THR scared to death did it

Status
Not open for further replies.
Don't know if you can get to your thread @catdemar so I'll answer here; basically, what @rob3dr said :rotfl:

You don't HAVE to buy stuff, I hired some aids from a medical hire place (the hospital loaned me a toilet raiser, shower chair, dressing stick, crutches and gave me some "stuff") like a high backed chair set to the right angle (I had precautions, you may not have to consider) an over bed/chair table (like the one you get your meals on in hospital) and we were going to hire a recliner too but left it too late then worked out I could use our existing ones quite easily. They weren't expensive to hire though, really worthwhile

You won't be moving about much in the first week or so. I didn't spend any time in bed, other than at night. I got up, showered, rested in my recliner (oh yeah, baby, loved my recliner) had breakfast, rested in the recliner.... you get it. I found the recliner more comfortable and easier to observe my precautions in than bed, it being in the living room meant I felt like I was more "in the mainstream" too - I could command the troops from there (between naps!), had easy access to TV, laptop, chargers, meds, all my "stuff" on the over-chair trolley table (like glasses, reachers, tissues, phones) and could use the main bathroom, the kitchen... the laundry - when able and inclined :loll:) I don't even like the "breakfast in bed" treat though, so staying in bed was never going to appeal :heehee: I found it easier to be dressed as I can't ignore the doorbell either, so I could usually get to it in time... if I'd had to make myself presentable; well THAT was gonna take some time:loll:

The tiredness is it's own thing... you can't fight it, all you do is get miserable doing that so you've just got to go with it... having somewhere convenient to crash (coz it sneaks up on you) is the best. Oh, and I don't know what car you have but I am short and we have a 4WD with side steps that I couldn't use (wrong leg) so we bought an aerobics type step in a fitness store, it's adjustable in height and is nice and wide so you can turn around on it to enter the car backside first (which is the recommended way) It's handy for other stuff too, I've kept it in the car though, my folks are elderly so now they use it to get in:cool:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
All i can say is noway on this earth would i agree to both hips being replaced at the same time infact not sure my os would even do that. 3 days is ridiculously unreal 3 weeks is even over ambitious, im past 3 weeks now and still no where near better, sleep is hard as your restricted and you get aches in your back and shoulders from compensating, the blood loss from one hip is enough to take the wind out of anyones sails never mind two at the same time, not sure postiera or anterior makes that much difference to your low energy levels, pain was not a worry for me i have been pain meds free from 10days after and no pain at all other than a few aches, let us know how you get on as im very curious x
 
@craftedee
Wow you have a lot of good info. I have so many questions.
The "hire" rental prices are just about the same to buy out here in San Francisco. I really would like a recliner, but hoping I can get a mattress for my adjustable bed that feels good. Current one hurts.

On another note....can any of you please remind me that part of a bad hip/hips is a sore lower back. It seams my back hurts more than my hips. I do have to say that the stretching and stationary bike riding has helped in the last few days. I keep on saying maybe I can wait for surgery if I'm feeling better:( I hate this. I've already canceled twice.

Oh well I'll be up till midnight looking on line for recliners. :)


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Ok so one other questions why is my OS say I won't need any personnel PT or any special aids? I know I am having Anterior approach but sounds like everyone here need some help and special items.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
I thought PT was fairly well useless after I got home and stopped it after a few sessions. I can lift my knees on my own and just walk... special aids... walker and TOILET SEAT EXTENDER!
 
@rob3dr,
That's what I'm hoping. I don't want to purchase all these items and find I don't need them. I have a comfort height toilet already so hope that's enough. And PT I was looking for more of a trainer to get me ready for summer :) that my insurence will pay for. LOL !!! hahaha.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
@copsham I am looking forward to some R&R. It takes major surgery to get this it seems. But I'm not happy when people at work think of it as "vacation time" I'm going buy the book for the most part. :)
 
Hi @catdemar Here in Australia we don't get much PT.. one session in hospital, to show you exercises (very basic!) to do at home, next day to make sure you "got it" :heehee: one session at six weeks to check your gait and to see how you're going in recovery. If, like my, you're a dufus and get tendinitis you get more PT sessions. The reasoning is pretty much one of the BoneSmart mantras "hips don't need much exercise to improve, only walking, and even that NOT to excess". The joint is inherently strong from the get go, it doesn't need ANYTHING to get "stronger" GENTLE PT may help to get your muscles and soft tissues repaired/retrained or just plain "going", but walking and day to day activities will usually just about cover it.... it would seem your OS would be thinking the same way. As to "not needing any aids", THAT I don't get.:shrug:

The protocol here, especially for younger THR candidates, is to get you straight on to two crutches. In the US and UK it seems to be standard to have you on a walker first. Either way, you need something! You might not need it for long, Anterior Approach does involve less tissue disruption so you would need it probably for less time than if you had Posterior, though not necessarily I had what was considered a fabulously quick progression and it still took me two weeks to get down to one crutch, which I used for a week or so then I used a cane for another week or so... I could walk without it, but I limped a little and at that stage it is important to establish correct gait, so I used it until I walked fluidly without it. All that and I had ONE hip done, there's NO WAY you can walk without aids with a bilateral THR - you should ask him to show you how! You will have instruction in hospital from an OT (Occupational Therapist) or equivalent. Either the OT or PT will show you how to use your walking aids... whatever they may be... how to go up steps etc, I'm pretty sure none of them would know how you go about it without an aid for at least the very early days!

With regards to any other aids you may need Catrina, there's an article in the library here's a link... you won't need all of them, but it's worth a look. And YES, back pain and hip pain are related... they are kissin' cousins of the closest kind. I did find some of my aches and pains haven't improve post surgery, probably because once I stopped medicating in the day (at about two weeks in my case, but everyone's different) I FELT them more; prior to the op I was taking anti inflammatories which didn't work for the hip anymore, but clearly took the edge off some of the "old crock" aches.

My back (there's degenerative disc disease, or arthritis in my spine... pretty common with OA sufferers) has improved somewhat as I have been able to move more freely, I think that an improvement is quite common, but don't expect to wake up with no pain... well, you WILL but only because you're on GOOD meds, the mid term outlook may not be as good, but once you can increase your movement you'll be able to at least DO something about the back ache if it's still there... like I said, it may indeed go away. I had very sore knee and calf pre op, the calf has not bothered me AT ALL since Day 1... I dont know why, don't care... I'll take it! The knee has improved since I've been moving properly. And we all have "miraculous improvements" once we schedule surgery, it's nature's little trick... making you second guess yourself. Don't listen to it, there's only one way OA goes and that's DOWN. If you have a little hiatus now, then next week, next month, whenever it'll be back with a vengeance. The other problem is that once the rot REALLY sets in you can deteriorate rapidly.
 
Sooo glad about pain thingy pinkers how are you doing otherwise tho. Hope its all ok but dont forget this is a great place to check things out.

Legin THR Sep 14
 
Ok 3 weeks 2 days post op had my 1st walk outside with crutches felt good also visited the physio today, still got the restrictions in place till i see my surgeon in 4 weeks but its feeling better each day now. Cant bend yet, the advice i was given today was use 2 crutches for 8 to 12 weeks as aposed to dropping down to one, because they said it will help keeping hips straight and keep back straight as when you have a bad hip you walk funny for so long to compensate its sort of automatic to walk like that after, 2 crutches trains you to walk even again x xx
 
@pink24 Sounds like you are doing good. That first walk outside feels great....I'm still waiting for mine, it is just too slippery here with all the ice and snow. I will probably try next week when my hip feels a little stronger. I am just using one cane around the house but when I am doing my " walking laps I use two canes to keep my gait straight.
 
@pink24 glad to hear you are getting fresh air and up and about. I know I'm crazy for doing 2 hips the same day but I can't imagine doing one then have to do it all over again.
I'm prepping the house with 7.5 weeks to go. I know I'm early but I don't want to panic with too much to do a few days before.
I bought a zero gravity chair. I can't seem to find a recliner to rent and I certainly don't want to buy one.
I've also looked at these sheets. They have satin in the center to make it easier to slid on and off but have regular material on the sides so you don't slip. Do you think this could be helpful?
[Bonesmart.org] scared to death did it



Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Tried using one crutch around house but it tends to make my knee swell as my knee swelling is posing more of a problem than my hip. The ham string is very very tender, i found that my fitted sheets from next are just fine, your right about going through the recovery twice but still could not bear the thoughts of two at once as i did under estimate how much the restrictions affect your day toi day activity and how much i have needed my non operated leg for support etc x x
 
The hip is usually the least problematic which seems very male, ie daft. Just takesa while for all those strains to muscles and tendons to sort. You use whats best as you are certainly no couch potato. Go girl

Legin THR Sep 14
 
Been using one crutch around the house a little today i think its a confidence issue with me cant wait to be able to sleep on my side again as this sleeping on my back is bugging me. Only 4 more injections and then im free of those. Then my next goal is get rid of the stockings. Any advise on when is best to give em up and do you just stop them or wean off em by maybe still wearing them at night etc x x
 
Hi @pink24 Don't stress about "getting on to" one crutch. I found I was leaving one crutch behind all the time, that was when I realized I was ready to use only one! I used two crutches when I went to shops etc for over a week after I was using one in "familiar" places, it definitely made me feel more secure or, as you said, confident, to have the two crutches in public; I felt more stable and felt that two crutches sent the message to others to be more careful near me :heehee:

The sleeping on your back thing is a pain! I came to terms with it I think, but never enjoyed it for sure! I actually find I'm spending some time sleeping on my back now... which I never did pre-op (but then I couldn't lay my leg flat, now I can) but knowing I CAN roll on to my side at any time is such a relief. All you can do is "get through it", you will :flabber: Have you got 6 weeks precautions? if so you've only got about two weeks to go (I know, easy for me to say) and I found it was easier in the last few weeks than the first few (though I had 12 weeks precautions!), so you never know your luck :whistle:

I never had to have the injections (for which I'm very grateful) or the TED stockings (for which I'm even more grateful) my OS doesn't believe in the efficacy of either of them:angel: I have had to have them for previous surgeries, the rule of thumb is that once you are "back to your normal levels of activity" you no longer require them - most often post THR it's six weeks. As with all these things, it is down to surgeons' preference, so ask your OS.

I'm with you re the bilateral thing too... I don't know if it's because I had such stringent restrictions, but I would have been absolutely stuffed without my "good leg":groan: In fact I said in my thread that I didn't realize pre op that you could use your "good" leg - I thought the restrictions applied to both legs so I was soooo pleased when I found you could... and discovered the Golfers Reach, man that was a life saver. Kudos if you can do both, but I know now that with my circumstances I would have struggled

Hope you get some sleep.... on your back.... soon

Donna :console2:
 
Re crutch thing I found around house I literally just ended up using what I needed without realising. You will always use more going out again its a non thimking thing just happens. Oooo notice non thinking must be why its easy for me. I never wore stocking thing so cant advise rocky horror comes to mind. Doing well tho girl

Legin THR Sep 14
 
Seem to be more and more active each day now 1st time i have sat on the couch put cushions under to make higher its much more comfy than the hard high seat chair. Still pain free as for sleeping i do get sleep but in small bouts and not at the right times lol i think i have restrictions for 12 weeks but he will decide when i see os at eight weeks he said no college for 6 weeks as i am doing accountancy there two evenings, so going back week after nect i hope. Pt said once all is healed scar tissue on muscle is as strong as non operated side that takes 12 weeks in total x x x
 
Nice one lass. Can your tutors not email you course notes. I know its not the same but at least keeps you in learning mode. I still do some peoples VAT returns they panic, one keeps all paperwork scrunched in carrier bags.

Legin THR Sep 14
 
Yes they have emailed work this module is costs and revenues it's more management accounting I prefer the financial accounting but it's all part of level 3 AAT indirect tax is next and spread sheets passed level 2 last year loved book keeping and sage this year passed final accounts for sole traders and partnerships and financial statements and balance sheets wow I can ask you @Legin if I get stuck lol x x
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Members online

No members online now.
Back
Top Bottom