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THR Finally on the other side

My dear caregiver has told me that because I have osteoarthritis in both hips I may be more susceptible to it in other joints. I am not sure if this is true. My right hand/wrist was helping me to stand pre-op- not arthritis but overworked. Have a wonderful Sunday!
 
@Eman85, @Clairebella

Well, it is a bit embarrassing to admit but I can't fully remember them, I have an awful visual memory, I always need my exercises written down but it didn't happen on Friday. As my husband was with me I thought it wouldn't be a problem but he's just as bad as me - next time I'm going to get him to video them on his phone.

Anyway I'm going to phone the physio dept tomorrow to double check that I've got the right idea but won't attempt anything until then, apart from the one I can remember.

When I first left hospital I was told to do 3 exercises, (I have these on paper so can remember them) 5 reps 3x per day and they were 1) Standing hip flexion, operated leg only, knee up to chest, keeping to 90 deg rule 2) Standing hip extension operated leg behind me 3) Standing hip abduction operated leg to the side.

I have been attempting these most days but quite gently and if I'm having a 'sore' day I'm ignoring them. In themselves that don't seem to be causing me any unpleasant side effects but I am being very careful.

The new physio I saw on Friday wants me to continue with the above but also add one in for my tight knee - this I can remember and quite like. It involves sitting on something high so that my feet are off the ground (adjustable shower chair has now got a new purpose) and just gently letting my leg swing - she hopes this will help loosen the tight muscles around my knee, and it does seem to be helping.

The other two I think would be classed as variations of the standing hip extension but a bit more robust. I definitely have reservations about one of them as it involved a resistance band and after checking the recovery guidlines here, I think that sounds like a strengthening exercise which I don't feel ready for. Once I've jogged my memory with the physio I will post the other exercises here in more detail.

Yesterday I joined the ODIC, not from exercising as such but from over enthusiastic walking up and down the garden path. I don't think it had anything to do with distance, I think it was more likely caused by length of stride and speed and most probably not helped by a slight remaining soreness from my physio session.
 
Yes I am not going to be using resistance bands at all for the foreseeable. I’ve also kept a good eye on the guidelines here as they make so much sense.

Rest up for the rest of day and gentle walking from now on!
 
Just me but forgetting them might be a good thing. Resistance bands should be saved for a much later time in recovery.
 
@Esmeralda Just a reminder that hips actually don't need any exercises to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots.

The very best therapy for recovering from a hip replacement is walking. That's all I did (on my surgeon's instructions) and my recovery went extremely well.
 
Hi Esmeralda!
I hope you're having a nice weekend.
It's a special day...Happy One Month Anniversary! Hopefully you're pleased with and enjoying the progress you're making. Thanks for all of the support you offer here! :)
@Esmeralda
 
@Layla - Thank you so much, it really helps being a member of this special band of people :loveshwr:

As a celebration of reaching my 1 month anniversary, I went for a walk outside the house. I didn't make it as far as the sea front as although my new wedge cushion makes getting in and out of the car a lot easier, I still don't find sitting in the car for any length of time comfortable. So we went to the local park, which was lovely but a little nerve wracking on a sunny weekend afternoon when it was full of people. I have to say I felt a little vulnerable on my crutches surrounded by lots of little ones whizzing past on their scooters and bikes plus lots of doggies out for their daily walk. In hindsight maybe I should have picked a quieter location for my first outside stroll but I still enjoyed it nevertheless.

I only managed 20 minutes walking but it was great being able to walk in a straight line instead of constantly turning to change direction. It also made me realise that I do need to gently increase my walking distance as at the end of 20 minutes I was feeling quite tired and leaning heavily on my crutches, so much so that the palm of my left hand was still aching this morning but despite all of this I managed to avoid joining the ODIC as far as my hip was concerned.
 
Esmeralda said:
I still don't find sitting in the car for any length of time comfortable.
Click to expand...
Boy...can I relate to this. It took me quite some time also. It is difficult to get comfortable in the confined space of a car seat where you feel "stuck". I could barely tolerate 30 minutes and beyond that -> :gaah::hairpulling:
I also had the unfortunate experience of the seat belt buckle landing too close to my incision area (posterior) which I remedied by placing a small folded towel between my leg and the seat belt buckle.
It will get easier, but it took me time to adjust also. Glad you're not in the ODIC after yesterdays walk. Yay!
 
I had not thought of seatbelt placement. My sister likes to whiz around her back country roads so I am bracing myself with my non surgical leg. When we get to dual highway I breathe a sigh of relief.

So glad you were able to celebrate and not end up in the ODIC!
 
Congratulations on 4 weeks Esmeralda. The first journey outside with people around us is very scary! 20 minutes straight walking is excellent. Word from me! Even if it is not aching after your walk do ice the hip. It does prevent trouble before it starts and calms things down.

I can identify re the left hand. Mine had blisters initially! Less so now I’m down to one crutch and relying more on my legs…

I seem to have to decide between a shorter walk with one crutch or a longer one with two!

My resistance bands are staying firmly in my suitcase for now!
 
Layla said:
I also had the unfortunate experience of the seat belt buckle landing too close to my incision area (posterior) which I remedied by placing a small folded towel between my leg and the seat belt buckle.
Click to expand...
That happened to me the first time coming home from the hospital, because I had pushed myself so far over on the seat trying to get my legs in the car I was practically sitting on the seat belt holder and my poor husband trying to be helpful was doing my seat belt up for me, but he caught my incision instead - ouch ! (Plus a few other words that I won't mention here !) The small towel is a really good idea as I'm finding that I'm still sitting too far over, it is just so hard to wriggle around in the car even when sitting on a plastic bin liner.
 
@SurreyGirl - I must admit I have been neglecting the icing recently, I should get back on to it as I still have some swelling as well - so much so that I ended up buying some joggers in the next size up as my old ones were hugging my scar a bit too tightly.
 
Congratulations for getting out! That is a great effort. It looks like we have a lovely mild week of weather ahead of us so I shall be walking out in the street daily.

And well done on avoiding all the scooters!
 
Are you using one or two crutches? Going outside is a big milestone.

Too early for me but looking forward to it with trepidation.
 
Question ladies- I too have neglected the extra icing. Are you icing the hip area or where you are feeling pain at the moment? This would probably help tremendously!
 
I'm icing on the incision area and my groin. Unless I'm walking, I'm icing, even during the night.

Take care not to get ice burn directly on your skin. I wrap the ice packet in a clean tea towel or thin towel and keep it as cold as I can but comfortably cold.

Ice is your friend.
 
@Goma When I'm outside it's definitely 2 crutches, but I'm on one crutch around the house now.

It took me a long time to face going outside and I started with the garden first to build up my confidence. When you're ready just take it slow and steady and try to have someone accompany you if you can for the first couple of times.
 
Here in Scotland I used a walker for the first day or so in hospital but came home with elbow crutches. Looking back at my notes I was down to one crutch or none indoors by 5-6 weeks but used two crutches outdoors (mostly around the garden) before graduating to walking poles. I found it easier to stand up straight with the poles than with a cane. As for icing: I used that often, including going to sleep at night, for the first few weeks and then gradually forgot about it unless I overdid things! Just remember everyone is different and through trial and error (gently) you will find what works for you! Best wishes to all.
 
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