The first photo is my painting which I did before the op and my ultimate goal is to get back to being able to do it again.
The second photo, as it says, is 17 days after surgery. I wasn’t worried about having a scar, at my age nobody is interested in looking (apart from Mr Legs when he puts his glasses on). As you can see I’m getting the shoulder definition back as the swelling goes down. My new shoulder has been lifted and is now higher than my other. (I suppose with the erosion of the bone the shoulder drops.) Before Covid there was going to be a 6 month gap then my left shoulder was to be replaced too. I imagine with the backlog of electives it might be a long time before it is tackled.
I have been off my Benepali for nearly 5 weeks now but as this week progressed my arthritis is starting to flare with each day being worse than the one before. I have been doing my best to manage the pain but, today, I decided enough was enough and I have started the injections again. Mr Legs and I are shielding because where we live is now in Tier 3 of lockdown. We haven’t been out anywhere apart from medical visits so our risk of getting the virus is perhaps less than for some. I just know that with healing and a rheumatoid flare, if I am unlucky enough to contract the virus on top of that my body just will not be able to cope. So it’s lesser of these evils and now that I have injected I know that very soon I will be much more comfortable.
I would like to finish by saying that I view my new shoulder as a gift. I’m one of the lucky ones. I put my trust into the skill of, not just my surgeon, but in the whole team of medical staff who took part in my care. They all deserve thanks and praise but it goes even further back into research and education that has brought us all this far. We, the recipients of new prosthesis, have so much to be grateful for.
I know that the care of my new shoulder is up to me. Only I can get the best from it now by making sure I do the exercises to the upmost of my ability. It’s not easy and it hurts but I know I’ll get there through determination and self belief.
If you read this prior to surgery I hope all goes well for you. If you’re afraid beforehand, that’s okay, because everyone feels the same way. You do have pain afterwards but it’s a getting-better-pain and not the destructive pain of before.
My advice:
1. Take the painkillers to make sure you’re comfortable. No one wins a medal for suffering unnecessarily.
2. Listen to your body. When it’s tired have a rest and even a nap, if you can.
3. Wear your sling in bed, it’s only for 6 weeks.
4. Do your exercises as often as you’ve been told and more if you feel able.
5. Give yourself an easy goal-a-day.
6. Don’t expect too much too soon. (Like I did!)
7. Don’t compare your progress to others, this is your journey and no one else’s.
8. It’s up to you to get the best from this joint, you owe it to the medical team who cared for you.
9. Mostly, be kind to yourself, your body deserves some TLC whilst it’s mending.
10. All my best wishes and good luck!
Love, Legs x
Total Hip Replacement
Total knee replacement 
Total knee replacement?
