I live alone and I am 12 days post THR - I had help with the stockings as family came to stay but now thay have gone there is no way I can do this on my own. Also taking blood thinning tablets for another 20 days. I will have to abandon the stockings and I see alot of conflicting evidence about wearing them and taking blood thinners as well.
Another question I have is this - I was told when leaving the hospital to see my nurse at the doctors surgery for the dressing to be changed. Did this yesterday and all looks fine she said a couple of stictched havent dissolved yet and put another dressing on (which the NHS hospital had supplied) which was good because she didnt have that size of dressing. I asked her if I have to come back and she said she didn't know??? and I was contact the hospital. Rang hospital they said a nurse would get back to me but they haven't. What have other people done regarding this?
Idon't think it's the end of the world if you take your TEDs off - it used to be, but not anymore. Your anticoagulant tablets should protect you adequately.
Dressings and wound closing. I think I'd re-contact the hospital and say that whoever was supposed to get back to you, didn't. I had staples, which were taken out at 2 weeks and the dressing removed, and from that point on I had no need of the dressing.
Thanks Renee - I am trying to get up and move about as much as possible. The things I am finding difficult are making my bed - let alone changing the bedding and hair washing is tricky but apart from that I am lucky to live in a block of flats with a lift.
2 THRs well done how do you feel now? Has it affected your knees because I had THR on right hip but left knee is probably next on my list - already had keyhole on it but it didn't do much.
I had dissolvable stitches. Had one dressing change at the hospital after about 10 days, was then told to leave the new dressing on for a further 5 days or so before removing it.
I only wore the TEDs all the time for the first week. I started getting a rash on my legs where the tops were, so took them off. After that, I only put one on my op leg if it started to swell and even then I never left it on for too long. Stopped wearing them altogether after three weeks.
I didn't wear stockings or take blood thinners, my stitches were desolveable...very lucky no problems .... I was kind of on my own since my S.O. Has P.A.D and cannot stand or walk much without pain...I wore very supportive slip on shoes and kept the ice going....had lots of premade foods and frozen stuff....the best thing I did was ankle pumps and all the stretches EVERY morning, still do and I'm 7 months post op.
We should call this The Ted Saga or Tedgate - hmm.
I had no TEDS at home, not a one. I have to take the tablets for 35 days and make sure I get a good mix of rest and walking. I would only suggest that if you have a history of tricky blood problems then I would ring the ward you were on for advice.
Dressings - I had a fiasco with my dressings. I was told to go and get dressing changed but GP doesn't do it. Had a leaky drain hold and had to get more dressings but rang GP and no one has them. Ended up going to minor injuries where a kind nurse had stolen them from somewhere!.
By day 12 my glued wound was dry and stable so I took off all dressings.
I had the benefit of this being my second THR so knew that my leg wasn't going to fall off