Hi I have so many questions which I should of asked but you don't know what you need to know until you need to know it , if that makes sense.
I'm day 11 post THR and decided I could do a little bit more around the house. I ironed for about 20 mins making sure not to bend , filled and emptied the washing machine (using my grabber which I'm finding invaluable ) and now feel absolutely exhausted. My operated foot is puffed up so I'm now resting it. Is this too soon.
What time span do you think I should give.
Also I haven't braved a shower yet as it's over the bath. I think I could lift my leg over from behind if I used a small step. I won't do this alone though. How long did you take to do this.
Sorry for all the questions but after care is not very good to say the least. I was never advised about these things. I know everyone will be different but just trying to get an idea.
Sue, I didn't do any housework at all for at least 3 months. By 3 weeks I was able to get some food from the fridge for myself and do most of my self-care. I took my first shower at 9 days, using a bathtub transfer bench. You sit down on the seat, which extends over the edge of the tub, swing your legs over the tub (I needed help with this from husband for 2 weeks), and then sit during your shower. I couldn't have done it any other way as I was too wobbly to stand alone in the shower for a long time.
You are in a time of constant accomodation as your body heals. I recommend resting as much as possible to allow your body to do that healing!
I havent had my op yet but i can tell you 11 days after i wouldbt be attempting anything as complicated as that. That the time to rest and heal. I keep saying it isnt a competition and if you rush you could make things a lot worse for yourself
I'm going to jump in here with my two cents' worth - insofar as fatigue goes, my take is that there's a finite amount of energy available to us upon waking each day - picture an energy pie - and right now an enormous amount of that pie is going to healing. That doesn't leave much for housework. Healing takes precedent! : ) When you're tired, rest! I found (and still find, 18 days later) that even 5-10 minutes of just plain rest makes all the difference.
I personally wouldn't lift my leg over the tub side yet. We have an extremely deep tub, but even so - I'd stick to a transfer bench or sponge baths, for now.
Because I live alone, and only because if that, I have had to do things for myself around the house, but I only do what I deem to be necessary - simple meals, washing-up, washing (with my grabber) and making my bed. Plus my personal care of course. I space things out and rest inbetween and make sure I never break any of the rules. If I had help I would have done less.
My shower is over the bath and personally I would not risk it yet. I'd kill for a shower but until I feel safe it's a strip wash for me and hair washing over the kitchen sink.
I understand Skidget's energy pie and agree with that analogy. If you have to do anything, do it slowly and take frequent rests.
I'm day 18 today. Yesterday I cleaned my kitchen (with care) and it took me twice as long as it usually does and I was exhausted afterwards, so I can sympathise on that front.
Cooking wise - I've been able to prepare simple meals since I came home, not going to try anything complex!
As for a shower, technically I'm banned as my shower is over my bath. My physio's told me this was a definite no. But I desperately wanted to wash my hair, and strip washing isn't really cutting it! However, using a step I am able to get in and out with support and with my other half right there in case I fall or slip, and him passing me what I need so I don't have to keep twisting round to pick things up, I have managed to shower a couple of times. Don't feel brave enough to do it on my own though, the risk of slipping and hurting myself is too high. I think it depends on the person and you have to listen to your body. All your energy will be used up to heal the surgery for a while to come yet. X
I know what you mean about the after care not being very good. It makes you feel very vulnerable and all you want is someone to talk to. I got in the shower after 2 weeks and my shower is over the bath. My husband wanted to make sure I was ok, he watched me sit in the side of the bath and gradually raise my operated leg onto the top then into the bath. It was easy to get my other leg in the bath and have a lovely shower. As for housework I haven't attempted much. I put washing in with my grabber but I'm lucky I'm only diddy so I don't have to bend far. The ironing is done by someone else and I only have to use my small Hoover. I'm now 9 weeks post op and I still get tired when I try to do anything. The main thing is to look after yourself, I always say the house will be there when I'm not.
I am 19. Days today and managed to sort some clean and dirty washing whilst sitting on the bed today , plus bleach sink and a few others bits , but now feel exhausted . I had to do something today as feeling really frustrated not being able to , but I have been very careful whilst doing stuff . I have a wet room with a chair thankfully so showering has not been a problem - make sure you don't over do it
Thanks everyone I've rested all day since my spurt of housework and feel ok now. I think you are all right in what you are saying keep your energy for the healing process.
Don't think I'll risk the shower I'll ask the physio on Thursday.
I think I'll do just a little bit a day say 5 to 10 mins of light cleaning and make sure I rest afterwards.
Like Cels, I live alone and also did what was absolutely necessary - I bought a Dyson, cordless and lightweight, which was/is very easy to use - I could not wait for someone to do it for me because there were crumbs and other things on this tile floor - shower after staples were removed (day 14) with help of Home health nurse who also straighten my bed -
I think what you just said is really good - do a little bit , minding of course the restrictions like 90 degree and (for me) pivotting - The grabber is invaluable indeed - Once I started driving I had one in my car - I had dropped my keys and had to wait for a stranger to come by to ask if he could pick it up for me - after that incident, grabber in the car -
You are doing great, darling ... Listen to your body - she knows what is best for you ...
So five weeks down the line I can do light cleaning around the house - meh .
I don't spend too long bending over and don't lift anything heavy but I am hoovering and cleaning the bathroom etc. I am still resting and get tired easily but I know from having my first hip done that this passes and you regain your stamina.
The only way you find out what you are capable of is to do a little bit and see what hapens. You'll know straight away if you can and then you just do it slowly.
You will find in the next couple of weeks that your confidence grows about everything. Have a shower when you feel able to do it safely.
Wow! I love reading all the comments...I live alone also and am having my left hip replacement on 4/5. I'm having trouble cleaning now because of pain and unsteadiness and using a cane. I'll stay with my brother for a few days then go home. I've never had an operation and don't know what to expect. I will definitely keep everyone posted! From what I hear it's exhausting. I figured I do a little bit at a time, kind of like I do now!
I find this thread very helpful as I am 15 days post op. I haven't attempted to do any house work or anything really since I have help. But I feel so lazy like I should be doing something I get up and walk with walker every 1-2 hrs but I get wore out
I was issued with a bath board and toilet seat raisers before my first thr in dec. The hospital assesed what l would need at home to help out so l was able to have a shower right away. Like everyone says the first couple of weeks l never done any housework until l was a bit more mobile and could do certain things above waist height it just took time fot my body to tell me ifcl was up to it. Don't rush it as you might do more damage
well, you know what ???? That OA pain will be gone !!! yep ... there will be all kinds of discomforts and of course the restrictions,and will need all your energy for healing, but that grinding, gnawing, all consuming nagging toot achy pain will be gone - Very hard to imagine now, I know ...
4/5 is that April 5 or May 4 ? When I lived in L.A. it would mean April 5, now I live in Holland and then it would be May 4 or 4 May ...
I guess everyone is different. I feel a little better each day I am day 12 today. I no longer use my sticks around the house as I found I was leaving them upstairs when I was downstairs and don't really need them . I wouldn't leave the house without them
The shower is the main obstacle I have to overcome.
I feel lazy too and to be honest I can't bear to leave things for my partner or son to do as they are out all day. Little bit at a time is what I'm going to do from now on.
Wow, no sticks! Day 20 here and I am using one crutch indoors. I can walk without, but it's more of a waddle than a walk and when I put full weight on my leg I can feel the end of the implant in my lower thigh, at least that's what I think it is. Not too sore though, more of a weird feeling,
I was never given crutches I was sent home with sticks. As I say every day I feel a little better but we are all different and heal at different paces. This time last week I was wishing I had never had the operation! the pain was so bad and I felt so low.
My operated leg is still stiff though.. I waddle as well. I'm hoping they are the same length now as one was shorter than the other before. Mine just feels heavy it gets worse as the day goes on.
Not sure whether age has anything to do with it. I've just turned 54 which is probably young for a hip replacement. I think my O A was so bad that I was used to hobbling around. I hadn't been able to walk up the stairs without grabbing on to the hand rails for around a year. I could never carry anything in my hands when going upstairs.