Forum Topic

Hip replacement advice please

My neighbour is due to go into hospital for a hip replacement soon. Does anyone have useful advice that could help me, help her please.  Little tips that perhaps you or a relative found useful.

Mari Austin ● 1050d14 Comments

Plastic seat heighteners for the loo were useful when I had my knee replaced.

Susan Kelly ● 1050d

Ensure that the physiotherapist's advice is followed to the letter, Don't do more exercise repetitions than reccommended; you won't get better or regain mobility any faster.A knee pillow in bed is really useful.

N V Brooks ● 1050d

Go with her to the 'Joint School' appointment (if her hospital holds one).  It's purpose is to educate and advise on  everything the patient and carer will need to know about preparing for and coping post discharge.

Francesca Gregory ● 1050d

Excellent suggestion. If her op is at Charing Cross, the joint school is great. Take a drink or visit the Costa first as they often bring biccies and cakes to make it a far less stressful event.

N V Brooks ● 1050d

Completely agree about the physio - make sure it is done religiously - and not overdone by trying to do too much!  Had a problem with mother walking off without crutches having rested them somewhere when she had her knees done.  There must be a good way of securing them/balancing them!

Philippa Bond ● 1050d

Yes there is, the little tripod ferrule.They are about £15.00 a pair and make the crutch more stable and enable it to stand up on its own.Search for "Tripod crutch ferrule".

N V Brooks ● 1050d

Hope this works, they look like this Philippa.

N V Brooks ● 1050d

If the surgeon recommends surgical stockings as well as blood thinners, wear them. They are a pain however but did the trick for me. Also flat soled shoes only and get a long handled shoe horn to put them on with.

Peter King ● 1050d

OK techy time. If they reccommend compression socks, ask if the have Jobst sock. Really effective and comfortable but a s*d to put on.

N V Brooks ● 1050d

Thanks Nigel.  Isn't there some trick of putting the bag for the compression sock on your foot first or something?  I can't remember how it worked - or at least made it easier.

Philippa Bond ● 1049d

Ah, that only works with the open toed ones. Put the bag over your leg first, pull the compression sock over the bag and then pull the bag down out over your foot from under your sock.Or, you get the 'agency nurse' who claiming that she had put on Jobst closed foot (they stop your toes from swelling) stockings on "hundreds of times" before and got really angry when I pointed out the obvious flaw in her approach. She pulled the bag over my foot and then pulled the stocking over the bag, trapping it inside. So, somewhat cheesed off at being shouted at I said "OK clever clogs, as you have done this hundreds of times, now remove the bag!"  She then called a 'proper nurse' to show her how to do it.Thank God, she wasn't in charge of my pain relief.

N V Brooks ● 1049d

Friend said she found jogging/track suit gear very useful.

Debbie Paradin ● 1049d

Anne asks me to thank you for all your very helpful tips.  She wasn't aware of the 'Joint school' so I will be making enquiries if they have one in her area. Thank you : )

Mari Austin ● 1046d

You are both most welcome.  There will definitely be a joint school if her operation is on the NHS. It is a wonderful 'standard' offering.

N V Brooks ● 1046d