General Chat

Anyone had one? My dad is going in soon. What should he expect? Rose

I'll race your dad to the hospital lol He should have a epidural for the op, its the norm these days and better, he will be given a sleeping pill too so he won't be awake through it. He should be standing after the first day, taking his first step asap, and should be our of hospital after about a week. He will need to do the exercises given and walk as much as possible. It is important to do the exercises to strengthen the muscles, to prevent the new hip from dislocating. He will not be allowed to bend his leg more than 90 degrees for quite a while, so he needs to have the right height chair, raised loo seat, and probably not be able to have a bath for a while. Has he been to see the occupational therapist yet? They will give all the advice he needs, they are very good. Mines due in about March, is he on the waiting list yet?

Thanks Teresa. Not sure if he's seen the occupation therapist yet. He's on the waiting list and is due to have the operation 7th or 8 of Feb. Problem is, he's been limping for so long now he's having trouble with the knee on the same leg. He really should have had the operation in 2005 but put it off because he didn't want to take time off work. I'm a bit nrevous because his mother died shortly after her 2nd hip replacement. She had her 1st one in the 80s when they didn't last too long and had it redone 10 years later. I'm sure the stress from the operation led to her death. She seemed fine before that. Rose

Try not to worry Rose, the aftercare is really excellent now, and he will be kept fully informed of everything that is to happen. It is stressful, I worry about mine, but not so much as some others might, my Mum had hers done just over a year ago, so looking after her for the first couple of weeks after she came out of hospital taught me a lot. He will come on in leaps and bounds I am sure. I understand what you are saying about the knee, mine is taking an awful lot of the strain too, in trying not to let each step impact on the hip. Walking with a stick makes it easier though.

To be honest he seems more worried about catching an MRSA infection. Rose

Its on my mind too, but apparently, most hospitals now make you shower with a special solution before the operation, which has cut infection rates dramatically for hip replacements. I'd give your hospital a call and ask, just to put his mind at rest.

Rose I fully understand all your worries but as Teresa said modern operating procedures are extremely reliable. I know this as I had a hip replacement 7 weeks ago following half a year of hobbling on sticks and intense pain in hip AND knee. Life was impossible and I couldn't even walk round a supermarket. Following the operation (3 days in hospital) I have no knee pain at all. The arthritis pain has completely gone from my hip and I can walk for 1.5 hours - I'm getting my life back! It is wonderful to have nearly normal energy levels again. It is very important to do any exercises given by the physio both before and after the operation. I'd say half of the battle to regain normality is a mental one! It takes 6 months for a hip to fully improve and settle so patience is necessary. Things are not perfect as yet but at least 90% better! If your dad is worried about MRSA he can buy an MRSA Patient kit (I did) -it includes a tub of wipes and a non-alcohol hand wash. Costs about £16. Full instructions for use are given and nobody at the hospital minded this at all. Website is www*healthtec*co*uk/mrsa*htm. It just gives a little peace of mind which might help him. Wishing you all well -Pat

My OH has had three...........the most recent was October 2004. Spent 5 days in hospital. Your dad will need to have a fairly high bed at home...it is important not to bend the hip to an acute angle for several weeks after the op.........a higher than normal easy chair is also needed. Ths hospital should provide a high seat to fix on the loo.....if not, one can be purchased at any mobility supplies centre. Reg

i'm a nurse on a regional hip and knee replacement unit! for me sins that is!!!! lol He wants to be as fit as he can be and expect to put in a good bit of effort! the op is classed as major and comes with it's own risks as with all major ops! On our unit the average discharge time is 5 days, providing the patient has achieved the discharge criteria--that is to be able to walk and manage daily living independently, be able to accomplish the exercizes and movement ranges safely amd provided they have no serious complications. they can expect a certain amount of swelling and bruising which can last for quite some time. Other complications include constipation(tell him to drink plenty and take what is offered by way of bowel medication until all is back to normal), pain (obvious I know, but some people are surprised at the pain they have) tell him not to knock the analgesia on the head too soon!!! post op--retention--a catheter may be used for 12 to 24 hours, nausea and vomiting--all normal and very treatable! Serious complications--dvt well the quicker the mobility the less likely this will occur--but tell him if he has any calf tenderness/pain to report it and all should be ok, most hospitals use calf pumps/ aspirin/anticoagulants/dvt stockings or a combination of any of these. Biggest thing of all though BE PATIENT with himself--it takes time to get over any major surgery and everyone does it at their own pace--no 2 people are the same-- All very best wishes to him Carol

MRSA stuff-is good BUT-good hand hygeine is paramount and NO good nurse will object to your dad asking them if they have washed their hands--equally he needs to watch out for himself as some patients don't have very good hand hygeine habits!!! Carol

Hope your dad's op goes well and he is soon on the mend, you can get things from somewhere presumably patient aftercare or Red Cross maybe, that you can put a chair or bed on to raise it up to the more comfortable level, there are blocks that the feet or castors are stood in.

Thanks for all the good advice and wishes everyone. I will check he knows all this. Sounds a bit like having a caesarian section! Rose

i had my hip done 12 yrs ago, was told it would last 15. i was back at my tap dancing class 6 weeks later. (after my checkup). i was determined after so many years of not being able to do things, life ceratinly began at 40 for me. was told at 21 i needed it doing but as they dont like doing them too young 40 was the age they would consider it! 6 months after i had it done i went in for the mothers race at my daughters school. i came last as i was so unfit, but it was an acheivement for me as i had never been able to do it before! lol as someone has already said it is best to have a good mental attitude, dont push youself too hard but also be positive and stay focused. do a little bit more each day. wishing your husband all the best tina x

My husband had his done 18 years ago last October and has had no problems. Mind you he followed instructions to the letter!! Linda x