Help & Advice Needed Please

[lmoore]

I am 68yrs old & due to meet with my surgeon to discuss a right hip replacement on the 16th June & to say I am extremely anxious about this operation is an understatement & to make matters worse I have been in permanent atrial fibrillation for the last 2 months & my cardiologist has changed my beta blockers to sotalol 80mg x 2 which is okay by me & wants to start me on apixaban 5mg x2 which freaks me out when I read the side effects !

I also have hypothyroidism & hypoparathyroidism so take 100mg thyroxine x1 & 1mcg alfacalcidol x1

Any advice on what questions that I should be asking this surgeon prior to surgery would be greatly appreciated as I am permanently stressed when I envisage what the operation involves - Many Thanks x

[DorsetLady]

I had my hip replaced 2 years ago, it was very straightforward, and I was mobile a lot quicker than I had expected, having had a knee replacement the previous year.

Your surgeon should explain to you what is happening, and should have all your notes, but if you are concerned about your medication do mention it to him. But that will also be covered in your pre op assessment appointment and also with the anaesthetist before your op.

And don’t be stressed about the operation itself....as I said it’s straightforward and compared to both knee and shoulder replacements the easiest to recover from...just think how good it will be afterwards to be pain-free.

You will be given advice on how to manage once you get home either at the Pred op assessment or by the ward staff - but this the answer I gave someone else -

Before you go in - just get yourself organised at home (patient leaflet will go over certain aspects) - but remember bending hip is a big no-no initially - so get all plates, utensils, cooking pans out of lower kitchen cupboards - and if you have cooker that stands on floor, think about oven!.. that's a bit tricky.

Stock up freezer with either ready meals or home cooked so you don't have to stand too long - and sometimes you just don't feel like cooking.

Likewise clothes in bedroom dressers, shoes etc.

Just plan ahead as much as you can...if you sort of make a note of what you do on a daily basis and think "I shan't be able to do that" you can get ahead of the game...and then hopefully when you get home you don’t suddenly realise you can’t do something, and there’s nobody to help.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Dorset Lady,

Totally agree with all you have said. Haven't been through hip replacement but have done the business with right knee replacement. Now that was a challenge particularly as I was ( and am for life) on Warfarin.

I would want to discuss matters associated with anticoagulation as an issue of some priority.

John

[Hidden]

Hiya lmoore,

Haven't done the business with hips but have had a right knee replacement.

I do agree with what Dorset Lady has written - plenty of good advice there.

I have paroxysmal AF with a tendency to being asymptomatic and am Warfarin for life.

so with that experience behind me I'd be inclined to quiz your man on anticoagulation. Whatever questions you can think of ask away.

Look at it this way, - the business of doing the job is down to your surgeon. The business of a complete and successful recovery is down to you. If you don't do as you are told in terms of exercises etc etc. you stand a chance of undoing all the good work your surgeon has done.

If you don't understand exercises there are usually some good videos on YouTube which are put on by Physios which illustrate things quite well.

May the Force be with you.

John

[Cat33]

Oh please don't worry you will be looked after with everything I've had both of my hips replaced and it's a whole new world to be free pain

You can discuss all your concerns at your pre op assessment

Wishing you all the very best

[1961jh]

Hello lmoore it's very normal to feel the way you are. If you google your hospital there is usually a lot of information online for Orthopedics staff and the department and your operation. The Preadmission appointment will really help to allay a lot of your fears. I worked in this role for babies and childrens families. Good luck and let us all know how you are after it.

[perciferous]

Hiya x Only just read ur post & hope ur appt. went well. I had a total hip replacement last Wednesday 9th June. Was dreading it as have been living with a pinned fracture since Nov! Needed new hip as it wouldn't heal properly! I now feel so silly 4making myself worry so much! I was discharged home on Mon & am so glad it's done! The pain isn't anything ung compared to what I've been going through! Early days yet but I'm going 2insist on the right hip being done asap!