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THR 1st April Surgery and doing well

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Hi Jyoti,

I am sorry to hear that your "good" knee is not feeling well right now. Are you able to get any relief from ice? What about anti-inflammatory medication or just plain acetaminophen for the discomfort? Does it feel like it is swollen?

I also have the strong leg - weak leg thing going on too, and certainly use the stronger leg much more than the other one -- still. Maybe between the walking during vacation and the return to the gym your knee just needs a rest. Maybe it is also related to some shifting that is happening as you continue to find your "new normal" with the THR hip -- it is confusing & frustrating but also reaffirming of what they all tell us about everything being interconnected.... :rolleyes:

I hope it will be feeling a bit better soon and I like your new photo!! :thumb:
Take care,
Cardie
 
Hi Cardie,
Thanks. It has progressively become worse since coming back from holiday. I ice, elevate etc and it improves overnight but once I'm up and about it goes back!! It is swollen and to be honest I do so little gym stuff now and try and keep off my legs to not inflame the knees.

It seems to be geting worse. There I was thinking it was my right knee and foot with all the problems and then left knee catches up and takes over. It's never ending.

Seeing the Feldengrais practitioner - Ryan ( for short) next Thursday. Haven't been great with the exercises as also feeling unwell this week and being very lazy.
Not good, but getting there. On a good note finally ordered my floatation belt for the deep water running. Once it arrives I need to go and just do it.
The first time is always the most difficult.

Thanks for the compliment of the pic. It was that holiday that caused all the problems. I was up Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa :thumb:
Jyoti
 
Hi Jyoti,

Well, I'm sorry to hear about your knee, it does sound like there is something going on in there if it is persisting for so long and not fully settling back down. Do you think you should see someone???? Especially before venturing in to the pool with your new vest!?!?!?

I've not been very dedicated about my one little Felden-exercise either... it is so easy for me to gloss right over it when I do my evening stretching, it's just too subtle.

I did try the pool last week -- good news, I didn't drown... :heehee: I will say that my THR side knee feels a little odd when it comes to the breast stroke. It feels like it is really wobbly when I kick out. So, I'll have to figure out what that's all about...

I do hope that you'll be feeling better this week and sometimes you do have to take a break and rest up -- even the big athletes get a week here or there in their training programs to break from their routine.

Take care,
Cardie
 
Hi Jyoti, hope you can find a solution to your knee problem, I agree with Cardie, maybe you should get it checked out. I still have a very stiff sore knee but I am not far out so it's to be expected I suppose.

Good luck with the deep water running, I must say that sounds like VERY hard work even for someone who hasn't had a THR. Looking forward to hearing how you got on

Take care

Ann
 
Hi,
Thanks for the support. When I have been seeing my previous Physio I mentioned about my right knee and foot, as well as my left knee and to be honest I don't think they really know what to do.

Feldenkrais Session 2. ( kept spelling it wrong:th_heehee:)

Well I have to say I am getting to grips with understanding the concept of this type of therapy. It is very much linking the brain with the movements. He assessed where I was and said I had improved so was happy and gave me another set of exercises. They all relate to my hip joints and pelvis. With the hip joints it is to move the ball out of the socket and to increase the movement there. The exercises are subtle but can be hard. I have to do them slow and to feel the movement as he spoke of the need to feel it otherwise the brain doesn't learn how it should feel so eventually it will do the movement without thinking.

Doing the exercises for the pelvis is the same ie being subtle but much harder and I can clearly see the difference in both sides. Left so much better then right. But I have to say he was very encouraging and spoke of improvement which made me feel happier.

He also downloaded on my usb stick running commentaries. They are like meditation commentaries but rather then be on a beach and listening to the waves etc, it is telling me to lie on the floor and move certain parts of my body and to feel the movement and compare both sides etc. Have still to do them as they are about 30 mins long so need to be in a quiet space to focus and concentrate.

Also told him about my left knee and I really don't understand why it's causing me so much problems. Last Tuesday I hadn't done anything and when I woke up I couldn't weight bear on the left. It was so painful and to date I have no idea why. No extra activity and as I have said before I have really reduced my exercise regime. All I see is my Personal Trainer. He said he wanted to focus on my hips and will then look at the knee. Seeing him in 4 weeks and have lots to do but hoping he can help me with the knees as I so want to walk more as my hip is pain free but the rest of me is still finding it difficult.

Will bite the bullet and will start my deep water running next week. Got my float and need to just go. Will let you know how it goes. I understand why he wants me to do it as it allows the hip to drop from the socket which is what the exercises on land he has given me are trying to do. They are all non weight bearing.

So, I'll let you know how it all goes :thumb:
Jyoti
 
Thought I'd update those who are interested in Feldenkrais and Deep Water Running (DWR).

I have to say the DWR has been very beneficial for my knees. Due to doing this for 45 mins at a time it has allowed my knee to 'drop' and so when I get out of the water I have noted the benefits with both knees as the pain has reduced a lot. As the week progresses I'm noticing the knee pain reduces more. I'm currently only going once a week but need to go twice a week. This has allowed me to be more fluid in getting up from chairs and walking around the home and Office without my crutch.

I had my third Feldenkrais session and the exercises he had given me were too hard causing me a lot of pain on the knees so with the DWR and stopping these exercises also helped. I had emailed him in advance and he said that he went 'for gold' and said that he will have to take a different path. He was still positive and spoke of the process being 'fun'. As long as it works I'll be happy.

He gave me sitting exercises for the foot and knee which is so much easier but still you have to think. It all connects to the pelvis so as I do them he says he can see my hip moving, but I can't feel it, but then I've never been used to these sensations so hopefully I'll learn how to feel this as it all comes easier. Seeing him in 4 weeks.

He did say the whole purpose is to help me walk independently so here's hoping :)

Jyoti
 
Hi Jyoti, I am so thrilled that the DWR is working out well for you. Do you actually just go hell for leather trying to run through the water, how deep is it? I haven't been swimming yet, our local pool gets quite busy with regulars swimming along in packs if about five chatting away and blocking the lanes so it puts me off going. I must ask around and find out when the more quiet times are. I am having quite a bit of bother with my knee so am keen to try now I have read about your success so thankyou for telling us about it.x.

I do hope the Feldenkrais is also sucessful for you, it must be frustrating when you cannot really feel a difference, that is certainly a practise for the patient people :)

It is so lovely to hear things are improving for you and I hope they continue to do so

Take care and please keep us updated.

Ann.x.
 
Hi Annie,
With the DWR you have to wear a floatation belt around your waist so you don't sink :heehee:. As long as the water is deeper then you and your feet don't hit the ground you will be fine. When you run you use your arms and legs like you are running on the ground, you will then propel yourself forward. I try and go as fast as I can but it is harder then people may think. I haven't got a cardio workout yet, but do feel the legs working after about 30mins.

I was originaly told to do this to allow the hip to 'drop', but it really is helping the knee. I'm sure it is also helping the hip. I was told to build up to 45mins as that is how long it takes for the hip to 'drop' from the socket. I would give it a go as hopefully it will also help you. You can buy a floatation belt online. I went to physioroom.com and bought one for £20. It was half price as they can be expensive. I'm sure there are cheaper ones also.
Let me know how it goes if you give it a try.
Jyoti
 
I am very excited to get back into the pool! Just got my staples out so possibly as soon as my PT clearstream to drive. We have arthritis classes that might be a good way to start but def want to get up to DWR and DW cardio. Jyoti you have inspired me!
 
Thanks Jyoti, I think that sounds extremely hard and thirty minutes sounds like AGES, you must be exhausted after it, I know I would be but if it works then it is well worth it. I think I would get a fit of the giggles whilst dong it as I know my face would be a picture with all the effort :umm:

Will have a look at the floatation belt thankyou

Ann.x.
 
Jyoti,
Glad to hear the DWR seems to be helping! Wow, that's some workout, 45 mins:) Good for you! Last summer, after side 1, I worked up to 30 minutes with a swim noodle wrapped around me. I definitely want to get flotation belt, it sounds a little easier than trying to hold the noodle. Thanks for keeping us updated!
Dee
 
Hi Jyoti,

Wow, what a wonderful update about your deep water running!! That is amazing that you can do it for 45 minutes, you have some stamina girl!!! :yay: I'm sure it is motivating to keep going for that time period because you are feeling some improvement for your knee & changes for your hip as well. I was wondering if your pelvis seems level, or if it is tilted (lower) to your THR side?

It sounds like you are progressing in your Feldenkrais sessions, even though your movements/exercises got modified some. I am still doing stuff lying down. I wonder if at some point we'll get to actually do walking related, upright movements?? I'm not going to join the class, but will continue to work with my Feldenkrais gal individually for now.


Take care,
Cardie
 
Hi C Mac,
Hope you are feeling some benefits with the Feldenkrais gal. My hip is still tilted and will remain so, as I have a LLD. I need a heel raise so will get one sorted in due course. The DWR to be honest is not that bad so 45 mins fly's by. I'm so noisy I entertian myself by looking around and seeing what everyone else is doing :heehee:

Deb,
Glad i've inspired you. Working in the pool is good in whatever you do.

Just started hydrotherapy with a new PT/Physio, so will see how that goes. I have told them I want to activate my glutes on my right side so my back and left leg doesn't do the work and my trendelenburg gait improves as well as improve on my muscle strenth. I'm sure that's not much to ask for :rotfl:

Hope everyone is doing well
Jyoti :friends:
 
Hi Jyoti, sounds like there is improvement every week.. Love the pool work, good luck with your new PT and I don't think your request should be too much... Good that you are being your own health advocate :)
 
Hello everyone,
Has been a while so thought I would update you on my latest progress.

Had my Hydrotherapy, which was fine. Same exercises as before. Just need to do on my own. The Physio said I was doing everything I could and it is just a slow process. He thought my ROM had improved slightly as well as my walking. Still using a crutch and he says that he thinks I will continue to use one as my abductor muscles are still weak and he believes atrophied and probably won't get good strength back, due to the CDH. When I first heard this when I had my 6 month check up I was not happy, but have since had time to digest this and more accepting but not wanting this. I can walk short distances without a crutch ( I mean short) and then I can feel my limp getting worse and I feel my right hip and also my knees.

In relation to my knees, I kept on at him saying they continue to ache. He believes I need to see a knee specialist as I told him that when I exercise it's my knees that ache first, hence stops me from progressing as quick as I can. He felt them and he could hear them grind away. He spoke of many things ie there may be debris in the knee and it may need a wash out, or injections for the pain, or releasing my hamstrings which are very tight. Still can't get my leg straight. My quads on both legs are also tight. So now need to see my GP to ensure they refer me on and then wait and see.

Still seeing the Feldenkrais guy on a monthly basis. That has been difficult due to the exercises given. Same old, of trying to get my pelvis to move. Still continuing and hoping for improvements.

Also doing my DWR ( deep water running) which is going well. Initially it made a huge difference in the knee pain, but now I am on a plateau as not noticing any more reduction in the aches. But glad, it is not as bad as before.

Saw the Podiatrist and she measured and checked me out and did not feel that my leg was lengthened as much as I was told ( 3cms). I still have a 2 1/2 cms difference. I have felt that it has become more compared to straight after the operation due to all the tissues having healed. She said I need a heel raise and we compromised on 1.4cms. She wanted more. She also said that she felt this would improve once I can get my right leg straighter, due to the kink in my knee making me shorter. That upset me at first as I wasn't wanting as big as a raise as that, but after a few days had to accept it. Just got one shoe back with the raise so excitedly waiting to use them. Told I have to get all my shoes with the raise as otherwise won't really help. She said my hip wouldn't last as along as well.

So to be honest, I believe I am a bit stronger but it is a very slow progress and at 17 months I did not feel it would be like this, but finally i think I am more accepting, even though I get a bit grumpy every so often.:heehee:

Bestest bit about this THR is my back has improved greatly.

Will let you know once I see the knee specialist. Not wanting anything drastic done, but it would be good to see what they think.

Hope everyone is well
Jyoti :flwrysmile:
 
I'm saddened to hear about all these complications that get in your way, Jyoti. Your situation is one where there is a fine balance between learning to accept the things you can't change, and continued plugging away at the things you can. I admire your patience! You've earned a bit of grumpy now and then!! But hurrah for the back pain improvement....that is not a small thing. Hope the lifts in your shoes bring you some relief as well.

Sharon
 
Jyoti said:
She said my hip wouldn't last as along as well.
Click to expand...

Jyoti, with all due respect how would a podiatrist know how long your hip would last? Frankly I would dismiss all the negative stuff. You are still recovering and you still have some issues to address. This process is a bit longer for you. Please don't think it has all stopped and you are now stuck in a place. Just keep working. For some of us it just takes a bit more time!
 
:iagree: Yes, I agree with what Jaycey just said about the podiatrist!! My view on the LLD issue, for myself, now is that it's all just an experiment -- still. Good that you got a shoe built up, give it a try and see how you feel and move. I wouldn't suggest that you build up all your shoes just yet -- maybe one or two for the time being.

I think maybe you should revisit the rolfing or the other modality (KMI anatomy trains) that you'd mentioned a few months back when we first started doing our Feldenkrais stuff. You describe a lot of tight muscles in your legs, what if one of those modalities could help some??

I'm glad that your back is feeling better, that's fantastic news!! I do hope that the knees will check out to be ok and settle down some too. Maybe they are stressed because of the additional work from the muscles in your upper legs being tight and atrophied? Maybe alexthecat; would have some thoughts to share too.

Thanks for your little message a while back in my thread, I had just been reading the last pages of your thread that day and thinking it sounded like you were doing so well with all your activities. I think I was having grumpy time that day...

Hugs to you :friends:
Cardie
 
Don't give up. I have a hard time believing your muscles can't come back. ...and really, like someone said above, who can say how long your hip will last. You sure have had a time of it, but for every bunch of folks who sail along in recovery on this site there are some that have a more complicated journey and you are one of them. Obviously not what you wanted or planned for and I feel for you, I really do. It is hard to come to grips with. Try to work with what you have and keep exploring options. So glad you posted so you can get some support and feedback. Cathy
 
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