Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

I’ve just thought of something that I’m a bit bothered about - crutches

I’m quite clumsy; and our house is very small, as is our dog; so I’m worried about getting tangled up; tripping over etc.

I know that I’m not going to get on with them at all.
How long do you need to use crutches for?

I never had crutches. I had two walking sticks but was down to just one after a few days and managed fine without a stick at all around the house very shortly after. DD never used her stick at all after her recent op

When I had my knee replaced I was given two sets so I used one pair downstairs and one upstairs. I was just extra careful when using them at all.

I think somebody mentioned a couple of weeks post hip and then sometimes one crutch was used.

If you have rugs as I had, I removed them for many weeks.

Best wishes for the operation. You will find an across the shoulder bag is very useful especially if you have to go up and down stairs. Books, glasses, mobile, bottled water, newspapers etc. can be carried safely and leave hands free for rails or walking sticks. Use a flask or similar to carry drinks in your bag.

Saltnshake I do that already!
I also use an old fashioned wicker basket (my old school cookery basket) to carry things up and down stairs.
I also have a stair lift. Thank goodness

Thanks Charley and Aveline

Fanny I was given crutches some years ago after a bad fall but found them difficult. No upper body strength I think, will probably need one fir the stairs but hope I might get a zimmer instead for moving around.
Would never have thought I would be looking forward to a zimmer and a raised toilet seat.
It’s a funny old world.

I think that a zimmer is for me too.
I have no upper body strength either (or indeed any type of bodily strength)
And with a zimmer it’s far more static.
It’s the coordination (or lack of) that would get me I think!

I haven’t caught up with all the thread yet but first I would like to say how well you seem to have done GrannyLaine. I wish I’d had all the help and advice that you and others had.

Sorry I’ve added to that sentence about four times this morning but seemed to have reached the limit of what I can post for some reason.

Hi Dustyangel
I hope that you’re doing okay now.
If you can’t post anymore now, please come back and tell us how you are

I had a Zimmer the day after my op when I was in hospital but it was whisked away and I wasn't allowed it back! Probably because I'd still be using it. It's good that I was forced to get up and get on with just sticks.
I loved pushing a supermarket trolley when shopping after the op. Wished I could push one all the way home!

A Zimmer I agree, is so easy but it is a nightmare to take upstairs if you do not live in a flat or a bungalow.

I honestly found crutches so much easier to use than I imagined, particularly going up and down stairs. I wouldn't say they require any particular upper body strength, they merely allow you to keep weight bearing off your affected side. There was a zimmer in my hospital room for about 36 hours which was then removed. I have been able to ditch the raised toilet seat this week, necessary at first but I hated not being able to put the lavatory seat down before flushing. My poor husband will forever have the memory of having to make sure the darned thing was either upstairs or downstairs according to where I was.

GrannyLaine we borrowed a commode, my poor husband had to empty that for the first week when I wasn’t allowed out of bed. Thank goodness that we both have kind and helpful husbands. Although mine is heavy handed,I had bruises on my legs from him lifting them back into bed for me when I couldn’t.

I kept writing a post and losing it this afternoon, I think it’s something to do with using Safari for GN, mostly in the afternoons.

However I’m here now and want to thank you FannyCornforth for your best wishes and hope you have a successful operation and recovery yourself. My DH is on some of the medication that you are for pain and I’m amazed that you are so upbeat and positive.

About an hour ago I had a phone call from our doctor here who said that it sounds as if I’m doing very well. Told me I should carry on with the medication I’m on but I forgot to tell him that it runs out tomorrow. There seems to be no facility for phoning the surgery to check whether he’s sending one direct to the chemist or not. I feel old and not technical enough at times.

DW and I are following this thread with interest as she is due to have a hip replacement some time in May (fingers crossed), and has had two pre-admission appointments already, one by telephone and one in the flesh, having been ambulanced into hospital with septic arthritis and, it transpired, avascular necrosis, the best part of a year ago. We have already invested in a raised toilet seat - I have learned to live with my vertigo - and walking sticks, and crutches are also in stock from her earlier stay. Lots of useful hints on this thread.

Has anyone any experience of ERP, Enhanced Recovery Programme? If she comes out that quickly, my holiday on the Côte d'Azur will be a no-no.

I was allegedly doing that. Didn't seem particularly great to me. Key thing seems to be getting you up the day of the op and walking about then discharge asap after that. Didn't work for me as I didn't react well to the meds and kept fainting. Hip was fine though!

Welcome grumppa. Good news about your wife’s operation after everything that has gone on. Sorry to read she has had avascular necrosis. I hope she is ok now.
I was diagnosed with this recently too but have not been given any treatment fir it. It’s been a worry. My op is next month.

As for vertigo I have been taking betahistine fir some years now and the horrible attacks seem to have gone, (fingers crossed of course). Its helped me.

As for ERP I agree with Aveline, it seems to be an even faster way to discharge patients. The first and last time I was in hospital was when I had my children, it was 10 days then.

silverling you did not mention you had avascular necrosis! That puts a different slant on it and you should mention that concern when you go for your pre-op appointment.

I will Charley. I thought I had mentioned necrosis somewhere but trying not to dwell as it really creeps me out. What with substantial oedema too.... and yes I will certainly discuss at pre op in a couple of weeks.

I have a date !! ?? 28th March , as long as Covid tests and pre op OK . I’m also going into a private hospital on the NHS . Apparently more money has been given to them to get the lists down . I am relieved in one way as the pain and stiffness is really preventing me from doing much at all now , but apprehensive ! The garden is screaming for attention . So hopefully by May I will up raring to go !

Susie I hate to tell you but no, that is too soon if you are having surgery at the end of this month. Good luck.

She'll be well fit to supervise though. Seated comfortably on a bench in the sunshine pointing out wha needs to be done. Then, the best bit, she''ll be able to stand back up without any pain and walk smoothly away. You'll be fine SusieB50

SusieB50 hope you keep us updated on your progress once its done. Good Luck.