THR 2Kittens' Recovery Thread

[2Kittens]

I forgot to add I do have fibromyalgia which I’m sure is playing a part in the muscle involvement, I’ll be sure to tell my OS office.
I am also one of the most “inflexible “ people I know. My fear is how long this is going to take and what to do about it as the muscle rigidity just has gotten worse 10 days post op and it’s not due to the very slight PT I tried, it’s aggravated by the surgery and even the gentle walking I’ve done.. gentle walking is important and am wondering when/if this cycle will be broken:( I obviously need the relaxers right now...I hope my physicians office is knowledgeable about cases like mine and idk who RX’d the PT as I didn’t and my OS doesn’t think PT is necessary for THR patients at all ...also wondering why they would send me home with those simple exercises??? I will ask him Tuesday as that is my post op appointment and I only hope I’m somewhat better by then and he can answer questions as he is the OS and not the patient and doesn’t know all if that makes any sense

 

[FCBayern]

At ten days you still have muscles that are very traumatized, aches, pains, and muscle spasms can all be part of that. I had terrible calf cramps with my TKR. Over the course of the next couple of weeks I think you will find things improving. Your patience muscle is the one you need to exercise right now. Hang in there @2Kittens it does get better!

 

[2Kittens]

I’m going through something similar. 10 days or so out. PT came yesterday, new exercises, urged me to cut down on the hydrocodone. I skipped my evening dose, woke up at 1 am in severe pain. I got up, could hardly move and took a pain pill. Now I don’t know if this was because of skipping a dose or exercises. Still hurts more than usual this am. and I’ve taken another pain pill much earlier than I usually do.

Ugh, I am sure this group would be seething that at 10 days some PT would be adding exercises and advising on meds, especially lowering them. I told my PT I’m not doing heel slides or marches and I’m not good at saying no.

 

[2Kittens]

Going Tuesday to my first post op appointment and would it be weird or look like a failure if I used my walker? Maybe I should try a cane? My PT is coming Monday and I’ll ask him. I get a bit anxious when he comes over because I’m not doing any of the exercises right now, I know my OS wouldn’t fault me at all. It’s funny because PT was saying he knows my OS for doing a lot of back surgeries and that used to concern me ( idk why because he has done 3000 hip surgeries) until I remembered OS said he doesn’t recommend PT for hips.
Also... is doing a small amount of moving the leg to the side and behind while standing really that bad? It seems like such small basic exercises but I don’t think my muscles like it right now as the best med I’ve discovered for me right now is a muscle relaxer.. maybe I’ll just tell the PT that.. but somehow I feel I need him as I’m really very unsure about transitioning to a cane and when, I don’t know how people figure that out on their own and stay safe. He says I still have a limp on my walker.

 

[Colette]

@2Kittens please move at your own pace, it’s scary in many ways. It’s important to keep in mind that when you feel you’re ready to try a cane or elbow crutches, you do not have to do the actual transitioning on your own. You just make the decision to try and then get your PT to help. If it doesn’t work go back to using what you feel comfortable with and try again another day.

Not transitioning doesn’t make you a failure although it is easy to feel like one. A good PT will support you with your decisions but also occasionally encourage you to try something new but never put pressure on you to do so.

I made the decision to transition from Walker to two elbow crutches and then one elbow crutches when I felt held back by the existing support and confident to try the next reduced level of support. When i we t down to one crutch I did it for half a day and the next day used two again because my muscles felt a bit sorer. Now I’m back down to one. I think it’s to some degree trial and error whilst making sure the error doesn’t get too big. Follow your instincts and give your body time to heal. Sending lots of love and healing.

 

[FCBayern]

Using the walker to go to your post op appointment is NOT a failure. A failure would be letting someone push you into not using the walker and then falling. Some people take longer than others to make the change. I found myself "counter surfing" using the support of my kitchen counters and island to move around without my walker. It just kind of happened, I didn't think about it until a realized my walker was 10 feet away. As far as the exercises even if they seem small, if your muscles don't like them it's too soon. Have patience (I know, hard for all of us) and let your body heal @2Kittens, you are in a marathon not a sprint, the turtle beat the hare every time I read the book to my children.

 

[2Kittens]

Well I just managed to finally try to wash my hair I imagine I could’ve tried earlier but because of my setback I was concerned of trying anything I grabbed onto the shower rail I installed and bent over slightly the under the showerhead so at least my hair is clean I’m going to attempt a shower tomorrow I have to bend my knee to go over into the tub but it’s not high. And I’ll be 12 days out tomorrow

 

[Layla]

Good Luck with the shower tomorrow. First showers are the best!

My PT is coming Monday and I’ll ask him. I get a bit anxious when he comes over because I’m not doing any of the exercises right now, I know my OS wouldn’t fault me at all.

There is no need to be nervous, or feel pressured in your home with PT. He is your guest, not visa-versa. You’re not obligated to do anything you’re uncomfortable doing, Apologies and explanations are unnecessary. I‘m lost on the benefit in continuing if your surgeon doesn’t recommend PT and you’ve admitted you’re not engaging as your therapist advises you.

Saying no to therapy - am I allowed to?

It's a matter of consent. Consent is a legal contract between you and your health care professional. It means you give them permission to do certain things such as lay hands on you for therapy and surgeons to perform surgical procedures. For instance, if you signed a consent form that said you...

bonesmart.org

Also... is doing a small amount of moving the leg to the side and behind while standing really that bad? It seems like such small basic exercises but I don’t think my muscles like it right now

Then please take cues from your body and refrain from doing this for now.

but somehow I feel I need him as I’m really very unsure about transitioning to a cane and when, I don’t know how people figure that out on their own

You can decide on your own when to transition. You can do it anytime you feel comfortable. You can practice with your husband at your side, first linking arms lightly then progressing to just having him walk along side you. I practiced in my living room with solid surfaces on one side and my husband on the open side until I felt comfortable doing it on my own, with him looking on, which happened quickly.

You may still be limping once you transition to a cane. I did, many do and the best tip for that is Heel-Toe Walking.

Here’s a tip -
Try heel-toe walking when you're limping.
This involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe.
It takes a concentrated effort, but you'll notice a difference. Give it a try.

Have a good night!

 

[2Kittens]

Thank you Layla, I just did try walking with a cane which I’m sure I could have maybe even earlier because I’ve been standing at the kitchen counter doing things for quite a while I walked a few paces back-and-forth and I did fine but I have to admit I was pretty shocked at how profoundly weak I am. I don’t know if my muscles strengthen if I transition to a cane half the time? I’d like to just use the cane at my doctors on Tuesday just because of the clunkiness of the walker but I am still unsure. I think I’m afraid of getting tired easy but it’s not like it’s a huge walk. It’ll be day 13 then. I have the PT around I think because I’ve always been so unsure of myself And since this is such a major surgery it’s nice to have someone around who knows about these things. I was also going to ask him about putting a quad on the end of my cane I know if you’re not careful it can be a tripping hazard. There’s so many little things that I could run by him since this is such a major surgery it’s nice to have someone around who knows about these things. I was also going to ask him about putting a quad on the end of my cane I know if you’re not careful it Could be a tripping hazard.
I think because some of the trauma I experienced very early on with having to go to the walk-in and feeling bad and then my legs cramping up and being so weak I just feel a little bit unsure of myself and frightened.
Also having read extensively on here am I correct that my strength will come through walking and not basic exercises? I don’t know why they send you home with them then from the doctors office or the hospital. I know PT can come later to do some strengthening. I think I’m like a lot that didn’t educate myself all I heard was it was the most successful surgery done and that you were up and walking right away. That’s all I saw and did not prepare myself for how rough it could be and just how much time and energy it’s gonna take to heal.

 

[Ava]

@2Kittens - what about using crutches? I’m using crutches instead of the walker. It makes me feel more secure and less cumbersome than the walker. I then just use one crutch when I’m going short distances like to the bathroom and back to my chair. I would not feel secure enough at this point to use a cane. We will get there it’s not even 2 weeks yet. Good luck.

 

[Layla]

Walking with a cane at ten days out is fantastic! As long as you’re feeling weak, you should probably use the walker for treks away from home until your strength and confidence increase. I’d definitely take the walker to the appointment on Tuesday. Then while at home, practice with the cane. I’m sure you’ll be ditching the walker in no time. I first walked away from my cane in the kitchen. So easy to do when you have counters to scale and lean on. The first time I realized I did it, without thinking, I panicked and thought “oh no, how will I get back?!!” I like to blame that mental confusion on lingering traces of anesthesia.

have the PT around I think because I’ve always been so unsure of myself And since this is such a major surgery it’s nice to have someone around who knows about these things.

If it’s a comfort for you then by all means continue, but please don‘t hesitate to tell him, No, when you don’t want to do something.

Yes, you’re right that all you really need to do is walk as exercise. Walking in addition to the Activities of Daily Living should be adequate as you gain strength. It does take time as this is a major surgery and it can take a full year for complete healing, even longer for some. So settle in for a long winters nap, Just kidding of course, but please take it slow and easy and understand It’s still very early days for you.
Best of luck at your appointment on Tuesday. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Layla]

One more thing -
This is where you are on the Activity Progression for THR. If you’re comfortably engaging in the following activity, you’re doing well.

Week 2
Start on a plan of walks around the house lasting longer than 5-10 minutes but don't a) get into too much pain and b) get too tired. Stop before you get to that point.

Activity: do some tidying up, a little bit of meal prep and maybe some washing up so long as someone else dries and puts it away.

 

[2Kittens]

@2Kittens - what about using crutches? I’m using crutches instead of the walker. It makes me feel more secure and less cumbersome than the walker. I then just use one crutch when I’m going short distances like to the bathroom and back to my chair. I would not feel secure enough at this point to use a cane. We will get there it’s not even 2 weeks yet. Good luck.

I would love crutches just don’t know where to get some, I’ll ask PT, see this is why I’m still using him, and I want to have him see me walk with the cane.

 

[2Kittens]

One more thing -
This is where you are on the Activity Progression for THR. If you’re comfortably engaging in the following activity, you’re doing well.

Week 2
Start on a plan of walks around the house lasting longer than 5-10 minutes but don't a) get into too much pain and b) get too tired. Stop before you get to that point.

Activity: do some tidying up, a little bit of meal prep and maybe some washing up so long as someone else dries and puts it away.

Yes I was there days ago like meal prep, tidying up, etc , I think the second day I made toast with jelly and tried to carry it with my walker and of course it fell face down on the carpet (but I have counters and I can stand on that leg) until I was derailed by those very painful tight muscles that had me upping my pain meds and waking up crying in pain for an hour and losing sleep so I scaled it back a bit, found muscle relaxers are my best friend for now. My leg is still somewhat “log” leg in that I still need a belt to lift my leg onto the bed and if I’m sitting I cannot lift my foot off the floor so my leg is definitely not normal. If it wasn’t for the muscle relaxer I would be in despair, that is why I don’t want to do specific exercises as my muscles have always reacted that way probably from the fibromyalgia and I’m naturally stiff...all this makes me very unsure of myself and when to progress, maybe I will use the walker for the appointment!

 

[Ava]

I’m sure he can get you some crutches or know where to get them.

 

[2Kittens]

So I am doing crutches not exclusively though and as far as I can see I can put full weight on that leg and am progressing but am surprised at how weak and shaky I am, not just the affected leg! Hopefully using more of the cane will strengthen me, I do worry a bit about tripping hazard with the cane as I’ve noticed it can drag a bit if not picked up high enough and makes me wonder if I should hold off on the quad bottom I bought.
Thank you again all for your support!

 

[2Kittens]

New to this but I do get confused about the conflicting opinions here and I’m not trying to be argumentative at all but I am wondering if I’m missing out by not doing the small amount of exercises are asked by the hospital and that my PT wants me to do as I said he’s conservative. I emphasize small amounts as I agree with you all that excessive is ridiculous and the way some people jump into it I don’t believe is right.

 

[FCBayern]

I can only speak to my experience with no PT for knee or hip and what I've read here on the site. I know I've seen too many people end up prolonging their recoveries by exercising too early. I have yet to see anyone that didn't do PT have any issues because of that.

 

[2Kittens]

Good to know. PT was here and had me walk with my cane and said I’m doing well with it. But he said I still should use a walker when I go to my OS as they are not going to judge me if I’m still on one. He gave me a couple of light range of motion exercises to do not because I don’t have range of motion but just to move my leg and I feel OK with it. He said don’t go to outpatient PT because they’ll be aggressive because there are a lot of them are young and don’t understand what it’s like

 

[FCBayern]

Sounds like good advice. Gentle range of motion probably won't cause an issue, just listen to your body afterward, it will tell you if it's too much.