Hip Replacement OP

[oscarandchloe]

I've been blessed and offered a cancellation for the hip op. Very last moment, but grabbed it as I've been reduced to a cripple. Had it last Saturday and I'm back home now learning how to walk again and get my knickers on without bending! Just to say the anaesthetist was great. Gave me methadoxatone? during the op to top up adrenal function, then gave me my regular 5mg Pred+ extra for three days after. Sensibly said that I knew my own body, so if any signs of insufficiency to get him down immediately. Had a spinal block and a general anaesthetic which meant I saw, heard and felt nothing -thank goodness!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good ..

Knickers? -have you got a long handled grabber or a helpful partner? 😂🤣…

Take care and hope all goes well 🌸

This might help for general info on recovery - covers all sorts of stuff, so ignore what's not appropriate to you..

Replacement - hip/shoulder/knee

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

Before you go into hospital get yourself organised at home (patient leaflet will go over certain aspects). If necessary, get 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 particularly difficult - indoor airer or tumble dryer come into their own.

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 organise clothes in bedroom dressers, shoes etc.

Make sure you can access clothes easily - and initially wear 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/hip replacement remember you won’t have a free hand to carry things initially..so a lightweight shopping bag or old crossover handbag is useful.

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.

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 online if you haven’t already got some - they really do help recovery.

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. With a shoulder replacement you might find it easier to sleep in a recliner chair for a few nights.

You do need to do your exercises, but don’t overdo it…I did with my knee (first replacement) and the district nurse put me right on that! (having been in same situation)

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

The first few days/weeks can be painful, but remember it’s only temporary - and will lead to a better life!…

[Posey1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for all this excellent advice. Far better than the pre op leaflets I've been given. If I ever get the op, for that's how it feels at the moment, it will be invaluable! Thank you too for the many uplifting comments you put on this site.You really are a star! Keep safe and well...we need you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Posey1]

Had all 3 ops -and live on my own -so been there, done it…..got the scars to prove it 😂🤣Thanks for lovely comments 🌸

[SheffieldJane]

This is great news. All best wishes for an excellent on-going recovery.💐

[Posey1]

Very best wishes for speedy recovery from the hip operation. I heard yesterday the waiting list for my op is now 6-12 months! I was put on list 7 mths ago and had a pre op assessment 8 wks ago. I though the call was to give me a date! Gave me hope to hear you had a cancellation. I have noted carefully your comments re pred and the surgery.People , my husband included, say that hip replacement gave them a new lease of life. I really hope that is the case for you.

Pat.

[piglette in reply to Posey1]

How ridiculous of them to give you a pre op in that case, as they are only valid 12 weeks. You never know you may get a cancellation.

[Posey1 in reply to piglette]

Thanks piglette. A friend who was a nurse before retirement said that was the case too. At the assessment I was told a possible 4 month wait. The lady who rang didn't have an explanation except that was the case now!

[piglette in reply to Posey1]

What, the NHS just do extra pre ops for fun so they can ask for more money from the taxpayer and get NI charges increased for everyone? 😕😕😕

[Posey1 in reply to piglette]

Seems to be the case ☹️. Another example of waste. I ordered my usual monthly repeat prescription of pred. and 2 other meds. I opened the bag outside the pharmacy to check only to find for some unknown reason I had been given a 3 month supply of 5mg pred. which I hopefully don't need as am due to taper to 4 1/2mg soon. I went straight back into pharmacy but was told they couldn't take them back as I had been outside the shop though only for a couple of minutes. I understand this is the case. I am now looking on the site to find whether taking 4 and 5mg on alternate days has the same effect. I do so hate waste of any sort especially in our NHS.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Posey1]

If they are plain uncoated tablets, they can be cut in half...then you can mix and match with your 1mgs.

[Posey1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Of course DL why didn't I think of that! Probably thought it easier to take 4 and 5mg on alternate days.In your wisdom, is there a low dose of pred at which you can stop taking the Omeprazole if you have never had any stomach issues?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Posey1]

Personal opinion, but I'm not a fan of alternate days...but that's just me.

As for Omeprazole, just check with GP, but you need to wean yourself off, not just stop suddenly, could cause reflux issues. It may be doing more than you think, but worth the discussion, if it's not needed, no point in taking.

[Posey1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks again . Will ask GP . Managed to get a phone appt. yesterday but earliest 7th June! Have had one face to face and 3 phone appts in well over 3 yrs so I don't feel I pester though that's how you're made to feel here when you ask for an appt.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Posey1]

Unfortunately yes you do...but tbh that's what they are there for ..or have I been misled all these years. 🙄

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Posey1]

I've never taken omeprazole. Ever. I have taken famotidine when I have needed more than the odd dose of ibuprofen (rheumies orders) but not otherwise. Stomach seems fine so far after nearly 13 years of pred and 6 of anticoagulant therapy!

I don't really like alternate days either except at the stage where you get to that with one or other of the slowed tapers!

[Posey1 in reply to PMRpro]

I have taken note of both your and DL 's opinion on alternate day tapering and I won't be doing it. Also with your comments on Omeprazole which I'm keen to discontinue taking asap. Many thanks to you both.

[MrsNails]

It would have been Hydrocortisone Cover inTheatre not Methotrexate as most Surgeons ask you stop MTX before Surgery.

Good Luck with your Re Hab 🍀

[PMRCanada in reply to MrsNails]

Good to know MrsNails! I may be headed back down the road toward a total knee replacement.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Excellent - always pays to grab that last minute offer in the NHS!

In theatre it is usually hydrocortisone - but maybe they just used methyl prednisolone - for i.v. use. Anaesthetists tend to be great!

[Rose54]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

[Bcol]

Good news hope it all continues well

[Nextoneplease]

Great news 😊

So pleased you got a cancellation. I had a knee replacement six (!) years ago and although it was initially painful, the outcome was brilliant.

Good luck with the rehab xx

[Bella59]

Great you have had hip replacement,just keep on with exercises to help recovery.I myself am five weeks post hip replacement,still getting groin pain.My other hip was done seven months ago and is great no pain,recovery was quicker with that operation.We are all different every operation can vary same with recovery.Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Mojobumble]

Good to hear. Hope your recovery goes well and you are or will be pain free

[jls93]

Have hip replacement and re-done (revIsed). Was a phsio for 30 yrs. Used to use the phase " it's like growing a new hip and leg....2 new ones in light of years of compensations... mother nature I s amazing .doing " home work" skillfully, purposefully progressively and mindfully is how you will be actively contributing to your own success..you can do it! Good healing to you

[Hidden]

My hubby is now waiting for the red-light for surgery. Sadly, both his hips are knackered, but the strange thing is it's both knees that the pain is mostly coming from, did this happen to you ? I'm wondering if it's referred pain from hips to knees. Praying both knees won't need doing too. He's been so long waiting for surgery. Just waiting to hear from the Pre-Assessment team who will arrange an appt to see the anaesthetist. Also his Iron level was too low so had an infusion for that and now he's topping up with concentrate Iron drops. Praying everything will be okay for surgery very soon. They have kept him on the prioritise list due to his CKD, due to his type 1 diabetes. You carry on recuperating well.

[oscarandchloe in reply to Hidden]

I'm so sorry for your husband's wait. Let's hope the date comes soon. The surgeon said my hip joint was 'knackered' and praised me for living with the pain (no option!). Yes, both knees were affected and ached. The surgeon checked them out and said it was just the strain on the rest of the body. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to oscarandchloe]

Morning, Thank you for your reply. That's encouraging to know you had pain from your knee too. My hubby takes some convincing that the pain he's experiencing from both his knees (as well as hips) is indeed referred pain from hips. I'll eat my word when they eventually X-ray both hips and knees to actually find out that his knees need surgery too. Surely this can't happen !!

[Janstr]

I’m not sure if it will apply to a hip replacement, but when was in a cast to my knee for some time after breaking a bone in my foot, I was hopeless on crutches, as was petrified of falling. I found an office chair was fanastic for propelling myself around the house

[Hidden in reply to Janstr]

As hubby can no longer walk, he has one of those walkers with a seat, he is doing exactly what you did he sits on it and shuffles himself along, usually bashing into everything as he goes.

[DDKRM]

Where did you have the op?

[oscarandchloe in reply to DDKRM]

UK The Chiltern Hospital through health insurance. Had it for years and never used it, never thought they would pay for it but no problem. Given date in July but took a cancellation at short notice, excellent treatment, personal nurse, skilled surgeon. NHS waiting list time about 3 years!!! I can't think about the terrible waiting times and how people will manage.

[DDKRM in reply to oscarandchloe]

Thanks for the info. Outside my area unfortunately. I’m going to have to bite the bullet soon and get another hip replacement. I wasn’t happy with the last one I had as my predisolone wasn’t handled properly by the anaesthetist.