"Hip Replacement Operation"

I recently had my left hip replaced at Cannock Hospital and felt I should give feedback on my experience. From the very start with my Pre Op assessment, then the Hip Joint School through to the operation I have had a really good experience. 

My Pre Op took about forty minutes. There were questions, blood tests and MRSA wipes, all undertaken in a very calm and caring manner explaining everything as I went.

I next attended the Hip Joint School which was run by Kirsty. I found this to be a really worthwhile experience as it took you right through from the first step into the unit to discharge post Op. A lot of really useful information and everything explained in a way that you could understand it. I think it was really useful to be able to see and touch a replacement hip as it made things real, not just a grammatical statement. Being allowed to bring your partner with you was also a good move as it enabled them to fully appreciate what was involved and know what to expect. Having a talk by the Physios who explained what your recovery would be like and the initial steps you take and explain the exercises you would be doing certainly helped me to get a fuller understanding.

I cannot commend this Hip Joint School highly enough. I don’t know if it happens across other sections of the NHS but if it doesn’t, then in my opinion it certainly should. For elective surgery it is better to know what you are about to face in advance rather than on the day of surgery where not a lot is taken in. 

On the day of my operation I went into it knowing what to expect. I met my Anaesthetist and discussed General and Spinal anaesthetics. I have to be honest I wasn’t keen on having a spinal but was put at ease by the Anaesthetist so we proceeded in that manner. I didn’t really feel a great deal which was how I wanted it to be. 

My Operation went well and by midday I was on Hilton Main Ward drinking Tea and eating a sandwich. The staff on this ward are simply amazing. Nothing is too much trouble for them and they really are busy people. Every patient is treated with respect and you really cannot fault the care given. I was discharged the day after my operation as expected. 

Though the Hip replacement was something that I really wasn’t looking forward to I have to be honest and say the whole experience was far better than I thought it would be. I think the knowing in advance what I would experience by attending the Hip School was a real positive for me. It took away any worries of what might happen where one’s mind can go into overdrive. This whole process worked for me and if other people expecting the same operation have the same then I think they will benefit from it as well.