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Post hip replacement care/help
I should be getting a left hip replacement next month. Originally, the plan was to recovery at my moms house. She died this year. Then there was my neighbor of 25 years and she moved in June. My brother is going to visit for a week to help but there things I can't have him help with. Other than him, I have nobody. Is is possible to get through the "personal things" on my own? I am not eligible for rehab or a SNF (because I live independently). I can't afford to hire someone. The pain is so bad. It is worse than anything I went through with cancer so it has to be done.
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Oh my. I know your pain and situation. First before I offer an idea or two, are you on Medicare and is your surgery scheduled for outpatient--in and out same day? And most importantly, do you live on one floor or are stairs involved? I'll wait to hear from you and then offer what could be available for you.
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1 ReactionThough I had an outpatient knee done last year I did have a friend spend the first night with me; just to make sure there was no bad reaction or emergency. After that, I managed on my own.
Post operation, the hospital must assure you can at least walk safely (with walker or similar assist) and take care of those "personal" things that concern you.
No medical facility should discharge someone to live alone unless those basic necessities of daily life can be handled.
If I were in your situation, I would make it totally clear up front that if your capabilities don't meet that standard then you be admitted for at least one night in the hospital (or a hospital if the procedure is done in a totally outpatient facility) WITH Physical Therapy to meet the standard of handling daily living activities.
Remember, it's normal now to wake up from the operation, get up form the gurney, walk (with a therapist beside you), climb a couple stairs, walk back and sit/lay down under your own power.
Good luck and God Speed on your successful recovery
@ennaoj44 I am not on medicare. I have a full time job and have insurance through my job. I do have stairs. I will be getting a hotel room for the first week or so. Yes, this will be outpatient. Waiting until the end of Sept feel like a life time away.
Thank you
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2 Reactions@grandpun Thank you.
I had a right hip replacement in 2020 and the first 2 weeks of recovery were painful, so you may want to reconsider how long you will stay in a hotel. I took the high dose Tylenol for pain for the 2 weeks. My recovery took 6 weeks, but I pampered myself for 6 months (easy to do since I am retired). The hospital where the procedure was done discharged me after 2 days with a walker. A nurse and a physical therapist came to check on me weekly for 2 months (I think my doctor requested it.) The first few weeks I had trouble getting out of bed. I think my stomach and back muscles were weakened from the surgery, and I had to pull on the bed sheets to get to a sitting position. Amazon has a "bed ladder" for this problem. I strongly suggest you get a "grabber" (Amazon) to help you reach for things. Good luck with the surgery and recovery.
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2 ReactionsBuy 2 ice packs that wrap around your hip so that one is always frozen. They are available at Amazon. I am only 140 pounds but I bought Revix extra large and it wrapped well and velcroes. I also agree you need a grabber and a leg lifter, also available on Amazon very inexpensively. After the first week, pain was manageable for me after my anterior surgery-but during first week I was alternating OxyContin 5 mg and Tylenol. By week 2 i could start weaning off the oxy. I also started out on forearm crutches (my surgeon’s choice to preserve gait) and at 10 days i was on a cane. Good luck! .
While some do have severe pain during recovery, some do not. I did not. Find a great surgeon who does a minimally invasive method (Superpath or STAR or at least Anterior)
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Get a quality ice machine (one that does both cooling and periodic compression) and use it religiously the first few weeks. Get something like the NICE machine or the Game Ready machine. A good one is very expensive so rental is a good approach.
I had a two week rental of the NICE machine for my left hip replacement five years ago and it worked great. Finding a great surgeon and using a quality ice machine the first couple of weeks will provide you the best opportunity for a good and relatively minimal pain recovery.
@ewei6911 I appreciate your reply. Thank you.
@sandrac Thank you for the tips.
@steveinarizona Thank you. Fortunately, I feel like I have orthopaedic royalty, For many years, I helped patients schedule their appts with this doctor so I was happy to be with him. Thanks for the ice tips.