Travelling By Bus

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Morning all

Had my THR on the 9th Sept 14.

Been doing fine.

The only problems I have trouble with is Putting On Boots have trouble pulling them on.

Travelling by bus. I find this very uncomfortable and very painful after.

Has anyone any suggestions on these to.

Thanks

 

2

Jane

Sorry my reply wont be helpfull.

Im post opp 6 months RTHR and still my Wife has do do my shoe laces up.

Is there a local disability shop which may have an aid to help with the boots.

As regards the bus I can only sympathise - I drive a car mainly but still back in and swing round on a seat swivel.

Not a lot of help but your not alone

Pete ( Gloucestershire UK)

3

Hi Pete

Thanks for the reply. Will look on internet for something for the boots.

I am back on the strong painkillers today which I haven't taken since 3 weeks post op. It happens everytime I travel by bus which now I am going to avoid doing.

I am due to have left one done in Feb/March next year which I am not looking forward to now.

Jane (London)

4

Jane

Over all the post opp pain although in a lot of cases is worse than expected the  final result is bliss.

I was messed about for 2.5 years by a consultant who would not do the opp. So when he got fed up with me he sent me to another consultant who was asked to put a camera in the joint to find out what was going on. He said Im not wasting my time doing that Ill give you the opp - 44 days later it happened.

My bigest problem was I had been on pan killers for years and the standard package in hospital did not work- so eventually after 4 days the called in the specialist pain team who told them what to give me and what to send me home with which caused an uproar as I was sent home with controled drugs which had to be signed for. But Im getting there - dont be too ambitious till its done you dont realise how major it is.

Pete (Gloucestershire UK)

5

Similar problem.. winter arrved so cannot wear "pumps", if going out, only other flats I have are walking type boots - of course with laces and long boots. Plus I have to go to my horse and she is out on "field rest" until I can ride again .. so of course boots again!  AND when you live on yr own, no-one around to assist!  I either sit on top stair with foot 2 steps down and do not do up lace to top... or lift leg onto a chair and do up lace again not all way to  top. Long boots, OK getting on, but a struggle to get off... I now also have tendonitis in muscles of groin of op leg... so even more difficult.  I know everyone says this AND it is really annoying BUT IT TAKES TIME GRHHH!

6

Jane, I couldn't get to my boots either for quite a while. Don't try to force anything. Just keep bending as a normal everyday thing to where it feels comfortable. Bit by bit you may find you can bend further. What is it about bus travel that causes you pain?

7

Hi Juliette

Getting on and off bus. Sitting down on there not comfy either. Have tried it a few times and the pain is unbearable. Yesterday had me in tears. Then totally knackered for few days after

8

Where are you going on the bus if I can ask?

9

Just short journeys to hairdressers and nail salon. 10 stops at most. So not long journeys. I am fine in a car when son and partner take me out.

10

So how is being on the bus different to being in a car? As seats are normally lower in cars I would expect cars to cause more trouble. Anyway whatever, don't go on the bus for a bit. All of us after this operation find that we are never exactly the same again in one way or another. Although I am 90% better than before the op there are things that I cannot do. I'm sure that the bus problems will improve. Be kind and compassionate to yourself and the idiosyncrasies of your body. It's not long since your op. Give yourself a year before worrying about anything.

11

Hey Prussell,

I found that with my first thr, that I probably wouldn't be tying any more shoe strings. So I opted for Velcro closures. Swallow your pride and be done with it. You should still be able to pull the straps taught enough for comfort.

Just for the record, I am 3 weeks post op on my second thr, Anterior Approach. This time I feel pretty good and have been walking with a cane for 4 days now. Still some swelling and pain, but nothing compared to the first thr, Posterior Approach. I was bruised up and couldn't move my leg much for better than 3 weeks.

So yes, I'm impressed with the Anterior Approach method. I have a 4 inch incision this time, versus a 12 inch incision. So much less intrusion to your body.

My surgeon this time, is investigating the possibility of Metal poison from my Zimmer Metal on Metal first thr. He's talking about possibly replacing it. This really doesn't excite me. But we'll see what comes of it.

Well good luck with your shoes.

roadglide1959

12

Hi Jane,

I have to buy zip up boots which i find easer to get on and off.

I travel by bus also but my journey is about 30mins, Yes i do find it a bit painful when i have to get up to get off the bus, once i stand up and start to walk it ok. Try and find a seat that's high when on the bus as the low ones is much more harder on the hip when getting up. It's not always possible to find a high seat as some people will not give up there seat. do take a walking stick when going on the bus as that will let people know that you'll need to sit. :-)

Good Luck