Life after a joint replacement: Share your experiences and advice!

@Moonstone1

I am so sorry to hear that your op was cancelled. Moonstone, for every thing there is a reason. We don't always see it that way, but the good Lord works in mysterious ways. Who knows what would have happened if you had gone through the surgery. But the Lord does, He knows that the surgery at a later ldate would give you a better scope of recovery. Please dont let this incident put you off. I know how disheartening it is to have all arrangements made and being hyped up that you would soon be coming to the end of your painful situation, but it would be a disaster to cancel your op for good and go through more pain in the longer run. I am a nurse, and I do understand that the emergencies have got to be dealt with there and then otherwise lives would be lost. But planned operations dont face similar situation. Sure the delay and the emotional trauma is very painful to bear, but at the end of the day, patients brought in with life threatening condition, have got to to have a priority over routinely planned operations, otherwise their lives would be lost. So please don't give up on your operation because the hospital gave priority to emergency patients. Arrangements can once again be made for your admission again and wouldn't that be better than suffering never ending pain? Please think about it seriously, and do not give up on your surgery. Better late than never. Please ring the hospital back and request them to put you back on the list. After all, March is not too far away.

Please feel free to message me any time you feel the need to.

Love

Nineteen_gale

Hi Jinty here I had a left hip replacement 9 years ago, after the op the consultant said that I did have extensive Oestoarthritis. I have to say that this was a very positive experience and mobility and pain improved very quickly. I am currently on the list for a right hip replacement and after attending the joint clinic information I can see that this op will be very different from my first experience. It seems to be a very quick turnaround from the op to being discharged. With the first hip replacement I was in for a week, however it looks like the turnaround will be 3 days, and recovery continuing at home.A little apprehensive about this op. 

Well i have now been given a new date for my knee replacement op..it's 1st.march so next wednesday...have got over my anger at the last one being cancelled so late..i will only be in hospital for 2 days so should be out on friday..will have some fun with using crutches as i don't think i will be very good with them but at least the worst will be over then.

Proverbs they do not keep you in very long now..my sister had her knee replaced a few years ago and stayed in for 5 days..now it's only 2 and they will sometimes send you home the next day if you can manage the stairs and walk ok..they say you recover better at home but it's probably because they need the beds for others.

@Jinty   I've had both hips replaced and they were both 3 days.  In on Friday, the replacement on Friday, Sat and Sun some physio and medicines and also 2 blood transfusions. Home on Monday morning/lunchtime.   They both went well.  3 days seems to be the norm.

Love

Eileen

@Moonstone  That is more like the time I have had.  Although I had my knee replaced  months ago and it was completely different to my hips. Much sorer and its harder to heal. Hope you sister is having a better time with healing.

 months later I'm still sore, and my other {unoperated one} is sore. They say that is compensation. Using that one more while the operated one was healing????? Not sure

I was in   or 6 days for that one..........sorry don't know what happened here????

Eileen

@Moonstone

I am so happy for you that you have got another date and that you have not cancelled you op. I am sure all will go well and you will be back home before you know it. It wont be plain sailing at home, it will be hard work. But be positive, as positive attitude brings positive outcomes.

Good luck. Do let me know how you got on when you are able to use the net again.

God Bless

Nineteen_gale

 had a hip replacement 3 years ago. A great success but suffered alot for 18 months after the op. I am self employed and had no option but to go back to work earlier than I should have and that is why I had extended discomfort but now all is good.

Thank you nighteen gale for your support. I am actually looking forward to getting it done now..i am fairly fit so hope that i will make a good recovery nd will let you all know how i get on...hopefully i will be home on friday 3rd.march..my husband is taking some time off work to care for me and then i will have to manage as best i can...not driving will be a pain as i live in a remote area and have no buses here so will have to rely on him to take me out.

@Moonstone     That's one of the things I found......not driving. It was awful.  You get used to your independence don't you?  I had to rely on Peter all the time for lifts.  I did find at my second one there were a lot of friends that gave me lifts to different places. We have one bus an hour.

The other thing was 6 weeks on my back  but it goes over.  I thought it was going to last for ever but I got there    Good Luck with everything

Eileen

@Moonstone1

I am glad to be able to help. Like i said, it wont be plain sailing, but it will get easier. just be positive and determind to beat the pain. Do your physio exercises as advised. I will be interested in learning how you get on after the operation. Please keep me informed.

Good luck