Going in for op on Thursday

Bones, joints and muscles
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I am new here, going in for op on left hip at Three Spires Hospital in Northampton on Thursday, and in a blue funk about it. Could some kind souls give me some idea of what to expect, how they managed afterwards, anything they found very useful to have etc? I am 77 and live alone, but my kids are rallying round, bless them, but obviously they all work so am keen to be as little bother as possible. I am going privately as the waiting list is long for NHS, and this hip went quite suddenly, so much so that I thought it muscular for three weeks and was plastering it with extra strong Deep Heat!! Then went to Dr who sent me for X-rays. The surgeon is Mr Auld who also operates at Northampton General and who patched up my ankle and leg fractures two years ago when I fell down the pub steps going in, so I have a lot of faith in him. I have had varying reports from people who say they never looked back once it was done to others who have had to have it fixed several times after it dislocated. All and each piece of advice will be much appreciated. 

Margaret

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Hi Margaret , I am 60 and had mine done 12 weeks next Thurs in NHS hospital eventually after being on list for 15 months!

everything was excellent , had a general at 9am , back in ward 12.45 , eating toast and tea at 1.30.

strictly speaking I don't live alone as I am a carer for 94 year old dad .

you really need to prepare things for when you are on your own such as placing toaster , plates etc on work tops or cupboards you can reach .

make sure you have at least 2 grabbers they are essential.

practise sleeping on your back this week .

the Red Cross came in twice a week to change my teds stockings and wash my feet as you can't do it yourself . No charge they are funded by NHS and local council .

as you have previously had fractures you prob know all this .

the most difficult thing I found apart from loss of independence was the tiredness , it comes over you in waves and you need to go to bed , don't worry about it just listen to your body .

my almost 5 Grand Daughter had a sleep over with me last night , first time since op and I had her 1 year old sister for 2 hours today . It was fine .

there are exercises on you tube you can do before and after op .

hope this helps , there is lots of advice on this forum.

good luck

mary 

South Wales

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Hi

if you live alone it may be an idea to see if someone can come and stay with you for a short while after the op.  You need help to dress despite the equipment they give you plus you need to eat properly.  When you are on the meds they sometimes make you unsteady so it is good to have people around.

good luck it is apparently worth it in the long run but I am on,y 4weeks post op.

hilary

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I would do the surgery again with no doubt.  I am only 3 months since my Right hip was done.  There is absolutly NO pain in the hip now...Thank God!  I had to use a walker before my surgery it felt so bad.  Only 2-3 days in Hospital and then home. Physical Therapy ladies and a nurse came  every few days.  With my walker I could walk but the ladies taught me how to use my muscles again to lift my leg and sit not more then 90 degree angles.  Pain meds helped at first but be sure to compensate with laxatives also.  Sleep pills helped me some and rest if you feel it.  Getting out in the sun on the porch to sit helped with my energy.  Had some slow depressed days but those have passed and doing well now.  Go for it!

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I would definitely have some live in help that First week you are home. You may be using bedside commode and you really don't have the energy you need to get food and move about as you think of things you may want, like glasses of water, tooth brushing , pillow etc. Now of course the type hip I got seems to require a longer down time than most I see on here. Make sure your doctor lets you know what he estimates the recovery time will be and how soon you will be able to walk on your own with walker or stick. Do try to arrange your bedroom so your necessities are laid out near you and telephone/ computer where you can reach it. Be sure to get the hip kit that has the usual assist devices for picking up dropped items, putting on socks, pulling up bedcovers and xtra long shoehorn for when you want to put on slippers & shoes. Here in US usually about $30 for all . Expect to need pain medicine for awhile and know it can make you more wobbly so be careful. Also check your bed for a comfortable height and get the raised toilet seat as that makes a big difference.

Wishing you the best results and a quick recovery!

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Good Luck Margret - hope all goes well for you - keep us posted

Dave

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Hello Margaret. I am a live alone hippie. Did post some tips on the site for those who live alone. For my first few days at home I did very little. Did prepare food for freezer - top shelf storage. Wore an across body handbag to keep essential on me- phone etc. table by chair for TV remote, bottle of water, book. Reorganised kitchen work top to keep kettle, coffe machine and microwave together. The electrical sockets in kitchen are a blessing and so I moved essential leads like phone charger in here. Hairdryer permanently plugged in and placed on a table for drying feet. Wore simple pull on track suit. Weather warmer so no need for socks. M&S have cheap slippers like ballet pumps and easy to slip into also they are okay for outdoors in dry weather. Had a friend stay first night at home for confidence and family popped in every day work permitting. Told all visitors to bring a pint of milk. Online grocery shopping great help. Good luck x

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Hi Margaret.    How lucky you found this site first of all.  I am now six weeks post op tomorrow,  75 years old and I would like to reassure you that we all felt the same way.  You won't know much about the op and will probably be sent home on the third day.  They will tell you what and what not to do.  I think you must do exactly as you are told.    Everyone progresses at different levels.  Some days you feel down for no reason you think you are doing great then you can overdo it.   Just do as your body tells you.  Rest when you need to.    It would be adventageous for you to have someone with you for a few days.     It's quite a journey but we are all here to help you at any stage with any questions.  It's good to talk about things no matter how paltry you think the problem is.   Good luck to you.

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Will be interested to know of your experience, I had a bad time in hospital and poor recovery, left with a too big prosthesis, unable to lie on operated side as it's too proud. Hope to research surgeons and have the other side done privately. I am fairly nr Northampton ...so Plse let us know about mr Auld. I was starved in hospital over a weekend and no physio... Could you send me a private message about your costing/fee. My local (where I would never go again) spoke of 11k. Mine is relatively easy as I am very slim, but not all good news as they don't carry enough sizes. One manufacturer only makes 3 socket sizes which is pathetic if not criminal  Many thanks Sarah. It may be a good idea to ask him to show you the components. Iam still on painkillers after 18 months as the operated side hurts as much as the other side with OA and almost bone on bone..did you see your X-rays so you can compare before and after?

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Hi Margaret. I'm 66 & now just over 9 weeks post op. I had the spinal injection with a cocktail of drugs which kept me happy thro the op & no nasty after effects. I was in hospital for 4 nights & in that time they taught me how to get in & out of bed, how to go up & down stairs etc. I was given a raised toilet seat , grabber & long handled shoe horn by the physio. I also bought another grabber as one is never enough.

You need to make sure your chair is high enough, my husband just put wood under mine so I didn't sit too low. He also made me a step to get in the shower as mine is over the bath. 

Everyone recovers differently & some are faster than others. Don't worry if you have bad days, we all do & they will pass. Just concentrate on being pain free eventually. It sounds like you have been through a lot already. 

Good luck for your op, keep us posted.

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Hi ,I understand you have had a very bad experience but do you think it's really helpful to post it to someone who is about to have op and is worried?

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Dear Margaret,

It's pretty sad to trip on the pub steps going in! At least going out you could have had a good excuse! Ha! Once I was on the back deck of a pub trying to wave down expected friends, and after only one Marguirita, I slipped on the first snowy slippery step of a long series of steps, and almost made it to the bottom. So I drank that second Marguirita to dull the pain!

The best part about surgery is that you get to sleep through it. For me the first two to three weeks after are the roughest, so enlisting the most help those first first few weeks would do you well.

Obtain a grabber and have fun exploring all the ways you can help yourself with it. Carry your grabber every where you go inside your home.

A transfer shower bench is the best because it extends beyond the bathtub and allows for easy transfer. If you have a walk in shower, still keep a chair in there for sudden weak spells.

Prepare your "nest", the place you will spend the most time resting. Stock up on your favorite snacks, books, television remote, pillows, a body pillow, blankets, slippers and easy to put on pajamas and comfortable loose clothing. Make an easy to reach place for your medications and a clock for tracking when you last took your meds so you will know when the next dose is due.

I am in the USA, so I do not know how things work where you are, but I highly recommend if it is available, to go to a skilled nursing rehab facility for those early weeks, or have in home services come to you.

Make sure you have comfortable closed heel and toe shoes with a good grip to prevent slipping. For the hospital you may consider silky pajamas or gowns because those help you slide in and out of the bed.

Overall, just try to think of what you might want the most, whether foods or anything, that you will not be able to obtain once your mobility is limited. Oh and stay away from pub stairs! (Couldn't resist, ha!)

Please keep us informed of your outcome and progress because you have come to the right place for support, problem solving, and cheering you on!

Praying the best for you!

💛 Dawn, USA

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Hello Margaret. It is unusual for things to go wrong. This is the most performed op in the UK. After research iof various hospitals I chose NHS. My surgeon team asked me about discrepancies in leg length before my op. I said none at present and was reassured there would be none afterwards. I am small, 5ft. 1inch and a size 10. At 25 days post op there is no visible difference in my hips and I do not have a limp. Bearing in mind I have severe osteoporosis and bone structure not good I am amazed at the outcome. I am 66 so not a spring chicken. Had a traditional approach and done under a spinal block. If you are walking lop sidedly at present there may appear to be discrepancies afterwards which may take several months to settle. I was walking normally prior to op which may be why I look normal post op. It is important to voice your concerns prior to your op. I am now at 25 days post op and do not need my crutches indoors, use both when out. I do the exercises regulary and increase walking daily. Up to 3 miles without a rest. Important question to ask is 'how many hips does the particular surgeon do a year' mine does 200 so very experienced. He uses a tried and trusted method. Had ceramic with metal stem. Hope this reassures. Relax with lavender oil xx

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On the contrary, Mary. Had I had with hindsight, made more enquiries,  I would possibly not have had the experience I did. I would advise any patient awaiting surgery to be aware.  My ultimate reason was to find info on private surgery at Northampton 3 Spires where a patient is not going to be abandoned from Friday surgery onwards, nor be given incorrectly sized prosthesis, nor inadequate physio, underfed at the crucial healing first 3 days. I think private surgery is at least protection from what I suffered..

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So glad I found this site after my op !

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I have to disagree about private offering protection. I was NHS through choice and in Thursday till Monday. Physio 3 times per day, well fed and exceptional care pre op, op day and post op. Day after my return home the sister on the ward rang me to check I was okay. I have various phone numbers to ring for advice in the lead up to my follow up on May 12th. Occupational therapy visited my home to see what was needed to ensure height of furniture was correct and to deliver 2 tort raisers. NONE of this was available privately and would have had to be researched and funded by the patient. Waiting time for my op- I was given a 6 week window and asked not to make plans. Week 4 I got the call. The NHS keeps getting a bad press. My hospital is EXCELLENT and I award them 5* s. A consideration about private hospitals to research is ' how many bank staff compared to staff employed' this makes a difference to continuity of care. My research showed 80 percent bank staff so rarely the same nurse. Not good enough for me. Sometimes people think private must be better. Not so

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Well said , apart from a very long wait of 15 months my NHS care has been excellent , the hospital Neath Port  Talbot South Wales was brilliant , can't speak highly enough of ward A !

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Hi Margaret, welcome to the site.  You will find lots of good advice and information on here.  Had my right hip done last December and am 72.  Got on fine and spent only 2 nights in hospital.  I had an epidural and light sedation which sent me to sleep anyway.  Most people have mentioned all the aids which are helpful to you and don't forget to cut your toenails before you go in, as you won't be able to bend that far for 6 weeks or so.  Take a knee length nightdress in with you and loose fitting trousers or track suit bottoms for when you come home as your hip may be swollen a bit and loose fitting clothing won't rub on your dressing.  Don't worry, you will be looked after, just remember to do as you are told and you will be okay.  Good luck and best wishes.

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Hi

probably the only thing you do get from private which is very useful is that you can choose the date and you don't have to waste 15 months of your life waiting fo the op.  Also hospitals differ everywhere with level of care and so e close down quite a lot with infections!  

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Thank you everyone for your helpful replies, all advice taken on board. I am now the proud owner of two grabbers and am practising with them, also with sleeping on my back, which is difficult. Have made some adjustments in the kitchen so that things are in easy reach.

My #1 daughter is coming the day I come out of hospital and will stay for a week, then my #1 son takes over for another week. #2 son presently out of the country but will be roped in [by his siblings not me!] when he comes home. I am feeling much better about things, and for that I have to thank you all.

Gentilleschi  if you google Three Shires Hospital they have a bit about Mr Auld on there. He did a good job on me when I broke both bones in my right ankle, my Fibula in two places with a crack between the two breaks two years ago. He got quite excited and said it was an interesting break.......not what I called it.

I am lucky in that I live in a bungalow and have a wet room which was put in for my husband, who had Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinsons disease. He died six weeks before I fell down the pub steps...... it was an eventful year. I also have a mobility scooter that belonged to him, but don't know how easy that will be for getting on and off, and don't want to get dependant on it. Going in for the pre-op assessment tomorrow, then Wed they are injecting dye and local anaesthetic into the hip to see whats going on and then Thursday is D day. Will keep you posted as to how things go.

Not sure if I am posting this in the right place or if I should have started a new topic. Hopefully you will all get to read it.

Margaret