Blog

I haven’t published for awhile although I have been busy over the lockdown period.

I wasn’t allowed to work until mid July and then started again and have continued ever since seeing patients face to face.

There have been lots of courses online to do over the past 12 months which has been very helpful for keeping me up-to-date.

I’m really excited as I’m going on Douglas Heel’s Be Activated part two course in December.

I did the part one in Cape Town but fortunately he is coming over here so I am able to do the second part just down the road from me in Dorset.

Watch this space !!!

DON’T DO TOO MUCH TOO SOON

When you’re feeling good there is always a tendency to do too much. The new hips need time to heal so it’s important to let them

I have been able to walk without a walking aid and no limp since week four, but I’ve been careful to only do this in the house (I live in a bungalow)and have used a crutch when outside to give some support.

If I’d had stairs I would’ve used crutches to help with these. 

It’s now week five and I have joined a gym with a pool.

I used to teach hydrotherapy so know what I’m doing and I have the equipment.

I started yesterday. I used a crutch to get to the pool to avoid slipping. I got in with care then basically walked in the water and did some simple exercises at the edge.

Total time in the water 20 minutes then out, home and lie down.

Definitely no swimming.

I felt much better afterwards because the pressure of the water is extremely good for circulation.It’s also a very gentle way of exercising with the aid of buoyancy.

I must stress that this is not aquarobics which is simply general exercise in water and NOT SUITABLE for post hip replacement early stages.

Hydrotherapy is specifically targeted to the patients needs and must to be carried out by a professional physiotherapist.

I find the most uncomfortable position is sitting for too long away from home. I take a purpose made 4 inch cushion with me everywhere I go to make sure that I do not sit too low.I have been very careful to get up after 20 minutes

Obviously you can’t lie down at somebody else’s house or in a restaurant so I make sure when I get back I go and lie down.

I’m taking life very steady and I’m doing very well.

Long may it continue.

Getting better all the time.

It’s now day four weeks post operation.

I start my day with “tummy ” or diaphragmatic breathing and muscle activations before I get up. These fire up the correct muscle groups.

Especially the big hip flexor muscle Psoas.

After muscle activations I get up and do some standing exercises including eyes closed single leg standing. Always making sure I’m safe. I can now do 30 seconds on each leg.

I’m now not using crutches at all in the house and haven’t been for about a week.

I do still use one stick/crutch outside – just for protection I’m still exercising and resting in just about equal measure.

I find in the morning my legs feel a little bit stiff but it’s a soft tissue stiffness not the joints and it’s very soon goes.

If I need any pain relief it’s just a couple of paracetamol.

No one can quite believe that I’ve had two hips replaced because I look so well and I’m so mobile.

I have to stress that everybody is different and recovery rates vary from person-to-person, according to how bad the joint was preoperatively and also your level of fitness.

I am conscious that it is still very early days for me and although I am doing extremely well I am also being extremely careful.

I have been particular careful not to bend too much (don’t take knee higher than the hip or bend from waist beyond 90’ or rotate the feet inwards and no crossing legs) and have used the grabber tool to get anything off the floor.

Still can’t put my socks on – won’t be able to until at least six weeks and I feel the cold because of the anti coagulation medicine- such a small price to pay for good surgery.

I have developed a regime of not sitting for longer than 20 mins. I put a timer on. This stops any ankle swelling.

I have been able to walk with my husband and the dog in The New Forest on uneven ground.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised that my proprioception i.e. the ability to know where your joints are space is good.

I have been out for dinner taking my 4 inch cushion with me so that I can sit higher. I just made sure that I got up regularly throughout the meal. It was lovely to feel normal.

Thank you Mr Hoad Reddick you have done a fantastic job. I must make sure I don’t overdo things and mess up my lovely shiny new pain free hips 😊

Day 10 post op. Stitches out.

The wounds have been stitched with dissolving thread and then sealed with medical glue to prevent infection.

There is a small incision on both sides which has been stitched with normal stitches that need coming out.

This is where the robotic arm went in to do the operation under the guidance of Mr Hoad Reddick.

The StrykerMako robotic arm uses 3-D CT scan technology to create an exacting fit for the new hip.

The practice nurse was delighted with the rooms and thought the stitching extremely delicate. extremely delicate.

Been home for a few days, walking with two crutches.

Finding I can manage with one in the house.

Weather has been awful but managed a little trip to the coast.

It felt wonderful to be out in the fresh air.

Walked for about 20 minutes

Home for a rest- Horizontal on the bed.

It’s boring but it’s the only way to manage swelling and bruising.

Bruising is now coming out with a minimal amount of swelling.

Mr Adam Hoad Reddick has done a brilliant job for me.

I can honestly say I have no pain (I am on anti-inflammatories morning and evening and blood thinners. I will stop the morning anti inflammatory tomorrow)

I only have discomfort if I stand or sit for too long and the swelling and bruising starts to track down the leg.

It is soft tissue discomfort alleviated by resting regularly.

When sitting after hip replacement you need a high seat. Approximately 20” depending on lower leg length.

I bought a 4” cushion which means I can go out.

Height also applies to the “loo” seat. Need a raised one – what JOY😂😂