My hip replacement diary
Comments
-
Reading how well you are, makes me very happy. About social life, I don't have any. For a long time I made too many excuses to avoid social contact and people don't count on me. I haven't told many people why so they probably think I was uninterested. My best friends are just waiting for me to be ready to call them again. It'll take time to recover from physical and mental damage. It's great you are planning your holidays and new adventures. I love we are all here "Trendelenburging" together 😂
1 -
I think we will eventually get more sociable again when we get more confident in our abilities. It is so easy to choose to hide away or avoid people or situations when we are having such physical difficulties. I think this operation should encourage us to start again and think what do we really want out of life now.
@Janlyn watching your progress is still inspiring and I can't believe you are on week 15 already, but then I am just about to start week 4 in a day or two and can't believe how fast time goes post op.
1 -
@Nurina Absolutely - I'm so happy to have joined the Trendelenburg club rather than just having an unnamed awkward muscle! I never considered mental damage pre surgery but it is worth realising it is going to happen. Left alone and in pain and seeing how some people step up and are wonderful with us and others drift away leads to many different emotions at a time we are feeling vulnerable. And yes, my favourite type of travel is to meet up with friends at events but to travel there and back independently, by interesting train journeys wherever possible, which I wondered if I would do again, but I'm giving it a go. I've planned it all very carefully so I've very little walking to/from transport and accommodation/events and I'm determined to travel light!
@JPT - that's exactly how I feel - to start again and decide what we really want out of life. I've actually quite enjoyed being able to say no to events I didn't really want to go to, knowing I had a valid excuse/reason. Now I'll just have to upset people by saying no, I'd rather not 😳. And I really can't believe it's almost four weeks for you too.
Just another couple of thoughts on my chiropractor's advice. He said he was concerned when summer came as it was tempting to use unsuitable footwear. He really advised me to be careful and choose supportive shoes and sandals, which he realised would be a challenge. I've made a start - I've taken a huge bag of shoes I can really only describe as 'occasion/wedding' shoes to the charity shop. Now to look for something reasonably attractive but supportive?
He also advised to think each time I was walking outside - heel down first, followed by outer side of foot, then onto the ball/toes which would stop me from pointing my foot inwards and use the correct muscles. I do find I still have to pace myself, even in the house. I've just done some baking and had to sit down afterwards, but at least I can do it painlessly now.
Hoping you all have good Easter weekends, x
1 -
I can't blame anybody for not counting on me. Only my closest friends know what happened to me.
I think you now can do everything you want to do, with precautions. My physio said that if I'm walking without crutches, I should bring with me a couple of foldable Nordic walking poles in my backpack so I can use them if I start feeling sore. I saw my friend with her husband who is a physiotherapist and he told me I must avoid limping and I should use support. At the moment, I'm not using anything for very short distances, poles for a little longer distances and crutches for long distances. With crutches, I can walk 5km easily and painless.
I haven't worn girlie shoes for years. The last wedding I went was my own one in 2018 and I worn bright red flat ankle boots. I like wearing pretty snickers with colourful socks. In summer I use birkenstock and tied walking sandals, without socks 😂
I'm going to try your walking system. My knees are still collapsing, but they are much better. I'll have physio appointment on Tuesday and I have several questions to ask.
Have a nice weekend. I'm looking forward to changing the hour back. X
0 -
@Nurina it's a good idea to take foldable Nordic walking poles out. It's also good to hear consistent advice, my chiropractor said the same thing - to avoid limping. I'm struggling so much with my painful wrist that I wouldn't dare use walking poles just yet, or any kind of support, so I just avoid walking long distances, and walking too fast, both of which soon make me limp or sore. But that's okay as it's much better than before, and with patience and perseverance I'm determined to get there. It's great that you can easily and painlessly walk 5km with crutches.
I love the sound of your wedding boots! I do prefer to wear boots but must find some more supportive sandals. I'm not sure why I kept my enormous bag of shoes for so long as I hadn't worn them for years. Definitely a bit of comfort and quirkiness is going to be my way to go.
I'm interested to hear what your physio has to say. I've just realised that I don't think my knees are collapsing now so maybe that's a time thing too?
Enjoy your weekend too x
1 -
Last visit to my physio he was explaining interesting facts about why the exercises have to be very slow.
He compared the ligaments with rubber bands. He said that if you pull a rubber band and you quick release it, the rubber recovers its old form. If you pull the rubber band and you keep it tight for some seconds before releasing it slowly, the rubber band doesn't fully recover its old form. That's why exercises of leg backwards-diagonal have to be very slow holding the position for several seconds. He said now I have to do this exercise lying on my side. I can't find a photo that can explain it. It's something like this photo but the leg backwards-diagonal and slightly leaning the body to the belly. Does it make sense?
Another exercise is climbing up and down the first step of the stairs. The operated leg has to be the first to go up and the last to go down. Normal steps and sideways steps.
Another exercise is sitting and standing bearing the weight on the operated leg.
He told me that when we walk fast, the ligaments don't fully stretch and they are shortening in every step so they pull back muscles and oothermuscles. That's why for the recovery, it's better to do exercise than walking but the last is better for mental health.
I'm so sorry about your wrist pain. I suppose all these collateral damage is temporary and you'll be fine soon.
Why don't you try selling the shoes in Vinted?
Take care x
2 -
@Nurina that's a very interesting analogy regarding the rubber band, makes perfect sense, thank you. Actually I've walked twice as far as normal today painlessly using the method my chiropractor told me to use. Heel down first, then outside foot through to ball of foot for each step - I did it consciously with each step so it was a bit tedious but successful and so I assume it will become normal with enough practice. We really can have been using bad practices for years can't we? Thank you for the exercises - they all make sense.
I've already taken my shoes to the charity shop - they were putting out Spring time wedding displays and I thought they might make a bit of money for the charity and really I just wanted rid of them. I'm busy trying to catch up with decluttering, tidying and cleaning that has been neglected for at least a year so maybe I'll try Vinted next? Thanks for the idea.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the Easter break, x
0 -
I couldn't just read every page without leaving a comment, as I felt like a peeping Tom lols.
Everything you have all said resonated with me, and I am so thankful I came across this community; I have lost precious time with my family, lost touch with my friends and also lost mental health cos I even lost me.
It's heartwarming to read that complete strangers have more empathy due to circumstance, than even those closest to you.
I wish you all a speedy recovery, send my love & hugs and hope that I have the same positive Mindset even during my worst days. You are all so helpful and kind.
Keep up the good work xoxo
2 -
@Zimmer it's so true that we lose such precious time - before my surgery I was so frustrated with all the things I couldn't do and avoiding socialising as it was too painful, too much effort and I might snap at people as my patience wasn't what I was used to, but slowly now all that is returning to normal and life has joy I had lost.
And no need to feel like a peeping Tom - we need to know how we feel is how others feel and to learn what might be ahead for us or even possible.
Take care, x
3 -
Hi @Janlyn, thank you for writing your diary that has been a great support to me over the last few weeks. I had a hip replacement in mid March and have been checking in with your posts and others comments periodically since then. Your diary has reassured me about any worries I have had about my progress, and overall, made me feel that I’m not experiencing anything out of the ordinary. I really appreciate you taking the time to write this diary that has been such a great point of reference for me, and no doubt many others too. I wish you all the best in your continued recovery.
3 -
@Janlyn I have finally caught up and have to say it has been helpful reading.
I have had comments that were hurtful but I just tell people I've only had one hip done and still have the other hip and knees to be done so of course I limp and roll sometimes, so would they!
I don't have pain in my operated hip and I'm very grateful for that, I do ache and I expected that as my muscles were in a terrible state because they were trying to protect my joints. I rarely say much to people I know because they haven't a clue.
1 -
@siouxsie64 lovely to meet you just saying hello. These thread by our hippies are such a phenomenal resource I agree. For quieter members like you who are able to read and get reassurance about their own progress as well as future people who are contemplating surgery.
Hope you yourself are doing ok?
@Janlyn I'm so glad you said that about feeling impatient/not such a nice person when you are in pain. Isolating this condition isn't it? Here there is no need to hold back because we all understand. An 'old' member (not old just doesn't post) used to say 'We all get it because we've all got it'.
Take care
Toni x
2 -
@frogmorton even now I get grumpy when I am not having a good day with my hip aching or just frustration and people seem to think I should be fixed by now.
As you say, we all get it. Julie x
1 -
Hi @siouxsie64 it's good to meet you and great to hear my diary has reassured you. I hope you are doing well and getting out and about in the sun. You will have had your six weekly check and I hope it went well. Progress did slow down for me at that stage but still progressed - 20 weeks yesterday! Take care.
0 -
@alwayssewing it's great coming here and knowing we all understand - it really does make it easier to cope with people doesn't it? I was at an event today and I knew a lady helping with the catering had her hip replaced last September. There she was dealing with all the food/guests and no one taking any notice. I asked her how she really was and although she was doing well she was concerned she still doesn't feel steady on her feet - whether that's confidence or not she doesn't know.
It takes us such a long time to get our muscles back and performing doesn't it? Poor you though, still waiting for your other hip and knees to be done, take care.
1 -
@frogmorton I like that 'we all get it because we've all got it'.
I am managing to hold my tongue a little better but really think I've become a different person - maybe my new hip has been personality changing too!
1 -
@Janlyn I have found a person who has a facebook group called Grow Young Fitness and have tried some of his exercises. some are specifically for balance and I have to say they have helped. Some are seated and the same ones can be done standing and he advises holding onto something if you need to at first. The one leg cycling really targeted the large muscles in a way the physio ones didn't quite do. He gives the reasons why they are better done the way he shows, describing how gently stretching an elastic band only a little bit won't have the same effect as going a little further at a slightly faster pace. It made sense once I tried it and a pain I had been having in muscles at the top of my right leg eased after a few sessions. He advises repeating each exercise several times a day but only for 20 seconds each. I thought it might help your friend. He's also on youtube.
2 -
@Janlyn It takes a long time to starting feeling like everything is ok even when we have reached most of our milestones. I'm on my 17th week and I'm painless and stronger day by day but I still don't feel like nothing has happened. I had my last visit to the physio last week. He said I'm fully recovered from the surgery and from now, it's up to me what I want to achieve.
3 -
@alwayssewing thank you, I've just looked him up and watched his exercises. I think I'll give them a go too, I can see they would work well.
1 -
@Nurina that's so true. That's about what my physio said at my last session. He said I might think I was recovered but there would be more I could do. At six months I'd think I'd reached my max but if I persevere until 12-18 months I'll realise I can do more. It is worth it I think. I can't believe it's just over 20 weeks for me - where does time go?
2 -
Hi @Janlyn and others. Coming to this thread rather late, but I wanted to say how encouraging I have found it. I was diagnosed with moderate-severe hip arthritis last year and was able to go on a self-referral pathway, where I could decide when and if I felt ready to get back in touch with the consultant to discuss a hip replacement. It gave me time to reflect on all my concerns (having to give up my active life for several weeks/months, the difficulties of coming back to a house with stairs on my own, with a cat to care for somehow) and the potential for pain and complications after surgery, as well as the whole operation process itself. So I've been putting off going back, but over the past few months have noticed I am getting more discomfort and am struggling more with walking and doing yoga and tai chi classes, as well as reduced energy levels. Your discussions have motivated me to get back into the system, although with the waits my op probably won't be till next year now. So thank you all for giving me some hope amongst the anxiety!
1 -
@Jane18 I can understand all you say. I certainly didn't push for my surgery until I realised I didn't really have an option. Once you realise you can't do the things you want to do and you start to get more pain and discomfort it becomes easier to work out how you will cope with the surgery, with coming home alone and the day to day recovery. Although I wouldn't want to go through the first couple of weeks post-surgery again, it really was over quickly and so much better than I had imagined. There was very little I couldn't actually do for myself. Now five months on and my life is getting better by the day rather than harder by the day so I've really no regrets. I hope you find the same to be true. Take care.
4
Categories
- All Categories
- 21 Welcome
- 18 How to use your online community
- 3 Help, Guidelines and Get in Touch
- 10.8K Our Community
- 8.9K Living with arthritis
- 88 Hints and Tips
- 211 Work and financial support
- 723 Chat to our Helpline Team
- 4 Want to Get Involved?
- 385 Young people's community
- 9 Parents of Children with Arthritis
- 38 My Triumphs
- 122 Let's Move
- 24 Sports and Hobbies
- 18 Food and Diet
- 237 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 21 Community Feedback and ideas
- 313 Chat and News
- 21 Val's Cafe
- 278 Chit chat
- 9 News
- 5 Tails From The Cafe