?‍♀️Hip Replacement #2 ?‍♀️ (Knees Welcome!) ?‍♀️

I’m not the wisest woman on here by any stretch, travels, but that sounds like a good plan to me.
I’d feel exactly the same as you.
You probably are overthinking it; but you can’t change that.
You need to feel as reassured as possible, and with as least worry as possible.
Do something nice this afternoon and try to relax

Hi everyone, came home yesterday with a head full of information and list of dates about 'stuff' to do prior to admission date. Am seriously thinking of booking myself into a convalescent room for the first week. Have rung a place very near me as the hospital do not have this kind of facility. Am waiting for a call back because Covid is an issue and the home has rules and regs that have to be adhered too. I am also wanting to know if they will provide physio or not. Maybe I'm overthinking things but I feel very vulnerable at the moment about the whole thing even though I know it needs to be done and I won't get my Mobility back without it. Will keep you updated on everything once its over.??

Oops! Ignore superfluous ‘without wheels’ at the bottom of my post. The wretched things roll everywhere.

Good afternoon, everyone! Still following with great interest, and FannyCornforth I hope you are making a little progress each day. Everyone else with their new hips too.

No surgery date yet so I decided to buy a lightweight folding wheelchair so we could actually go out somewhere. Otherwise I am spending days indoors as walking on two sticks is so painful, slow and difficult.

Also on its way is a folding walking frame, the sort without wheels. I always feel nervous going to the bathroom at night using two sticks and thought this might be more stable. We shall see! And I won’t drop the sticks on the floor when I need to let go of them.

Did anyone have a sensation of grinding or crunching from their old hip before surgery? There is a sort of ‘rumble’ that comes from my hip when I go to sit down. It’s a little disconcerting isn’t it?

Best wishes to everyone, whatever they are up to today.





without wheels

Friend of mine had different length legs after THR, now has to wear a built-up shoe on one side.

X post Fanny. Glad to hear you are walking sans crutches.
Not surprised you are tired. Everything takes so much time and energy .
Just getting dressed exhausted me; but every day things get easier.

Mine were the same length pre op but now the operated leg is longer. It’s strange and still getting used to it. It’s early days fir you Fanny so don’t despair.
This was confirmed by physio early on, who said I won’t notice after a while. Well I still notice after nearly 12 weeks so will mention again when I see her this week and definitely at the end of the month when I see the surgeon. Am thinking insole to other foot, as walking oddly can cause problems ( and no one wants problems).
Travels how did things go yesterday? Hope your questions were answered.

Thank you Laine
I’m not sure if they were different lengths before, it wouldn’t surprise me though.
And I’m sure that the surgeon mentioned it just before my op when I was in the table.

I am walking around the house without crutches.
I might see if walking with crutches helps!

And another thing (moan, moan, moan.. ?) I’m really, really tired ?

Fanny were they different lengths pre-op? Perhaps too soon to be worrying unduly as its early days yet. Mine were checked and same length prior to surgery. I would definitely expect you to have a limp at this stage as presumably you're not fully weight bearing on your operated side yet.

Thank you everyone for your advice about physio and walking.

I’m now beginning to think that my legs are different lengths. ?
The surgeon did mention something about it before the op.
Is it ‘normal’ to have a pronounced limp at this stage?
Anyone else with odd legs?

Both of my knee replacements have been very successful.
One was in 2005 and the other in, - I can't quite recall, but I think it was 2017. I was lucky to have no problems at all.
Lots of physio afterwards, and very soon improved.
The 2005 one just twinges a bit now and then, but nothing much. I suppose it won't last much longer, maybe.
Both of mine were NHS, although one took place in a private hospital.

FannyCornforth

Good morning Hipsters!
Travels, I hope that you are ok, we’re all thinking of you here.

I’ve been thinking about physio.
What are your post op experiences?

I was led to believe that I would have physio once a week for several weeks.
Indeed, the Nuffield’s website states this.
But I’ve been offered nothing of the sort.
When I queried it, I was told to wait until I’d had my follow up appointment with my surgeon. That isn’t until two months after my op.
So I’ve just sent them a message, because I’m not happy about this.
It doesn’t seem right, does it?

My experience with Nuffield was different Fanny: my initial appointment was about 3-4 weeks post op, no hard core exercises and involved quite a long chat about my overall experience and what I needed from them. I think I had 3 appointments in total, I was offered use of the gym for 6 months as part of the package which I declined (not my jam)

I'm with Aveline, just walk! But gently....

Before my surgery, I would have to think carefully about using stairs and whether I really needed to go upstairs. Now I can zip up and down without thinking about it. Mr is often found shaking his head in amazement at the transformation ?

Fanny...I was referred for urgent physio (12 days post op) because of the leg difference ...(now imperceptible but not sure it was down to the physio at the first visit). I was then given a follow up at 8 weeks which was much more useful ... Lots of reassurance and I was shown stretching exercises and also I was given a massage too to ease the muscle spasm. I do not have any more appointments but can self refer back if needed. I don't think I will need it though. It really does seem to vary greatly from hospital to hospital. In the very early days I did have to make sure I moved every 15 minutes or so.... whether I wanted to or not ... Just to keep everything from stiffening up too much. I'm not sure if you are allowed to shower yet but I did find doing the exercises in the shower helped as the warm water eased the discomfort.

The physio dept at the hospital I was at were made redundant. Hasn't made any difference to outcomes. Surgeons quite happy.

Don't bother with physio. Just walk - it's what your legs are for! Seriously, ice, elevate and keep moving and you'll be fine.

I think all of the threads are moving around in a strange manner.
It used to be just one or two, but it seems to be the norm now!

Good morning Hipsters!
Travels, I hope that you are ok, we’re all thinking of you here.

I’ve been thinking about physio.
What are your post op experiences?

I was led to believe that I would have physio once a week for several weeks.
Indeed, the Nuffield’s website states this.
But I’ve been offered nothing of the sort.
When I queried it, I was told to wait until I’d had my follow up appointment with my surgeon. That isn’t until two months after my op.
So I’ve just sent them a message, because I’m not happy about this.
It doesn’t seem right, does it?

Aveline like me re your knees, you did your own thing and we are the same if not better not having religiously carried out the 50 million exercises we were expected to do daily.

I cannot walk far but I am 99% of the time pain free.

It took just over an hour yesterday for this thread to be at the top to vanish into oblivion. How do we manage it? Maybe not attracting too many people because we are polite and give useful answers to questions?

Oh yes Charleygirl the knee replacements were not nearly so easy to recover from but, in the end, they've been so worthwhile. I was surprised at my rapid recovery from the hip op after that experience.

Aveline you had a better recovery following your THR than the knee replacements but a hip is technically easier to replace being a ball and socket as opposed to a hinge joint.

I am pleased I now have both knees replaced but I did not think so at the time!

Absolutely not. My hip replacement just feels like nothing was ever wrong with a hip of mine. Very rapid recovery too.

Me too...hope today helped. Not one of us on here have said they regret having the operation, so hope you are reassured.

Thank you Charlie
Yes, I also hope that you are feeling more reassured and less worried today travels

I am bumping this up. I hope all went well today travelsafar and your concerns have been answered by the nurse who saw you today. Please try not to worry.

Don’t worry I am on my own too, my sister came for one night when I came home and my DS provided meals. You are entitled ( I think ) to some care for 6 weeks ie washing your feet and replacing the dreaded white tight stockings. Contact your community health and social care . If you can’t find it the district nursing team will be able to point you in the right direction . I was quoted £45 a day for half an hour’s for a private carer visit before I discovered that I could have a daily visit for 6 weeks on NHS . But the hospital will have to refer you prior to discharge .I had a daily visit for 3 weeks until I abandoned the stockings! She would have helped me shower but I wasn’t allowed to until the clips came out. I bought a small back pack to carry things around and wore a loose dress that was easy to get on and off . You will be surprised how easy the grabber thing is to use to put on knickers. Accept all offers of help and don’t pretend you are OK ! Buy ready meals, do an on line grocery delivery and they will bring it in to the kitchen for you. I did have a cleaner for 6 weeks and still have a gardener every two weeks .They really helped but appreciate not everyone can afford to. It’s really worth it to be able to get you life back for a few weeks of immobility and discomfort.