Daily Motion

[nickji]

Hi Everyone,

Regarding the problem of getting/using a raised toilet seat. I imagine that this can be a worry when staying over with friends or even going out to eat. So my experience may be helpful, since for me, in India, a seat raiser wasn't an option. I could have bought a special toilet chair, but decided it would be too much fuss. So, I simply sit slightly more forward than usual and keep the operated leg completely straight and slightly abducted, being careful not to inwardly rotate leg or foot and keeping knee well below hip level. It's never a problem, not the slightest hint of pain, and after 2 weeks of using this method, I feel confident in it. By all means use a raised seat at home, but I recommend not letting worry about this restrict you in any way. Jo will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure.

By the way, I've mentioned in another thread what a wonderful experience this has all been, from the moment I went into surgery for RTHR; and almost three weeks on it continues to be a delight. Caring for myself in a fully loving way, and seeing how even casual acquaintances care much more than I'd realised have been rewarding parts of a process of re-assessment which the operation, and the pain, has allowed me to experience. It's just great. All of it.

Nick

 

[Jamie]

Good post, Nick! I opted not to use a raised toilet seat. When I was first home, I used the walker and my arm strength to lower myself into a sitting position standing on just one leg. My home therapist taught me how to do this and it worked great, because I had enough upper body strength to raise and lower myself. At first my operated knee had to be almost completely straight. Then I decided to use this as yet another opportunity to exercise my flex. Gradually I would put a little weight on the operated leg and bend slightly....straightening it when it got to the stopping point...again using lots of arms strength on the stable walker and the one good leg to keep balance. My therapist checked me out with this process each time she came and it turned out to be an excellent exercise. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone necessarily, but it did work for me. You do have to have strong arms and a strong, steady good leg.

So glad to hear your surgery is going so well.....and that you have benefited from the forum!

 

[Josephine]

There's a difference between using a riser for a knee or a hip. For a knee it's a convenience and simply helps with rising or preventing painful flexing. But for a hip, it's necessity to comply with the restrictions concerning the risk of dislocation but the restrictions can, as Nick very ably described, be complied with even without a riser but you need to have a good knowledge of which movements are okay and which are not. He described it very well. The only point I'd like to expand on is the difference between ABduction and ADduction. A simple aide memoire is that
abduction is away from the other leg - or abduct - to take away as in kidnap.
adduction is towards it - or adduct - to add to.

Likewise, to internally rotate is to move the toes towards the other foot, to externally rotate is to move the toes away from the other foot.

 

[Jamie]

Oooops!!! You're so RIGHT, Jo. Somehow I had forgotten that Nick had a HIP replacement and not a KNEE replacement. My big mistake!!! Thanks for catching it. Duhhhh......blonde moment.

 

[Josephine]

No worries, chickadee!

 

[JudyS]

For the first 2 weeks I was either at the hospital or at home so no problem. Then you get stronger and understand what you are trying to avoid better so it is possible to use a lower toilet.
I remember the panic at my hospital joint class when the preseter showed a toilet riser and said they were portable and you could bring them with you. What a joke!!! That was one of my first questions on this forum. Jo showed the info on a whiz a way for females and that changed my world!!!!
judy

 

[Judles]

Nick,,,,,,women have been squatting for years!
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