pre assessment before hip operation

lola9755
lola9755 Member Posts: 39
edited 20. Jul 2010, 11:55 in Living with Arthritis archive
hi
I have my pre assessment in three weeks for my THR, what will they do as it says allow 2 hours for the appointment
the pain is almost unbearable, dont want to go anywhere or do anything, just have to drag mself to work most days.
Tired all the time because of the pain at night, feel pretty miserable!!
anyone else going through this!
thanks :?

Comments

  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi lola nice to meet you :D

    I don't have experience of THR but there are lots of peeps here who do and am sure they'll be along soon to answer your questions.

    there are also lots of threads about THR where people have been sharing their experiences pre and post op so it might be helpful for you to search the LWA forum for these!.

    ((((hugs)))
    Irisx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Lola,

    Weclome to the forum.

    A few months ago I was going through exactly that .. unbearable pain, unable to sleep, struggling at work ... I'm now 8 weeks post op and life is SO MUCH better!! Hang in there, girl!!

    People's experiences at pre-op appointment vary. Some folks running the clinics are more helpful than others at answering your questions and queries - but it is worth a shot at taking them with you (ie a list) as you maybe one of they lucky ones who get to hear the answers!! Usually they run various checks - blood pressure, listen to your heart, blood test, weight, take various swabs to screen for bugs such as MRSA, they ask questions and fill out forms and you often get to talk to an OT about the equipment you will need (and they will provide you with,) whilst you are recovering. They will probably give you a leaflet and chat a bit about the operation, if you will have someone at home to look after you etc

    Are you taking pain meds and anti-inflammatories? Have you been back to the GP to say the pain is now a lot worse and you can't sleep etc? In the last few months leading up to my op, my pain got worse and worse and the GP upped the pain meds - it's worth a try.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Lola

    Speedy has gone through the pre op assesment brilliantly with you. :) I will just add, that if you are lucky you may even see a physio then who will tell you a little about what to expect post op with exercises and how soon they get you out of bed etc. Oh, and you will probably have a urine test as well.

    There are quite a few people who have had THRs on the forum and Speedy and Marion have quite a dialogue going on here about it, so ask any question and they will come to your aid!

    I hope it all goes well at your appointment, there is no reason why it should not.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tanith
    tanith Member Posts: 175
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi , I had my THR 5yrs ago and the pre-op is really what you would excpect lots of questions and checks on your general health.. also they ask about your home situation, wether you have stairs, will someone be there to look after you when you go home.. its quite painless and mine took about 20 mins...
    Do ask your GP about something for your night pain, my GP gave me low dose Amitripiline which works on relaxing your muscles it really worked for me as long as I took it before 8pm I was fine and got a good nights sleep. I also had to stop taking one of my meds but for the life of me I can't remember which one it was so make sure the hospital know what you are taking and they will let you know if you should stop any of them before surgery... good luck with you op and do come back with any questions you might have..
    Our worst times are always our best lessons.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I had to stop taking my anti inflams before my TKR and I really missed them. I had not realised quite how much they helped me. They do ask what meds you are on at the pre op assessment.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • lola9755
    lola9755 Member Posts: 39
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Hi Lola,
    thank you so much for your reply, you have given me some hope!! xx
    Weclome to the forum.

    A few months ago I was going through exactly that .. unbearable pain, unable to sleep, struggling at work ... I'm now 8 weeks post op and life is SO MUCH better!! Hang in there, girl!!

    People's experiences at pre-op appointment vary. Some folks running the clinics are more helpful than others at answering your questions and queries - but it is worth a shot at taking them with you (ie a list) as you maybe one of they lucky ones who get to hear the answers!! Usually they run various checks - blood pressure, listen to your heart, blood test, weight, take various swabs to screen for bugs such as MRSA, they ask questions and fill out forms and you often get to talk to an OT about the equipment you will need (and they will provide you with,) whilst you are recovering. They will probably give you a leaflet and chat a bit about the operation, if you will have someone at home to look after you etc

    Are you taking pain meds and anti-inflammatories? Have you been back to the GP to say the pain is now a lot worse and you can't sleep etc? In the last few months leading up to my op, my pain got worse and worse and the GP upped the pain meds - it's worth a try.

    Speedy
  • lola9755
    lola9755 Member Posts: 39
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    thank you everyone for the replies and much encouragement, You feel as if the pain/discomfort cant get any worse. But you have all made me feel as if I'm not just on my own..............thanks again
    will let you know how I get on

    tricia :)
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, Just to wish you all the best for the operation and for the assesment this week. At least, now things are happening and you will soon be on the mend and feeling better.
    Take care, lots of love and good wishes, Sue
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Tricia,

    Good luck with the assessment. Mine was just checking out the heart, lungs and bp basically. It done a couple of weeks before so that if they do find anything (which they wont!) they can get it sorted before the op date. Fingers crossed it all goes well and more luck for the op. Let us know though as others have said. Cris x
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Lola

    My pre-op assessment for my hip replacement was pretty much as described by other peeps... I also saw the anaesthetist and he went through exactly what would happen during the anaesthetic process, which was quite reassuring for me (I like to be well prepared)..

    My hip was in a bad state before the operation - my hip was 'bone on bone' and I was on two walking sticks and could barely get from the house to the car.. The good news is that it's a great operation and I am 9 weeks post-op now and that awful pain I had before is just a distant memory..

    Hope all goes well for you.

    Marion
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi,
    Pre assess ...nothing to worry about.....I've not long been through it...just before Speedy and Marion and I've now got my date for another one for the 2nd hip.
    They just did BP, heart height etc all the usual, explained what would happen, how long I would be in etc etc and gave me a number to ring if I had any more questions.....She did give me the chance to ask question...but if I thought of anything else to ring her.
    Have you someone you could take with you...Hubby always comes with me partially to remind me of things I want to know but more importantly to take in all the nurse/consultant or whoever else says 'cause I dont always LOLO
    Lo ve
    Hileena
  • mjking
    mjking Member Posts: 145
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Lola

    I had my pre-op assessment at Bham's Royal Orthopedic and it was as others have already said but I was also told about my coming out options.

    Not sure how common this scheme is but I had the choice of the shortest time in hosp. (3-4 nights) and home support or more time in hosp. (up to 7 nights) with less support once I was at home.

    To take option 1 you must have an adult at home with you all the time.

    My wife and I went for the 1st option and we had 3 home visits (starting the day after I went home) and I could have had more plus there is a phone number to ring if we needed any help.

    We opted for early release partly 'cause my wife was off work anyway & party 'cause of slight concerns about DVTs and staying in the hosp. bed too long.

    So far its worked out well .....

    Good Luck with your assessment and the op!

    Mike :)
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, In the Northumberland area it depends on the surgeon....Some do what they call fast track and others dont.....fast track doesnt mean bumping you up to the top of the queue...it meas faster out of hospital.
    I had fast track...no home visits unless you call the distrioct nurse coming to look at the wound a home visit? I had that. Had my op on Fri. then Sat and Sun in hospital and out on Monday I preferrred it that way as well
    Love
    Hileena
  • plmb48
    plmb48 Member Posts: 125
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi Lola
    well what everyone has told you is just great u should feel reasured by what they say i only want to add that when the op is over the pain you went in with is gone only the wound will hurt you.one more thing when they get u up next day you will feel as if you are carrying a concreat block around with u very strange but it wont stay like that no one has ever explained why lol i have 2hips 2shoulders 2elbows and 1knee replaced so know a little hahaha good luck Pauline u will be fine xxxxx
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    What alot of replacements....didnt even know they did shoulder replacements....you're right you should know a bit LOL
    Love
    Hileena
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I had a pre assesment in may for a camera to go in my wrist unfortunatly he couldn't get anywhere as the wrist is so badly damaged by OA so am now waiting for op date for a TWR and probably another pre assesment, its basically the same as others but I was given antibacterial shower gel (hibiscrub) to use 3 days before the op including washing my hair with it everyone had it given to them despite being clear of any infection including MRSA , I too saw my anesthesiologist he went through things as far as my other health problems are concerned had to stop a tablet before the op etc stayed in one night the day before the op as I'm diabetic but came home the same day as my op as I was first done you will be fine I'm sure
  • lola9755
    lola9755 Member Posts: 39
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hiya everyone
    just got word this morning that my pre assessment and THR operation has been cancelled............. what a dissappointment.

    possibly looking at sept/oct

    tricia x
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Tricia, I responded on your other thread re your op being postponed. Have also just read your first post on this one about how much pain you are in - in which case DEFINITELY ring up the consultant's secretary ... and get your GP on the case too if necessary.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.