Hip replacement in Greece

Mavrouka

Hello from a newbie,

I live in rural Greece, in the Peloponnese, with my husband and our lovely dog, Emmy. I've recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips and knees. It was a bit of a shock I must say! Apparently, I have level 4 (whatever that means?) in my right hip and have been advised that a hip replacement is my only option.

One of the advantages about living here was that I didn't have to wait for a referral to an osteo doctor and could ring to make an appointment myself. If I go privately, I can choose when I have the op too. The cost would be 3000 euros all in, including a 2 night stay in a private hospital. Speaking to my UK friends, this sound like a bargain so I'm seriously considering going that route.

One of the disadvantages of living here is that you are very much on your own in terms of getting the equipment you need for after the op and, as far as I'm aware there's no such thing as getting a home assessment or anything like that.

As you can imagine, I have a million questions going through my head and could do with some advice as to what are the essentials that I would need at home during my recuperation. I've already warned my husband that, apart from doing pretty much everything else, he will need to help me get my knickers on for a while!

I work as a holiday rep, so the likely timing of my op would be when I finish for the season in mid to late October. I was thinking of doing some of the exercises that I've seen, in Versus videos for example, so wondered if anyone found them helpful?

I really would appreciate any tips or advice, no matter how daft they might sound!

Thanks in advance 😊

Poppyjane

Hello @Mavrouka welcome to the online community

It is great to have someone from sunny Greece to join us.

You are quite right in thinking about all the questions and practical solutions in advance and this community is just the place to find lots of information and advice from members who have been through similar situations.

In fact we have a group whom we all fondly call the "Hippies" because we (myself included) have all posted with questions and advice about hip procedures. Go to the magnifying glass symbol top right, enter hip and you will find a host of discussions. There are a number of threads about pre and post op concerns and some have become daily diaries which are really helpful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

Many of us have tried the exercise videos and found them really helpful, just start gently and build up gradually. One of the keys to a successful post - op recovery is to maintain your muscle strength and your mobility as much as possible pre - op.

As for equipment, many items will be available in the VA shop and on the internet. We have a no advertising policy on our community website but there are still lots of ideas that our members have found particularly useful.

We are glad you found us and look forward to hearing about your experiences in Greece.

Take care

Poppyjane

Trish9556

Hi @Mavrouka

You might find this thread useful

Top Accessories After Hip Replacement - things I wish I’d known — Versus Arthritis

Compiled by hippies it gives you our opinion of what we really found useful when we had our hips replaced and it's not necessarily what the experts will tell you is useful. You might also find it useful to read the various hip diaries that we have all posted when we've had ours done.

Good Luck, I have just been referred to have my 2nd hip replacement and hopefully will get it done sooner rather than later but if I lived in Greece, I would get it done sooner rather than later at that price - you could get 5 done over their for the price it is for one here!

We are a friendly bunch and if you have any queries or silly questions, please shout out and we will reply!

Trish

cocoa

welcome Mavrouka

Stage 4 signifies full hip replacement required. At least that’s what I was told ! Was also told don’t need any special equipment apart from pair of crutches which is the only thing hospital provided Where I went . Whole Miriad of things helpful but must importantly start exercises now and this site has all the necessary videos to follow to improve muscle strength. Keep posting and good luck

Cocoa

Mavrouka

Thanks for the info, I'll certainly check out everything you mentioned. Sorry I'm late replying, but we lost the internet for a while and it's just come back on - one of the joys of rural Greece!

Zimmer

@Mavrouka I've just come across your post, sorry I'm late to the party 😊.

Several of us have just had hip replacements and a few of us have documented our recoveries in the form of diaries, which I found invaluable to help me prepare for surgery. Just search hip replacement and hopefully you'll find a diary/diaries which resonate with your own experience.

With regards to equipment, other than what @Trish9556 mentioned in the thread, you might need to get some furniture risers.

Post-op you are advised not to bend further than 90 degrees, in case of dislocation, for around 6 weeks, or twist your torso or operated leg. Your hips should be higher than or equal to your knees. Your knees should never be higher than your hips.

Okay, you can get furniture risers online but anything sturdy enough, like blocks of wood or breeze blocks would also work. I was told that I couldn't do this as my sofa is reclining, so it would be thrown off balance, but I've made it work with the help of wedges, pillows etc and the recliner also helped to raise my swollen legs. I just straighten my leg until it's at the required height, when standing up, and then put weight on it.

I must admit though that I was gobsmacked by the price of the surgery there as here in Britain, it is £15,000.00 per leg!!! So yeah, go for it, and don't look back, I'm around 2 wks post-op and noticed the difference literally the day after surgery xx

So welcome to the community and never be afraid to ask questions, no matter if you think they're silly as we're all in the same boat and will totally support you every step of the way. Take care xx