Laura

There are never too many questions to ask when we suffer from RA.

I have not had a hip replacement but I am having a total knee replacement in January with the other one around July time. I do know you have to be really careful with hip replacements as they can easily pop out again if you do not follow your surgeon's instructions. I think it takes some time to recover. I will not be able to drive for six weeks and again have to be careful in what I do. I have been told about a 12 week recovery. Remember the booklets always paint the worse case scenario but you must go with how you feel.

I have a Husband and Daughter of 14 who do not know how to cook. Despite some persuasion on my part to learn, both are shying away. I will be in hospital for five days and on crutches when I come out of hospital so they will just have to get on with it. I think you really should let the dust accumulate for as long as you can bear it. I know that they will want you to keep moving as much as possible so that adhesions do not grow around the new joint whilst it is healing.

Like you this is my chance to be able to have more mobility and I guess it will be worth following instructions to get to our end goal.

Good luck with your operation.

Jackie
xx

Hi Laura

I had a very successful hip replacement 3 years ago.

The reason you are asked not to change bed sheets etc for 3 months is that you could compromise the new joint and pull it out of the socket. The muscles which surround and protect the joint will not be completely healed internally for around 12 months, so it is important to take extra care until the healing process is underway. I can't really advise, as we each have to listen to our consultant.

I was out and about 3 weeks after the op and never really looked back. I was back in the pool as soon as the skiin healed - not adviseable to do breast stroke though as yes....you could pull the wretched thing out!!!!!

You should also take care not to bend the hip more than 90%for the same reason.

I know all this sounds frightening, but I more or less carried on as normal and had no problems.

Do ask if you need any info.

Best of luck with it all

Love Jeanxx

PS You can contact me by messaging me (Jean Boyd)on Facebook

Hi Laura,

I know nothing about hip replacements but I do wish you every success with it. I hope it will be all you expect it to be. We must all have that get together in Edinburgh as soon as you are able.

Take care and lots of good wishes.

Lorna x

Hi Laura

The OT at the hospital should come and see you before you go home to assess all these things. They will supply bed and chair raisers, provide you with a loo seat raiser and a bath board or shower stool. They should also let you have a grab stick so you can safely pick things up.

Love Jeanxx

Hey everyone,

Helly thanks for posting your blog about your hip replacement. I got mine done the other day and i am feeling fine. went in on the thursday, had the op late thursday afternoon, was on the ward by 6 and i was allowed out at lunchtime on sunday (could have been sat but there were no doctors about to sign me off so to speak)

I'm being super careful about not bending too much or anything, i was off the painkillers (paracetamol) by day 5 and at the moment sleeping is the only problem because i'm not able to sleep on either side and sleeping flat on my back makes my knees and back ache, but otherwise its fine and dandy.

I had the spinal, it was immense. i was in the recovery room for an hour (tea time on the ward, so they wouldn't come and get me) and spent the whole time playing tetris and scrabble on my ipod - got a bit boring but it was soooo much better than being out of it for the rest of the day

i stood up the evening of the op (too stubborn to use a bed pan) and it hurt so much i thought i was going to pass out, but the next morning it was much better and now (day 9) it doesn't hurt at all when i stand up, which is awesome.

I'm too hungry to type so i'll tell you all the rest later

Hi Laura,

So glad your op went well.
Hope you have a smooth recovery.

Good luck to you, Kathleen, hope you get it done.

Love, Doreen xx

Hope it goes ahead for you Kathleen, and that all goes well with the op and your recovery.

Kathleen C x

Hello Laura


Pleased to read that you are coming along leaps and bounds.

hi girls, sorry i've just seen this (my laptop is a bit heavy to carry one handed - so i don't get online as much as i might).

Kathleen, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you today - hope it goes ahead and it is a great success. - the spinal anasthetic was wierd but i felt so much better in the long run than i did with general anasthetics before so i really would rcommend it. the whole staying awake thing might not be for everyone though, but you can get sedation if you would prefer that.
Are you going to be by yourself when you come home post op? i had my mum stay for a few days and i found it so much easier just for her to get up and bring me a drink or something. I would definately take a phone into the bathroom when you go for a shower though - just in case you get into a sticky situation and need picking up off the floor or actual ambulance assistance.

I have tons of tips about adapting your home for after the op so send me a message if you want to hear them.

As for me.... I've now reached 3 weeks post op

the physio initially tried me walking with a zimmer frame for about the length of 10 meters. i was so determined not to use a zimmer because it just made me feel awful (admittedly the height hadn't been adjusted and the handles hurt my hands) and basically i was embarrassed/felt humiliated at having to use a zimmer (to the point that i started crying). i know that is totally stupid, but it really upset me to have to use it, so when i said i didn't like it, she asked it i wanted to try my sticks (ergonomic handles are the future!) and because my balance is pretty good, and i am so used to using sticks, she let me carry on with my sticks, even let my try one stick and said i could use one when needed around the house. mum brought my spangly ribbon to the hospital the next day, so by the time i was discharged, i had matching customised sticks (except on the right it has a blue ferrule and wrist strap, and the left is purple - you've got to be able to work out which is which).

i've been really lucky pain wise, my main problem has been sleeping. admittedly i have once or twice fallen to sleep on my side without a pillow between my legs (don't tell the docs!) and i have bent slightly more than 90 degrees to pull on my boots or shave my legs (really, don't tell the docs) but generally its been fine. I'm now having trouble with my shoulders, probably because i've been trying to have a bit of a wander each day, and have maybe over-done it, but all in all life is good. I hoovered the other day (totally not allowed) and i am quite confident at going on the bus (again not allowed) so all i need to do now is make a bed and i will have broken all the rules they gave me

I've also decided that getting an asda delivery is the best idea i've ever had - can't trust my boyfriend to come back from the shop with anything sensible. can't believe i used to struggle there on the bus every week, £2.50 delivery is totally worth it!