April 15, 2012
How to Help a Loved One Who Has Had a Hip Replacement
How to Help a Loved One Who Has Had a Hip Replacement
Hip replacement, a form of major surgery, can take several months to recover from. A friend or loved one that goes through this surgery is going to need a lot of care during recovery. Although the assistance of someone who has a nursing degree would be beneficial, it is not necessary. Here are some tips you can use to nurse your loved one back to health yourself:
- Prepare Your Home – To ensure recovery, prepare your home so that your loved one has a safe place to reside in. A place to sleep, use the bathroom and access to food should all be within a safe walking distance without any stairs. Your loved one will likely be using crutches or a walker, so make sure there is nothing obstructing their path as well.
- Talk to the Doctor – Since you’ll be helping with your loved one’s healthcare, it’s important to remain on the same page with their doctor. Talk to the doctor about the recovery process, their medications, nurse visits, bandaging, and the patient’s physical limits. Your loved one will likely be tired and forgetful after their surgery, so make sure you know what they need medically.
- Keep Up with Exercises – Make sure your loved one is doing recommended exercises or physical therapy. This reduces the risk of blood clots and helps them recover quickly.
- Follow Up – Make sure your loved one is going to follow-up appointments with their doctor. Recovering patients are unable to drive, so you may have to transport them as well.
- Remain Vigilant – Pain medication after any surgery can cause grogginess. Consider staying with your loved one during this time so you can keep a closer eye on them.
- Keep Them Entertained – Your loved one is going to remain relatively immobile for quite awhile, so it’s a good idea to provide as many books, movies, games, and other forms of entertainment to pass the time more easily. It’s also more fun to do things together.
- Be Patient – Surgery can be taxing both emotionally and physically. Try to keep a positive attitude for both you and your loved one and things will become much easier. Be compassionate and patient for you loved one during this difficult time.
It’s important to realize that this is a serious commitment, and not to be taken lightly. The recovery process takes a lot of time and you’ll be helping your loved one with many mundane tasks. If you find you can’t manage the responsibly, try to find someone who can. If you’re considering learning more or even getting a degree in nursing, you can check out this guide to healthcare schools here.
Source
eHow (2012)
# posted by Sigrid Macdonald : 3:07 PM
March 15, 2012
Download Getting Hip for Free!
Getting Hip: Recovery from a Total Hip Replacement – Free on Kindle for the Next Five Days
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Hip-Recovery-Total-Replacement/dp/1418478377/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331841498&sr=1-4# posted by Sigrid Macdonald : 11:17 PM
April 28, 2011
GETTING HIP IS AN AMAZON BESTSELLER
Tonight when I checked Amazon Kindle, Getting Hip was rated #1 as a category bestseller in orthopedics, and is listed in the Top Paid 100 Books on Kindle. Get your copy now for $2.99! http://tinyurl.com/6kvlk3f
Getting Hip is the personal story of my recovery from a total hip replacement. I also interviewed 10 people around the world who had a joint replacement and one had his hip resurfaced. We share tips to help you plan in advance before surgery, as well as how to handle post-op physical therapy, potential blood loss, maintaining the position of 90°, and getting back to playing that golf game.
How long will your new hip last? When will you be able to drive again? What are the safest sports to play after you've had a total hip replacement? Find out in Getting Hip, currently $15.50 on Amazon.com, http://tinyurl.com/3j5cbss
Or buy it in paperback for $12.95, including shipping and handling, by writing to me directly at sigridmac at rogers.com. I have PDFs available as well.
Stay hip! Sigrid
Getting Hip is the personal story of my recovery from a total hip replacement. I also interviewed 10 people around the world who had a joint replacement and one had his hip resurfaced. We share tips to help you plan in advance before surgery, as well as how to handle post-op physical therapy, potential blood loss, maintaining the position of 90°, and getting back to playing that golf game.
How long will your new hip last? When will you be able to drive again? What are the safest sports to play after you've had a total hip replacement? Find out in Getting Hip, currently $15.50 on Amazon.com, http://tinyurl.com/3j5cbss
Or buy it in paperback for $12.95, including shipping and handling, by writing to me directly at sigridmac at rogers.com. I have PDFs available as well.
Stay hip! Sigrid
# posted by Sigrid Macdonald : 9:20 PM
March 31, 2011
Mesothelioma and Its Effect on the Hip Joint (and the Lungs)
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in deposits in the earth. Prior to 1975, it was widely used in drywall, insulation, tile, and heating appliances in older buildings such as schools, homes, and day cares. When the asbestos minerals are intact, they are harmless. But when disturbed, the microscopic fibers are released into the air.
What many people do not understand is that you do not have to work in a demolition area or warehouse building to be affected by these deadly fibers. Asbestos is a common air pollutant and can harm anyone and everyone.
Since it takes about 20-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to show, much damage can have already been done. There are two main forms of mesothelioma; Pleural which is lung disease and Peritoneal which forms in the abdominal region. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a very hard type to diagnosis, for most of the symptoms are common to that of a cyst, inflamed organs, or other gastronomic issues.
Symptoms of this form are abdominal pain, fluid retention, and weight loss or gain. Thoracic pain and hip pain are also a common symptom. Due the intensity of this pain, change to walking patterns, physical therapy, and added weight can bear a great deal of stress on the hip joints. If by this age, you have not had a hip replacement, it is not unlikely you won’t. Weakening of the sockets either due to the reaction to pain or the metastasis of the cancer is common. To find out the most information related to Mesothelioma treatment and prognosis, visit: http://www.mesotheliomaprognosis.org/
Mesothlioma can also affect the lungs. Make sure to check out Mesothelioma Lung Cancer, a website with the most up to date and comprehensive information about Pleural Mesothelioma on the web; with information ranging from a complete list of symptoms, to treatment options and steps to take after a diagnosis.
What many people do not understand is that you do not have to work in a demolition area or warehouse building to be affected by these deadly fibers. Asbestos is a common air pollutant and can harm anyone and everyone.
Since it takes about 20-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to show, much damage can have already been done. There are two main forms of mesothelioma; Pleural which is lung disease and Peritoneal which forms in the abdominal region. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a very hard type to diagnosis, for most of the symptoms are common to that of a cyst, inflamed organs, or other gastronomic issues.
Symptoms of this form are abdominal pain, fluid retention, and weight loss or gain. Thoracic pain and hip pain are also a common symptom. Due the intensity of this pain, change to walking patterns, physical therapy, and added weight can bear a great deal of stress on the hip joints. If by this age, you have not had a hip replacement, it is not unlikely you won’t. Weakening of the sockets either due to the reaction to pain or the metastasis of the cancer is common. To find out the most information related to Mesothelioma treatment and prognosis, visit: http://www.mesotheliomaprognosis.org/
Mesothlioma can also affect the lungs. Make sure to check out Mesothelioma Lung Cancer, a website with the most up to date and comprehensive information about Pleural Mesothelioma on the web; with information ranging from a complete list of symptoms, to treatment options and steps to take after a diagnosis.
# posted by Sigrid Macdonald : 11:10 AM
YouTube video for a THR
Learn more about hip replacement on YouTube -- lots of great information there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DosqbEy8ecY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DosqbEy8ecY
# posted by Sigrid Macdonald : 11:00 AM
March 16, 2011
New Joint Pain Channel -- Check it out.
November 26, 2009
New podcast on staying hip
Please listen to my free podcast on three mistakes to avoid before and after total hip replacement surgery.
http://www.myspace.com/sigrid39srecovery
You can buy Getting Hip from me directly for just $9.99, not including shipping and handling. Take advantage! And don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my own personal experience with hip replacement.
Stay hip.
Sigrid Mac
http://www.myspace.com/sigrid39srecovery
You can buy Getting Hip from me directly for just $9.99, not including shipping and handling. Take advantage! And don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my own personal experience with hip replacement.
Stay hip.
Sigrid Mac
# posted by Sigrid Macdonald : 1:57 PM
