i have a date in August for hip replacement .... Consent form signed and date for "joint surgery class" .......anybody out there tell me more about these classes? Also starting to arrange family, children and animal care....I know it will pass quickly as I am also on holiday for a week before the event...what an adventure!
Can't help Jane, I was called in for my op a month before my joint surgery class lol so never got there and don't know what it's all about. xx
Hi Jane
I had my THR almost 4 weeks ago now and only started using this site after the op - so well done for using it now! What I have quickly learnt is that depending on where you live, certain aspects can be very different e.g whether or not you have to wear TED stockings after (I didn't), whether you have anticoagulants as tablets post-op or self-administered daily injections (I did - bit of a shock, but nearly done with them now). Same will go for the physio advice/requirements.
I had my op done in Rugby St Cross Hospital and it was a prerequirement of even getting on the waiting list to attend a hip education class. The idea is that it helps prevent dislocation following surgery, which seems to be the biggest concern - so you are told what you can and can't do, to minimise the risk. It lasted a couple of hours and it gave us all the opportunity to ask questions as well as to order our aids, so they could be delivered well in advance of surgery. These also have to be in place, before you can be discharged from hospital. They include raised toilet seats/frames, elephant feet which raise the height of your bed to a safe height, perching chairs for the kitchen/dining room etc. You can take a friend/partner which I found very useful as following the course, my husband suddenly "got it" - and started being very considerate and helpful. They also covered what you needed to bring with you into hospital, what happens pre and post op, how soon they get you on your feet (same day!) etc. Also, quite important for me was the hip op clothing advice - I usually live in jeans, so I had to invest in looser, softer clothing - hareem pants/M&S leisure wear, as the wound can be quite tender for weeks/months after. Also, you can get leg swelling, so your clothes need to accommodate this. Footwear rules too - no slip-on/backless slippers, crocs ok if you have backstrap on your heel etc. You might also find that your current footwear is ok for you pre-op limp, but doesn't give enough support for after, when you are increasing your mileage.
We all had an A5 booklet with information in together with exercises, which we were advised to start before the op - I found them great for loosening my tight ankles/calves.
Sorry this is a bit of an epic response, but I think you get the idea that I found it very useful. Hope you do too!
all the best
Cheryl
Thank you....yes the letter says to take a family member or friend to also have insight into the "event". Sounds like a very good idea. I wondered about clothes and have bought some loose trousers!
Ha ha ha ! Thanks for reply!
Hi Jane
August can be a difficult time for having a major op. Be prepared for it to be canceled. Summer holiday time is a time that plenty of things can happen for them to cancel you. I really hope they don't but there is a good chance they might do. Now first off. I would go to argos and buy a desk fan. You will deffo need it if it is hot weather. Wards are very hot in the summer months the windows do not let much air in even if they are open and a nice fan will do you wonders and keep you cooler.
As for the " classes " I think that means the pre op appointment. What happenes there is....
Review what happens in surgery
Show examples of the actual components that may be used in your surgery
Talk about how to prepare for the surgery
Discuss what will happen on surgery day
and review what to expect as you recover
Enjoy your holiday
I finally have a date - 30th July and haven't been told anything about pre-op classes. Hips r us eh?
As had been said the class is totally different from the previous medical screen inning, unless some places combine it, and is the most useful source of information re gadgets, clothes, excercises, dos and dont's and a chance to meet others about to have the same ops. Do take a friend or partner and some paper for extra notes. All the info makes you realise that the op is done as a routine many many times and these people work as a team.
They normally write to you about 2 weeks before, personally I found these classes excellent
I personally wore skirts and 4 weeks on I still wear them, I bought elasticated ones that way I could just slide them over my head, as for Ted stockings didn't have these whilst in hospital I had inflatable ones, and haven't had to wear any thing since coming home and because I went to spire hospital Norwich I was given tablets to stop blood clots
Hi Jane! Welcome to this wonderful group! Good luck! Hope you've got good help when your back home? Regards Amanda
I had my op at spire! Couldn't fault them. The inflatable cuffs drove memad though. I'm 2 weeks post op and like you wear baggy/skirts - wound management nurse said a good idea and NO sun on scar. Hope you are well