Motorhoming with a recently replaced hip?

My husband is due for his hip replacement in March. We're planning to go on a motorhome holiday straight afterwards in April - this is not ideal.  The op was supposed to be in January but there has been an increase in waiting times. 

Has anybody attempted a holiday after a hip replacement?  Has anybody tried this and what did they find out?

I wasn't sure where to post this - but at least we will be attempting in the Malvern, possibly using the swivel chair to get him in/out, and maybe to use the flat bedding to make it easier, and useful for exercises.

I think his biggest challenge will be getting in and out, I would purchase a two tear fixed step and use this instead of that auto single step at the Hab door. You can usually isolate the auto step in EC. He could also use this to help in and out of the cab door.
Just an idea ....

Thanks - that sounds like a good option for both doors.  Will have a look into it.

Who is the driver?  When I had my hip replaced I couldnt drive for 6 weeks.  How far are you travelling?  I would build in lots of stops so leg/hip doesnt seize up - it is likley to be swollen.  Sitting on a plastic bag allows you to swivil on your seat for both getting in & out.  I was told to make sure I kept both legs together for both maouvers.  When we went away not long after I had my knee replaced (Yes, two replacements!!) we made sure we used a site with good toilet block so I could use more roomier facilities as much as possible - normally we just use the van facilities.  Having a shower & toilet with a bar in it to hang on to was really useful.  Proceedures have changed since I had my hip done but I had to have seats, including the loo (I was provided with a seat riser), at a particular height - all to do with the hip angle after the op - so I would check with hopital as soon as poss to see if there are still such requirements.  But in any case ensure can use the loo in the van.

Nuevogirl had a hip replacement in September and had hoped to be light cycling within a couple of weeks.
However, her femur fractured on inserting the new hip and she wasn't allowed to put any weight on that leg for 6 weeks. As HJA said above, there are certain restrictions about leg positioning even if all goes well (which we hope it does).
Driving is supposed to be out for at least 6 weeks and you are also supposed to notify your insurer even after that time.
After 6 weeks we could only just get Nuevogirl into the 'van backwards, had to remove the table to get her to the already-swivelled seat and had to have assistance to get her out at t'other end.
I think you are being a bit ambitious in thinking of travelling so soon after his op.
Everyone is different though and I wish you both luck.

I too think you are being a bit ambitious. When I had my hips done (I’m  Mrs Harrysp) I too was told not to drive for 6 weeks. You don’t say how many weeks between the surgery and your planned trip.

The greatest risk after a newly replaced hip is dislocation, especially in the early stages. The hospital will advise you about this, along with higher toilet seats etc.  Although I know procedures and recovery time have improved greatly since I had mine done, I wouldn’t have had the energy or flexibility to go on a motorhome trip so soon. If you drive the motorhome, it might be different, depending on how far you are intending to travel. You will also have to deal with the everyday stuff such as emptying the toilet cassette etc.

Good luck with the surgery, once healed it’ll be a new lease of life.

Are you planning on the UK or EU? I don't want to be a doom person, but my old school friend had a hip replacement and ended up in A&E with Sepsis due to an infection.

I have had Sepsis some 4 years ago and it needs rapid and specialist treatment.

Sorry but these things happen

It's only a holiday after all.
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Richard

Hello all - thanks for all this!  To answer some of the questions:

I'm the driver.  I always feel sick as the passenger, and refuse to let my husband drive!  We have an automatic too, so it wouldn't touch his left leg if he had to use it, but we're not supposed to let him drive.  I do worry about reversing, as normally he jumps out and guides me.  

Our initial idea was to think we could leave for Europe at 5 weeks, but we're maybe reconsidering.  My thinking was that if we have any large problems we'd need to use travel insurance on the ferry tickets.  E.g. for any sepsis, this would probably happen at home before we leave.  However, we don't know if it's long enough or not. 

Another problem will be paying for motorway pay tolls. Should I run around the side instead of leaning over?  
Also, e-bikes are tricky - may not be achievable - too heavy for me and might be too early for my husband.

The seat height will be a problem.  This might make things too difficult.  Oh dear :-(

Is Nuevogirl cycling by now? Has she improved after the awful problems?

Doonhamer5 wrote:Hello all - thanks for all this!  To answer some of the questions:

I'm the driver.  I always feel sick as the passenger, and refuse to let my husband drive!  We have an automatic too, so it wouldn't touch his left leg if he had to use it, but we're not supposed to let him drive.  I do worry about reversing, as normally he jumps out and guides me.  

Our initial idea was to think we could leave for Europe at 5 weeks, but we're maybe reconsidering.  My thinking was that if we have any large problems we'd need to use travel insurance on the ferry tickets.  E.g. for any sepsis, this would probably happen at home before we leave.  However, we don't know if it's long enough or not. 

Another problem will be paying for motorway pay tolls. Should I run around the side instead of leaning over?  
Also, e-bikes are tricky - may not be achievable - too heavy for me and might be too early for my husband.

The seat height will be a problem.  This might make things too difficult.  Oh dear :-(

Is Nuevogirl cycling by now? Has she improved after the awful problems?

I can answer this one for you. Get an Emovis tag for the tolls, you sail through without having to even open the window, and at some you can go through the 30kph section without stopping. One of the best things we have for French motorways.

Harry - that's great!  At least one problem off the list. 
I was looking at Emovis yesterday, but I didn't know if they worked.

Doonhamer5 wrote:Hello all - thanks for all this!  To answer some of the questions:

I'm the driver.  I always feel sick as the passenger, and refuse to let my husband drive!  We have an automatic too, so it wouldn't touch his left leg if he had to use it, but we're not supposed to let him drive.  I do worry about reversing, as normally he jumps out and guides me.  

Our initial idea was to think we could leave for Europe at 5 weeks, but we're maybe reconsidering.  My thinking was that if we have any large problems we'd need to use travel insurance on the ferry tickets.  E.g. for any sepsis, this would probably happen at home before we leave.  However, we don't know if it's long enough or not. 

Another problem will be paying for motorway pay tolls. Should I run around the side instead of leaning over?  
Also, e-bikes are tricky - may not be achievable - too heavy for me and might be too early for my husband.

The seat height will be a problem.  This might make things too difficult.  Oh dear :-(

Is Nuevogirl cycling by now? Has she improved after the awful problems?

Yes, thankfully Nuevogirl is back on her bike, but riding very slowly and carefully at the moment.
She's also started swimming again, but the leg kick on breast stroke is somewhat reduced.

We've been away in our 'van three times since her op and the first trip was after almost 3 months. 
Although she is doing great and is completely pain free, she still has some limited movement and I wish I had a pound for every left sock I've had to put on for her.

Only you and your hubby will know what you are capable of, but in all honesty, I think a trip abroad after such a short time recuperating is a bit ambitious.

nuevoboy wrote:Yes, thankfully Nuevogirl is back on her bike, but riding very slowly and carefully at the moment.
She's also started swimming again, but the leg kick on breast stroke is somewhat reduced.

We've been away in our 'van three times since her op and the first trip was after almost 3 months. 
Although she is doing great and is completely pain free, she still has some limited movement and I wish I had a pound for every left sock I've had to put on for her.

Only you and your hubby will know what you are capable of, but in all honesty, I think a trip abroad after such a short time recuperating is a bit ambitious.

Glad Nuevogirl is on the mend! 

I know the pounds for socks situation now.  Hoping that gets a bit better but who knows.

I too think you are over optimistic.  As well as higher loo seat etc.  I had about three physio appointments at something like 3 week intervals, each time coming away with additional exercises.  I don't think I would have relished going away in a motorhome.

Thanks, Beetee.  

Looks like we are now going to approach this more cautiously, avoiding booking anything before we know how my husband feels after the op.

I fitted a grab handle just below the mirror .i removed the drawer and bolted it on just below the drawer runners  .it looks just like a towel rail .it greatly assists  rising from the toilet. It has been in use for 2  1/2 years with no problems . it would be ideal to raise the toilet  but not possible .

Molly3 wrote:I fitted a grab handle just below the mirror .i removed the drawer and bolted it on just below the drawer runners  .it looks just like a towel rail .it greatly assists  rising from the toilet. It has been in use for 2  1/2 years with no problems . it would be ideal to raise the toilet  but not possible .

Thanks, Molly!  That sounds like a great idea. It will need to be different from yours, will need to work it out.

I had problems after I had my hip done so had to have physio every week for six weeks. I wouldn't book anything till you see how hubby is. There are many things to overcome that you don't realise. Stairs, toilets, sleeping on your back, walking, keeping hips higher than knees and doing your exercises everyday. Plus others but once you're fit again no more pain.

rose49f wrote:I had problems after I had my hip done so had to have physio every week for six weeks. I wouldn't book anything till you see how hubby is. There are many things to overcome that you don't realise. Stairs, toilets, sleeping on your back, walking, keeping hips higher than knees and doing your exercises everyday. Plus others but once you're fit again no more pain.

Thanks, Rose.  We've decided not to book anything till we see how it goes.  Lots of people here seem to have a few wee problems afterwards.  Also, I have realised that we wouldn't be covered by insurance while something medical is happening.  Therefore we realise that we simply can't book a ferry.  This doesn't mean that we can't go travelling if things are good - we can still deal with the dog via Eurotunnel (the ferry cabins may be sold out).  One of our friends - who has had a replacement hip - has him down for 4 weeks.
But we will see, no guessing!

Doonhamer5 wrote:

rose49f wrote:I had problems after I had my hip done so had to have physio every week for six weeks. I wouldn't book anything till you see how hubby is. There are many things to overcome that you don't realise. Stairs, toilets, sleeping on your back, walking, keeping hips higher than knees and doing your exercises everyday. Plus others but once you're fit again no more pain.

Thanks, Rose.  We've decided not to book anything till we see how it goes.  Lots of people here seem to have a few wee problems afterwards.  Also, I have realised that we wouldn't be covered by insurance while something medical is happening.  Therefore we realise that we simply can't book a ferry.  This doesn't mean that we can't go travelling if things are good - we can still deal with the dog via Eurotunnel (the ferry cabins may be sold out).  One of our friends - who has had a replacement hip - has him down for 4 weeks.
But we will see, no guessing!

Eurotunnel will be good, no stairs to climb! You don't even have to get out of the van apart from doggie duties.

We have used it for years, simple, quick, may not be the cheapest, but money is not going to rule my life over comfort.

Hope the op goes to plan and have a good trip when it happens.
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Richard

Cheers Richard!

My husband had his first hip op 2 years ago followed by his second 6 months later. Its essential  to do the physio religiously or the op wont be as successful.. From experience of helping him do the exercises I can't see how he will be able to do the exercises properly in a motorhome.  I personally wouldn't risk going away for at least 8 weeks. It's not worth it as I understand if a revision OP is needed to repair any damage  it isnt always succesfully.

Pnefan wrote:My husband had his first hip op 2 years ago followed by his second 6 months later. Its essential  to do the physio religiously or the op wont be as successful.. From experience of helping him do the exercises I can't see how he will be able to do the exercises properly in a motorhome.  I personally wouldn't risk going away for at least 8 weeks. It's not worth it as I understand if a revision OP is needed to repair any damage  it isnt always succesfully.

 
Thanks! I think we are going to monitor his progress and not book anything definitely.  
Glad you've got some good results.  We will be strict with the physio - definitely!

You have to be really strict with the physio whilst at home. It must be done every single day. My husband had to do his twice a day. He is now fine and has no trouble whats so ever. At 72 he's back fellwalking. He went from being hardly able to walk a few yards to being fit and active again.

Thinking of upcoming hip / knee replacements (not yet on the schedule but we are all getting older aren't we?) I really wish A/S would use the Ford base vehicle, then I could have an automatic. It is something that may well drive me to a Chausson - but I prefer the opposing front sofa layout with loose table to the european L shaped front lounge with fixed table. I suppose I could remove the fixed table and just have a regular folding-leg table. I have had European front layouts and I prefer the loose A/S table that you can just push to one side as you walk past.
I don't want the Fiat non-automatic, moreover I don't want a computerised current technology vehicle, and even moreover I refuse to pay £2500 for the first year's road tax nor the ensuing £450 a year road tax. I reckon sales of new campers will plummet. Let's see what the NEC brings. I read that Swift have closed one of their motorhome factories . . . .

gassygassy wrote:I refuse to pay £2500 for the first year's road tax nor the ensuing £450 a year road tax. I reckon sales of new campers will plummet. Let's see what the NEC brings.

If I was into conspiracy theory I would be wondering if there is a hidden agenda here?? 

Well, not even hidden!!