Hi Vicki. Luckily I have a desk job so my thing will be remember to stand up and move about regularly. How did you find things after the 6 weeks? My main concern is moving the right way so that the hip doesn't pop out. Others have said they bend down by putting operated leg out behind them, which I have been doing. Hoping that soon I will be able be able to have a proper bath. Found that can get in and out of the car okay and driving is okay too. Just need to get used to flexing the foot for clutch pedal again.
Did you do the post op exercises religiously? By talking to others, I hadn't realised how important they are. I thought as I was moving regularly it would be the same thing.
Hi Sarah, I am two weeks post op and still rely on the grabber to pick things up. However, I have found I can "bend" down reasonably well by putting my operated leg straight back keeping it a straight line with my back and bending the knee of the good leg. Here is link to some information about the 90 degree rule. http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/dislocation-risk-and-90-degree-rule.10181/ Of course I haven't tried driving yet but have been out in the car as a passenger and not had any trouble sitting.
I cross my ankles all the time and I have my knees sometimes. Alls fine, I'm over 4 mths post op.
Hi Sarah,
I have not had my surgery yet. My surgeon told me that the 90 degree restriction is lifted after 8 weeks, He does posterior THR. I also talked to other people who had it done and they said the same thing. At the same time if I were you I would do what your professionals tell me.
I wish you the best!
Hi Sarah
I'm sure you will be fine with your desk job but at the end of your first week you will be exhausted ! Can you do a phased return to work to see how you go?.
I did do my exercises religiously every day, which helped a lot but after I hurt my back I had four sessions with a physio and went to the swimming baths every other day not to swim but to exercise in the water, I would do a few lengths of the pool then in the deep end and ride my pretend bike forwards and backwards, I also did the exercises the physio gave me in the water makes them so much easier but be prepared to by physically knackered after a water session. I didn't do classes just my own thing which I wish I'd done sooner because I'm sure it vastly speeded up my recovery. I'm not sure if you read all the hippies posts but some people like myself did struggle with aches and stiffness as the weeks go by, I think you start to do more because you think you can and it takes its toll, again not wanting to sound like the voice of doom, but be wary, hopefully this helps I'm only making you aware of situations that may arise . Hopefully you'll sail through I'm really glad I had the op as no more of that horrid pain, but my consultant told me it takes up to 18 months to completely recover as my concerns were I still don't have the same stamina as before my op. I still don't 8 months down the line but it is getting better hopefully I'll be as fit as before in another 6 months or so.
I've not managed to watch the you tube of the op all the hippies say if you watch that you will understand why we hurt like hell😳good luck Sarah xx
Thanks again for you reply. Not the voice of doom at all 😀. It is good to get other people's thought and guidance. I am going to start again tomorrow with the exercises. It appears that different guidance is given by various Health Authorities. Though a common thing seems that once you have the operation and dollow up, you are left to fet on with it. Seems no-one gets follow up physio and it is up to the individusl to do something. I will work up
to watching the video, as I didn't want to be aware of it when it was being
done. It is really useful to see what other hippies are dealing with and some are having similar issues. Best wishes to you. Sarah.
I was issued with a grabber among other things when I attended a Therapy Education Session before my op. Very useful for picking things up and pulling up trousers. In fact we bought a second one to keep at the other side of the house. Not expensive and well worth it.
Hello again Sarah,
Ta. Am not sure if 'useful' advice, but a hospital that doesn't do elasticated stockings, worries not about lying on me back, encourages looseing crutches by 6 weeks, etc, suits my rather cavalier nature!
take care,
mic
x
Hi Sarah and fellow hippies ... it is so great to read your responses - seriously - a lot of my concerns and worries are being discussed here ... especially when you live alone, the practical advice is price less -
I had my follow up visit on May 13 (surgery March 19 2015) - new hip was healing nicely - muscles need to get stronger - could sleep on both sides ( was sleeping on non-op side for a while with pillow between the knees)and drive -
however .... in the last 6 months my other, leftg hip's cartilage has worn almost down to the bone - this explains the heavy pain in that groin and slows down my progress (L THR in the near future) - I still use the grabber to pick up things as standing like a ballerina is wobbly - unless I hold on to something - and that sock aid too - I am not comfortable yet with breaking the 90* though - getting in and out of the car (tiny and low seat) - a pillow wrapped in bin liner is helping me slide - Someone here on the forum told me to watch a you tube video which I found very informative (pull both legs in or out at the same time) -
Interseting how other muscle groups are making their appearance --- now I amd dealing with back pain- hard to straighten my back and realize I walk as the letter C ..... we are all on the road to full recovery - take care and be kind to your self - big hug
Hi. It is so good to know I am not the only one who does the 'ballerina move'. I have got 3 grabbers, the trusty shoehorn to help with underwear and trousers and the sock aid. All have been invaluable! I didn't realise quite how important the exercises are, but am doing them now. Must make sure stand straight too.
I am also going to see what I can do to prevent the right hip going the same way.
Hope your recovery continues and the pain on the other side calms down too.
Sarah x
Hi Mic
it does seem that different hospitals deal with things dofferently.
i stopped using my criutches eeally after 3 weeks and couldn't wait to give them back, along with the toilet frame!
stockings came off after 1st week and didn't go back on.
i found out that I was an impatient patient, but now realise I have to take the slowly slowly approach.
i t is so useful to read what others are dealing with and how to cope, as tge hospital haven't been very forthcoming with 'aftercare'
take care too
Sarah
Hi Sarah. I'm only on my second week postop, but I can sympathise with the heel problem. It's a bit of a palaver to get right but I've found that if I put a V pillow down the bottom of the bed, I can rest one leg on each leg of the V, then stick another pillow between my knees to stop me crossing my legs at night. The night I didn't do it, my operated leg heel really hurt, and the business of putting socks on (which might do the trick to) is beyond me at the mo.! Hope this helps. Regards, Cheryl
Hi Sarah
I have been told by my physio that if you drop something on the floor you can bend down but put the operated leg out straight behind you and hold on to something sturdy with the other hand. Or you could get one of those helping hand litter picking devices. Ive sat in my car and started up, feels comfortable enough if I have a soft cushion under my left hip. As for the heels yes I get what you mean I call it 'Fizzy Feet' and find a cushion under my knees and heels when its bad really helps. I did also invest pre surgery, in a matress topper which makes lying on your back more cosy. Again I now sleep on my good side for a bit with the cushion between my knees. I find it just makes my back ache so much being on it too much which in turn seems to pull on my knees..... Hey Ho nearly there now and so pleased to be pain free so can put up with all these little inconveniences! Good Luck with going back to work..... I am right behind you!
Hi.
i have got 3 of them and they have been invaluable, as is the sock aid and the shoehorn. You were lucky to ge issued with one, as I bought mine. Like you said though not expensive.
best wishes
Hi Cheryl.
i he you are getting okay. A friend told me about heels hurting and I wondered what she was on about. Then I found out. About week 4 i had enough and tried sleeping on the good side with the obligatory pillow between my knees. It is much more comfortable on the feet! Just started to try the operated side, but scar still sore. Saying that it does seem to improve each day. With regards to socks, if you haven't got one, i would recommend a sock aid. Don't what I would have done without it. You can get one from a well known site beginning with A.
let me know how you are getting on. Best wishes in your recovery. Sarah
Hi. I wish I had dome on here weeks ago. Had no help really from hospital consultant or physio. I have got all the aids, which gas been so useful. In fact, i don't think i will ever stop using them! 😄. A friend who had same op told me about heels hurting and I wondered what she was talking about. Then I found out. Now that I can alternate sleeping from back to side, it has got a lot better. Not quite comfortable enough to sleep on operated side fully (my usual sleeping side), but each day it is getting better. Just sore and tender. Great to be able to walk pain free. Have been out in the car and that is okay, but feel it afterwards. Using muscles that haven't been used for 6 weeks. Realise now how crucial the exercises are, so getting back into them. Good to get advice from fellow hippies. Much better than hospital consultant. Good luck to you too. Keep me posted how you are getting on, as sounds like we have much in common. Sarah