hi I'm due for hip replacement shortly and am very worried about climbing stairs. Will this pose a problem for meu. I am also very apprehensive about crutches as 4 yearsI ago I broke my ankle and 2 days later fell and broke my arm. As a result I am very wary of crutches. Will I omly have to use them as support when walking?
Another question. Will pyjamas or a nightdress be more practical while in hospital? Many thanks
Hi Carole, I am nearly five weeks post op. I found stairs one of the easiest tasks to do! Up with the good and down with bad. I now climb stairs normally. Also a nightie is probably easiest for hospital as with pj's you will have to get the bottoms up and down over the wound. Good luck with op x
Hi Carole, I am day 13 post op and find the crutches ok but it is my first experience with them as for the stairs the physios will show you what to do but I did YouTube it when I got home just to make sure. I find them easy but maybe practice beforehand would have helped me. Also if you are getting a raised toilet seat try and practice with it beforehand if you can as there is definitely a knack to it. Good luck
Hi Carole..welcome to the forum! In reverse order...definitely a nightdress...knee length is best and for coming home. knee length dress or similar...you don't have to struggle with pants or wear knickers!! The stairs are easy once you know the sequence if poss a third crutch is useful so you dont have to carry the one you're not using! I worried about crutches and lots of other things but it was a doddle....now 13 months down the line and I'm back performing and even dancing!! Good luck you'll be fine!
Hi Carole ,
i am 7 weeks post op today , can't believe how quick it's gone .
i actually found no prob with the stairs . You will be shown how to do it , good leg to Heaven , bad leg to Hell .
As for crutches , we are all different but I def needed to rely on mine for weight bearing for about 4 weeks then as a support . Tell the physio of your concerns .
I found nighties more practical , easier to get on and off .
i am60 by the way . From South Wales .
Good luck and try not to worry x
Will I need a raised toilet seat
can't I use a normal one? I never thought of that. Are there any other requirements?
My shower is over the bath and that is also a concern - getting in and out
Thanks Mary. What about physio? I am seeing the Consultant next week but am new to the country and not sure about how things happen over here. Obviously I won't be able to drive initially, does physio start in hospital and continue post op? How long after the op did you start walking
It depends how tall you are and how high your toilet is as to whether you will need a seat. The physios will advice you usually. I'm not sure about the shower over the bath it may be difficult getting in and out without breaking the 90degree rule where your knees can't be higher than your hips. Again a physio can advice. A grabber for picking things up off the floor is useful and nice loose pyjama bottoms for when you are home
Hi again. My consultant was very relaxed about things like raised toilet seats but i borrowed one from red cross. However as long as you lower down carefully keeping your operated leg out in front, its no problem. You soon get used to it. As for shower i found using steps next to bath helps to get in and out. However for first few weeks I just washed at the sink. Other helpful aids are a grabber to pick things up and a long shoe horn. Make sure you have a decent seat thats not too low. I bought a booster cushion. Hope this helps x
physio came to me morning after op...had hydrotherapy within first week and weekly for 4/5 weeks with exercises I was given a sheet by physio for use in a pool and at home which really helped..if you pm me I can email it to you so you can see what I mean....and yrs definitely a raised loo seat better with a frame, a grabber thing and a dressing stick was really useful too...
First of all a nightie is best, but one that comes just below your knees, not a long one. Crutches are very useful and they usually come and make sure they are the right size for you and adjust them accordingly. A raised toilet seat is needed at first so that you don't have to bend down so far. They help you out of bed at first and that is usually the day after the operation, depending what time of day you had it and they also show you how to get out of bed on your own as well. Stairs are much easier than you think, i.e. up with the good leg, then the bad and then the crutch. Coming down its down with the crutch, then the bad (operated leg) and then the good one. Usually you need only one crutch on the stairs and hold on to the stair rail or bannister with the other hand. You will soon get the hang of it. Then after a few weeks you will be able to go all the way up and down normally, but take care at first and don't try to do too much all at once. The Physio will come and see you and tell you how to do things and what exercises to do. Were you given a booklet at the hospital? I found this very useful and helpful. Good Luck, hope all goes well.
Hi again , after reading this forum it's amazing how different treatment is in different parts of the country let alone the world .
I went to what was called joint school before my op where everything was explained to me .
there are a lot more dos and fonts than you think .
Hospital provided. Raised toilet seat which you will def need , crutches a grabber which is essential . I bought another one for upstairs .
you will have to measure the height of your chairs as you have to keep knees at 90 degrees .
physio and occupational health saw me in hospital . You have to be able to manage stairs before you go home .
cant drive for 6 weeks or until dr gives you all clear as you have to inform your ins .
they get you out of bed within 2 or 3 hours after op . Sounds hard but you realise the sooner you get moving the better.
if you live alone or will have to manage in the day I suggest you make some adjustments particularly in kitchen eg leave things you may need on work tops or easy reach. I moved my table next to work top so I could move food along tops and eat at table .
i was told you are not allowed to climb in the bath for 3 months , others on here have had things to put over bath so they can use the shower .
i know it's a lot to take in but it should all be explained to you before you go in . I was given a booklet .
as I said everyone seems to have had different experiences . Try not too worry too much and do as your dr , staff tell you and listen to your body .
When I had 6 week check up last week dr said that many restrictions are lifted now but if it was his hip he would look after it .
Don't try and too too much it's not a race to get back on your feet before anyone else .
the hardest thing is having to sleep on your back , try and practice now as you will get used to it eventually .
tiredness is a major thing , it comes over you and best thing to do is go to bed .
sorry gone on a bit .
if you can think of anything else. Just ask .
ps I have noticed some people on forum have had op in same hospital.
if you want to you could say the area you live in and someone may be from same ax you
good luck
Hi Carole. Don't worry about the stairs, it's really quite easy once you get the knack. They will make sure you know how before you leave the hospital. I would check when you go for your pre-op before you start buying things as I was given a raised toilet seat, grabber, shoe horn etc when I left the hospital. Good luck with your op.x
Hi Mary. I too went to joint school and it was so helpful. What hospital did you have op done?
Neath Port Talbot hospital South Wales . They were absolutely brilliant . Good to be able to prove the press wrong at times .
Request for walker instead of crutches.
much easier to control walking for the first 6 weeks then use cane until you can walk without it.
walking around home unaided I don't recommend that always use cane until you can walk unaided.
walk with cane in opposite side of your operated leg. I am 6 months post op am working in the construction field without a problem. Wish you the best.
Also YouTube to watch how to do the exercises properly unless your physio assist with exercises.
HI Carole! A nightgown definitely. I see most people agree.It is two weeks since my revision op. and though I am progressing a little slower than op. I had done on same hip 18 years ago I feel I am making good progress.. Unfortunately I have a very bad cold (first this winter) I guess my immune systm is a bit down. Also the fact that this time I'm in mid seventies.I was very cheered up when my surgeontold me that my two legs arenow same length which possibly means.I may no longer limp when I fully recover. Good luck Carole! x
I'm nearly 7wks post thr and now I'm now back to my normal routine without the aid of both crutches.
Like yourself I was very worried about stairs as I have to climb up 5 flights of stairs to get to my flat.
The physio will ensure that you have the strength and the confidence to do so with the aid of both crurches before you are discharged so I wouldn't worry too much .
I preferred wearing nightdress as i did not have ro worry pulling up and down the wound.
Do not worry you will be all right.
good luck
Wow, thank you everybody for all your positive feedback. You've all made me feel a lot more confident..one last question, what is a grabber?
I'm having my op at the Basingstoke Hospital
I call it my picker upper . I taps a tool to pick up things when you drop them , which you will do umpteen times a day . The hospital gave me one and I bought another . Not expensive but handy to have one up and one down .
Just thought of something else , I found using crutches hurt my hands someone suggested using padded cycle mitts . Bought some on line and cut up a sponge to put in them . Helped when out and about .