Im 45 and had a THR on my left hip 4 days ago. I came home after three days with crutches and have been surprised how easy they are to use. Omg, the frustration though! I can make myself a hot drink-but I can't carry it through to the lounge, lol! I can't carry anything from one place to another and every silly little task has to be planned meticulously!! There I am, all organised, stood at the bathroom sink, getting a wash before bed, all smug cos I can "do it myself". Then I realise I've thrown water over my face and need to dry it but my towels are still the other side of the bathroom!! And there's no scooting across the floor for them, so there I am, face dripping water onto the floor, trying to get hold of my crutches to hobble across for my towels! Its funny at the moment but I can see it driving me mad inside a week. Like how many times I've left my grabber somewhere else and realised I need it. I was sooooo prepared for everything yet I never gave this sort of thing a thought, lol!😁
Hi deedee welcome to life post thr lol. You should be able to get a trolley from your local occ health or maybe red cross if occ health won't supply. Crutches are great but can't carry things, I have a Hessian bag that i use to transport things around eg up and downstairs but no good for your coffee lol! As for leaving the grabber somewhere else .... Nightmare .... Then there is knocking both crutches over or even 1 when you have no grabber ...... I have found I can pick 1 crutch up/with the other one if I do it carefully. I'm finding it very helpful to know there's people all over the country in the same boat. Keep laughing !!
Haha this did make me laugh, brings back the memories! I found a small rucksack and sandwich bags a life saver - I would make my toast put it in my sandwich bag and then make a flask of tea, put it in my rucksack and make my way to the chair of despair on a daily basis. The day I went to one crutch was a blessing. Good luck with the recovery :0)
How inventive tech78 almost like going on a picnic. Strange they don't mention any of this pre op lol !
hello deedee, yes its a bit frustrating, I was luck I had sticks (well metal ones really) - did you get a perching stool on loan from occupational health. I used velco strips to 'stick' my grabber to my right stick when I moved around home. as for carring suff around I was lucky as my wife was at home on holiday when I had mine done. How about using a flask for hot drinks and a bag to carry things about with. Very best wishes........ arthur
Velcro strips, good idea, now I've just got to find a way of getting the Velcro strips lol.
Hi
Its wonderful isnt it
I got a trolley along with my other equipment from occupational Therapy and when my husband was at work I could push it into the kitche, make coffee and push it back to the chair.
I've been on them 13 months now and willbe on them permanently
I still havent found a way of making them stand up
I shout at them, talk to them, curse at them but if I prop them up {if I'm out for coffee or something similar} they always fall. aaarrrggg!!!
Althought I'm on them permanently I can use one around the house or even waddle {a bit unsteady} without any in the house but thats not safe.
I do remember the beginning when things happened to me like you mention
Brings back memories.......... It wont be much longer
Love
ERileen UK
Your post and the replies made me laugh so much. We all think we have things organised and then we get home and the reality of managing the simplest of tasks with crutches sinks in! And everyone is so clever at working things out for themselves. I've got one of those "messenger" bags that I keep essentials in pills,phone iPad etc when I go up or down stairs. I also bought a second grabber so I had one up and one downstairs.
Getting a cup of tea is the most challenging so I agree a flask is the best idea.
And yes you def need a sense of humour although there have been a couple of times when the air was blue and it usualy involved my crutches. My Physio suggested resting them upside down when not being used which is slightly better. A few years ago when on holiday in France I bought an old baguette holder and as its nice and heavy its perfect for stowing my crutches!
I very happy you're long Waite it's finally over.
How does ur new hip feel?.is it better than the old one it replaced
Hi Deedee,
Theres a lot of frustration . After my first hip I learned how to set up every room, how to feed the animals without the aggravation of struggling to do things with the first one. Just getting in and out of bed the first few weeks is a major struggle.
I put my bed up on blocks to make it higher so it was easier to get in/ up from bed.
I fixed meals ahead of time got a tiny frigg for my bedrm, and adult diapers. LOL
Everything is moved above my waist no bending. And installed handels in the shower.
My best help was clothes that stretch and skirts all go over my head. No struggling to get into under wear due to adult diapers and not stepping into anything that really hurts . I wore long skirts and any thing that went over my head. That cut down so much frustration. A sock helper and slip on shoes. All the extra effort for preparation made it worth it. Even removing anything to trip over was a help.
I had a nurse that came every week. Made sure I was doin my butt squeezes correctly , leg pulls and lifts ... Getting in a 4 wheel truck was a real issue. But managed using a small step up stool and a seat that turns as u sit it spins to position to the front. No struggling to scoot in position. They are on line.
Always take meds on schedule. Pain can get in the way of heeling and exercises the first few weeks. Exercises are important to keep the blood flow & oxygen to heel well. And to keep blood clots at bay. I'm not even goin to talk about those darn stockings....
but they are necessary too!
3 time THR
HOPE 
Hi ginger,
Yes, it suddenly dawned on me while doing my exercises yesterday just how much further I can extend my leg behind me-with no pain in the hip!! There's pain in my wound and my knee aches-normal apparently, but I can't wait for the post op soreness to go so that I can really appreciate the new hip. I'm getting a bit frustrated at the things I can't do but in general I'm not too bad. Sleeping is hard as I had spinal surgery a number of years back so sleeping flat hurts! I'm hoping I can soon lay comfortably on my non op side so I can sleep more. Overall though, its been a positive thing and I'm glad I've had it done. Xx
Thanks christine, some good ideas there! ☺
More great ideas, thank you. X
No I didn't get a stool but I love the Velcro idea.☺
Thank you. Yes, I talk to them too, haha! Why have they not invented any that stand up???? Lol!x
Oh yes, the language I've found d myself using has been, erm, interesting! Getting my leg in and out of bed has caused much swearing as I call it names when I can't lift it, lol!
Wish I'd have thought of handles in the shower!
Why is it too that the day goes so quickly when recuperating? I thought I'd have time to do my uni work, read, watch movies but just getting dressed, going for a walk and doing exercises takes all day! X
Yes, it has happened to me too. What was really annoying was trying to cope with 2 crutches and a grabber at the same time. I usually left my grabber in a different place too. However you do get used to it in the end, and although I can bend down now I am still using the same stance by putting my op leg out at the back like golfers do to pick things up when they reach for the golf ball out of the hole so that my hip was straight. It has now become a habit to do that. You will get there in the end!
Hi ,
Once heeling becomes better and you bones growth has secured the implant components things will become much easier. This is major surgery.
A walk in the park will come later!
So take time to rest and watch a movie. You deserve a break!
((( HUGS )))
HOPE
So much to go thru after THR. ITS one day at a time. Heeling takes time.
Good habits help heeling and preserve the length of time you keep the hip without revision.
Like poor Arnold Swartzinager (sp) the "I'll be back", movies... He was skiing and the bone just cracked thru the side of the implant. He ignored his restrictions & paid a heavy price. Metal plates in his leg & a full cast up around waist to toe for months. YIKES !
Kind Regards
HOPE