“How do you feel about the prospect of going home?” my physiotherapist asked me today. I told her I felt quite confident. “I’m in a much better position now than I was here eighteen months ago when I had my amputation and spent four months in the hospital”, I added.
This time, it’s only been two weeks since my right hip fracture and replacement. The rehabilitation has been focused on the fact that I also have an amputation, which makes the typical hip replacement rehabilitation more complicated due to the additional pressure on my stump. That’s why it’s been great being back at Sacred Heart where I had the amputation, and where the medical staff know me, and have experience in this type of rehabilitation.
I understand that around 50 or 60,000 people in Australia have hip replacements each year, and a similar number have knee replacements. Many also have shoulder replacements. It’s common practice to encourage people to get up and be active as soon as possible after these procedures. This is not just to free up hospital resources, but also because it’s beneficial for recovery.
Over the past few days, I’ve been working on moving around more independently. Yesterday, for the first time, I was able to go to the bathroom without needing to ask for assistance with a commode.
I’ve progressed from two crutches to one, and today I even walked a little without any.
When I go home, likely on Thursday, I’ll still need crutches, especially when going out. However, I might be able to manage with just one crutch, which offers greater independence.
Overall, I feel much more physically prepared to go home now than I did a couple of years ago. As a result of my amputation, home is pretty well set up for rehabilitation, with things like a raised toilet cover and a stool on which to sit in the shower.
The past few days have been relatively quiet. I had visitors on Sunday. A friend and I went to lunch at the nearby Beecham Hotel, which was very good. Later, another friend visited me at the hospital. I was quite tired upon returning, so we lay down and chatted. I fell asleep, and then, hilariously, when I woke up, he was also asleep. It was a typical Sunday afternoon nap.
I’ve been taking it easy, watching YouTube, listening to music, and just getting on with life and recovery.
Nice. I’m pleased you are recovering so quickly. There is nothing like being at home.
Thanks Andrew. As an FYI, the surgeon offered me a full hip replacement vs a half replacement. He recommended the full replacement on the basis that I am still very active, and could therefore benefit more, and this would also mean I would have less need for a further replacement, Fingers crossed it won’t happen to you, but I thought this could be useful info in case it ever happens.