6 week check up

constable

Hi All,

Been for my 6 week check up. Bit baffled. Saw the sister of the ward I was on and someone else, we're not sure but think she was from physio. They looked at the scar said it was looking good, but once the scabbing had gone to go to my own gp. Spoke about the pain from the knee going down and they said it was purely the swelling. Had to do some excercises then they told me if I felt I could do it I could bend down, get into bath and have shower. The only thing they said not to do was vaccing. Everthng else I can do now.

I am miffed because in the hospital I was told a story of a woman who bend right over and dislocated her hip, the nurse could not understand why she had done it. Also been told that my hip does not require sticks at all.

Well, there you go folks. Different inforation again. I will never be going to that hospital again. I will demand to go somewhere else.

Karen xx

dreamdaisy

I don't know much about new hips but I think I have learned enough from here to know that anything beyond a 90 degree bend is a total no-no. Even that should not be attempted until after a good long recovery spell. I will see if I can dig up speedalong's thread about her recovery, and I will PM you with the details. I honestly think (despite not being an ortho surgeon or hospital nurse) that you are being told a whole heap of utter testicles. They sound far too casual, far too laid-back, far too un-caring. They haven't had this done, YOU HAVE. You do what you need to do, use one or two sticks if need be, please continue to rest as much as you can - the housework can go hang for a while yet, people don't die from a bit of dust. Karen, this worries me. It seems wrong on so many levels. DD

daylily

Hi Karen, I have to agree with DD on this.
You still need to use a stick or sticks. It's far better to be cautious than risk something happening to your new hip.
I was told no bending for at least 12 weeks but I was told I could do the vaccing.

No two hospitals seem the same but they do seem too casual about everything else.
Do what YOU feel is right and what you are ready for. It's a major op, take your time, the worst is over and get better slowly.
take very good care of yourself and your brand new hip, both are valuable.
xx

barbara12

Hi Karen
I agree with DD, going off others post that have had there THR....I am sure alot of the rules still apply.
I really do wish you could get a second opinion.
But you will get there, and I hope you will feel the benefit very soon, I really do.
Take care, and you know were we are when you need to talk or have a rant.
I did post on your other thread to see how you got on with amitriptyline, I am hoping you managed some well needed sleep.

hileena111

Hi Karen
I was told that after the 6 weeks I could sleep on my side and do all things normally {as normal as I can do them }{by the ortho} just not to sit on a very low stool.....very very low he said....like to clean out the bottom cupboards.
Then the same hospital when I was having my acupuncture.....that was about 1 yr afther THR......the first time he told me to lie on my side while he put the needles in. I lay on my unoperated side and bent my right leg {operated} because thats the most comfortable for me.....he nearly had a fit....you mustn't lie like that after a THR....I said but its a year old....I dont care he said.....so thats an ortho inthe hospital and one of the seniors in the physio in the same hospital Help??????

Love
Hileena

jilly

Hi Karen , I agree with the others , I had a THR and it took 12 months to get back to normal , it was the same with my TKR . I was told something different everytime i went to see them after the ops . You do what feels right to you if its uncomfy dont do it . Dont let them make you feel you are'nt doing well they have'nt had it done . It is a major op and takes some getting over and every one is different . They do more damage to some than others you have a lot of flesh to heal to. I am really happy with the replacements now that time has passed and so glad i had them done but it took time for me to think like that.
I hope you feel ok soon everyday that passes gets you nearer to feeling well ................jillyxx

dachshund

Hi Karen
i found after my thr if i didnot walk with a stick i wobbled from side to side and it helped my balance.
you do whats right for you i have crutches if i need them as well.
take care you've done good.
joan xx

frogmorton

Gosh Karen :shock:

don't risk it will you?! :shock:

can you get some advice from a different source??

Love

toni xx

julie47

Karen I cant give you advice on your hip replacement, I just want to say please be careful and only do what you feel comfortable with.

Take care
Juliepf x

speedalong

Hi Constable,

I am very surprised at the advice you were given at your 6 week appointment. Can I ask what age bracket are you in? The reason I ask is that often hospitals are only used to doing THR on elderly, already infirm patients and younger patients flumox them and are beyond their knowledge and experience.

I have a THR on my left and a resurface-replacement on my right. I would honestly say to not break the 90 degree rule until you get to 12 weeks*. It is amazing if you are creative how many things you can do and still follow this rule ... I got up to all sorts of antics! :roll: The sorts of things that mean so much too us folk ... but are taken totally for granted for non-arther suffers.

You can bend down and not break the 90 degree rule, if you remember to raise your operated leg behind you at the back a little.

You can sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs.

Re walking - pain and the standard of your gait are your best guides. Listen to pain and that will govern whether you need one or two crutches. Most folks give them up in the house before they do out and about. Once pain ceases to limit you - get someone to comment on your gait - if you are kicking your operated leg out to the side/swaying a lot from side to side - then you are better to be walking with one stick on the non operated side whilst you build up the muscle strength again.

Re the swelling - spend more time elevating your leg - ie have a lie down in the afternoon!! Also get someone to help you put a row of pillows under the foot of your mattress - just sticking out a bit so they don't slip or move - this was a great tip given me and really helped reduce the swelling too.

Hope this helps.

Speedy

* the 90 degree rule is to not have your hip at less than a 90 degree angle with your trunk - ie don't lift the knee to high or bend to far towards the knee ie when sitting - don't lean forward etc This rule is because the ligaments and muscles keeping the hip in the socket are very weak post-op as they were stretched when the surgeon had to dislocate your real hip to perform the op. Also most surgeons go in through the posterior and this involves cutting and dividing the muscles in the bottom which need to time to recover too.

constable

Hi Speedalong,

I'm 52 in about a week's time. I can tell you I never want to go back to that hospital again.

Karen xx

constable

Hi,

Just wanted to say thankyou to everyone, I will not be going over the 90 degree and I will listen to my body as to how far it wants to go. Thanks to all you.

Karen