Both hips need to go!

[sunshine]

Hi All,
I just had someone slip me this site from here. I managed to grab it befor they eraced it! WhooHooo!
I am speaking with the Doc tomorrow about my hip surgery. All he does is hip surgery and they say he is the best. So I know he has the experience. I have had to wait too long due to no insurance or deductible too much yada yada. So now can't even walk due to the pain. Live in Florida so you know the humidity just adds salt to the pain. But I am looking forward to surgery because the pain is just too much now.
I am 62 but feel like 150. I have osteo in my hips. I just went to have knee x-rays because thy were hurting so much, but they ruled out anything in my knees. (yea)
I am a young 62 and was in pretty good shape till the chair, now I feel like this has hurt me more then necessary as far as circulation and the use of my legs? So I try to walk a bit but it kills me.
I have worries about the surgery but only because I have diabetes 2 and stents in my heart from 99. So not exactly a prime pick but I feel like I am ok outside of that.
I am looking forward to posting here and having my hand held sorta along the way!
I do have one big concern I can't change. I don't have a shower stall, only a tub. This already seems to be impossible for me to get in and out of. I am like having visions of not being able to wash each day..and well you know the rest. ABut I can't be the only person with no shower stall so hopefully I will hear some good things or hints.

 

[sunshine]

Well I spoke with the nurse, they set up my surgery for May 7th so hopefully I will pass everything and be able to go for it. I have to go back and speak with the doc though about what kind of hip and stuff. I guess they assumed I talked with him about everything but I didn't.
Well can anyone tell me about not having a shower stall, will I be able to step over with one hip fixed?

 

[Josephine]

I believe its inadvisable to step into and out of a bath tub for a few weeks, sunshine, because it encourages the patient to put their leg through a manoeuvre that could lead to dislocation. Why don't you get some big sheets of plastic, cover them with a bath towel. Then get a bowl of water on the stool and a nice big sponge. You can then wash all over with plenty of water in the sponge. Actually, that's what I used to do when a youngster and we had no bath in the house at all! Of course then I had to make do with a blanket on the floor instead of the plastic but I could have a good wash down. Only do be careful not to slip on the plastic.

 

[sunshine]

Josephine,
Thank you for the advice, I sure don't want any dislocations like I have read about.
I will be trying to think of something I can use and empty possibly.... Thank you

 

[Bob A.]

Well I spoke with the nurse, they set up my surgery for May 7th so hopefully I will pass everything and be able to go for it. I have to go back and speak with the doc though about what kind of hip and stuff. I guess they assumed I talked with him about everything but I didn't.
Well can anyone tell me about not having a shower stall, will I be able to step over with one hip fixed?

Don't take this as gospel, but I spoke to my wife last night (she's a PT) and she told me they have a bench that is made to straddle the tub that you can do your transfers on. I don't think its the type of equipment you will get at the big box store either. You would need to get it from a supply company that deals with medical necessities. For sure you should have a home visit from a therapist who can evaluate you and your home situation once you get out of the hospital. They will also teach you how do do your transfers, monitor your progress with exercises and in general make sure you stay out of trouble. Having lived with a PT for 12 years, this I can vouch for.

 

[Josephine]

This is one kind of the seat Bob is speaking of

There are a lot more here ....

https://www.mobilitysmart.cc/bath-seats-c-59_594.html

 

[sunshine]

Thank you Bob A and Josephine. I have shower doors so that won't work either.
I need a big tupperware bowl and a squeeze bottle Haha! Well this should be interesting.
I need to ask this since I have your attention. I sleep on a raised Aero air bed because it allows me to sleep with less pain now. Will this be out of the question also after surgery? I do have a regular hard bed, I just don't use it now. The aero bed can be very stiff if I blow it up full so it would be like a normal bed. Hmmmm

 

[Bob A.]

Your shower doors might be removable without much fuss, I know the ones in my house are. If you can lift the door up a bit so it slips out of the groove on the top, and there is nothing in the middle then you are good to go. With those out of the way, you could put up a pressure fit shower rod and with a cheap curtain you could be in business.

 

[mikey]

I'm 59 and in the same boat, but have not set a date yet. Keep me posted on your progress. Are you having MIS? Is it computer assisted? What city?

 

[Josephine]

I sleep on a raised Aero air bed because it allows me to sleep with less pain now. Will this be out of the question also after surgery? I do have a regular hard bed, I just don't use it now. The aero bed can be very stiff if I blow it up full so it would be like a normal bed. Hmmmm

I not terribly sure about this - do you mean one of those big blow up beds like this?

If so, I think your biggest problem will be that you need something firm to push up off when you stand. I'm not awfully sure such a bed would meet that demand. I suggest you get a PT from your surgeon's practice to come and assess your accommodation if that's possible.

 

[sunshine]

I'm 59 and in the same boat, but have not set a date yet. Keep me posted on your progress. Are you having MIS? Is it computer assisted? What city?

Hi Mikey, I am sure what MIS means. I am having THR of my right hip first because it is the worst. I am in Florida where the humidity is killing me! I will let you know how it goes cause I plan on writing here for support! Where are you and when is your surgry?

 

[sunshine]

I not terribly sure about this - do you mean one of those big blow up beds like this?

If so, I think your biggest problem will be that you need something firm to push up off when you stand. I'm not awfully sure such a bed would meet that demand. I suggest you get a PT from your surgeon's practice to come and assess your accommodation if that's possible.

Yes, this is what my bed is like. It is very firm when it is full. I thank you so much for your help Josephine, it's like having an inside line here for the extras. I guess I will have to wait and see cause I am sure no one will come out and check. Posibly what I think is firm won't be firm enough with a new hip. At least I will be aware now.

 

[mikey]

I'm not schedule yet. I'm in Atlanta and the MIS stands for Minimally Invasive Surgery.

 

[Josephine]

You can read about MIS here

https://bonesmart.org/joint-replacement-surgery/mis-robotics/

 

[sunshine]

Thank you for posting that site here Josephine, I am not sure but pretty much believe I will have the traditional hip replacement. I have not spoken with him yet, next week. That is all he does on everyone I have spoken to that has had their hips replaced.
The MIS sounds a lot faster healing but I don't really have that option at this point. (sigh)

 

[Josephine]

I wouldn't worry, sunshine - MIS has more than its fair share of problems.