Hip Replacement

[DimidDavilby]

Hello all.

My mum (a young 65) is having a hip replacement in a couple of weeks. I was wondering if anyone has had one and if there was anything that was helpful for the recovery? I wanted to send her a care package since I am at the other end of the country. I was thinking of a new dressing gown for hospital but there must be other things! Would Pjs or a nightie be better?

Sorry forgot passwords. Sistine ham/Snapped and farted/boil in vag etc. Help me I'm feeling guilty about not being there.

I had a different type of hip surgery, I was a lot younger but what I found very helpful for after surgery was clothes with pockets. I spent weeks on crutches afterwards and it made it much easier to carry things, even just around the house. I lived in cardigans and hoodies with pockets and in the morning would sometimes use a little backback to carry everything downstairs that I'd need for the day so that's also useful.

For hospital, a nightie may be better than pyjamas, less bending when getting dressed and also less trying to shift yourself around when nurses are checking the wound. Also supportive slippers that are easy to get on without bending too much.

Hope the surgery goes well.

Well, it is a pretty brutal procedure - from my own (nowhere near so bad) hip issues, I'd definitely say that a nightie would be far better than pyjamas.

It might be worth looking up the hospital where it's being done, as they often have leaflets to download that give advice on the procedure and things that should be avoided/are sensible.

Thanks both. Maybe a little pouch bag for her things? @Veenah I hadn't thought she might be on crutches. I know she's not to sit down properly.

@MitziK thanks good idea.

Food. That's what my mum really struggled with. Getting a decent hot dinner. Her DH works away for months at a time and couldn't be there when she had her Hip op So she couldn't get her dinners made.

The hospital physios and Occupational health (?) provided her with all the gadgets she would need such as sock holders to help her put her own socks on, grabber sticks and long handled show horn etc. She even got a toilet seat that went over the loo to make it higher.

She couldn't stand long enough to make herself something to eat. I froze a stack of homemade meals like shepherds pies, lasagne and chilli con cranes etc which she could just chuck in the oven and take out when ready. She also had local shop deliveries that included the ready made sandwiches and snacks.

Maybe some nice snacks would be good. Thankfully she has my stepdad there to look after her. I've ordered her a nice new nightie for hospital but I'm wondering what slippers are best? Like a toepost or mule presumably so she doesn't need to reach her feet. But then wouldn't they be hard to walk in? Also I feel like she disapproves of mules as being a bit frivolous.

I agree with the other suggestions. My mum has had both hips done, 2yrs apart. She was in her early 70's but very active, dances 3x a week, drives and is independant etc.

Both times, they got her up on the day which seemed quiet soont to me! She found the hips MUCH easier than the knees though! Mum was overseas, so I'm unsure who pays for OT/home aids in the UK and whether the hospital may offer some for rental or at a reduce rate?

If they arent provided from the hospital, look up OT/mobility/daily living aids shops or even on amazon. Here are some of the things I recall being useful:

• long handled shoe horn
• Extra large tong type device. Like the ones bin men use to pick up rubbish
• All chairs should have the front lower than the back, so that when sitting on it, the hips arent at 90'. I put bricks at the back of mums lounge chair, so it was not only easier to get in and out, but ensured the hips didnt go past 90'.
• I also got a raised toilet seat which had a frame to go around the toilet and had adjustable legs. Again, I put the back legs higher than the front
• If he toilet is up alot of stairs at home, a commode for downstairs might be more useful
• Long handled sponge/loofah to wash feet and legs
• Mum tried a sock applicator device. You stretched the sock over the device, then pushed your foot in. Problem was, that unless the sock was super stretchy light tights, you couldnt push it onto the device. Even if you got the sock on, when you put your foot it, it skated across the floor away from you, unless it was again a wall. Utterly useless, but maybe other designs are avaialable?
• Canadian crutches which support around your forearm where good once out. (Not the older stayle, wooden ones that go under the arm). Fairly soon after discharge, she was only using 1 crutch when out and about, and this was more to give herself some protection when others got close, and provide a warning to others that she was slow and had an injury.

• Nightie is certainly easier than negotiating legs into trousers
• My mum struggled to bend down to do up laces, and you shouldnt bend that far for many months anyways
• Will anyone be with her when discharged? If not, ensure she informs the hospital team. They might send her for some rehab before going to an empty home or organise say a carer to help. I stayed with my mum, and the 1st few weeks, she found even basic things incredibly tiring. Standing to brush her teeth, meal prep with crutch/s, dressing, and getting in and out of her chair.
• She was sent home with multiple pain killers, but no laxatives at all- despite her needing them in the hospital to combat the effects of the codeine. Ensure that if she is given an codeine based meds or tramadol or other opiates, that they are prescribe a laxative such as lactulose or similar.

Sorry its long, but hopefully some tips which might help.

Sorry cross post about her living with someone!

Slippers with backs in were recommended when I had mine done. Definitely a nightie. All gadgets will or should be provided by the hospital/ occupational health. I had a perching stool for the kitchen and a seat for the shower which was brilliant

The physios will want her in either proper shoes or slippers with backs and secure fasteners. Most (it depends on the hospital policy) hip replacement patients can't go home until they have practised the stairs. And they won't let her do the stairs in mules.

Hand cream will be good. Crutches really hurt after a while.

Definitely agree on the snacks plan. I can never manager a big meal for weeks after a general anaesthetic.

A travel mug to bring a cuppa from the kitchen to the sofa. A bar stool in the kitchen to park her bum on while waiting for the kettle to boil. Both of those were very useful for my friend.

Second the poster who said pockets. I snapped my ACL so was on crutches for a while and found a little pouch type bag on a long strap that I could put across my body invaluable - for carrying things like book/phone/iPad/painkillers through from bedroom to living room and back again. Also the person who said a travel mug - i.e. one with a leak proof lid so you could also put it in a little cross body bag - as otherwise you can use your crutches to get to the kettle, but then can't take your cup of tea back anywhere to sit / lie down. Kindle / magazines. And re your comment about slippers and toe post mules - I would think perhaps not toe post - mine was admittedly a different op but I had to wear surgical stockings for quite a long time afterwards so toe post wouldn't have worked.
And yes from a purely practical perspective if she doesn't live with someone who can make meals, help with that / filling freezer etc with nice meals you can just stick in the microwave as you don't want to be standing over a cooker. Best of luck for your mum's operation OP.

Sorry, missed where you said she lives with your stepdad, that's good.
Laxatives if given lots of opiates very important!

Was 39 for mine...a balance ball, grabber for picking things up, silicon cream for wound, lots of dressings, pink wound wash and the heat/ice pack on Amazon that goes into a pocket that straps round waist.
Constant reminders to do exercises even if it hurts.
Exercise bike.

A long handled brush (I think it's supposed to be for scrubbing your back from home bargains, body shop etc) to use to wash lower extremities in bath or shower. V hard to get into a bath for a long time so..

Dry shampoo. Nice toileteries.

Shoes that can easily be put on and off without having to bend to fasten anything.

It's diff to use crutches with a handbag if going out. As it knocks on the wound on just falls down when trying to juggle the crutches. So think of a 'bum bag' type bag, or jacket with big pockets.

A large bottle so does not need to get up all the time for a drink. Flask type aswell for a cuppa. A bag to carry it from kitchen to living room, while using crutches.

Plenty of easy quick snacks. Treats.

OT give most things in uk. A perching stool can be useful for use in kitchen, or in bathroom while for example brushing teeth.

Netflix or films or books or magazines (a tablet).

Skechers slip on trainer shoes - not mules, proper shoes, but easy to get on and off and nicely cushioned.
Loose fitting trousers for physio sessions - they will get her up and walking on same day as surgery.
Knickers in a larger size and probs full brief - the swelling is absolutely massive after the op.

Nightie really not good idea for during the day, they want to see you up and walking and doing physio. That is what is the most help.
My surgery was brutal, total hip replacement, insertion point is about 6 ins down my thigh and whole socket replaced - apparently worst the surgeon had seen ( so proud to be an over achiever ). Was up walking 4 hours after surgery and cried because the pain of my bone constantly shattering had gone.
Your mum will be ok, but send her messages of encouragement for the physio, that is the most difficult element.
Also if she is private healthcare, nothing is provided, mine wax and I had to buy all mobility aids myself.

Not just frozen meals, but frozen sweet treats too, eg doughnuts (do they even freeze?), frozen iced buns or mince pies, individual fairy cakes or slices of cake, baklava......just something slightly different to the usual Mr Kipling offerings.

Thanks everyone. On a bit of a low ebb but will try and reply individually later