Hello everyone. I am due to have a single hip replacement in two weeks time. I am naturally nervous and would so appreciate hearing anyone’s experiences - favourable hopefully, and any tips and guidance you could offer me. I am not young, but luckiky not obese or a smoker, and not expecting to be all-singing, all-dancing afterwards, but any advice, however small, would be so much appreciated. I live alone, which is scary.....to be honest am getting very anxious and unnerved.
Have had a lot of spinal intervention, but this is the first time re the hip.
With many thanks.
Written by
Fizzy12
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Hip replacement are routine these days but with any op and general anesthetic they carry risks. Your surgeon will have explained all that.
Normal stay is 4 days and as long as you can dress yourself and walk up a stair you will be discharged.
District Nurse will usually visit for dressings change etc.
You should also have had an assessment to show you what type of chair is suitable and which is not. Always making sure your hip does not bend beyond 90 degrees. How to get in and out of bed. No bending etc.
Physio will give you exercises...make sure you do them. They are vital for recovery.
No driving for ...I can't remember how long.
Surgeon will tell you that if you fall and break his nice new hip he won't be pleased!!!
If you have been in a lot of pain for a long time that will disappear as soon as you awake from surgery.
Thank you so much, Bananas. I always read and trust your posts, you are never anything but kind and caring.
Am seeing consultant today, fully armed with questions (poor guy) and all reports and test results etc. though he should already have them.
Have to toughen up, follow implicitly all advice and be sensible. Stop being such a nervous big baby and remember how lucky we are to be living in the 21st century with so many talented professionals to help us.
I do remember one thing when my mother in law had her hip replaced was don’t cross your legs and keep your feet straight and one thing she didn’t do was Listen to the doctor what they tell you to do.
Everyone is different but my friend was cutting the grass two weeks later! It isn't as dramatic as that sounds, it was a small urban garden with a little electric mower, but it showed how easy it was to keep active while recovering. And also how the pain is just gone afterwards too!
But do listen to the advice the consultant and nurses give you.
I had a complex hip replacement and also live alone. Please do not worry as the hospital will visit your home to measure the height of your chairs and bed. They will have you up the same day depending on the time of your surgery. They will gave you aids to help you pick up things out of reach. They will take good care of your while your in hospital. Then your local GP and nursing staff will take over once your home.
My hospital didn't visit but I attended an info session so knew what I was doing. I've had both done and live alone - please don't worry.
I recommend sleeping on your back before the op if you're not used to it, to practise: I hadn't, before my first op, and it was a real nuisance getting used to that as well as dealing with the hip. I also recommend an epidural if that's appropriate for you: it's less of a trauma to the body than a general and is easier to recover from (you may need to put your foot down about this, I had to the first time... funnily enough I got no argument the second time at the same hospital!)
As the others have said, everyone is different but both times I was out the next day, and recovered very quickly. I did take a stick out in public even though I didn't need it for walking though, just so people were more careful about walking into me (I live in London, it happens a lot).
Otherwise, common sense - make sure there is nothing you can trip over and stock your fridge up with easy to cook stuff. A fold-across tray for your chair could be useful and consider how you'll carry things if you do need two sticks. Maybe a little trolley that's easy to push or something.
Many thanks for such a detailed reply. Very, very helpful and am so grateful. Sleeping on back now...what a great idea, and will duscuss epidural when see doc today, though it may not be indicated in my case as have had a number if lumbar spinal fusions. Only hope these don’t complicate matters but will know later. Shiver, shiver.
Your post has really encouraged me and, if you do think of something else, please do let me know.
Hi Fizzy, I understand exactly how you feel, believe me you will be fine. They make you walk the very next day but it won't be too bad. Please go to a rehab, so important. I live alone also all of your needs are taken care(physical therapy,your meals and medications) in a rehab. Good luck and I'm praying for you. Let us know how you are doing.
Oh, thank you, thank you. You have made the decision for me re rehab. Now think will go for it as truly don’t want to put pressure on my son, only child, he has enough to deal with. Also a fit 85 year old neighbour but it would be very selfish to ask him for help.
Hello.....I just had a double hip replacement, one in October of 2017 and the other in December of 2017 and I came home the same day. It was a piece of cake..I am 60 years young and around 200 pounds and I had no complications what so ever. I haven't felt this good in 3 years, matter of fact, I just got done cutting the grass and weed wacking. I got rid of my lawn guy because I can now do it myself. I really feel great and I'm sure you will too. Good luck!!!
I forget to tell you that I never had to have therapy as I was doing so good, up walking around with a walker for about a week, then a cane for another week and that was it....
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