Mil Recovery from hip replacement

[Reluctantadult]

I'm after some advice please from anyone in the know, how quickly you're up on your feet after a hip replacement? Mil had hers on Monday. She's really not up much yet and dh and I don't know whether to start encouraging her to do more. Apart from trips to the toilet she really just sits. Starting to be concerned she's not on it enough with the physio etc.

Just to add to what @Swayingpalmtrees says. Crutches are more difficult to manage than they look, and require upper body strength.

They wouldn't let her come home with a frame though, or until she could manage on crutches.

She needs a review of her meds now.
please don’t wait for her to get use to it etc..,,

Who wouldnt let her, a frame is much sturdier as long as its used safely and properly with no trip hazards or stairs. I would call the community physio or ot, some gp surgeries have nurses that can come out. I agree she also needs a medication review and diarrhoea and vomiting will not make her want to do anything. Whats her home set up.

The hospital wouldn't let her home until she was using sticks rather than a frame.

Call her GP and ask for a referral to community physio. They can progress the exercises she was given in hospital, and provide a frame if they think she's not managing with sticks.

I think she needs a review on her meds if she is still vomiting. I was extremely sick on them too. I can't describe the pain of being sick after a hip replacement. I makes me shudder just thinking about it. I was allergic to my pain killers (so I found out afterwards)

I second the use of a frame, if she is weak after surgery and being sick she simply may not be able to manage with sticks - it is really hard initially. I am sorry to say not all wards carefully discharge patients, many are just freeing up beds - understandably. And she has a lot of help compared to some patients who have to manage entirely alone, I was always worry for those people, the hospital know you are there for her. The British Cross have a range of aids you can loan or even borrow for free, give them a ring. They were amazing when we needed things/

Everyone is different so my advice would be to get her seen by a physio and follow their advice. I found that a private physio gave me much better input post surgery than the hospital physio: they were fantastic while I was still in the ward but very boiler plate at the follow up, so I'd consider a couple of private appointments if it's possible.

My main problem was tiredness as I found it hard to sleep on my back, and I wasn't relaxing as I was scared of inadvertently rolling over. An L shaped pillow was a huge help.

My neighbour (70s) was a mess one week after his hip replacement but by week 3 was almost back to normal. He was so determined though, he wanted to remake independent.

Does your MiL have any friends visiting her?

Is she taking Diclofenac/Voltarol (an anti inflammatory)? It caused my vomiting/fainting after an operation.

The most important thing is to do her physio exercises several times a day. Really key. In between, resting, washing and eating. All these will exhaust her.

After a couple of weeks, daily walks should be added in to the schedule, building up a little every day, starting with just 5 mins or so.

Oh and I had a daily afternoon nap for at least 2 months post op. I think that is fine when recuperating and exhausting yourself with every activity.