to take a stick for a more demanding walk now and in the future. You should be able to walk without a limp before abandoning it. Good luck. AgW

Hi Jane- I'm 39 and had a total hip replacement just under 5 weeks ago, was thinking the same as you really-...after my hip replacement ( like 45 mins) after going back to the ward I had horrific pain in groin knee and foot ....turns out it was and still is nerve damage ( which of course no one is taking ownership for doing) but by the by.I am walking walking and walking like you and still sore.hip heavy and foot and ankle sore.walk ok with a stick but like you limp quite bad and very worried I will be left with this limp!I am a nurse and everyone keeps telling me nurses are the worst patients and don't really understand what I'm worrying about.maybe it is normal Jane and we are being too hard on ourselves.just really wanted to just say that u r not alone in your fears.hope all gets well do you. When u are immobile it feels like forever when it has no been long.take care

Hi everyone, this info is second hand but my 71 year old Mum had hers done last year and experienced everything you have mentioned. I moved in to look after her as they turfed her out of hospital 3 days post op and she wasn't ready. Now? She is faster than me on her feet (I have to use a wheelchair out of the house), Her "hallelujah" moment came about 6 months post op. She just forgot to use her stick one day and hasn't looked back at all.

All the professionals will have their own "agenda" as to when you should be off sticks etc. Seeing it from the outside in, come off them when you are good and ready and one day you will forget you have them.

Hope you all recover well x

Hi, double hip replacement dec 2nd, out by the Friday. Slow progress, walking with crutches, main issues trying to sleep at night on ur back, it's uncomfortable in the legs & hips, back. Legs feel like lead weights. Other

issue is swelling of both legs, calfs, ankles, I do elevate them thru the day but remain very swollen.. I don't

seem able to get a comfortable position on a chair or in bed, perhaps expecting too much. Taking the usual pain meds etc.. Also have pain in thighs (like you've been doing major excersise & used muscles u haven't use

for years & they are very sore to touch) & I mean pain.

Any advice appreciated

Hi Geship

If you are not doing this already, put a pillow under your knees when you are in bed - my thigh was quite swollen after my op (only one hip at a time) and after a few nights like this the swelling was much improved. I didn't like sleeping on my back but stuck it out and am now 10 months on from my first hip and 6 from my second and feel more or less back to normal. Good luck!

AgW

Hi, thanks for that will try it tonight. Fingers x

Hi, yes try a pillow that worked for me. In fact, I still use the pillow every night whilst lying on my side now

between my legs which helps bear the weight.I

slept on my back for 6weeks but couldn't wait to try lying on my unoperated side.

I thought I would be more mobile than I was,earlier than I was but the four month mark was a big turning point for me.

The pains, swelling etc will go but is just a process of healing and hard to put up with. I did use a pillow at

the bottom of the bed to elevate the ankles at night and that was a huge bonus.

Try having a couple of hours sleep in the afternoon. It will rest your legs and give time for the swelling

to subside.

Walking, whilst painful, does help and exercise is so important. I still do the prescribed exercises.

Good luck, you will get there. As my partner says the patient is not patient.

Hi jane426

Thanks for advice, will give it a go, actually had to get up & try sleeping on a chair last night with legs on a

Pouffe (excuse sp) managed this till 4am then bed till 7am so not a disaster. I just can't seem to get

comfortable in the bed, legs feel like dead weight, they get very jumpy, hard to move, cannot go onto either

side as had both done. Just need to keep at it am not quite 2 wks down the line yet.

Do u do any type of excersise if your sitting on a chair, or only if your flat ?

Thanks

Hi, yes, I have some excellent bed exercises which I will email to you later in the day. Rob took me to see

a private physio and those exercises I still do.

Will get back to you with them later.