THR 1st April Surgery and doing well

[ginger322]

Hi Jyoti, At around two weeks my PT tried to introduce those two leg raising exercises. The first was to lie on the unoperated side with a large pillow between your legs, and then try to do leg lifts. I said , "thank you but no". I could not even imagine getting my leg off the pillow let alone down again. I asked my OS about it a few days ago and he said no, just do the exercises he sent home with me from the hospital.. Maybe try it from a different angle, stand holding on to one crutch and gently swing your operated out to the side. You don't get the same resistence but the resistence can come later. You are not even a month out of surgery. The same goes with trying to lift from laying on your stomach. Wait until you are more comfortable with it or find a different position, maybe standing, and do it that way.

Are you completely weight bearing now?

Everythhig will come...just give it a little more time. You are less than 4 weeks out of surgery.

Take care.

 

[Jaycey]

Hi Jyoti, we say the over and over again - but I will repeat it for you - please do not judge your recovery progress on any other. You have your own issues and were in a very specific situation when you had your THR. Same with the rest of us. We all progress at totally different rates.

Regarding the exercises your PT gave you - well from my experience I could not do the side leg raises at 4 weeks out. I remember posting that here and having many hippies tell me not to worry.

Do not do the exercises if they are causing you pain. Scale back, keep trying to do one or two. But if they are causing discomfort then they are not helping you.

The front leg raise was also hard for me at first. Then one day I tried it and had no problem! Your strength will return pretty quickly.

You are right, your body has been through a lot. Just rest, ice and elevate and take things slowly. All the exercises will come when your body is ready. It just takes some of us more time to get to that ready state.

Hang in there!

 

[Joankr]

Hi Jyoti!

I'm always bummed out--though just temporarily, because we all recover at different rates--when I read about others seemingly so far ahead of me. But there are so many variables among us all, that it doesn't pay to compare, I've learned.

As for the exercises--the one lying on your side is one I was told to do but not until after four weeks. The one on the front seems even more aggressive than the side one. As my PT told me, though, even if I only lift the leg a half inch at first, that's still something. I've been amazed at how those half-inches and inches develop into significant movement over time. So just keep trying--but stop if there's pain.

Best of luck!
Joan

 

[Catherine]

Hi!

You are doing so well - just 3+ weeks out - amazing. Don't worry about the side leg raises. I went back to the gym today for the first time and attempted my usual rotation of activities (bike, floor, cross trainer, weight machines and back to floor, if a little , OK a lot less, than this time last year). I found the side leg raises really challenging, just a few inches. I don't think this is too bad though when I look back at where I was at 3 weeks. There are times throughout when A to B seems unobtainable, then all of a sudden it happens.

You are still at a very early stage, in fact I think that this was the time when I went onto one crutch too! Patience is definitely a virtue I didn't have in early recovery, but by 8 weeks and heading back to work, I began to think that being governed by my body rather than a clock was not such a bad thing. I have often thought about how people cope at the beginning of retirement, now I think it must be similar - you fill your time with guilty pleasures like reading, snoozing, snacking etc when you want too. Life gets back to normal all too soon!

 

[Jyoti]

Thanks everyone!!

I know what you are all saying, but I think what with the cabin fever and the lack of independence it gets so frustrating.

Since I saw my PT I have not really seen an improvement compared to when I had the operation, I could feel each day improving, even if a little.

I know it will happen but again I know I need to be patient.

I think because I have been a bit annoyed, I haven't been doing many of the exercises, but I need to. I get so annoyed that my left leg still has to take on so much and it gets tired a lot quicker. I can often hear my knees creaking away, which is not a good sign ( had that previously also as have early degenerative changes there also )

Also have stopped taking the meds as I don't really have pain, but I know once I am doing more and it it begins to hurt I will resume taking them.

Thanks again
Jyoti

 

[pctcoach]

i so hear you about the frustration, Jyoti.:rolleyespink: I, too, have had little progress in the last 10 days after even taking a few steps without my cane only 2 1/2 weeks after surgery. Started PT last Thursday, different exercises than I was given at the hospital. Feel very stiff in my groin, and quads on the medial side hurt when I walk.

I just have to trust what everyone says: we all heal in our own individual way, and a year from now, I probably won't even remember what I could or couldn't do at 4 weeks.

So glad to have this forum to vent a little bit and bit reminded that it all gets better.

Namasté, Margo

 

[newhip]

I also could not lift my leg around the same time as you, then one day a week or so later I tried again, and lo and behold it went up. So as you strengthen the muscle doing the other excercises you will also get there.

 

[sharonslp]

Jyoti, I consider my physical therapists to be pretty aggressive....but they have not suggested the side leg lifts yet. When I first read your post, I thought....are they nuts? No way I could lift my leg up like that! I still have trouble with the regular leg lifts.

But it got me wondering. So I went off to try it. It was pretty easy to lie on my non-operated side, put a pillow between my legs and do clam shells. Then I tried an actual lift, and hey....I could do that too. I have just one more week of PT to go; I wonder if they will add those to my schedule? I imagine at some point they would be good for me.

The point is....they want you to do something....you try. Maybe you can't do it at all the first time, or maybe you can just do one or two. A few days later, you've already gotten stronger and the exercises you can do are helping, so maybe you do three or four this time. And a week later you can do them easily and they are on to some other impossible-sounding torture device for you.

I would also pose that it pays to continue taking your meds steadily...it will make pt and your home exercises easier to do, thus contributing to developing the muscles, and it could help your left leg as well.

Good luck....this is a process, and you will get through it.

Sharon

 

[Jaycey]

The point is....they want you to do something....you try. Maybe you can't do it at all the first time, or maybe you can just do one or two. A few days later, you've already gotten stronger and the exercises you can do are helping, so maybe you do three or four this time.

Exactly right Sharon. If it seems impossible the first time don't fret. You will get there. Your body just needs to remember how to engage those muscles again.

I would also pose that it pays to continue taking your meds steadily...it will make pt and your home exercises easier to do, thus contributing to developing the muscles, and it could help your left leg as well.

Right again. Jyoti you don't want to get into the situation where you are associating pain with your exercises. Not the least bit motivating. Take your meds then see what exercises you can do. I think you will find you progress quite quickly.

Please update us when you can.

 

[Jyoti]

Thanks everyone, yet again. Good to hear how you are all doing. I know what I ned to do so I just need to get on with it :th_heehee:

Jaycey,

You mention about the meds. When I exercise, I don't feel pain I feel the muscles and this odd feeling around the incision site - pulling and it feels heavy etc. Nothing major. Assume it's my body getting used to the implant.

So should I just continue exercising without the meds if I don't get any real pain??

I do get aches etc but I believe that's more in relation to the walking as its the knees and when I stand on my non-operated leg to do some of the exercises.

Shouldn't I be able to do the exercises without meds??

Thanks
Jyoti

 

[nadineme]

Hey Jyoti

Sounds like your comin along slow but sure. I really hear ya about the slow part. I'm not exactly a patience kind of person either...lol. Not a good characteristic to have with this surgery...lol. I can hear that game show clock music alot.

I actually made coffee this morning for the first time.........lol.....weeeeeeeee look at me go...:hysterical:but hey.....if thats all it takes to make my day then so be it. The only part I couldn't do was get the old filter and grounds into the garbage. Could have tried but that would have meant leaving a nasty mess for Bruce to clean up.

Small tasks no matter how menial feel so good to accomplish the first time around. Even when you feel like other advancements that you think should be happening aren't yet.

 

[Josephine]

Assume it's my body getting used to the implant.

Your body could care squat about the implant! It DOES care about having been cut and stitch back together again like an old garment! That's what's pulling!

As for should you take pain meds if you don't have pain? Well, no real need if that's true but if you have any of the following:
soreness
burning
stabbing
throbbing
aching
swelling
stiffness

these are also types of pain.
Often when people say they have 'no pain' they are thinking of the arthritic pain they had before.
Post-op pain is different.

 

[ice-cold]

Hi Jyoti
I am glad to hear that you are getting better, i am new to this forum as when i had my left THR done 13 years ago there werent really any forums like this.
I have now just had my right hip replaced on 21st April.
Now to try and reassure you, that feeling you say that makes you new hip feel "foreign" does disappear, the only time you tend to remember is when you do something that the hip does not like.
My 13 year old THR is doing great and shows no sign of wear (i was 28 when i had that put in) and i have been clubbing etc quite happily with it, when it was fully healed after bout 2 years.
The THR on right i have just had done 5 days ago is of course still very sore and certainly enjoys giving my "nasty " muscle spasms at the back of my quads just above my right knee, but then i do have a huge amount of swelling , my kids say i am large ladies leg lol, bless um
Just respect your new hip, and enjoy your new lease of life. and remember there are no short cuts, please stick to your "hip precautions" until you are advised otherwise

All the best xxx

 

[Jaycey]

Hello ice-cold, welcome to BoneSmart. Sounds like you are true hippie veteran. So glad you joined us.

Why don't you start your own post-op thread? I am sure there are lots of recovering hippie who could use your input and experience.

Jyoti, Jo has already given you great input on the meds. I would only add don't be afraid to go back on them when needed.

 

[ice-cold]

k thank you Jaycey i will do

 

[ginger322]

But it got me wondering. So I went off to try it. It was pretty easy to lie on my non-operated side, put a pillow between my legs and do clam shells. Then I tried an actual lift, and hey....I could do that too.


Sharon

Good going, Sharon. I thought you were just the impetus I needed. Nothing doing. Those muscles do not want to re-engage. I will keep after them on a daily basis though because those were the muscles giving me trouble before the surgery. Some things come easier to some people than others.

I find walking a straight line very troubling. I don't know if it is just me or the leg length discrepancy causing the lurching motion. I do much better with a cane and elongated strides. I have to keep repeating Jo's mantra, "heel, toe, heel, toe."

Take care, Sharon

 

[Limpy]

Jyoti,
It sounds like you are doing great and making little improvements everyday. I am 2 weeks behind you. I have to do those same two exercises but they have me doing them standing up. Maybe try doing them standing up
for a few days then progress to doing them laying down. I understand the frustration. I feel the same way! I guess the important thing is to keep trying and our bodies will heal at their own speed.
Good Luck!
Laurie

 

[TBONE]

Jyoti--we share a surgery date....April Fool's day! I know I got my date in 2009, because it happened to be open on relatively short notice ( I wonder why). It was a great date for me and I hope for you!

 

[Jyoti]

Well, it's been a while since I wrote an update, mainly because it has been quite uneventful, in a good way!

I have managed to keep off the pain meds because I do not have pain, which I'm happy about. I am improving in my exercises and using a theraband to help with strengthening my hip. Also doing ROM exercises. Noticing that my right knee aches more after exercises and walking. Believe, due to it actually now being realigned correctly for the first time:wink1:

I feel alot better in doing these exercises, however, still feel the tightness around my hip, however, less so then before. Still using 2 crutches when out but using one in the home. This is mainly due to the back ache, but know once my hip feels a lot better it will all fall into place.

Have been to hydrotherapy once and should be going on a weekly basis. I loved the feeling of being able to walk unaided. Was able to see that my ROM had improved due to the surgery and also saw that when seeing the PT when she moved my leg around.

It was good to know that my wish list when I first joined Bonesmart in November was to improve my ROM and LLD. Of course the pain was no. 1 but I can see that with perseverance and hard work I will walk more 'normally'.

Yes, I will still have a LLD but believe that I may not need a heel raise/orthotic and can actually go shoe and clothes shopping very soon :biggrin:

Seeing my OS on Wednesday so hoping I can drive and get out more. Quite excited in meeting up as I have so many questions. Let's hope he's in a talkative mood :th_heehee:

I have learnt my lesson and am more patient and realise for me it is taking longer then I anticipated but the main thing is that it is going in the right direction :yes 4:

Jyoti

 

[Renate]

Hi Jyoti, it sounds so good how well you are doing, even if it takes more time. I'd be excited too to drive again. Hope all goes well with your doctor's visit. Good luck.