I'm currently an Occupational Therapy student and would be really grateful for some insight into having a hip replacement for my studies. As part of my research it would be useful to find out if you were provided with any equipment after your surgery to improve your daily living? It would also be helpful if anyone could provide me with any experience they've had with an occupational therapist post surgery (what they did, how they helped). Thank you very much!
Anna I think you will need to specify where you are? we are a cosmopolitan lot on here and ever country is different
Dear Anna,
i am a university teacher/researcher so wanted to help you in your studies as I ask my students to do this sort of thing too.
i had my THR last October. I had a raised toilet seat, handy grab and two walking sticks given to me to aid me whilst I recovered. I also bought myself a V-shaped pillow to help with sleeping/ reading in chair or bed. The nurse suggested getting a trolley with tray so that I could carry thkgs room to room but I found I didn't need that and could carry a tray. I was fully weight bearing on my operated side immediately so once I trusted myself (a psychological aspect really) I found I could walk with one cane and carry a light tray very soon after I was home. I didn't have any contact with an OT specialist so am unable to comment on that.
Hope that is helpful to you. Good luck with your studies
whalie
Hi Anna lovely name same as my little Grand Daughter . The O T rang me before my op to discuss furniture then saw me in hospital . She was very friendly and helpful as I had become upset . I am a carer for my very stubborn 94 year old dad . I was supplied with raised toilet seats , crutches , grabber . I had sorted my chair out myself .told I could ring if I needed anything . I live in South Wales uk . Seems different arrangements all over . Good luck
hi Anna
before I had my operation the occupational health lady came and issued a sock mate perfect for putting socks on really good tool also a grabber stick helps picking things up/putting undies and jeans on etc I was also provided with 2 seats for bathroom/kitchen also a raised loo seat all. valuable pieces of equipment which help tremendously if you wish to know more I'm happy to help
good luck with your studies
Hi Anna. I have a left THR on the 20th March, I went to the OT at the Hostpital, they measured from the back of my knee to the floor and added two inches,( without my shoe on) witch in my case was 21.5 inches. Thats how high my chair, Bed, Toilet Seat etc. have to be. my bed was fine, but they sent a firm along to raise my chair and toilet seat. If I can help anymore please ask.
Brian
Hi Anna, unfortunately I've had no contact with an occupational therapist since my thr. The only time I saw an occ health therapist was prior to my op when I had to measure my chair, loo's and bed, then take the measurements in to my appointment with occ health therapist, but unfortunately our appointment was rushed because we had to attend a hip op info session ( which wasn't very helpful at all) so the occ health therapist just took my measurements and told me I'd have a perching chair, trolley, chair and 2 toilet frames delivered. I did ring and ask for a further perching chair to enable me to wash in the bathroom as well on my discharge from hospital which was delivered promptly next day which I was very impressed with and they were very helpful but I think this missed out the occ health dept altogether. I hope this helps you.
Hi Anna, happy to help in your research project as an OT. I am living in Costa Rica, so am not in the UK medical system. As far as equipment goes, I did research this alot, bought an elevated toilet seat, which I continue to use one month out. The grabbers, as I call them, I have two, one on each floor, they come in handy for all sorts of things, feeding animals, picking up dropped items, helping me with putting on shoes. We do not wear socks here, too warm, but I can put on slip off tennies with the grabber. Am able to put on underwear and pants with the grabber, too. I was loaned some crutches, never used them. Walked with a walker for a week, but did not need it after that. Used a cane for two weeks, now not needing it. The cane I would have take with me in the car, just in case. So mainly raised toilet seat, grabber, walker for a while, cane. I hope that is helpful information. Good luck with your studies and certainly ask more questions, if need be, take care, Susan
Yes, the v-shaped pillow was given to me by the hospital, and came in handy the first two weeks, not now using it, the doc told me to use for a week, but I extended the time. I think in your system, patients use them for longer. I can sleep on the unoperated side now or back and feel comfortable without the pillow, but it sure was handy and necessary immediately post op. Susan
Dear Student:
I am in the 5% of THR whcich were NOT successful.
)I would be able to provide vinettes as what did not happen for me.
anything!!!!! my borough does not supply one single thing, i have had to buy all my own
i have raised toilet seat - vital / 2 grabbers one upstairs and one down stairs - essential - a cushion to raise the height of my armchair - much too hard ended up putting the seat pad from sofa on top of armchair seat but used it in the car to come home and i bought a sock putting on thing that i dont use
Hi Anna,
I wasn't given any equipment after surgery to improve my daily living.
I had to buy a RTS & a shoe horn. I was lent grabbers & a sock aid from friends. I hired an armed chair, commode & wheelchair from the RED CROSS, all has to be paid for. Since discharge I haven't seen an occupational therapist & I'm 5 weeks post surgery
Hi Anna
I still dont know where you are from......the USA and UK are different as far as this is concerned.
Anyway......I'm speaking from the UK
Everything was measured before i went into hospital for my THR and was in place when i got out.
I had 2 toilet seats, and bars. One downstairs and one upstairs.
I had a grabber
I had a shoe Horn,
I had a second rail put on my stairs
First THR I had the loan of an arm chair because mine wasnt suitable.
I got a trolly....that was excellent when my husband went to work for a short time
I pushed it into the kitchen, made a cup of tea or a sandwich, pushed it back then sat down and ate it
Of course I got 2 sticks {first thr} 2nd THR they gave me 2 crutches.
1 perching stool
1 Bath board.
After coming out.......they fitted a rail in the bathroom on the wall at the bath.
They also tried me with a bath seat but that wasnt suitable so it went back to them.
I think that is it
They were very good and they are still about and I can do a self referral if necessary
Eileen UK
Hi Anna - I am in South of UK and was a private patient. I was given a grabber, long shoe horn and raised toilet seat.
I also had my own crutches, grabber and toilet seat from my first hip operation. I have a wonderful husband who put on my (ted and normal) socks and shoes for 12 long weeks.
My best innovation was a cup holder I could attach to my crutches (designed for babies buggies) combined with a totally drip proof coffee mug - even my sugeon was impressed with the idea 
.
My company's occupational health team are based in the Phillipines, so I didn't meet them, but they did ensure I had a seven week return to work programme.
Hi Anna. I am 6 months post op right THR and two weeks left THR. I am now 47 years of age and UK based .I suffered from age 30 with severe osteoarthritis in both hips. I was a competitive cyclist and runner. Cause not profesionally diagnosed. Like all of the other comments I was supplied raised toilet seat,grabber and sticks. I had an OT appointment 2 weeks after surgery and then another two weeks after that, I was then part of a group of 6 visiting OT classes on a weekley basis for 6 weeks peerforming various exercises and stretches in a circuit situation.The OT made a progress report as we went week on week which was then passed to the surgeon on review appt.
Hi David
Was that not a physiotherapist you visited to do exercises.
I know our OT doesnt do any exercises with us
Love
Eileen
Lucky you .where are you David ? I have had no support since leaving hospital
Anna I was given OT at the hospital before being released, they taught me the correct way to climb stairs and get into and out of the car. I was also provided a cane ,grabber and tools to help with putting on socks and shoes to prevent me from bending.
Anna I was given OT at the hospital before being released, they taught me the correct way to climb stairs and get into and out of the car. I was also provided a cane ,grabber and tools to help with putting on socks and shoes to prevent me from bending. We purchased a shower chair and borrowed a raised toilet seat from a relative .
Hi Anna, my OT came to see me 2nd day in hospital and provided me with a grabber, long shoe horn, leg raiser, sock aid and crutches. The raised toilet seat I bought myself (essential). She demonstrated how to use the equipment and advised me generally how to look after myself. This, coupled with Physio gave me a good grounding for when I was discharged. I live in Ireland, good luck with your studies