Since I see so many different points of view on PT on this site, I thought I’d chime in with my first outpatient experience today, which felt very safe.I had done a lot of paperwork in advance and I forwarded all my hospital notes and records so therapist had a lot of background. He spent some time massaging the area immediately around the incision in order to start to break up scar tissue and help reduce the swelling. Took some measurements to assess ROM. Most of the tenderness has subsided so this was pain free. He gave me three exercises to incorporate at home as I was able to do these at the session without pain or difficulty: 1) clamshells lifting right leg as part of bed exercises, pillow between legs. 2) right leg posterior leg lift, pillow between legs. 3) shoulder bridge with yoga block between legs, Theraband tied above knees. Part one to lift glutes, part two is press outward twice against the band then articulate the spine down. For all of these, 10 or 12 reps once a day, a second round later if I am up to it. Plus two very gentle stretches: first is addiction of right leg while lying on the bed, the second is to let the leg dangle off the bed to stretch the quad (I am definitely tight in here). And of course to stop any of these if painful. I walked home (about 15 minutes), now icing, elevating and hydrating, took Tylenol when I came in. I know it sounds like it was a lot for a session this early in recovery, and a bit aggressive, but I’ve done these exercises for years, they are all done in Pilates mat class, the goal here being to strengthen the glute muscles that were stretched and loosened during surgery. The rest of today and tonight is rest and ice and relaxation, though.
Both surgeon’s office and PT encouraged me to do some seated upper body and back work with light weights and resistance bands just making sure to follow all hip precautions. Not going to do that every day of course, just a few times a week, around 30 minutes.
Last and unrelated: I did not go for a second COVID booster pre surgery but as COVID cases are unfortunately rising here in NYC and with surgeon clearance I did get boosted today, surgeon saw no reason to wait.
Hope everyone is doing well.