THR 2Kittens' Recovery Thread

[2Kittens]

Hi all it’s six weeks yesterday PO and I’ve been cleared to drive and I do it just fine. Today was my second day driving. I have been doing a slow treadmill since it rains here like crazy and been doing fine on that too I have to admit I haven’t been doing much PT exercises the basic ones they send you home with because I keep forgetting but my question is at six weeks is it normal to have one day where you feel fine and the next where you feel weak like your legs feel like rubber? Like I mentioned I am driving and I can walk without any aids Even though I do take a cane with me because I still have a slight limp but I was surprised to feel pretty weak in both legs today, I did do the treadmill about 25 minutes straight yesterday and I usually break it up that might have had nothing to do with it. Maybe it is kind of a zig zag like two steps forward one step back recovery? Or… Maybe I should start going to physical therapy?

 

[2Kittens]

Also, sorry I don’t know how to edit my post, I know we are supposed to be walking as much as we can and as much as we are resting that both are important but are there days when we are going to be resting a lot more too? Because I am six weeks out I think I should be putting in a certain amount of walking every day so I get confused about days like this when my legs feel a little weak. Overall I would have to say I am pleased with my progress although the first month I was thinking why did I get myself into LOL. I know I still have a very long way to go also.

 

[Layla]

I did do the treadmill about 25 minutes straight yesterday and I usually break it up that might have had nothing to do with it.

Or maybe it does have something to do with it. Consider scaling back and then slowly increasing your time on the treadmill.

Maybe it is kind of a zig zag like two steps forward one step back recovery?

Yep! Recovery is like this -

You’re still very early into a recovery that can last a full year, even longer for some. Your body is healing and using energy for that first, not leaving as much for all else. Take cues from your body and rest, or nap if you’re feeling tired. Our body does its best healing while we’re sleeping.

Go back to the first page of your thread and read the Activity Progression for THR under Number 5 in the Recovery Guidelines. Use it as a rough gauge for activity over the next couple weeks and you should do okay.

You‘re doing well and you’re on your way!

 

[Layla]

Oops! Wanted to leave this link since you mentioned editing in your last post. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Have a good night!

Editing a post

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[Eman85]

Not so much walking or doing anything as much as you can. Doing as much as you can usually shows up as pain that night or the next day. I had to get over the faster and further walking in favor of walking slow with good form. There is no checklist and the goals are long term goals. I found that trying to push more slowed recovery and in some cases set me back. I have had the advantage with my second THR of having my first to show me what to do and what not to do. I did plenty of what not's to do's with my first.

 

[2Kittens]

I have a question. I am 6 1/2 weeks PO and doing pretty well. Walking without a cane indoors and driving. I’m in that stage where I can get around by myself but it’s so easy to overdo it. I have had lower back sciatic issues since way before the bad hip of course. So yesterday I felt my lower back twinging a bit and this morning I woke up with a bit of tingling numbness On the bottom of my feet and I can tell that the nerve in my lower back is inflamed and also I have very tight piriformis. I can stretch obviously on the Non op leg but cannot do those pull knee to the chest on the operated leg of course and I’m having A lot of trouble googling to find safe lower back piriformis and hamstring stretches after hip replacement. Anyone having any luck finding those? I do use a tennis ball also to hit the triggerpoints but right now that’s not cutting it

 

[Jaycey]

@2Kittens I had very bad piriformis and sciatic pain post LTHR. I found hamstring stretches from a seated position worked for me. Start very gently as your hamstring may be very tight. Raise the lower part of your leg and pull your toes toward your body. You can get more stretch by lowering your chin to your chest at the same time. This stretches the whole sciatic area.

I worked with a PT who specialised in spinal issues and he gave me this tip at about 6 weeks post op. I still do this exercise several times per day if I am sitting at my computer as I have chronic lower back pain.

 

[Colette]

I have a question. I am 6 1/2 weeks PO and doing pretty well. Walking without a cane indoors and driving. I’m in that stage where I can get around by myself but it’s so easy to overdo it. I have had lower back sciatic issues since way before the bad hip of course. So yesterday I felt my lower back twinging a bit and this morning I woke up with a bit of tingling numbness On the bottom of my feet and I can tell that the nerve in my lower back is inflamed and also I have very tight piriformis. I can stretch obviously on the Non op leg but cannot do those pull knee to the chest on the operated leg of course and I’m having A lot of trouble googling to find safe lower back piriformis and hamstring stretches after hip replacement. Anyone having any luck finding those? I do use a tennis ball also to hit the triggerpoints but right now that’s not cutting it

I’m sorry to hear that and I feel your pain. My piriformis is also playing up but for me it’s a long-standing thing. I find that at the moment what works best is for me to massage the area while lying on the unoperated side with the operated leg bend at the knee and propped up on a pile of pillows. I also ice it a lot to prevent / calm down inflammation.

My physio has offered me acupuncture as part of my care package. She says that it works well on a stubborn piriformis that does not respond to acupressure. I’m a bit conflicted but will
probably try it. I’ll keep you updated.

 

[2Kittens]

I think acupuncture is great and I have had it a lot of times it takes more than one treatment though

 

[2Kittens]

OK I’m eight weeks out tomorrow and doing very well. Walking on my own unaided except I do take my cane when I go to the store and I am driving. I’m doing very little PT just mostly walking. I am going up the hill and back down because that’s my road it’s not flat and it seems to be strengthening my legs. However when does this affliction with the other leg stop? It’s so weird because my non-operative leg Was holding up well before surgery and now that my hip is fixed it’s acting up which is so strange. I know from posts that this is common. And I am walking as best as I can very little limp. My other hip need surgery but that’s a while off he said there’s still cartilage left in it and if it keeps acting up I might get a cortisone shot which worked very well for the operated hip a year ago.

 

[FCBayern]

@2Kittens sounds like you are doing well. I had issues with my piriformis in my good hip post THR. My good hip had been doing way more work than it should have covering for my bum leg. In doing that muscles changed to compensate, and when you can move right again they have to readjust to their normal role. Muscles don't like change, and the change was so slow as you hip got bad, that neither you, or the other hip realized the change. THR changes everything suddenly and the rest of your body has to catch up to the fact your hip works again.

 

[2Kittens]

Hey all! I’m 8 weeks po as of yesterday! I’m doing pretty well, walking regularly and trying to find a good gait.
My question is I’ve always been *tight* and weak in everything (quads, piriformis, glutes, etc.,) and right now the usual muscles have been acting up on the op leg such as the hip flexor and adductor and piriformis, kind of concerning as those were the ones locked up for yrs pre op and minus the hip pain it’s pretty scary to have that return and make me limp as before. I have increased my walking a bit and my road outside my driveway is a hill and I’ve been slowly walking up/down it twice with no pain and in a very short time it strengthened my legs as main problem was feeling like rubber but I’m wondering if it’s causing this hip flexor/adductor flare?
I use a cane when I walk outside.
Other Q is stretching. I feel like careful stretching could help but frankly at 2 months out it kind of scares me to imagine stretching my quads and hip flexor at this point. Any ideas?
I’m not really doing any PT at this point but I most certainly have imbalances and weaknesses, in fact I’m going to see a podiatrist for my non op foot acting up big time :( And I might visit my PT in a few weeks.
Thanks for taking the time to read this

 

[Pumpkin]

@2Kittens
I suspect your gluteal weakness is leading your other muscles to substitute to stabilize your leg. Then they act up trying to do the job of your gluteal muscles.
The best person to see is your PT to analyze your weak muscles, and the muscles that are over working as a result.
They can give you a targeted exercise program, gait training, and a safe gentle stretching program.
It will take a while, but once the gluteal muscles start doing their job, your other muscles will calm down.

 

[Jamie]

@2Kittens .... you are a perfect candidate for a special pilot program we have in partnership with a company called One Step. Back in December, I sent you an invitation to participate, but it looks like you didn't see the Personal Message:

Go to the blue tool bar at the top of your screen, click on the little envelope with the red "1" on it and read my message about the pilot. I hope you will consider joining as I think it will really help you. You can do the One Step program and still work with your local therapist.....just share what you're doing with both of them so the programs can be coordinated. One Step is unique in that it specifically works with constant gait analysis in addition to exercise and walking. Not all therapists are trained in gait analysis or have access to the tools to do it.

Please respond to the Personal Message if you would agree to give One Step a try.

 

[2Kittens]

Jamie I think I might do that but should I wait until after I’ve seen the podiatrist next week? I have an old metatarsal break that’s acting up and affecting my gait plus my foot is just different on that side....

 

[Layla]

Hi @2Kittens
I hope you’re having a good week so far. Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I’m going to tag @Jamie to make sure she reads your response to her above.
Enjoy the week!

 

[Jamie]

Give your foot situation, I think that's a wise idea. The One Step program consists of exercises and walking, so you would not want to be doing things that aggravate any problems you have. Reassure your doctor that anything proposed by the therapist will be made taking into account whatever diagnosis and recommendations your podiatrist has. If local therapy is prescribed, they work with that information as well. The thing that's unique with One Step from many therapy programs is the ability to constantly evaluate how your gait is progressing through your short (as short as 30 seconds is fine) walks.

 

[2Kittens]

Hi @2Kittens
I hope you’re having a good week so far. Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I’m going to tag @Jamie to make sure she reads your response to her above.
Enjoy the week!

Hi Layla and thank you! I’m actually doing very very well I’m nine weeks and starting to do some quad stretching which is helping however a big huge wrench into the whole thing is on my non-op leg my foot has severe arthritis in it bone on bone and a little spur at the top of my foot which causes intense foot pain and I pronate so yeah I went to the podiatrist and got insoles pretty much nothing you can do with the arthritis of course but putting insoles in and trying to help with the pronation will help but I think I just have to get off my foot for a little bit I have been doing more walking then I have preop of course because my hip is now fixed and I’m supposed to be walking so now It’s a real catch 22. About a month ago I tried my recumbent bike and I was easily able to do it for 20 minutes but then the next day the soft tissue under my incision was screaming I mean it was bad so that was immediately out so I’m going to try that again I think a month later maybe it won’t have the same reaction especially if I break it up and I’ll try not to lean back and instead of kind of be more upright like a normal bike so pray for me that it works because I wanna get my exercise in and hopefully my foot will heal, As far as the one step that’s kind of on hold now unfortunately which really bums me out also, Q the tiny violin LOL

 

[FCBayern]

Hi @2Kittens I'm going to tag @Roy Gardiner, he has really good information about using an exercise bike during recovery. 20 Minutes the first time out was pretty aggressive.

 

[2Kittens]

Thank you , I did about 14 min which was enough for me, going to break it up into chunks though, was able to do it pre op although it still hurt, this was a month ago though that I last tried it only a month into recovery and obviously too much rocking/pressure on that soft tissue...Praying that a month makes all the difference!