What an amazing forum! Just looking for any ideas you experts can come up with. My 82 year old father lost an arm years ago and has managed exceptionally well (no prosthetic) until his hip problems started. He had a THR in July 2014 and recovered steadily within usual perameters. His second hip was replaced 7 days ago and was discharged just four days later in shocking pain and with very low BP inspite of drugs, extra saline and a blood transfusion.
It appears he was very lucky with his first op, I know it is still very early days but he is finding everything so difficult. Of course he can't use crutches or a walker/zimmer so has just a stick. No extra Physio or OH offered, just a carer to come in every morning to wash his feet and to change his support socks. (Better mention that he isn't alone-my waif of a Mum is caring for him when I have to get back to my own family.) He looks pale and tired, has very sore heels and like so many of you, isn't sleeping much at all.
Just looking for a magic wand and a 'there there' I suppose!
Well , he is obviously older than he was for previous op and prob needs more support . Perhaps it's time for carers as I presume mum is older to . I know this is easier said than done as my 94 year old dad lives with me and denies his age and refuses support !
Good luck
Morning Mrsgoggins, yes sleeping is so difficult, I,m 68 but still very active and I wake every morning at 3 am,cant sleep because laying on my back makes my back ache, its easy for me to get up and sit in the lounge with a cup of tea, I can only suggest that you try a V pillar for your dad, use other pillows as well so he is sitting up slightly in bed , also I found that if I put pillows under my knee and calf,it kept my heel from touching the mattress, stopped the getting painful. (I,m 4 weeks post op.) hope this is of some help .
Brian
Your poor dad. Personally I think that thr is traumatic for the body especially for someone of his age. I think there is little to help in the early days but lifting the leg onto a pillow when laying flat does help. I take it lack of sleep is also down to pain waking him up. Has he been given any pain relief? If it is not effective call his gp
they may give him something stronger. I had to ring to increase mine as I was in agony and it kept waking me up. The downside to that is stronger ones cause constipation. But the pain levels are easier to bear. Things get easier but he does have complications of low blood pressure so hopefully they are keeping an eye on that.