👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees part 6 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

I was in Aldi today and they had a gadget with combined picker upper with a long handled shoe horn as well as something which helps with dressing, all in one for £15. Also a sock aid for a fiver. It seemed to be a range. Well worth a look first anyone setting out on their journey.

Thanks Redcar that’s good advice. I have grotty feet and wear trainers all the time so I’ll equip myself.

Charleygirl you’re definitely not preaching, I’m grateful for any advice. Fortunately I had an episode of severe joint pain with a previous illness so I already have some aids which will make life easier. I also have a cleaner and am used to doing my food shopping online. Good point about the fridge, mine is an under counter one so I’ll have to keep everything on the upper shelves.

I would add two long handled shoe horns to the list of the necessary equipment because you won’t be able to bend down to get shoes on. Again, one for upstairs and one for down,
Also, elastic laces are useful if you wear trainers or shoes that have laces.

teabagwoman I apologise if I am preaching to the converted, but maybe rearrange the fridge and freezer contents so they are easier to reach and manage.

Maybe attempt to fill and empty the washing machine pre op.

You will not be able to clean your house for many weeks after the operation, and how are you going to get food delivered?

Have you got a picker-upper? Preferably one upstairs and one down.

I have had both knees replaced, and you may need more advice from somebody who has had a hip replaced.

Have you got two loos because I think only one raised loo seat is provided and it is awkward to carry around.

Charleygirl I will take your advice and practice lifting my leg into the bed. If I go to my dd’s it will make a lot of upheaval for them as they don’t really have room especially as dd often has to work from home.

If you have meals already made then there shouldn’t be a problem. Teabagwoman you will be fine just don’t do too much too early.

My personal feeling is that you should stay with your daughter for at least a couple of days because you will probably be discharged with either a frame or, more likely, two crutches.

Also, you will have little control over the operated leg, and getting in and out of bed will be difficult. It would be easier to find a winter scarf and put that under your lower leg to get it in and out. That is something you should try before surgery.

It is easier to practice for a couple of days at your daughter's house than to be stranded on your own.

When I had my new hip I used the opportunity to engage a cleaner who comes every 2 weeks for two hours. Three years later she still comes 😁

Thanks Silverlining that’s another possible problem dealt with. I always keep a stock of homemade ready meals in the freezer so I shall be well away when the time comes. I’m afraid I’m someone who worries about how to cross bridges long before I get to them.

On the other hand a few days of being waited on ….?

If you can stand and walk with the aid of a stick I don’t see why you can’t cook yourself something simple now. A jacket potato, beans on toast, scrambled egg , pasta, and so on.
Just take care and have a seat nearby if needed.

Can any of you experienced ladies give me an idea of how long it will be, after a hip replacement, before I can cook for myself again? I live alone and want to get all my ducks in a row so that I can convince DD that I don’t need to go and stay with them. I have a kitchen diner that, fortuitously, is very well designed for someone with poor mobility.

I bought a stool from Amazon when I had my shower fitted. I miss the sinking of the Titanic, but I did waste a lot of water, especially on Sunday afternoons when I was working. I found it so relaxing to doze and top up with hot water. My present water meter would not approve.

bea I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to patronise you about the bath equipment. Two friends have been supplied with some sort of bath aid, which was like a chair that you sit on and a hoist lifts you & the chair up and over into the bath. Neither of my friends liked the aids and neither of them used them. But could that be an option for you?
When I first fractured my vertebrae, I had the bath taken out and a walk in shower installed. It has grab handles and a (low) seat which pulls down. It’s low because the legs are short, but probably too low for me, so I don’t use it.
Well done for getting out to get your steps in. Could your knee pain be aggravated because you are walking differently now that your hip isn’t painful any more?
I agree that a list of queries for the consultant would be useful and a 2.00pm appointment is more sensible for everyone. Most of my appointments were evening ones, easier to park at the hospital but the consultant was always in a hurry after a days operating, then an outpatient clinic!
susytish I hope your other knee takes notice of your instructions!

Bea65 yes it was great, if not a bit weird, having the Occupational Therapist helping me have a shower. Had a choice, but knew I woild regret it if didn’t have one. I have shower over bath at home so not as easy.
I live in Greater Manchester. This was op number 3, same surgeon, same hospital. Now have had 1 knee and both hips done. The other knee is under strict instructions to behave itself!!

Bea, as Charleygirl says, don’t hold back with us. In fact, when you haven’t been on here for a few days, I start to get a bit concerned! And don’t hold back with the consultant, for goodness sake don’t be stoic, just let him have both barrels. Hope you are able to shower yourself soon, that should make you feel so much better.

Bea, please, if any problems get them off your chest.

The poor surgeon would be barely awake if he were still seeing patients at 8 p.m. It is more reasonable for you to be seen at 2 p.m.

Please write down your questions, it is easier for both of you.

We are all well aware you have been to hell and back and are not out of the woods yet re this last surgery.

Charleygirl5. Yes I do need a walk in shower as have all the adaptations…

Re my leg..yes am supporting it sitting down but cannot sit for long and need to lie flat with pillow underneath….

I’m getting out now nearly every other day even if it’s just to go to large store to get my steps in and feel more confident…

Was supposed to have my 6wk post op Tuesday with consultant but it was at 8pm ..so have changed it to to the 12th at 2pm which is more convenient for me…hopefully I will stop whining soon🤞🏻

Many years ago, I had to get rid of my bath and have a shower fitted. I have never regretted it, and it is so much safer. I bought a stool, which I occasionally sit on, but it is there if I have future surgery.

Swelling does take an age to vanish but I do not know why you have pain.

Are you elevating your leg each time you sit down?

Write down these problems so you have them handy when you are next seen at the clinic. You have not had an easy time post operatively.

REDCAR I do have 2 grab bars already and a step up into bath and a sitting bench…however due to shape of bath - it’s curved slightly in the middle- if I sit on the bench the shower head/cable doesn’t extend over to me on bench…have tried numerous times and flooded the bathroom when trying on my own..it takes 2 pairs of hands to shower me ..such a loss of dignity ..and because I’ve spinal stenosis, I can’t get physically into the bath without help…electric shower needs switching on first and button pressed n unit and then I have to step backwards quickly before the spray starts…

Also still having knee pain and swelling - WHY? Am up 3/4 times a night rubbing gel into knee and taking extra pain meds

susytish I’m so pleased that your operation went well and I hope that you’re safely home now. Nice to have help with a shower before going home.

bea when my late DH had his hip replacement, we bought a bath bar, a plastic board that fitted across the bath and which he sat on to have a shower. We already had a grab handle on the wall which helped him move around. You can get grab handles which attach to the wall with big vacuum suckers and I bought one of those too, but haven’t used it.
Hopefully you’re moving around more easily now after almost 6 weeks.
I hope the OT comes soon to get something arranged for you.

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susytish

Well I had right THR on Thursday going home today. All went well, so that's right knee and hip and now left hip done now! Lovely Occupational Therapist coming to give me a shower before I go home.

Gosh how lovely to get a shower before going home …what area are you in? Soo jealous but happy for you!

It will be 6weeks on Tuesday and I’ve still not been able to access my shower nor did the rehab assistants try…

Still waiting on OH nurse to do the assessment re adaptations to present shower over bath situation…might take months I’ve been warned or, do you GNs know differently?

Well I had right THR on Thursday going home today. All went well, so that's right knee and hip and now left hip done now! Lovely Occupational Therapist coming to give me a shower before I go home.