HIP HIP HOORAY

I am writing on my experience with this subject because I know of a number of people who have had a hip replacement and others who are about to have one. Also, it can be a sequel to “Locked Up,” the recent column on living with a deteriorating hip.

I was 4 days in hospital, the operation took 2 ½ hrs, but I knew nothing about that. It was longer than usual because my bones were softer and an ‘extra gate’ had to be added. This is not altogether rare, according to the Dr.

I hired a walking frame for a couple of weeks which is a bit restrictive, but gives plenty of support. So, after two weeks, I can walk unaided, but use a stick anyway, which I can now do without. A hired toilet frame was set up in our toilet which made that operation a lot easier.

Initially, the most awkward part was in bed when I wanted to turn over. I sleep with a pillow between my legs, but it takes a fair time to turnover without it being too uncomfortable. Getting into bed, or a vehicle, is also problematic. For a while I used a cloth ‘noose’ around the foot of my ‘crook hip leg’ which made a big difference. I don’t need that any longer.

You are given a number of exercises to do, which I religiously stick to.

One plus is that I can park in a ‘Handicap Park’ and there is no shortage of them.

I will have a problem in my Jeep but driving is normal in a vehicle with automatic transmission.

A few days before the operation, Claire and I attended a Christmas Dinner up at the Glue Pot Bird Sanctuary, which is north of Waikerie. It involved a night in swags, but in this case we used stretchers as well, which was a great help. That will work now post operation, to save having to get up off the ground. I know there are people putting off having a new hip, but all I can say is, its pretty straight forward according to the people I have talked to.  It seems knees are more complex, but thankfully mine are OK.

The fact that I walked and rode camels for approx.. 80,000 kms, over 34 years may well have contributed to my left hip wearing out. Who knows.

I am definitely into natural cures where possible, but you have to take your hat off to modern surgery.

Rex Ellis,

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