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Does Poor Muscle Tone Effect Recovery?

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[Bonesmart.org] Does Poor Muscle Tone Effect Recovery?


I have a hypothetical question (hypothetical...hmmm). Let's say I don't get around to any exercising and continue to sit and sit more, do you feel my recovery will be much more difficult than had I exercised for a month or so (I'm approximately 25 to 35 pounds overweight and have done nothing but sit and sit more for the past 6 or 7 years)?

I would GREATLY appreciate hearing from those of you who were in poor physical condition prior to surgery and what you experienced during recovery (did recovery take longer than others, was your hospital stay longer than the norm, were you in more pain than most etc. etc.)?
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
 
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I don't think it would make a huge difference @Cynthia777 ... to be honest you'll never know; if you improve your fitness a bit prior to surgery and then have a "good" recovery you'll likely put it down to the exercise, if you don't do it and still have a "good" recovery then you'll think that it would have been a waste of effort. Conversely if you do/don't try and improve your fitness and have a not so good recovery you'll either blame the exercise or lack of it for the outcome!! Plenty of out of shape people have the same sort of recovery as fitness buffs... and every THR is different, never mind every individual.

I have always been reasonably fit (no fitness freak, just a "mover") but struggled with the hip issues reducing my daily activity (my 50 minute walk was down to a 15 minute hobble) ... so I added in some easy movement to keep up (as far as possible) that level of fitness; I found the by product of that to be that I could move myself around relatively easy post op - as in immediately, when you're shuffling around in bed and on two crutches to walk... my sister did no pre op exercise (no exercise for years really, and was easily the 30 pounds overweight that you say you are), she could "see what I meant" post op, but has gone on to have a pretty good recovery regardless. Would my recovery have been "worse" if I was less fit? Would hers have been "better" if she were more? Who knows! It was only about being comfortable anyway - I could "feel" my abs from lugging my weight around in bed, Fifi was uncomfortable. Doesn't last long regardless.

One of the reasons I "made the effort" was to feel I had some control over my situation. I think the modern term is "being proactive", whateva :heehee: I just thought if there was something I could do to (potentially) help with the process, why not? It's quite a good prompt to get your mindset right too.... starts the "I can" voice up in your head, well it did for ME! I had back sleeping precautions so I practiced them too, I also found that useful as my head was "around it" - sorta - when the time came to HAVE to do it. I certainly wouldn't overdo the exercise, tendinitis has been the only real "thorn" in my recovery; it's hard to shift!

Donna :friends:
 
I am so with you @Cynthia777, I feel like I have atrophied due to choosing to sit rather than dealing with pain. My doctor gave me exercises to start 2 mos pre-op, although I must admit I have only done them a few times. They looked so easy and I was thinking that the exercises were for really old people, but then when I tried them they were more difficult than I realized. Also, I noticed someone suggested straight leg raises to build up your core; it was that exercise that made me aware something was really wrong-I couldn't even lift my leg an inch off the bed in an attempt to do a straight leg raise (my doc didn't suggest this exercise, it was something I noticed a few years ago in an attempt to lift my leg). My 96 year old mother, a month or so after she broke her pelvis, could do full leg raises better than I could!

Best wishes on your exercise plan; thanks for starting this thread. Maybe we can check in here to report our progress and motivate one another. I think I need to start journaling; it helps me to stay focused. Let us know how the swimming goes, and if you are able to over-come the wrinkled finger syndrome!
 
For those who exercise is like a distant relative, you know about them but never visit. I really does help to build up the core. Don't forget the in operated leg is going to find its under far greater pressure, and the operated leg if muscles are in reasonable tone it can reduce pain from movement. Many say this procedure and recovery is a marathon not a sprint. Would anyone enter a marathon with no prior training.
A journal is a great thing for motivation.

Legin THR Sep 14
 
Hi @Cynthia777 your question is a good one and there will be many different opinions.The way I look at is that the human body is designed to move and this movement is essential to our health however this is easier said than done when we are in pain.So a balance has to be reached by finding an activity that doesn't aggrevate the pain.Lke @craftdee I am doing as much as I can to be proactive and to strengthen those muscles which will hopefully support me through the surgery.Whether or not this will help me well the jury is still out but it makes me feel better and more positive.One thing I have learnt on here is that many of the athletic types are very impatient to get back to their sports and don't give their soft tissues a chance to heal after surgery and end up with more problems.Equally some do really well despite this.I ended up with iliopsoas tendonosis but not from aggressive exercise as all I did postop was walking but with hindsight too much too soon.This took a long time to resolve but it is 80% better now and I am happy with that.So start slowly but if it hurts don't do it.
 
@LaylaHips
Two peas in a pod! I must admit I'm not a very disciplined person and hence the sentence, "Let's just say I don't get around..."! Lol! I think it's a grand idea to try and motivate one another here. So, when should we start, tomorrow? :)

Oh yeah, the wrinkled finger syndrome is so repulsive! I may try wearing some rubber gloves to keep my hands dry!! Hee hee!
 
Yes, @Cynthia777, let's start tomorrow! I worked today and stayed up too late last night ordering all the stuff I've heard people talk about here (satin pajamas, a cane, a reacher, etc.), and then I couldn't fall asleep so I bowed out of swimming tonight. I will do my prescribed exercises and swim tomorrow!
 
Hi @Kim22, could you tell me what your symptoms of iliopsoas tendinitis are? This is what I thought I had prior to being diagnosed with hip OA. Something is going on with my core muscles on my right side, beyond hip OA and I haven't been able to get an MRI or any doc to pay attention to me, I guess because they all feel my hip is so bad it's causing all the trouble. Thanks for any info!
 
@Cynthia777 Hi, I saw you raise your hand and i am going to help you. I have managed fitness centers all over the USA and started in 1976. I have trained so many people that i don't count any more. The one thing about exercise is we are all similar but different in so many ways. The key for you, i think, is continue doing what you are doing or not doing. Not doing is going to help you because you can concentrate on healing and resting. Your body is used to not doing, so,go with that. You said you have a swimming pool. That is something you can do that won't hurt you pre-op. Just do it starting a little each day.
 
@Michegon
Since I have encountered many bonesmart members who are teachers, I felt it appropriate to raise my hand first! LOL! I appreciate your wise advise and I thank you for it as well! :-)
 
LaylaHips said:
Hi @Kim22, could you tell me what your symptoms of iliopsoas tendinitis are? This is what I thought I had prior to being diagnosed with hip OA. Something is going on with my core muscles on my right side, beyond hip OA and I haven't been able to get an MRI or any doc to pay attention to me, I guess because they all feel my hip is so bad it's causing all the trouble. Thanks for any info!
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Hi @LaylaHips My tendinitis involved the area of the iliopsoas tendon that attaches to the bone and my symptoms were pain in the groin, inner thigh and front thigh.The pain was aggravated by walking inclines,going upstairs and getting in and out of the car.However the symptom which was most suggestive of the condition was intense pain when in standing I flexed the knee upwards and then returned it to the floor.The pain was excruciating when the leg was straight again.I was sent for an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.I do remember some discomfort in the right side of the abdomen as well.My problem stemmed from an injury I sustained at about 6 weeks after surgery when I twisted awkwardly.That day I had walked far to far so my muscles were very tired.The problem is at about 6 weeks all of the arthritic pain and most of the surgical pain has gone and after months or in my case years of enforced inactivity it was so easy to overdo things especially as the sun was shining Walking is the best exercise to help hips recover but not too much in those early weeks.Slow and steady is the motto
 
:badspidy::badspidy:@Michegon, @Cynthia777: I just read your post about pre-op exercises or lack thereof. You have actually put my mind at ease a little bit. I have mastered the art of being a slug, since I haven't been able to do much of anything the last few weeks. Needless to say, my left leg and thigh muscles have atrophied really bad. I have always been in great shape and very active and looking at my body now is really depressing. I am so looking forward to the surgery and working my way back to a healthier looking body. Vain? I know! I have always been told that I look and act 10-15 years younger than what I actually am. And I truly miss those days!
 
@Cynthia777 .... You're too funny! I am over my little solo pity party already, thanks to you! Go to my Primary care DR tomorrow for the pre-op clearance. Getting anxious now! How are you doing these days?
 
@Nana757
Well Nana, since my surgery has been pushed back to September the 23rd, I'm feeling pretty darn good!

Don't you dare worry about your "solo pity party"! I've seen some pity parties on here that were quite ugly (although I'm sure I'll have my share of them), but your pity party is what I'd call a "Pretty Pity Party".

I think my anxiety level will be pretty intense the closer my surgery date gets, but it's just part of the process. When I was in quite a bit of pain, I was actually looking forward to the surgery. I've found as my pain has gone from a 6 down to a 2, my anxiety level has increased (less pain equals more anxiety, more pain less anxiety).

I'm fortunate to have learned over the years, how to accept things I cannot change. I am the proverbial worrier (which has been a wonderful trait for success in the corporation I've owned and operated for many years) and have had to learn how to block things out of my mind. Once I know I've done everything I can to resolve a problem, poof, no more anxiety. This has served me well with the upcoming surgery.

I will be closely following you on your recovery thread. I mean after all, isn't that what sister slugs do? Lol!
Good luck and blessings for your pre-op visit!
 
@Cynthia777: is the new surgery date your choice or the OS's? I have always been the type of person who believes in not sweating the small stuff and the big stuff will take care of itself, somehow. My anxiety regarding the surgery is a good anxiety. I guess what I should've said was: looking forward to it now. Seems like you do know exactly where I'm coming from though. Thanks for being here. Oh, BTW...I just added thermometer to my list of things needed for post-op. Thought that might be an important item while recovering at home. :egypdance:
 
@Nana757
Yesterday I suddenly realized all the pre-op to-dos were going to be too stressful and anxiety riddled to complete in a short period of time (I will be on vacation the first week of August). My pre-op testing, last surgeon visit and the hospital are all about 2 hours drive each way (depending on L.A. traffic). So here was a case where I could do something about the problem and I did it...lol!

Oh yes Nana, I do know exactly where you're coming from! I'm so happy your anxiety is that good kind I'm so familiar with! Btw, ah yes, the trusty thermometer (better make sure mine is working)!
 
@Cynthia777: I think I need to start a new thread for the smokers out there. I am one and am wondering how post-op was for them. I plan on quitting...my start date is tomorrow. I've hesitated because I know for most people it is soooo taboo! I get what you mean about all the pre-op requirements. ARGGHH!!!!!
 
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