Driving an automatic motorhome after a left hip replacement

[deleted79651]

arrgghh!! no

why would you want to be awake

i went to sleep and woke up after 3hrs and all done, no drama apart from I could smell burning bone from the person who followed me having it cut through, that will be with me forever

Had the freezing option for both my hip replacements in 2010 and 2016. Mildly disconcerting when you hear the hammering to attach the new joint but feel nothing in the frozen area, and then the vibrations travel north and rattle your fillings ... First op had an 'apprentice' Consultant learning from the Senior Consultant so lots of questions about size of socket and hammer, and whether you judge the alignment of the hip by measure or by eye. My Consultant did the 'by eye' method!

Steve

 

[Conal]

My wife has a soft cushioned booster seat I will pinch.
Question - I will become a passenger for a while so getting into the car on the left hand side may be a problem. Is this the process?
Put my right hand into the car and grip the handle inside above the door.
Bend my knees slightly and put my right leg in.
Swivel and put my bum on plastic bags on the seat.
Push my bum backwards towards the handbrake.
Then what? Can it bend my leg to get it into the car?
Should I sit across the back seats so that I can stretch my leg out on the seat?

 

[Al n Val]

Had the freezing option for both my hip replacements in 2010 and 2016. Mildly disconcerting when you hear the hammering to attach the new joint but feel nothing in the frozen area, and then the vibrations travel north and rattle your fillings ... First op had an 'apprentice' Consultant learning from the Senior Consultant so lots of questions about size of socket and hammer, and whether you judge the alignment of the hip by measure or by eye. My Consultant did the 'by eye' method!

Steve

thats fills me with dread tbh

i'd rather chew my leg off

 

[robrace]

My mate had it done and he asked the surgeon how long before he could have sex!! Are you national health or private?National health my mate replied! Well in that case you can wait till you get home

 

[Bustup15]

And I'm home - discharged 23 hours after leaving the op. theatre

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[hja]

My wife has a soft cushioned booster seat I will pinch.
Question - I will become a passenger for a while so getting into the car on the left hand side may be a problem. Is this the process?
Put my right hand into the car and grip the handle inside above the door.
Bend my knees slightly and put my right leg in.
Swivel and put my bum on plastic bags on the seat.
Push my bum backwards towards the handbrake.
Then what? Can it bend my leg to get it into the car?
Should I sit across the back seats so that I can stretch my leg out on the seat?

The instructions to me were to lift both legs together. So, open car door wide and back up to seat. Sit on seat with both legs outside, so sitting sideways on. Then left both legs together and swivel (hence the need for plastic bag under your bum). To get out, again make sure door wide open. Don’t haul yourself up on the door. Swivel, so both legs go out together, then push yourself up using your hands on the seat.
it is much easier to do than explain. But you must keep both legs together.

This may have changed now, but I was told that most dislocations happen at about 6 weeks. At that time you feel a lot better and do something silly - like cross your legs!

 

[Conal]

hja Thanks, I will practice. Interesting and understandable that dislocations happen just when people think they are back to normal and probably overreach.

 

[Bustup15]

1st 'walk' outdoors, must be at least a 350 metre round trip

 

[deleted79651]

thats fills me with dread tbh

i'd rather chew my leg off

Chewing your own leg off removes the need for the hip replacement! The Consultant [in Scotland] said it is much safer to be awake for the operation than having a general anaesthetic. My first hip replacement involved a 5 day hospital stay, the 2nd was under a streamlined process that gets you discharged on Day 2 or Day 3 [I was a Day 3 afternoon release because the Phsiotherapists were fully booked], as a result of the post operative exercises being demonstrated BEFORE the operation and being given a pair of crutches to practice the ascent and descent of steps pre-admission. Such a simple change in process to save NHS bed blocking and budgets and

1st 'walk' outdoors, must be at least a 350 metre round trip

And the effort [and the time needed] for that first trip made it feel like a couple of miles ... Elaine took 1 week from Leave from work to help me with putting on socks and shoes after my 1st hip replacement, but she had to return at 0630 on the Saturday morning to install a Systems Update that was going to take all day.

'No bother,' said I, bravely, 'I'll just take my first wander to the local Co op [about 300 metres each way] and get a couple of bits of food, including milk, to get practice at carrying shopping whilst using crutches'. Then I realised that a] I had no food; and b] that I had only lace up shoes... The Systems Update went badly, and when Elaine arrived home just after 8pm, I greeted her with my tale of woe, including having to survive on Hot Chocolate Powder ... Wasting away, I was ...

Steve

 

[Conal]

I was lucky enough to be put on an physio assessment course after seeing the doctor the second time. I then bought the domestic versions of the equipment and still use the step and the exercise bike. From advice here and elsewhere I will now build up my use of the step.

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[hja]

Hip surgery progresses at a pace. When I had my hip done I was at the start of a trial to get patients in on the day of the op. You had a list of instructions about about washing & not eating before coming in to hospital. It meant an early start to get to the hospital, but worth it for one night less in hospital. By the time I had my knee done, that was normal practice. Had both those ops at Wrightington Hospital (nr Wigan) which is the big NW orthopaedic hospital - where the original Charnley hips were developed.
We are now in Lincolnshire, and this week Grantham hospital carried out its first key hole hip replacement. Apparently they dont cut the muscle, so much less healing to happen. In fact it is day surgery!! Tis is being trialled in a number of places around the UK (dont know where)

 

[Bustup15]

Early morning walk as I couldn't get comfortable last night

 

[Bustup15]

1 week ago today....

For those who have hip surgery forthcoming I hope you find the update useful.

Op was last Wednesday evening and discharged the following night.

Was walking Saturday and Sunday 4000-4500 steps each time using both sticks. Even ventured to the pub for the last of the footie on Sunday.

Come Monday morning my body was telling me in no uncertain terms that I had overdone it!. Call for many paracetemol and codeine and almost resorted to the liquid morphine.

Had to fully rest both Monday and Tuesday barring a short limp around and the doing exercises provided by the physio team.

Today was 100% better and walked about 4500 steps total split over 2 walks, did exercises, movement improving significantly and generally feeling much stronger.

My advice is 'follow the advice' and don't try to force the pace too early.

 

[tonka]

1 week ago today....

For those who have hip surgery forthcoming I hope you find the update useful.

Op was last Wednesday evening and discharged the following night.

Was walking Saturday and Sunday 4000-4500 steps each time using both sticks. Even ventured to the pub for the last of the footie on Sunday.

Come Monday morning my body was telling me in no uncertain terms that I had overdone it!. Call for many paracetemol and codeine and almost resorted to the liquid morphine.

Had to fully rest both Monday and Tuesday barring a short limp around and the doing exercises provided by the physio team.

Today was 100% better and walked about 4500 steps total split over 2 walks, did exercises, movement improving significantly and generally feeling much stronger.

My advice is 'follow the advice' and don't try to force the pace too early.

Once again thanks on the feedback.
Saw my consultant on Tuesday and now on the waiting list. So I have this all to come.

 

[NorthernSoul]

1 week ago today....

For those who have hip surgery forthcoming I hope you find the update useful.

Op was last Wednesday evening and discharged the following night.

Was walking Saturday and Sunday 4000-4500 steps each time using both sticks. Even ventured to the pub for the last of the footie on Sunday.

Come Monday morning my body was telling me in no uncertain terms that I had overdone it!. Call for many paracetemol and codeine and almost resorted to the liquid morphine.

Had to fully rest both Monday and Tuesday barring a short limp around and the doing exercises provided by the physio team.

Today was 100% better and walked about 4500 steps total split over 2 walks, did exercises, movement improving significantly and generally feeling much stronger.

My advice is 'follow the advice' and don't try to force the pace too early.

Having had my left hip done last October, and seeing your updates, I thought you were overdoing it, but I didn't like to say! Everybody is different and it's a fine balance between doing too little and doing too much. One of the aims I had was to get off the painkillers within a week or so as then I could hear my body telling me if I was doing too much.

Another thing I found was that it didn't take too long to get walking on the flat without crutches (maybe 3 weeks) and begin to feel more confident, but as soon as I went onto uneven ground or up and down hills the weakness in the hip showed itself. It takes many months to build up the full strength around the joint and be able to do movements that I once took for granted.

Good luck with your recovery, and take it steady!

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[Bustup15]

Having had my left hip done last October, and seeing your updates, I thought you were overdoing it, but I didn't like to say! Everybody is different and it's a fine balance between doing too little and doing too much. One of the aims I had was to get off the painkillers within a week or so as then I could hear my body telling me if I was doing too much.

Another thing I found was that it didn't take too long to get walking on the flat without crutches (maybe 3 weeks) and begin to feel more confident, but as soon as I went onto uneven ground or up and down hills the weakness in the hip showed itself. It takes many months to build up the full strength around the joint and be able to do movements that I once took for granted.

Good luck with your recovery, and take it steady!

Probably pushing too hard, tomorrow will be the decider. 7000 steps about 5km today using 1 stick. Far more than I intended but visited Beamish Open Air Museum which is literally on our doorstep and as is typical I haven't been for 30+ years. Far bigger than I remember and lots of walking but on good paths. Fortunately the old Daimler double decker bus was running so got a lift back to the car park.

If I suffer tonight/tomorrow then I know its caused by pushing too hard. If I'm OK then I will gradually increase the distances and hopefully shorten the recovery times.

 

[hja]

My hip was still improving over 12 months after op!

 

[Bustup15]

Spoke to physio today on phone. Was shocked when I said I walked 5km yesterday and 4km today. Asked about using sticks and he said to use both till he does a review by zoom next week. Told him I was only using 1 anyway. Probably doing a bit much but he said to carry on as long as no backlash with symptoms. He confirmed what I found last weekend, if you do too much you will know as it will be painful.

 

[Conal]

The pre-op nurse rang me today. 40 minute conversation - basically I have to go to the hospital a week before the op (next Wednesday) and take loads of tests and another X-ray, as it has to have a clear mark for the surgeon to indicate which hip!
I then have to have a COVID test on Saturday and then isolate until Tuesday, the day of the op.
I am being treated on the NHS at a private hospital which is COVID-free, and boy do they take it seriously!
Interestingly, after the op, three people have to agree that I am fit to leave. Firstly the nurse, who has to check that I can drink, eat, and pee, secondly the physio, for whom I have to demonstrate that I can walk with the aid of a stick, and that I can climb steps. Lastly, the consultant has to agree, checking that I have no infections and whatever else consultants check. I have been told to bring three sets of comfortable clothing as I may be in for three days after the op.
The phone interview went well until I told her I don’t like pain killers so may not use the morphine drip, that my sleeping pulse can be as low as 33bpm, and my resting pulse 44bpm. I also mentioned that I only wanted the spinal pain inhibitor, not the sedative or general anaesthetic as I would like to watch the operation if a mirror could be set up. She suggested I discussed these at my pre-surgery meeting with the consultant.
She made me laugh when she asked me to confirm that my wife was “my means of escape”.
Is this the standard procedure?

 

[Bustup15]

The pre-op nurse rang me today. 40 minute conversation - basically I have to go to the hospital a week before the op (next Wednesday) and take loads of tests and another X-ray, as it has to have a clear mark for the surgeon to indicate which hip!
I then have to have a COVID test on Saturday and then isolate until Tuesday, the day of the op.
I am being treated on the NHS at a private hospital which is COVID-free, and boy do they take it seriously!
Interestingly, after the op, three people have to agree that I am fit to leave. Firstly the nurse, who has to check that I can drink, eat, and pee, secondly the physio, for whom I have to demonstrate that I can walk with the aid of a stick, and that I can climb steps. Lastly, the consultant has to agree, checking that I have no infections and whatever else consultants check. I have been told to bring three sets of comfortable clothing as I may be in for three days after the op.
The phone interview went well until I told her I don’t like pain killers so may not use the morphine drip, that my sleeping pulse can be as low as 33bpm, and my resting pulse 44bpm. I also mentioned that I only wanted the spinal pain inhibitor, not the sedative or general anaesthetic as I would like to watch the operation if a mirror could be set up. She suggested I discussed these at my pre-surgery meeting with the consultant.
She made me laugh when she asked me to confirm that my wife was “my means of escape”.
Is this the standard procedure?

Yes virtually exactly my scenario. Except I had to isolate for 14 days prior to op.

And the mark for the consultant - see below . Only drawn after multiple answers such as
You agree it is your right hip
This is your right hip
The mark I am drawing is the correct hip

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[Conal]

Bustup15 Looking through the hospital info and on the web it looks like they enter through the the side/back of the hip. Is that correct?

 

[Bustup15]

Bustup15 Looking through the hospital info and on the web it looks like they enter through the the side/back of the hip. Is that correct?

Yea, if you're like me, all hip pain goes immediately but the entry point is at the back of the hip/buttock. Difficult to get a good resting position and sleepless nights unfortunately with some discomfort at the wound point.

 

[deleted79651]

Bustup15 Looking through the hospital info and on the web it looks like they enter through the the side/back of the hip. Is that correct?

2 different Consultants replaced my hips, the first went for a front fixing, IIRC; the second prefers the rear fixing [reduces the risk of dislocation], but the 2nd hip has never been as comfortable as the first, and, having got lost on a forest walk and covered nearly 25,000 steps over rough ground yesterday, the 2nd hip was really giving me grief, whereas the 1st was absolutely fine!

Steve

 

[Bustup15]

2 different Consultants replaced my hips, the first went for a front fixing, IIRC; the second prefers the rear fixing [reduces the risk of dislocation], but the 2nd hip has never been as comfortable as the first, and, having got lost on a forest walk and covered nearly 25,000 steps over rough ground yesterday, the 2nd hip was really giving me grief, whereas the 1st was absolutely fine!

Steve

How long since they were replaced?

 

[deleted79651]

How long since they were replaced?

Right hip Feb 2010; left hip June 2016, and it's the newer one that has always been weaker and more prone to pain. But that is relative, the pain is usually after exertion, whereas its arthritic predecessor caused pain just by its diseased state and tendency to lock up without warning!

Steve

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[Conal]

marchie were they both NHS? I read that the front entry op leave a smaller scar but is more expensive so only offered to privately funded patients.

 

[deleted79651]

marchie were they both NHS? I read that the front entry op leave a smaller scar but is more expensive so only offered to privately funded patients.

Both NHS Scotland operations at the brilliant Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. I've had a series of other emergency admissions for blood clots and adverse reactions to statiins, so I've 'consumer tested' most Departments [just Maternity and the Mortuary left to try ...] and they are uniformly superb.

Steve

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Probably pushing too hard, tomorrow will be the decider. 7000 steps about 5km today using 1 stick. Far more than I intended but visited Beamish Open Air Museum which is literally on our doorstep and as is typical I haven't been for 30+ years. Far bigger than I remember and lots of walking but on good paths. Fortunately the old Daimler double decker bus was running so got a lift back to the car park.

If I suffer tonight/tomorrow then I know its caused by pushing too hard. If I'm OK then I will gradually increase the distances and hopefully shorten the recovery times.

Useful info as my wife is having her hip done here in Portugal at the end of this month.Thanks.

 

[Bustup15]

Things were going so well.....
Went for a walk on Monday, got back into the car and Mrs B promptly drove onto a large tyre rut /pothole. Many expletives followed along with a nagging pain in hip.
Next day walking became more difficult and uncomfortable rather than painful.

I was due for a dressing check and a physio zoom appt on Wednesday anyway so waited until then.

Nurses very happy with wound healing and can dispense with covering it in the next couple of days.

Physio happy with progress and movement and added in a couple of extra exercises to strengthen the muscles.

Consultant wasn't in that day but staff called him re the pothole incident. He asked me back for further xrays this morning.

All looks good, no damage to the new joint although it is possible I have damaged a tendon or ligament with the impact. His attitude was 'live with it as I won't be opening you up for that, and see you in 4 weeks unless something worsens.'

Just shows how simple it is to damage the op site in the early days.

 

[deleted79651]

Things were going so well.....
Went for a walk on Monday, got back into the car and Mrs B promptly drove onto a large tyre rut /pothole. Many expletives followed along with a nagging pain in hip.
Next day walking became more difficult and uncomfortable rather than painful.

I was due for a dressing check and a physio zoom appt on Wednesday anyway so waited until then.

Nurses very happy with wound healing and can dispense with covering it in the next couple of days.

Physio happy with progress and movement and added in a couple of extra exercises to strengthen the muscles.

Consultant wasn't in that day but staff called him re the pothole incident. He asked me back for further xrays this morning.

All looks good, no damage to the new joint although it is possible I have damaged a tendon or ligament with the impact. His attitude was 'live with it as I won't be opening you up for that, and see you in 4 weeks unless something worsens.'

Just shows how simple it is to damage the op site in the early days.

'Easy does it' is the best approach! That, and a 'little but often' approach to exercise; I used to do 3 circuits each day around the Links which is roughly equivalent to 1 lap of our small town, but the morning/afternoon/evening routine gave the new hip more recovery time between bouts and also allowed time for the 'physioterrorist' exercises during the day. My physio specialised in being able to make the sweat pour out of me with just a minute or so of standing on a 2 inch high step and then allowing the new hip to drop just of the floor before using the glutus maximus to raise the leg back to the step, with no support or leverage from arms or upper body. 10 reps are enough to crease you!

Steve

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