Pretty surprising that the PT said bicycle riding is the best PT above walking. Learning to ride a bicycle while recovering from a THR poses a real challenge as falling and or twisting the leg is usually not recommended.
I have full support of my surgeon, primary Dr and PT. I've been walking since 4 hrs after surgery and had my first half mile down by day 7 and full mile down by day 12!
I'm doing 4 miles on a stationary bike 2 times a day as well as walking 2 miles 2 times a day along with a full round of strengthening exercises. I've been stretching beyond 90° for a week now and tie my shoes with ease. Still working on crossing my thr leg over my other but getting there.
My one passion in life is being a horse back! Absolutely nothing will prevent me from getting back on a horse, no matter what it takes or how hard I have to work to get there! It's surprising just how fast the body will adapt when you get after it!
I'm 54 years old and do not have the time to waste sitting around waiting for everything to get better, only I can make it better and that requires work and drive.
I'm also a retired cop, I've been shot, stabbed and hit by a car (broken back, paralyzed from the waist down), I survived the Widowmaker heart attack in 2012, I survived MERS-COV2 in 2014 (5 months on a ventilator) and every time someone has said I wouldn't be able to do the things that like to do, or I would be on oxygen for the rest of my life, or I wouldn't walk again....sorry, I'll be the judge of that, not someone else!
Who says I have to follow a "rule book" for someone else's healing time?
The body is an amazing thing and so is our mind...we are our own worst enemies when it comes to healing. Our bodies will heal but it requires work, dedication, drive and sometimes sheer will and getting past the fear of something new.
I'm not saying what works for me can work for everyone but in the end, only I can make it happen for me!
I post my progress so maybe someone else can find their drive and get better. It's better to build someone up than to place doubt and slow them down.