I just wondered if someone would kindly give me a breakdown of how long it will take to get back to full(ish) or working progress recovery please? I just thinking of going ahead with the full replacement and need to know exactly what to expect. How much childcare I will need etc. I also wondered when I would realistically be able to cook, clean and drive a car. My main worries are the practicalities more than the pain at the moment...Thank you.
Hello Rose afraid it is how long is a piece of string. I found the first ten days exhausting but fortunately I live alone so did not have to consider any one else. You will not be able to drive legally till signed off by surgeon unless it is left hip and car automatic. Energy wise forget the cleanin. If you have 2 crutches you cannot carry things like washing. Biggest issue for most is the disturbed sleep a bit like a be baby in the house. If you are a mum running a house you will need help for a few weeks I am week 9 now and beginning to feel normal but still have problems with bending. Good news no hip pain
Ann
Hi rose,
yeah I thought exactly like how you are thinking now. I was planning for everything like going to the toilet, how to shower, how to get in and out of bed. We don't have kids in our household as they are adults now but from my perspective(others views might differ to mine) recovery really depends on the age of the person, if they take to the medication afterwards and don't receive any reactions to it, how active the person is because the more active you are that my surgeon and I discussed, the quicker the tendons and ligaments that rebind around the socket to the hip will heal. Resting and doing the recommended exercises help. I was back driving after 1.5-2weeks later. 4 weeks after my surgery I walked down the aisle with my wife without crutches. Ultimately there are a lot of factors that determine that but age has a lot to do with it as well as weight of a person and also having a surgeon who you trust to do the surgery is a big plus. I was lucky tho I did mine privately and was so pain free other than where the incision in my leg was made, I would happily recommend my surgeon any day but alas I'm in New Zealand.
Hi Rose
I think it really is very individual. But definitely the first 2 weeks were really hard. Then very very gradually a little bit better each day. Now I'm 11 weeks and much better, likely to be back to work soon.
It's the tiredness that suddenly takes over and I learnt to listen to my body. Rest when you can and don't overdo it.
Insurers wouldn't allow me to drive until. I had consent from consultant at 7 weeks. Did food shop on line, or had friends help. Plenty of meals cooked beforehand in the freezer and someone came to do some cleaning for me.
Used a carrier bag to take washing out of the machine as could manage that with one stick after 2 weeks.
No bending at all, not that you'll be able to and exercises each day to get the strength back.
Hospital gave me a grabber which was helpful. Plus long handled shoe horn that I still use.
The best thing is that all that horrible pain pre op had gone. Marvellous!! Oh and take whatever painkillers you need. Don't be a hero.
I think get as much help as you can at first and reduce as you feel stronger.
All the very best
Barbara xx
Hi Rose ... as you will notice, we each recover at a different rate --- I live alone too but can imagine that you will need child care for at least a couple of weeks, depending how old your children are - Can they dress themselves and all that -
I was able to cook almost right away - just make sure that you don't stand too long - do a lot sitting down - as for cleaning you will also need some assistance with that ... lifting, pushing, bending, twisting is not allowed for the first couple of weeks - most I could do was wiping of the sink and do dishes ... I started to drive when 6 weeks post-op ... the driving is okay, getting in and out of the car is very challenging .. still is -
Do you have family or friends who can help you? I found this to be the hardest thing, to ask for help- to be dependent and not feel guilty for asking - Do you have a date for your surgery? How many children do you have and how old are they? I know you have posted here before, so sorry for asking ... this forum is so great and you will be well prepared -
I know that you are worried - try to be more relaxed about it okay ... it will all work out ... hang in there and take care .... big hug
Thank you so much for your reply.
I have two children (6 and 8) the eldest is very independent ~ the youngest much less so. I have never spent a night without them, and feel quite daunted just with this aspect.
I live in rural area in England so driving is a must for just about everything! Hence my questions about the car, as I do really need one!
I was trying to figure out of it is easier to have the operation when they are at school, but it is bound to really worry them with me being in hospital, I am not sure they will want to go to school and will want to come and visit me, particularly my eldest child who is very sensitive and gentle (I miss the matches, won't be able to help with homework and won't be able to be there for them much with anything) and the school is demanding in its own way. If they are on holiday at least we won't have to worry about the school routine and run, uniforms and getting everything done, but will need to make sure they are well looked after and cared for all day every day. I am used to doing absolutely everything, as I have never had much in the way of family support. My friends are wonderful and I am sure they will do as much as they can to help, I am not good at asking!!
I was interested in the epidural as one of my greatest fears is the anesthetic and never seeing my little ones again. I wouldn't feel so worried if that risk was taken away.
Knowing time frames will help because at least I can get organised properly and can well do without more shocks or surprises, and would feel great comfort from knowing my children were happy and well cared for, and then I could focus on being well.
I feel quite sad today. I really need to book the operation as I am finding it hard to carry on, I have morphine now so hopefully that will help...
I loved NZ when we went there ~ and what a beautiful country it is. Reading your post has made me feel a little better, I am relatively young, was very fit before this, and possibly this may help me get better quicker. The double edge sword is that I am also at that age where it is difficult to abandon commitments for months at a time! So feeling the pressure to put it mildly. Husband is looking horrified at the prospect of me having this operation which isn't helping me at all..
That is helpful to know. I would just like to commit to this with my eyes open and knowing as much as possible what I will need, and what to organise in advance. If I didn't have children I wouldn't be quite so worried I don't think. Thank you so much for your reply. 11 weeks is what I am aiming for!!
I am glad you are feeling much better Ann, 9 weeks sounds like a long time to be out of the picture for. Although as you know the options are very very limited as to alternatives. Preparing and organising things at least will make me feel better and worry less. Time frames are important because I will feel mentally prepared too. Thank you for your reply it is reall helpful.
no wonder you are worried ... another thing to let go of is control ... I know ...sounds like you are doing everything for everybody, including your husband ... this will be challenging Rose but it is out of your control .... but think about it ... the surgery itself is okay and the nights away from home and your babies are probably a couple of days - and maybe you like the rest before going back home ... yes, there will be recovery time, feelings of frustration, discomfort here and there, but also the fact that you will be able to do everything again , with your family --- Don;t wait too long and schedule the surgery ... you are a very caring and wonderful person to others .. now please apply this to your self - it is okay, you know ... be gentle with your self -
Hi Rose
I read through this and really felt for you. I am 62 and didn't have the added worry of young children.
You sound to be a wonderful mum and I'm sure you will be honest and calm with your children, which will help keep them calm. They will have a bionic mum!
If you have it done during term time, you will have space during the day to rest and be yourself. I found I got quite weepy early on and I can tell you wouldn't want to be like that in front of your children. You can help with homework, in fact that would be easy. And if you have someone to give you a lift there is no reason you can't go to watch matches. Maybe take a picnic chair to sit on!
Holiday time could be more demanding for you, especially if you are housebound, and your children get bored. I remember bored children can be hard work!!
Maybe a combination? Have the operation 2 weeks before term finishes. That will give you 2 weeks to rest during the day and prepare for school holiday.
Rally those wonderful friends round and I'm sure you'll make a complete success of this and your children will be proud of you.
Keep posting, all the very best
Barbara x
love your response barbara
I'm 35 and I used to do triathlons, duathlons, half marathons, off road running, cycling events also.
My surgeon suspects over time the hip has deteriorated due to all this activity so I was a bit sad when that was mentioned. He did say however I could do swimming and cycling though I can't run anymore.
I can imagine you were sad when he said that, especially if you really lived for doing some many sports. It is terrible that you needed this because you were so fit and sporty though ~ seems a little contrary to what we are told about fitness and health. I love cycling too, so at least we can still do that in time and there is nothing nicer than lake swimming! Perhaps we can't pound the lanes running, but I do have a friend who skiis with two hip replacements!
Thank you for such a kind and lovely response Barbara, it brought a tear to my eye. I was so touched, and am so grateful to the wonderful people like you and all of the others that can touch a person's heart from far away and make the whole thing bearable, and perhaps even a positive experience, when it feels anything but.
This forum has been such a life line. It is so supportive, I think I would be going out of my mind with worry now if it were not for coming on here and reading about people's experiences and sharing the worries we all have. Thank you Barbara x
Renee you are right it is out of my control, and not a nice feeling. Perhaps that is the life lesson in this for me. I do like to do it all. I am afraid it was born of neccessity and became a habit!!
I enjoy doing it all and looking after everyone and shall feel sad and aggreived languishing on the sidelines. I will be the worst back seat driver of life and will no doubt be hell to live with!! No wonder my darling husband is looking so worried!! Secretly perhaps that is why I am so worried too.....I am not indespensable but no one is ever going to clean the dog's bowls or notice the fish is dying in tank from a lack of oxygen, or brush their hair or remember to clean their teeth. Who is going to check we have all of the special teddies put away, lest we lose one and heart break follows. Who is going to sing to my little one to help her sleep..
It is what it is, and I will survive just like all of you brave people, and hopefully I can get it over and done with so it isn't worrying me so much.
Thank you for your wonderful post! And for being so caring.
Wow that's awesome skiing and had both hips replaced, pretty impressive.
running is the worst by far and I'm not sure if many people know that every joint especially from your waist down, 6x the amount of your body weight is exerted onto these joints and unfortunately for me it was my hip that suffered in this instance.
Hi there,
I am now 12 weeks post op, returned to work after 6.5 weeks ( office job) started off part time and built up to full time been full time for 3 weeks now, drove the car after 6.5 weeks as well, I have horses and Last week and this week I mucked out a couple of times, also I have now retured to my golf only 8 holes at a time bit stiff next day but getting there., Cooking was never an issue wuth me, as long as you don't bend you can really do almost anything, I was out there doing short walks 2 days after I got home, just don't overdo it as that does set you back, I know this!! Good luck and have the right attitude and you'll be over it all in no time
Hi rose,
I know the thought of the op is daunting and if you have never had a general anaesthetic, being fearful of "not waking up", is common. The circumstances of my THR are not the norm but I am answering your post from a different perspective with my professional hat on.
Having been a senior person in charge of ITU for many years I would trust my life in the hands of "the gas man", they are highly qualified specialists who in the main are in overall charge of ITU patients so nothing to fear.
Many THR's are peformed under spinal anaesthesia with sedation but certain existing medical conditions may pre-determine recommending a GA, I actually had a GA. My operation was on a Sunday morning at 10am and I went home on two crutches at 13.00hrs on the Tuesday and this was with the added multiple fractures to my pelvis.
Its now 12wks and I can walk in the house unaided but use a crutch or stick if I go out, I was allowed to drive after 6 weeks. Cooking was not a problem but just needed me to plan and I did on-line shopping. A raised toilet seat is a must as are a few other aids, I was seen by the OT and physio whilst in hospital and given a prescription for everything which a friend collected.
I live alone(ish) as I also have horses/big dogs/cats and other fur friends, I have been able to do everything for all of them except muck out since the weekend after discharge.
Don't feel down, thinking about it is the worst part, just get a date then fill that freezer. Wishing you all the best, take care X
dearest Rose ... it is not a good feeling, to say it mildly - but you can still do all those things - well, you will be bossy and tell them how to do it - clean the bowls, watch the fish tank - you can brush their hair etc .. no reason why should not be able to do all that - it might be at a little slower perhaps and not as fast as you are used to .. but there is something nice in it, you know, to slow down ...you won;t be in the hospital for along time and maybe you can record the song so your little one can listen to it before she goes to sleep - it will work out, it really will - it always does ... so relax and have faith - wishing you a good night -
warm hug