My total hip replacement surgery, right hip, is booked for 29th April. I fractured and dislocated my right hip in a car accident in 1975 and it has been troubling me for the past fifteen years. I'm really looking forward to the sugery as I have reached the point where I'm in a lot of pain and have limited mobility. The one thing that I can't sort out in my mind is what is the best type of clothing to take into hospital for the post op physio sessions? I'm a 61 year old female of average build. Shorts and T shirts are suggested in the literature I've been given but I really don't feel confident with this. I've been scanning the internet looking at all sorts of sportswear etc but I'm still at a loss. I will love to hear from ladies who have been through the experience and to hear what clothing they found to be the most suitable. Also are nighties better than pyjamas? if nighties are best, what length should I go for? At home I love wearing cotton pyjamas at night and snug fitting trousers during the day. Also where do I obtain the special pillow for putting between the legs at night? It isn't mentioned in the list of aids available through the hospital.
Secondly, I found that loose fittings clothes were better. Knee length skirts. You can still exercise in a proper fashion and it is so much easier and comfortable and will not rub on your scar. Easier too for any examinations necessary.
Knee length nighties are good too especially for trips to the bathroom.
I used a soft pillow for between my legs which worked very well.
But, so, so very important are the exercises and walking and even better deep muscle massages.
i bought leisure trousers without elastic in bottom and wore them in hospital and for 6 weeks post op . Very comfortable and easy to get on . I put bad leg in first .
mine were 8 a pair in m&s outlet but plenty available .
Tight trousers still not really comfy after 8 weeks .
dont know if there is a special pillow , I use ordinary .
I was told I had to sleep on back for 6 weeks as it's best position for new hip to knit .
believe it or not I have got used to it and find it better than side now . Never thought I would say that .
Yes deffo knee length soft nightie best so when you go to loo you don't have much to hold up and its quick, as you want to go suddenly and by the time you get there remembering which foot to put first etc you are desperate lol !
Also your used to wearing trousers so that's no problem either, as Mary said sports trousers or I just wore my normal trousers which are soft and have elastine in so stretchy. As long as you are decent and comfortable that's the main thing.
You want as little to worry about as possible, I wore no sox and had slip on shoes as they do like shoes for physio.
I also had slip on ballet type slippers for the rest of the time which also worked well.
?
Good luck with your op and you'll soon be on the other side lol
Hi Eileen. I'd second evrything the other Hippies have said regarding comfy trousers, nighties etc with M&S . I'm nearly 4 weeks post op.
The only thing I would add is I picked up from another thread about Pillows. I really couldn't cope sleeping on my back and was not sleeping - with all the problems that brings. Someone recommended a Slumber Support Pillow.
It's been a life saver as it gives you support but it also allows you to sleep on your side BLISS!! Worth every penny.
Good luck with the op x
Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.
Hi Eileen, you. And I are singing from the same hymn sheet!. I am planning to have my total left hip replacement 14th. April and not looking forward to it one tiny bit. All your questions are relevant to me now and thanks for all the replies, which are most helpful. I am in the process of thinking about clothes, sleeping (or not) on my back. At present, attempts to sleep on my back, last about 2 minutes....
Is it necessary to go into respite care, how dependant are we on others?. How do you get into a car? Does it make a difference if it's high or low?. Can you get yourself into a 4by 4?. Can you shower? . If you need to sit on a high chair, isn't the shower chair too low?. Do you need a raised loo seat? Where do you get any items like these?.
Is a recliner chair good to sit in, or do we need a geriatric effort?.
Lots of questions, sounds like you are getting all the right information. Thanks to all of you...
Hi if you are in uk they give you a raised toilet seat , crutches a grabber . I live alone apart from my 94 year old dad who I care for . Came home after 6 nights in hospital and managed alone with friends bringing meals for first week then Wiltshire farm foods ready meals . Came home from hos
ital in. Car it is better if it is higher . If you have a shower cubicle you can shower when staples are out . I find it fine .
I went to joint school before op where all this is explained to you and you get a booklet . Not sure about a recliner , I bought a geriatric style chair in a charity shop as my 3 piece was too low .
If you live alone this may be useful , the hospital gave me the number of local Red Cross , they came twice a week to change my compression stockings and wash feet as it is impossible to do it yourself . They also prepare light meals , wash hair and do shopping if you want . No charge to us they are funded by NHS and local council . They were invaluable.
Knee length nighties are the best, failing that I had some shortie pyjamas as well which I wore when I got home. As for day wear, I found track suit bottoms were a boon. They are loose fitting and you will need something like that when you get home as well. You need not wear tights or socks with those. Don't know whether you will be given these white stockings to wear or not, but if you are at least track suit bottoms cover the white stockings.
Thank you so much Mary, you obviously have done really well, good for you. This is on my mind so much, I think when I have got things set in my mind, I will feel better.
Enjoy your evening, lovely to see the longer hours of daylight.
It depends where you live in the world and if in uk where in the country.
Whether you get respite, not generally given in uk no matter how much you need it.
You would however need someone with you for the first week.
Car - higher seats are easier to get into but have to keep operated leg more than 90° from body. So lay seat back a little, sit sideways on seat then laying back swing both legs into car. You will be shown or have written info on this.
I would speak to your occupational therapist re reclining chair as there are opposing views regarding this within uk, don't know about elsewhere.
Hope all goes well. More will become apparent to you closer to the op.
Shower- depends on the type of wound closure you have which also depends on where in the world or uk you live and type of op anterior, posterior, lateral etc. You will told.
Higher furniture - depends where in the world or country if in uk you live.
You will need higher furniture, high chair to sit in if your furniture isn't high enough depends on the length of your leg.
High loo seat and perching chair for bathroom maybe or/and kitchen.
You should be lent these in uk or you can borrow from red cross.
Also depends on whether you have a walk in shower or over your bath, otherwise strip wash for 6 weeks.
I'll practice the getting into the car routine....
It's worth asking about the respite care, trouble is, home is where all the stuff is....I have a lot of steps though....upstairs, downstairs and in my ladies chamber....
My thigh swelling was a lot.So regular pants may be too tight.which would be hard to pull up or down to go to the loo in time.
I couldn't bend over while in hospital.So I couldn't put on pants.but jogging soft fabric that is loose can be put on with the grabber.
Low seating after THR is really hard to stand up with out pulling up on something.That's why a riser for the loo is a blessing.
Recliner needs to be discussed with your surgeon.because some are not suitable.wrong kind can contribute to dislocation.
I had anterior approach THR.I don't have any restrictions with seating.
However my recliner only has a little lift cover.dint have a long handle.So I got stuck in the chair with the legs up.This one required me to push down with the legs and pull it to the bottom of the chair.
If I had a handle on the recliner pulling on the handle will lower the foot to the floor.
After I bought this one before I was having surgery the electric ones came out.those are best ones.
My car is a small suv.in this case my hips are level with my knees.all I do I'd turn around sit first then bring in the legs.However I couldn't lift the op by itself.I used a leg lifter to get it into the car and the bed.some people use a belt to pick up THR op leg into the car and bed.best of luck to u
I didnt have any physio beforehand where I needed shorts etc
In the hospital, a nightdress is best.....I always wear pj's at home but its easier to get dressed and undressed without trousers. When you are out of bed just wear track suit bottoms, elasticated waist......thats what I lived in for a while. Track suits. Mine were very expensive......from Primark
Thank you for this. Have just ordered a 12ft u pillow. Had never heard of them before. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I have a frozen shoulder at the moment. The u pillow may help with sleeping with that as well.