Hip replacement operation

[Toods]

Can anyone please advise me on what type of clothes are comfortable to wear after a total hip replacement. I have an op in two weeks and am trying to organise what clothes I will come home in. Are dresses more comfortable/ appropriate than trousers? Not sure exactly where the wound will be situated but assume it’s on the side of my hip….?

[Jalia]

Hi Toods, I'm just 12 days post hip replacement and I wore straight leg jogger trousers (M&S) at the hospital but comfortable skirts or indeed dresses would be fine. You wouldn't want anything to press on the wound which is usually on the side of the hip.Good luck with the operation!

[Toods in reply to Jalia]

Thanks so much, Jalia! That’s so useful. Hope your recovery is going well and that terrible hip pain is now a thing of the past for you! I just can’t wait for the op. The pain is hard to describe to others, isn’t it!!

[Jalia in reply to Toods]

Another tip Toods is to be aware that there will most likely be swelling mainly on the operated side in your leg and foot, although you will be wearing compression stockings to help alleviate this. Bear this in mind with your choice of footwear! (I had comfortable (Hotter)slip on shoes with a removable inner sole which worked for me.)

[Londone16 in reply to Toods]

Hi JaliaI would bear in mind that the site is obviously sore so I wore wide leg joggers as you will be wearing the dreaded stockings !! Also for the first few weeks I wore nightdresses rather than pyjamas to make it easier going to the loo.

Good luck with the op xxx

[Toods in reply to Londone16]

Thanks, Londone16. That’s what I was thinking when planning my post op wardrobe! Although my hip is agony, I’m assuming that pain goes, to be temporarily replaced by local swelling and pain from the wound. Large and baggy sounds like the order of the day!! 🤣 And re nighties, I actually went and bought some immediately as I normally wear pjs, but assumed a nightie would make life easier. Thanks again - loving all this wonderful advice. What a great group - didn’t know who else to ask!! 👍👏

[Londone16 in reply to Toods]

Could I recommend a leg lifter - I got mine from EBay £10.99 it’s was a godsend

[Toods]

Thanks, Jalia. Hard to know what to expect till you’ve done it!! 🙈😂Really useful info, and thanks so much for taking the time to reply. If I have any more questions, I’ll be back!! 🤣

[DorsetLady]

Not just re hips, but something I put together -having “been” there-

Replacement - hip/shoulder/knee

General advice for any replacement surgery - especially useful if you live alone.

Before you go in to hospital get yourself organised at home (patient leaflet will go over certain aspects) - so get all plates, utensils, cooking pans out of lower or higher kitchen cupboards - and place where they are easy to reach, you don’t want to be bending or stretching unnecessarily.

Hanging washing outside is difficult!

Hip operation - you cannot bend more than 90degrees so beware if you have a floor standing oven - washer, dryer, fridge etc.

Stock up freezer with either ready meals or home cooked so you don't have to cook from scratch all the time- frozen veg is very good nowadays - and sometimes you just don't feel like cooking.

Likewise clothes in bedroom dressers, shoes etc.

Make sure you can access clothes easily - and initially loose trousers, skirts, tops - so you don’t have to struggle around your replacement.

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.

If you are using crutches for knee replacement remember you won’t have a free hand to carry things initially..

If you have trouble getting compression sock off/on - who doesn’t - might be worth buying an extra pair - plenty on line at reasonable price. Hospital may give you extra pair to bring home.

I found that if they were too difficult to get off - I left them on when I had a shower - and dried them with a hair drier!

Probably cause the H&S people to have a fit - but you need to do what you need to do. And don’t be shy, if partner can’t help, or if on your own and you have a visitor ask them to help you get one pair off and new ones on!

Do as much pre op exercises as you can - plenty on line if you haven’t already got some - they really do help recovery.

You will find getting around a bit difficult - certainly if you aren’t used to crutches! So make sure you have enough room to manoeuvre yourself around bedroom, bathroom, living room.

Invest in a hot water bottle or similar - you will be sitting more than usual initially and the worst thing is feeling cold.

Also get flexible ice packs to help with swelling (hospital may supply icer for knee).

If you’re a side sleeper that’s not possible, and you may need extra pillows to get in a comfortable position.

Once scar healed and doctor/nurse happy with it, massage bio oil or similar into/around it.

Good luck!

[Toods in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much for sharing this really, really helpful advice!! As a replacement novice, any help most gratefully received!! I will now plan for pre and post op…. 🤗 Lots to think about. I have a very helpful husband so at least there will be another pair of hands to help out, but it has been helpful for him to read this too. 🥰

[DorsetLady in reply to Toods]

I found hip much easier to recover from than knee, but maybe that was because it was done afterwards so had an idea of what to expect..Hope it all goes well.

[Toods in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. The pain is currently unbearable, so can’t wait!! 👍🤞🤗

[Happy5 in reply to DorsetLady]

Great info agree did the same

[piglette]

I wore an elastic waisted skirt, some people chose those Far East genii type trousers. It is worth getting bigger knickers as there will probably be some swelling. The most useful thing I had was a grabber, a really good investment. The second thing was a strip of material I got from the hospital tied in a loop to lift my leg into bed, it was a godsend. In fact it really depends which hip you have done and which side of the bed you get into. I did not need it for my left hip as I get into bed on the left, just my right.

[Toods in reply to piglette]

Thanks so much Piglette! Luckily I’ve just been gifted a leg lifting strap but the grabber sounds like a great idea. I’m definitely going for the big knickers and baggy look!! Everyone’s advice has just been so helpful, and most gratefully received. 🤗😊

[DorsetLady in reply to piglette]

I got grabber from hospital - still use it now to retrieve odds and sods in corners….

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

I had to buy mine from that big shop on line!

[Lunje]

Hi Toods,

In kenya we call it Dera: a free flowing dress or attire worn by the people of the coastal region. It freedom gives you lots of room to move, and do any activity in it. Used by expectant or lactating mothers, convalescing adults and kids, because it comes in all sizes. The bigger the freer

[Toods in reply to Lunje]

Hi Lunje, the Dera sounds wonderful- it would be perfect for post op patients! 👍🤗

[Lunje]

Very true. One thing I know for sure you are able to get this free flowing dresses everywhere. They were meant for fat people or say ladies who are blessed with large sitting allowances 🤩 so they don't struggle getting into and out of clothing. Try one. You will be going for another

[Toods in reply to Lunje]

I am on the lookout!! Thanks Lunje. 🤗

[Mystik]

Loose fitted like jogging pants I wore bigger under pants nothing with metal Loose fitted shoes

M sure the hospital will explain

Other wise all the best

[Toods in reply to Mystik]

Thanks, Mystik!

[Hidden]

Good advice on here. Nightie for hospital was the best advice given to me.

I have had three hip replacements (yep, three legged- well, one was a revision!) and the approach has changed over the years. The last 2, I was not expected to wear the support stockings after hospital (though I chose to for 2 not 3), and they were much more relaxed about the 90degree bending issue. 2 (2012) and 3 (2019) had much smaller incisions, and simpler recovery, indeed 2 was a doddle. Good luck!

I am staving off a knee replacement- saw consultant in February and was offered early April - I had assumed longer wait, have delayed until July as I hear they are very painful to recover from. Bodies, eh?

[DorsetLady in reply to Hidden]

Knees are a bit more difficult to recover from than hips - or at least I found so (one of each). However the pain is only short term, whereas OA pain isn’t! …and at least we can get them replaced and be mobile again, 😊

[Toods in reply to DorsetLady]

You’re so right - OA pain is terrible and we are so lucky to have the opportunity to get these joints replaced. I feel grateful to be alive at a time when such surgery is available. 👏🤗

[Toods in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FaberM for the encouraging words!! The op does seem very straightforward these days - just can’t wait to be out of pain and properly mobile again. I gather revision ops are generally more tricky, so pleased to hear that yours went well. I am 63 so there’s a chance I might be facing that in the future too…Good luck with your knee op - you sound very positive so I’m sure you’ll sail through.

Take care and thanks for replying.

[Cup-cake7 in reply to Toods]

hi. I hope you don't mind me asking. I've just had hip op and just wondering what causes a need for revision? What happens ?

, I guess I'm concerned I can't put weight right through in week 9, I feel behind others. X

[Hidden]

Your hip should see you out! 63 is a good age to do it, young enough to do the rehab and enjoy the results. Operation 3 was a complicated revision and a disaster but that is another story - revisions are not the same. I never think about the hip no.2 - so straightforward, first few days aren’t pleasant but then onward and upward and better. You’ll be so relieved to get rid of that grinding pain.

[Toods in reply to Hidden]

Oh my goodness- sorry to hear about your revision, but thanks so much for your encouragement! The constant, awful grinding pain is certainly grinding me down, so enduring a few uncomfortable days post op will be well worth it!!

[Mystik]

Same here I had both hips replaced just turned 60 now knee replacement m worried as I hear different stories regarding the knees

[Toods in reply to Mystik]

Good luck, Mystik. I have fingers crossed for you. Hoping it goes well. 🤗

[Xzbv]

I couldn’t dress myself easily, so no trousers. Loose dresses all the way. When you are on 2 crutches you can’t carry any thing easily so sling a bag over your shoulder or round your neck to carry snacks in from the kitchen. Make up a flask of tea or coffee.

[Toods in reply to Xzbv]

Thanks so much! So many things to consider!! Hope you’re doing well.

[Xzbv]

Thanks Toods, it was a long slog, had complications but 6 months later pain free and good as new!

[Toods in reply to Xzbv]

Wonderful!! Hooray….. 👏👍

[Happy5]

Ok I bought short sleeved Lands End night dresses. Short sleeve easy to do BP, take blods etc.Not PJs again easier to lift night dress up to sit on bed pan , I needed catheter after second THR again night dress easier.

To go home in I prefered very loosish leggings, joggers most of my clothing was a size higher then my usual size.

Slippers wise backless to slip feet in, also shoes easy to slip on.

On another note took in dark and milk choc bars, as well as apricots, iron, sugar, latter helps to keep bowels going, course if your diabetic these suggestions may not apply?

Read all the leaflets you're given and practice the before going in to hospital then second nature after the op.

Onwards and upwards

[Toods in reply to Happy5]

Thank you!! Once again wise and sound advice that I will completely take on board. So helpful to hear from all of you lovely people who’ve been through the process. I feel much more prepared now thanks to you all. 👍🥳🤗

[perciferous]

Hiya. I'm just catching up so you may already have ur new hip! I had a total left hip prosthetic last Summer & it went great. Keep ur clothes loose so nothing presses on the wound. On reading all the replies there's some great advice for you! Keep active & do ur post-op exercises which will help immensely. I'm in awe of the Surgeons as I think they're amazing to be able to literally gift you a new lease of life! Wishing you a speedy recovery. I have OA so need my other hip replacing now!

[Toods in reply to perciferous]

Thanks, Perciferous! I am now 6 days post op and doing well. I too am grateful there are clever people able to carry out the op and give us this new lease of life!! Wishing you well with your second hip.