Wellness

[kismet]

After doing some yard work I find that I have to have a hip replacement.  Until this happened I had no problem with my hip.  Being that I didn't, my doctor sent me to PT.  It felt better at first but then it got worse.  I cancelled the last few appointment and went back to the doctor.  Guess the hip is causing me the pain. It's bone on bone. I do get sciatica from time to time. The only time I feel fine is when I'm sitting.  I have 2 knee implants from years ago and had no problem or pain when done.  Now I heard the hip is easier.  My knee surgeon no longer does surgery.  The surgeon I'm seeing has a lot of good reviews and I found he did a neighbor's hip.  She did fine.  Also I do know the hospital is one of the best.  Any suggestions for after the surgery.  I feel I have all the things to make my life easier.  I will have PT come to the house.  

[Mz iMac]

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@kismet wrote:

After doing some yard work I find that I have to have a hip replacement.  

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@kismet  What kind of yard work were you doing?   

[Kachina624]

@kismet.  My mom had trouble gett8ng pants on after the surgery so I made a run and bought her a couple of lounge dresses or mumus that she could just pull over her head.

Good luck for a speedy recovery!

[FranandZoe]

When is your surgery?  Best wishes for a good outcome and a speedy recovery!

[DottieBlue]

@kismet 

Sorry to hear of your upcoming surgery. 

Kachina's suggestion for having over-the-head clothing to wear is a good one.

Will you be needing a shower chair and grab bars?  I don't recommend the suction type grab bars, I wouldn't trust them to stay on the wall.

A  rollator or wheelchair to help you scoot around until you are able to put weight on that hip to walk again? 

Also, perhaps a pair of slip-on shoes to make putting your shoes on alot easier.

I was completely unprepared when I broke my ankle about 10 years ago.  I had none of these things and my DH had to go out shopping and order some things from Amazon. 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[haddon9]

Good luck with your surgery!  I wish you a full & speedy recovery!

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Sending good wishes your way, @kismet.  Several years ago, my friend had to have the same hip done twice as there was a recall on the original hip apparatus.  She had a hospital bed delivered so she could sleep near the downstairs bathroom and get outside.  They didn't want her doing stairs for a period of time at first. Then it became once down and once up daily for awhile.   She also used a walker.  I gave her a little basket to fasten onto it with zip ties to hold her phone and a few small necessities.  Part of her therapy was to walk so I'd pick her up and we'd go to the track around one of our parks.  If you need motivation, ask a friend to walk with you.  It's easier to make excuses when it's just you. Get a shower chair.  If you have to step into a bathtub to shower, get someone to help you. 

[Linmo]

@kismet I had my right hip replaced after fracturing my femur in a fall 2 years ago.  Since I also had an arm fracture, I used a hemi-walker for about a week and then a cane for a couple of weeks.   The hospital provided the hemi-walker and I ordered a cane on Amazon.

A shower chair is necessary for awhile.  Also, you're not supposed to bend over at the waist for a few months so get a grabber to pick up things if you don't already have one.  My home health person also gave me a couple of good tools to help put on socks and shoes.  I don't wear socks and found Skechers slip-ins to be perfect for me.  I still wear them.

One thing that I wasn't initially told by my surgeon was that you need to take antibiotics an hour before dental visits for a certain period of time.  There is an ongoing debate about how long and for what type of dental visits they should be taken.  Since I don't have a problem with antibiotics and don't have a lot of dental issues, I err on the side on the side of caution and take them before all visits.  

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!  I was able to drive after only 3 weeks.

[smoochy]

dont buy equipment ahead of time. The discharge planner/case manager assigned to you in the hospital will arrange for any durable medical equipment as well as home services like physical therapy. You wont have to make any of those arrangements yourself. Best of luck to you. Should be fairlyeasy

[spumoni99]

I just had my right hip replaced at the end of April. Best thing I ever did!  I could hardly walk, I had to use two canes the day I went in for surgery.

The first week was kind of rough, stay ahead of the pain with the pain meds.  The first 24 hours my husband had to help me get into bed mostly to adjust the elevation for my leg and my covers.  After that I was pretty independent.

My daughter sent us a meal service for two weeks so my husband just had to microwave them, that helped a lot.

Good luck, you will do fine.  I also was sent a walker and a temporary potty from the hospital.  I got a toilet elevation which is pretty necessary.  Also grabbers in case you drop anything.  I also bought this thing that loops around your foot in order to lift my leg up into bed.  I also got something to help me put my socks on which I still use.

I also used a plastic type of garden chair for the shower.   My surgeon said antibiotics for three months if dental work is necessary.  I just didn't go to the dentist until four months after.  I had extensive work at four months and my dentist had me take one dose of antibiotics after, he gave it to me in his office.  After that I have had work done with no issue and no antibiotics.