👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

If you think you need a THR, it is better to at least get on the waiting list. You can always cancel nearer the time but it is miserable if you are in a lot of pain and it is many months before surgery is contemplated.

From the surgical point of view, it is easier for the surgeon to do it sooner rather than later thus giving you a better outcome.

Hi, how are you all doing ?
Three weeks since my hip op. Can walk well in house without any supports. Using one crutch outside mainly because the paths are so uneven and patchy.
Walking outside most days and trying to go a little further each time. I do get some back ache but I think that is because I hadn’t been able to walk much at all before.
Just a little discomfort where there is still some swelling but such a relief to be rid of the constant pain.

Hi all, glad you are all recovering from your operations. It's good to hear how well you are doing walking etc. I have been given a date for surgery, 3 weeks time. However it's for an arthroscopy not a knee replacement. I am so desperate now I'd agree to anything that eased the pain but I am not sure what it would do apart from repair or remove my torn meniscus and cleaning it up a bit. I know the surgeon wants a biopsy on my knee which is really swollen. I'll see my consultant soon and he will explain things. Don't know if I am relieved or disappointed.

My neighbours nothing bad arthroscopies which gave them 4 or 5 years before one of them needed knee replacement. Her husband hasn’t needed it at all so this can work well.

Ginny glad you are doing so well.

You definitely need a biopsy first in case there is anything sinister going on.

I had an arthroscopy which led to a menisectomy many years before I knew I needed a knee replacement. I had virtually no pain afterwards and my knee no longer gave way.

Just re read my post above should read both had.

An update to all.
Am 2 months post right THR and doing well. I had right TKR in February and that seems to be taking longer to get over.
Walking in the house unaided but using a crutch outside. Not back to driving yet but getting in the car to get the feel of it again. It’s a manual car and daughter says I should get an automatic. Easier said than done.
My husband had a chemo break in the summer but back on another drug, so I need to get myself moving and driving.
I ache when I get up in the mornings. Settles during the day as I move about. Wish I could check my posture, am I walking correctly with an almost new leg!
Good to hear how you are all doing.

I would second the suggestion of an automatic car especially if like me you have the surgery on the left leg.

Hi all……I’m 10 weeks post op tomorrow and would love to know how long before you can sleep on your operated side. I have tried but I’m still getting some pain around the scar area which I cannot tolerate so have to move back onto my back very quickly.
I can sleep on my left side with a soft pillow between my legs but invariably I’m woken up in the small hours as I have damaged nerves in my back and I find that I can only sleep lying on my back for short periods for the same reason. I did manage to spend long periods lying on my back in the first few weeks and I can only put that down to the codeine I was taking together with the Pregablin I have been taking for 20 years. Apart from that I am doing very well.
I ‘m more or less back to normal with things around the house but not the heavy stuff as I have someone who comes and helps out with that and they’re are times when I actually forget that I’ve got a new hip!
I walk every day for about 30/40 minutes depending on which way we go and I am very strict with doing my exercises. I am very aware of my leg feeling different, it feels quite heavy when I’ve been walking for a while. I haven’t seen my consultant since the day I left the hospital but I do have an appointment to see him in 2 weeks. I was signed off by my physio last week unless I have a problem in which case I can make an appointment to see her. I drove twice that day, first to my hairdresser and then to see my physio. My leg did hurt, she said it probably had something to do with the angle of the car seat. I haven’t driven since but am thinking of going shopping tomorrow.
I do find it almost impossible to put weight on my leg when I stand up after I’ve been sitting down for a long time. I’m fine once I get going but it’s incredibly painful for a few minutes. I haven’t used a crutch/cane for about 3 weeks.

I hope Ginny, fflur, and Susytish are continuing to do well.💐💐💐

Hi Hipsters.. There is a post on here regarding a funny Birthday Card.
You will "hopefully" think this is funny. My sister sent it to me for my recent birthday. I loved it..

Nightsky when trying to sleep on your operated side it is good to have a pillow between your lag but could you also try with a pillow at your back so that you can lie on your side and half on your back- it just may be more comfortable as you can roll slightly on to your back without damaging the hip.

Regarding driving, I sit with the seat upright but I have not had a hip replacement, mine were both knees so you must be careful you do not bend too far forward.

If your hip is feeling heavy I would not walk so far each day. Maybe walk for half the time and see how you feel.

Good luck.

Charleygirl15… Thank you.

I do sleep with a pillow between my legs but I will put another behind me and maybe try to roll just a little bit onto my bad leg and see if that might help take the pressure off my back if it’s not too painful.

I do manage the walks very well but I think it’s going to take another few weeks before my leg feels normal.

DH has driven my car and fiddled around with the height of the seat and the back so I will have to spend some time trying to get it back the way I had it before I drive it tomorrow. He would have an absolute fit if I did that to his car seat😕.

Visgir1

Hi Hipsters.. There is a post on here regarding a funny Birthday Card.
You will "hopefully" think this is funny. My sister sent it to me for my recent birthday. I loved it..

Visgirl..I have seen this card before and it is very funny.

Nightsky you may also feel more comfortable if you have a cushion in your car. Do not forget for insurance purposes you should have your GP's permission to drive.

I hope rolling back slightly on to your back and taking the pressure off the scar helps you get a night's sleep. The problem is that the pillow against your back has a habit of moving!

When you see the consultant at 3 months post-surgery that is one of the milestones.

Hello. Glad to hear that on the whole you are all doing well. Don’t forget it can be 3 months to a year to feel totally normal.
I am doing well as and will see the surgeon and physio on Wednesday ( six weeks post op). Hopefully they will both sign me off and I’ll be able to drive again. No problem walking without sticks
The awful pain is gone, just some discomfort around the scar but it is improving. A bit stiff first thing in the morning and if I sit too long
I sleep with 3 pillows half propped up and seem to be getting used to it.

Ginny Yes I still sleep with 3 pillows, despite having my new hip 18 months ago . Am now very used to it and won’t change.

Night sky I bought a cushion fir my car this weekend, so far so good. As far as driving is concerned I am sure I was driving before 10 weeks post op. Though I have an automatic car and the left leg was operated on .

Visgirl, someone sent me that card 😄

Just adding a third post to see if we get into the active list….

Susytish how are things.?

I am bumping this up in case anybody else wants to read the words of wisdom and experience here.

Silverlining48, I drove at 8 weeks post op which is what my consultant advised. 6 weeks for manual car and 8 for an automatic car if it’s the right leg but it did feel quite uncomfortable.
What kind of cushion did you buy as I think I’ll have to get one.

Ginny. It’s great that you are making such a good recovery. I don’t understand why I have to wait 3 months to see my Consultant particularly when I paid him all that money😗. I see him in 10 days time.

Susytish. I hope all’s well with you.

I got the cushion on Saturday in a recycling shop for £2. serendipitous as I wasn’t expecting to see one.
It’s solid memory foam and is doing the trick.

Hope your appointment goes well night sky
Let us know.

Just a quick one to see if we get onto active...flying pigs and all that