Recent content by JuliaB

  1. J

    THR Dorothy's 2nd hip recovery, June 22, 2012

    Good morning from another New Yorker! Albany. I'm afraid I'm another who doesn't post very much (yes, that's an understatement...) but I am here almost every day, looking for words of wisdom and strengthening tips. Dorothy, your pain sounds similar to mine on my right hip, which I had done...
  2. J

    THR THR and New to Forum

    Re: Suggestions for wound? Bilateral dysplasia? Hi Cheeky - I also have bilateral dysplasia, I was born with two dislocated hips and severe coxa vara on both sides. I had osteotomies on both sides at age 4. I got through most of my life without much visible indication of any problems - I...
  3. J

    THR Hip replacements and driving

    At my first post-op appointment three weeks after surgery, my OS advised that, once off pain meds then I was could start to drive whenever I felt I could do so safely. My family pretty much disappeared after that, so I did a few careful test runs around the neighboorhood in my BMW 3-series and...
  4. J

    what kind of exercise bike

    Hi Linda - My PT had me use an exercise bike while in PT and also advised me how to use the one I have at home. Both the therapist bike and my own were the reclining type. The most important thing is to be sure the shape of it is such that you can step or manuveur yourself on to it without...
  5. J

    THR Muscle issues 3 months post op THR

    Hi, PhillyGirl. I had a complex THR that involved a severe case of coxa vara. I had lots of muscle issues that arose, evolved, and resolved, one after another, for about a year. Lots of PT, lots of rest, pills, and icing. You can't hurry it, all you can do is take care of yourself one day at...
  6. J

    THR 1st April Surgery and doing well

    I've experienced that too - one of my golf ladies pretty much dropped me completely last summer because she felt I was such a slacker since I still limped and used the cane, and of course wasn't ready to play golf last summer. Seems her grandmother had undergone a hip replacement at some ripe...
  7. J

    THR 1st April Surgery and doing well

    Hi, Jyoti. My history with my hips is very much like yours, and yes, the recovery process has taken me a long time. My surgeon assured me it would all come with time, but that it would take me longer to walk again and for everything to settle down than it would for "pretty much anyone else"...
  8. J

    Sitting on the floor after recovery

    I also have severe congenital coxa vara; my surgeon advised that my range of motion after surgery would be pretty much comparable to my range of motion as it existed prior to the disabling effect of the arthritis, after my recovery had progressed sufficiently. I'm now just over one year out...
  9. J

    Need to rant a bit...

    Well... it took me 5 months. Yes, 5 months to return to the office. I'm an attorney, so most of what I do involves reading, research, and drafting documents, so I worked from home after 4 weeks via the magic of a GoToMyPC connection. At 3 months I just wasn't stable enough on my feet - it...
  10. J

    How long until I can ride my motorcycle?

    My own experience is that the "when" of everything is very individual-specific. I don't ride bikes, but I do own a little 2-seater convertible. The morning after my surgery, my surgeon's assistant/intern came around to visit, and I asked when I would be able to climb into the car again - he...
  11. J

    life time precautions

    I also had congenital displasia, and at my 6-month checkup my surgeon advised me to observe indefinitely the "don't twist" precaution and to always have my feet pointing outwards when I rise from a chair. I realize it's not the typical advice, but I don't think those of us with significant...
  12. J

    Lost my job today...

    Sheila - The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires that your employer give you up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually (measured from Jan - Dec) when leave is needed to care for a family member or yourself. The employer was required to give you a written notice when you advised that...
  13. J

    Doctor's Pre-Op Pain Med Agreement

    I suspect your surgeon is merely indicating that, after a certain point, you'll need to go to your internist or other pain management specialist for pain meds, rather than to him. Here in Upstate NY that's a pretty common practice - and 4 weeks of pain meds from the surgeon would be very...
  14. J

    Advice prior to my THR

    HI, Jyoti. I too have hip dysplasia, having been born with bilaterally dislocated hips with severe coxa vara. I had osteotomies on both sides during my childhood, and my parents were warned I would develop severe arthritis in both hips by my mid-thirties and probably spend my life in a...
  15. J

    Still limping at 7 months...

    Thanks so much, yes, I read through all the old posts about limping and "heel-to-toe" many months ago, and I've been following that very deliberately for many months as well. It's definitely been a long process. If anyone has any thoughts about how to really strengthen the abductors, I'd...
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