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SPORTS & FITNESS

Mountain Views NewsSaturday, October 26, 2024

HIP REPLACEMENT: MY 
RECOVERY TIPS

You may remember my article from three months ago about total 
hip replacements, a popular procedure that I was preparing to 
have myself.

Well, now that I am fully recovered, I thought I would share 
some tips with you in case a hip replacement is in your not too 
distant future. Even though I thought I was fully prepared there 
were things that surprised me. Things I wished I had known 
beforehand. Here are some suggestions.

1. Pain meds. Get your prescription ahead of time! I asked 
but my doctor was on vacation until the day of my surgery so 
that didn’t happen. What did happen was a nightmare. I was 
discharged from the hospital the same day but it was so late at 
night (10:00 pm), none of the local pharmacies were open to get 
the prescription filled. The hospital wouldn’t send anything 
home with me either. My son drove all over the place to 24 
hour pharmacies but most didn’t even have the drug I was 
prescribed. The others said they were too far out of the area to 
fill my prescription. The next day it took all day to find the drug 
(oxycodone) and once I started taking it, it didn’t work. At all. 
Another day went by because now the doctor’s office is closed. 
Finally the third day after surgery I got a drug that worked. Let 
me tell you, having a 6” incision running down the side of your 
hip is extremely painful. Going without pain meds for 3 days is 
horrible. I would have rather gone through childbirth 3 days in 
a row instead of having that pain. Bottom line: Get your meds ahead of time. Pain is exhausting, and it's almost 
impossible to get it under control once it takes over.

2. Sleeping. The absolute hardest part for me was sleeping. Getting into bed with that loop device they recommend 
was painful and awkward. I ended up sitting on the end of the bed and scooting backward until I reached the 
pillow, but this isn't ideal for everyone. My advice? Get a recliner and sleep in that. If you don’t have one, you can 
rent one before surgery. It’s easier, and you’ll avoid the strain of getting in and out of bed. Be prepared to sleep on 
your back for months, and if you do want to sleep on your side, you’ll need a pillow between your knees. A recliner 
will save you from these hassles.

3. Get the hip kit. Amazon sells a "hip kit" with helpful tools like grabbers, a leg lifter, sock aid, and back scrubber. 
I used everything in it except the shoehorn (I bought slip-on shoes). At about $49, it’s well worth it.

4. Crutches not a walker. If you were able to walk and balance relatively well before the surgery, opt for crutches 
instead of a bulky walker. Crutches that fit around your forearms not under your arm pits. They are much easier 
to maneuver, especially if your home is small. They easily fit into the bathroom, shower, wherever. I even found 
them helpful when I needed just one, like when I was vacuuming.

5. Furniture risers. Another Amazon item that raises the height of any low furniture you have. Whether a bed, 
couch or anything else that you may experience a hard time getting up from, these plastic bases go under the legs 
of low furniture and lift it. Inexpensive and they come in heights from 1-10 inches. A real lifesaver.

6. Physical therapy. Do it! You will recover faster if you do the exercises the therapist gives you and do them 
often. If you aren’t active, do them before the surgery too. For me, I already knew what to do so I only saw the 
physical therapist a week or so. Remember, you can still do all your other upper body, ab exercises, walking and 
stationary bike. Just don’t bend the affected hip joint more than 90 degrees. Be careful with that joint and take it 
a little easier.

7. Related pain: Be aware that you may have other issues going on that contributed to your pain and decision 
to have surgery. In my case I had a pinched nerve that added to my discomfort before surgery. My hip pain is 
completely gone now. I recovered, able to walk without crutches after two weeks. But the nerve pain is a whole 
other issue to be addressed. If you have multiple conditions to take care of, take them one step at a time.

That’s it! A hip replacement is an amazing surgery that can give you years of pain-free movement. Don’t hesitate—
it’s worth it.

HUDDLE UP


With HARVEY HYDE


IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR!

FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE 
AND HARVEY WILL BE ON 
HIATUS FOR THIS COLUMN FOR 
A WHILE. FOLLOW HIM ON 
SUNDAYS ON AM830


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