Case Study - NicolaGetting my life backBefore the operation... At first it did not really seem like it was my hip that was the problem. After my first (of five) children I had found that walking any distance was a bit painful, but put it down to post-natal re-adjustment of the ligaments in my hip. As time went on, however, I found that I had pain in the muscles above my knee too and went to see my GP who referred me to Mr Young, the local knee Specialist.  I limped badly, could walk only very short distances, had started to use a stick and the pain used to go right down my shin into my foot and wake me at night so I decided that it was time to do something about it. Following discussion with Mr Young, I decided that a total hip replacement would be my best option. I was 45 years old and quite young to be having this type of operation but now it seemed there was no alternative. Preparing for the operation... The Occupational Therapy department sent a lovely lady to advise about raising a chair at home for me to sit in post operatively and lent me a raised loo-seat, a stool to put in the shower, and a grab stick to reach things without bending. I went to have my pre-operative appointment where they took all my details and observations of blood pressure temperature etc and one week later I went into the hospital for my operation. I had to shower with special lotion before the operation as hygiene is of the utmost importance in orthopaedic surgery and then I was ready! After the operation... My hip is an uncemented hip with a ceramic on ceramic bearing. After the operation I had decided that I would do whatever the physiotherapists told me to do to ensure a good recovery. Five years on it is hard to remember just how painful that hip was. There is nothing I cannot do ? I have been horse-riding, walking, swimming, dancing all without pain or a limp. If I ever have to have the other hip done I shall certainly not wait as long as last time. Surgeon Summary This is a good example of how total hip surgery worked for Nicola and returned her to daily activities and hobbies.
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