UPDATE ON HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

[JGBH]

Hello everyone,

I had my hip replacement surgery a week ago today. It went well. I went into the theatre at 9 am and in the recovery room at 11 am. I spent 5 hours in recovery because they had to discharge patients and sanitise the beds and wards so newly operated on patients could have a bed! That’s how bad the situation is for the HNS and the pressure on staff is incredible! I felt sorry for them. Some nurses have admitted they feel patients’ lives are put at risk because they work under such pressure and speed that mistakes could be easily made, Naturally they don’t like it!

So in the evening I was up and walked a few steps in front of my bed, helped by a zimmerframe and 2 nurses. Then the surgeon came to see me, checking I could bend my knee, which I did. Therefore we were both happy with the results. He had done his job now I had to do mine: exercises and plenty of rest. I will see him in six weeks,

I was only discharged on Sunday evening late because I had very low blood pressure and felt rather dizzy. Didn’t expect to stay that long in hospital post surgery. They need the beds for the next loads of patients.

I must say I am surprised that the level of pain post hip replacement surgery is not that much…minimal, just twinges here and there, muscles, tendon, small blood vessels reconnecting I assume. I had soluble stitches and the dressing was removed yesterday, it’s all good. It was much more painful recovering from knee replacements. However and as expected from past experience the RA has flared up causing debilitating pain, Perhaps the fact I am used to very high levels of pain because of RA makes the hip surgery nearly insignificant, I don’t know.

However I couldn’t have coped alone at home post discharge, RA flare up and am completely exhausted. Glad I am in a care home. So I exercise regularly and walk a lot with the zimmerframe and rest a lot too.

I couldn’t manage the stairs on Sunday so the physio has organised for a physio to come to the care home in 4 weeks to help me doing that before I go back to my house. So fingers crossed.

I want to reiterate my thanks to all of you who replied to my initial post, giving valuable advice, tips and much encouragement. You have been invaluable in helping me to go through with the surgery.

With love.

[helenlw7]

Your op sounds as if it was very successfully. I’m having a knee replacement in the next few months. I have a high pain threshold so I’m hoping I’ll cope with the operation pain, but I’m not looking forward to stopping my RA meds.

[JGBH in reply to helenlw7]

Well it seems to be the case. I expected to feel more pain to be honest. However I think having to cope with seriously high RA pain levels made this surgery very bearable. Can’t escape exhaustion though… so plenty of rest and exercises. Unfortunately knees are more painful to recover from but it also might depend on people. Make sure you’re doing all your exercises in preparation for the surgery, it will strengthen your muscles and help your recovery. Make sure you will have help if you go back home post discharge. Good luck. Let us know how you progress post operation,

[helenlw7 in reply to JGBH]

My husband had one knee done in 2016 and I made sure he did his exercises. My daughter is moving back home with us after the op - my husband has dementia so isn’t very helpful around the house!

[JGBH in reply to helenlw7]

Sorry to hear about your husband having dementia… what a cruel illness. It’s wonderful your daughter is able to move in with you. So important to have the physical help and moral support for the first few weeks. Knee recovery does take longer than hip recovery so make the most of having your daughter around to rest as much as possible to regain your strength. Very best of luck.

[helenlw7 in reply to JGBH]

Thank you

[Bella59]

Well glad your op went well.I found hip exercises were easier to do also.Glad you have found the experience not as bad as you thought it would be.Onwards and Upwards.Take Care wishing you a speedy recovery.l

[JGBH in reply to Bella59]

Thank you so much, I was really surprised to find this type of surgery wasn’t as bad as expected… very different from knee replacement. RA is my biggest issue,

I agree exercises for hip surgery recovery are much much easier too than for knees…

Lovely hearing from you.

[Runrig01]

Glad your operation went smoothly, and you are recovering well. You sound very motivated re your exercises, so I’m sure you’ll continue to do well. I was an orthopaedic nurse for over 30yrs, and as you say once the surgeon has done his job, the rest is up to you. I’ve nursed many patients who only did their physio when they physio was there, and they wondered why recovery was slow. As you say knee replacement surgery tends to be more painful, and it definitely helps as you say to do your exercises prior to surgery to strengthen the muscles. I’m sure you’ll continue to do well. When it comes to stairs, we used to say good leg to heaven, bad leg to hell to remind patients which leg to lead with. Hope you get lots of good care at your care home 🤗

[JGBH in reply to Runrig01]

Just seen this post… thank you Maureen for your kind and encouraging words. Well I certdo my best… no one can exercise on my behalf. My worst problem is the dreadful RA… but that’s something else…

Hope you’re keeping well. xx 🌺

[Viv54]

Thank you for such a positive post ! I am on the waiting list for a new hip and your post has made me feel so much better about having it, i am very nervous .. but your post has really helped XX

[JGBH in reply to Viv54]

Hello Viv54

So pleased my post is helping you in feeling less nervous about your forthcoming hip replacement surgery. Like you I was so nervous… When I had 2 full knee replacements I found it very painful because the surgery is more complicated. The knee joint is more complex. Very different for the hip.

So keep positive and make sure you do all your exercises to build up strength in your muscles as it will really help your recovery. In my case the RA flare up is causing the most pain as I hardly feel any pain at all from the surgery.

Wishing you luck. Best wishes.

[Happy5]

Fantabulous sounds like all is progressing as it should.

Yes I was effected by flares later into my recovery fatigue is the bane of our lives, but as you say being used to RA & its ramifications helps us cope.

Speedy recovery 🤗

[JGBH in reply to Happy5]

Yes it has been pretty straight forward until today when I am having a bad day,,, more pain (decided to stop using codeine yesterday…) extreme tiredness a bit emotionally wobbly, feeling rather cold and apparently my bruising goes all the way down to my heel at the back of my leg… according to the carers who help me at the respite place and feel like sleeping so will do so for a while. RA is definitely not helping. Take care.

[Happy5 in reply to JGBH]

I had a couple of days like that with second THR like you rested & pain relief also bit of ice packs round pain area. Gave the body a chance to heal , then was able to resume lighter exercises. Listening to our bodies is something we know well, so keep doing that, & yes rest, rest, rest between short bursts of activity.

I realised about 2 years after my surgery things had calmed down & I felt lots better. RA always there but manageable & no pain in the hips is fab.

Take care 🤗

[JGBH in reply to Happy5]

Thank you for sharing how you felt. it is good to know we all go through different phases but we win in the end. i do hope RA will behave ...fingers cross. xx