As per title, I had both done at the same time, and am here to share experience, and help out if I can.
I'm a 54 y/o male who had suffered long enough and decided the time was right. Glad I did it, yes there is plenty of pain post op. Plenty of discomfort and sleeping is hard work initially. Right now I can lie on both sides, sleep pain free, although still using the pillow between my knees. I am walikng unaided, if I do too much my body lets me know for a few days afterwards. I reckon I walked a good mile or two on Tuesday evening.
So today folks is my 8 week anniversary, the first op lasted 5 ish hours and I had to go back in the following day for another 4 due to a complication. Becoming distant memories. Anyhow like I said, here to help if I can
Hi Briles, amazing story, I take my hat off 2 u 👍 I'm 4 weeks post op 2day left THR & also due 2 have the right hip dun in a few months, the surgeon I'm under totally refuses 2 do bilateral surgery, he's dun both my knees over the past 4 years & wouldn't do them 2getha either, makes sense 2 me as it's 1 surgery rather tha 2 all the time, I understand that recovery is a lot harder 4 obvious reasons but s
Thanks Tom, it's not been easy, but I'm a positive sort of fella and every day there was an improvement, especially in the early days. There are and have been plenty of ups and downs. Today I'm a bit stiff/sore, probably that walk.
I joined a local gym which has a nice pool. I have walked in that pool almost everyday for the last 8 months barring the 4 weeks post op that I was waiting for wounds to heal. That has obviously helped pre-op to build my strength, and post op to get some strength back.
Hi again, all seems 2 be going really well @ the mnt, only thing is both knees r really unstable after 3 TKR's in 4 years, I was on the list 2 have the left knee done 4 the 3rd time but the hips have got worse so they decided 2 do them 1st & I had hoped this would have helped with the knee pain but doesn't seem 2 have worked out that way? All the hip fizio makes the knees worse so bit of a catch 22 really, the sleeping was the worst problem 4 me but I'm back on my side now so getting a decent nites sleep 😃 I'm 57 now & look 4wrd 2 hopefully getting sorted out 1 day & start enjoying life again? Hope ur road 2 recovery continues 2 be a good 1 4 u, good luck
Tom, I had plenty of pain from both knees. I think it was due to realignment in my case, added to doing a bit too much on an exercise bike and the stepping exercise. This was a few weeks ago and much better now, hopefully yours will settle down in similar fashion. Tell you what, the thigh muscles gave me some jip as well. Best, Dave.
What an uplifting message,i am on the waiting list for a thr said it would three and a half months that expired mid july but having worked for nhs for a long time,no the dif their end. I know I have to have it done,but really because i do walk a lot and do excersises I have been reasonably mobile,just in the night it wakes me up,but come winter,because of our climate i am sure will play up more,so if not heard in the next week or two,will contact my g.p. so it can be experdited.Glad you are doing so well may it long continue for you Sylvie
Hi Sylvie. Thanks for the reply. Hope you can get sorted out soonish. I'd got to the stage where a 10 minute walk was too much, pain both sides so knew it was time. Fair play to you for walking through the pain. My chance came, and I just thought yeah get on with it. Best wishes when the time comes, I'm sure you will enjoy pain free sleep again as I do now. Quite a lot of pain I had in my lower back has gone as well. Best wishes, Dave.
Hi Dave that is interesting about lower back because do have degenerative changes there,which I have inherited from my mum,but the thought that it will inprove after surgery is a great thought. thank you for your good wishesx
I was pleased to see your post as I've just learnt that I'm having both mine done at the same time too - op scheduled for next month. I'd be interested to know what anasthetic/sedation you had. How long were you in hospital, and did you go for convalescence or straight home? And how long on crutches?
Glad you're doing so well - hardly dare think about being able to walk properly again!
Regarding your questions, a lovely anaesthetatist came to see me before the op and explained I was having general, plus the spinal injection which was absolutely nothing, easy, though I had worried a little about this, I was soon out with the fairies, then coming round in my room. Don't worry about that side of things.
I stayed in hospital for a week, but would have gone home 2 days earlier but for 2 problems I had, you won't have these problems don't worry. I went straight home, like most I love my own bed, but the adjustment up and down/recline I did miss. Try to get one of those wedges, and extra pillows, I'm sure they will help, so the more the better if poss. They will help with comfort in your bed. I am not a good sleeper, really struggled getting comfortable. Even with sleeping tablets I only got a few hours sleep each night in the early days. The daily improvements are massive, it amazed me. I did manage a few hours sleep on the recliner settee we have, unusual for me.
I was on crutches for 6 weeks. After 4 the physio said use just 1 but I found 2 better. You will know this yourself. If you do too much your body will tell you, you will ache a bit, well I did. After 6 weeks I suddenly didn't need them much. At first just getting around in the small kitchen where you can get support from worktops, but I think you'll know when you are ready I think.
Mine are of the ceramic/ceramic with un-cemented titanium stems by the way. Any more info feel free to ask.
Many thanks for your reassurance about the anasthetic and also your advice about sleeping. Actually, I'm not sleeping well now owing to pain, but it looks as if there are things I can do to get more comfortable. Otherwise it seems important to listen to your body and take things as they come. It's good to know you could manage at home so soon as well.
I'm sure I'll have more questions as the op gets nearer. Meanwhile, I hope your recovery continues to go well.
A couple more things I remebered are the 3 things i got from British Red Cross. A zimmer frame - maybe the type with wheels is best, but tbh I hardly used that at home. Crutches - obviously necessity. Toilet seat raiser - necessity, but it's not comfortable at first, depending on where they make the cuts, posterior in my case. So there may be a bit of swelling, I'm sure they are easier for a lady, but I guess fractionally. Try and get the most comfortable one you can in any case.
I found it hard getting up from the bed, and up from the settee at first. I only have a 3 and 2 seater la-z-boy, where an armchair would have been easier. You will need to push up with your arms to get up for a few weeks. So if no armchair you will need something to push up on, capable of holding your weight and not tipping. I put the zimmer on its side on the sofa, but not the best idea. Then a big flat cushion helped more.
Many thanks for these tips, Dave, I was given crutches when I went for the pre-op assessment, and a bit of training in how to use them, which was good. I also have a good armchair which the OT thought would just need an extra cushion. However, she was a bit vague about toilet seats, so it's useful to know that the Red Cross can help, and with a zimmer frame too. Hadn't really thought about using the toilet, but can see that it might be pretty uncomfortable at first, even with the raised seat.
Do keep any tips coming if they occur to you! I can't tell you how helpful they all are to someone who has never had surgery or even been in hospital before!