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Elderly parents

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Original poster

Hip Replacement

17 replies

mysparkleismissing · 10/10/2023 16:07

Mum found out yesterday she needs a hip replacement they've said it'll be done within 12 weeks (!!!) And she's seeing the anesthetist next week.

She's almost 84 dad is a few mo ths younger

They live independently in a bungalow about 45min away.

I'm one of 4 kids all, my siblings are 2.5 - 4 hours away (traffic depending) I've the youngest grandchild (age 12) his cousins are all mid-late 20s

Any tips on this procedure and recovery- she's the main cook between him and my dad so that's obviously something we need to plan ahead for.

I've read recovery to light duties is 6 weeks.

OP posts:

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 10/10/2023 18:44

My friend's mum had both hips replaced within six months and my mum's friend had her op earlier this year. She had a friend to stay for a week when she came home but aside from tiredness she was really well. She was 86. The OT was really helpful and provided a toilet frame and walker.

Original poster

mysparkleismissing · 11/10/2023 17:17

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 10/10/2023 18:44

Yeah mum's been told she will be given stuff by OH to help her at home a toilet frame

OP posts:

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 11/10/2023 20:36

My friend's mum was amazing, walking round the garden with a frame. She was cooking and everything.

Original poster

mysparkleismissing · 17/10/2023 21:54

Blimey this is happening quickly. She has surgery on Thursday! Epidural!

OP posts:

Chasingsquirrels · 17/10/2023 22:01

Wow that is quick, is that NHS?

Can I ask why she is having it? My mum had stage 4 osteoarthritis in one hip and is currently going through a physio / referral process. I thought the waiting lists were loads longer than that.

Hope everything goes well for you mum on Thu!

LegendsBeyond · 17/10/2023 22:03

That’s quick. My Dad has to wait 2 years.

Original poster

mysparkleismissing · 18/10/2023 20:33

I have absolutely no idea why or how it's happening so quickly. And yes on the nhs.

All I know is that's she's having it replaced.

She's having mobility issues and has osteoporosis and arthritis

OP posts:

Itwasamemoment · 18/10/2023 20:42

My lovely Mum had a hip replacement aged about 75 . The hospital booted her out within 3 days and she really needed looking after for a couple of weeks! Her BP was very low and I did question how safe the discharge was ,she had epidural,which does cause low BP . I am a Registered Nurse but still was fobbed off !!
It really was a disaster TBH and she had to go to a care home to properly recover and get decent physio . So my advice is to be very cautious.
Hopefully your Mum will be fine.💐

Chasingsquirrels · 19/10/2023 17:35

Hope it's gone okay for her today.

RomanMum · 19/10/2023 19:06

@mysparkleismissing how did it go today?

Watching with interest: DM is on the list for two new hips (not both at the same time). She's Dad's carer and is in serious denial about how much help she'll/they'll need post-op despite family members suggesting various assistance. I'm really worried that she's sleepwalking into a crisis.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 19/10/2023 19:12

Wow, that is amazing for your Mum, my Dad had his first about 12 years ago and his recovery was excellent, however he has waited 4 years now on an urgent referral and I fear it will never happen.f your DM is fit & well she should have a swift recovery . My DAd is 81.

Original poster

mysparkleismissing · 19/10/2023 22:15

Sorry it's been a mental day. Went in for 10 and dad and I were told we couldn't wait with her and visiting is 2 - 5 if she's out of theatre.
She told us she was going down at 1230.
Dad called the hospital at 245 and she'd just gone down!! Wtaf.
Anyway 630 she calls dad to say she's back on the ward and all 'ok' not allowed out of bed yet.
So much for the hospital keeping us informed.

It's absolutely madness how long the wait is generally we were expecting years. Sorry your nearest and dearest are suffering

Dad is worried her lack of being physical will hinder her recovery. They don't 'do' a lot esp stuff that involves moving so she's not in best shape already and pretty lazy.

Hopefully she will stick to the plan and not be stupid about it all.

My dad was told to take it easy after his knee 'clean' (refused a replacement) and didnt twat.

One sister us up from Hampshire for the weekend. The other is up from Devon for 2 weeks from Sunday then if needs be we'll have to find carers if they can't manage.

OP posts:

Livedandlearned · 19/10/2023 22:21

She should aim to do little and often mobility wise, and keep taking her pain relief even if she feels ok.

Different trusts have different rules following a THR, ours has hip precautions to follow for at least 6 months. Basically not bending at the hip past 90°.

If the hospital hasn't mentioned furniture heights then it's likely they don't follow the precautions.

She should be up and about on day 1 ideally.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 19/10/2023 22:52

My top tips for post hip surgery:
a shewee so that you can pee without laboriously getting on and off the loo
something that means you can pee in the night without having to get up, get to the loo, sit down, stand up and reverse the process. A large bottle that fabric conditioner comes in with an integral handle and a wide opening, combined with an old towel for the floor just in case, means that you can manage perched on the side of the bed which is a whole lot easier
some sort of heavily pocketed jacket like a fisherman's jacket, or alternatively a capacious bag that can be worn as a cross body bag so you're not constantly getting up and down for things
a foldable picker-upper that can be kept in said bag
shoes you feel secure in that you can nevertheless just slip on and off, I got some fleece lined crocs
do the exercises religiously
if funds will stretch to a private physio it's massively worth it.

JussathoB · 19/10/2023 23:12

Your DM will need someone post operation to help her get her elasticated stockings on and off. She may need some blood thinning injections for a couple of weeks.
At 84 she may need more help in the first few weeks than someone younger having the same operation.

Lou670 · 19/10/2023 23:20

Hope she is doing ok. My Aunt at the age of 90 had her second hip replacement done (the other side had been replaced years ago). She made a remarkable recovery. They say hip replacement recovery is less painful than a knee replacement. It's important she moves as soon as she can and keeps up with the advised exercises. She may need some aids for around the house such as a toilet frame etc for the early weeks. Even toddling around the house with a walking stick is fine, as long as she keeps mobile.

warmmfeet · 20/10/2023 09:02

Wow your mum has been very lucky perhaps Nhs are using private services to get ops done in a timely manner. My Dad is 85 and ended up using life savings to pay for his this summer because he was in so much pain and could hardly walk and this was impacting on his mood and quality of life. I'm disgusted it came to this as he's paid his taxes all his life and this was the first time he needed anything major from the nhs. I say that as an NHS employee!

Anyway rant aside I think recovery will depend on your Mum's attitude and level of activity before the op. If she follows the advice and exercises given by the physio I'm sure she'll recover quickly like my Dad. She'll need help putting her socks on for 6 weeks or so - could your Dad do that? They can't bend forward to the floor due to risk of dislocation whilst it's healing. As she's NHS she should have a pre-op consultation with an occupational therapist who can discuss and help plan for all these care needs as well as aids temporarily needed at home (raised toilet seat, rail in shower etc). My Dad was told not to drive for 6 weeks. He usually shares cooking and was back cooking after 4 weeks or so.

Good luck to you all, I hope it goes well and she's back on her feet asap!

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