flexibility

[Laurie]

Hi,

I am recuperating well at 4 weeks out from TRHR. Before surgery my right leg was a good deal shorter (legs pretty well balanced now) and my flexibility was minimal (could not tie my shoes w/o great difficulty, climbed stairs turning my right leg to side, etc.) Now my restrictions are being lifted and my primary goal at PT is to get alot of the flexibility back. I am wondering about others successes/challenges in this area. Did PT really help? How long did it take to tie shoes again? I am almost afraid to try right now and will work with PT to gradually get there.
Thanks.
Laurie

 

[ruthz]

Hi Laurie:

As I am a ballet dancer and teacher, I was really concerned with regaining my flexibility again after bilateral hip resurfacing surgery. I can now do the front-back splits on each leg easily, and am almost back to a 180 degree straddle split again. In my experience, physical therapy was extremely helpful with initial strengthening and then with getting back to dance again. It's important to listen to what your body is telling you at each stage of recovery and to make sure the physical therapist you are working with is helping you reach your goals. I did a lot of Pilates reformer work which was very gentle, yet challenging.

Take good care, and best wishes for a speedy complete recovery!
Ruth Z
bilateral hip resurfacing Los Angeles, CA 4/6/06

 

[JudyS]

Laurie,
I had a posterior incision so was not allowed in the position of tying shoes initially. At my 6 week apt when my doc commented on my flip flops, I told him NO ONE at my house would tie shoes for me.
He told me I could tie them, just make sure my leg was not rotating in. It was doable, but a little bit of a challenge at the time. Easier evey few days. I started swimming at 4 weeks , due to neck problems I do alot of breaststroke. That has really given me a lot of flexibility. My doc told me my range of motion was excellent.
Pt for me was mostly strengthening.
I am almost 4 months out now.,
Good Luck
Judy

 

[dcdowden]

Laurie,
I'm very happy to report that I can put my shoes and socks on both legs now about 3 months after hip replacement surgery. For whatever reason, it took me about 5 months to be able to do this on my first hip surgery, but only about 3 for the second hip surgery. I do have a Large Diameter Head Metal on Metal implant which my surgeon says should give me greater flexibility and less chance of dislocation. As I saw the golfer Tom Watson say recently when announcing his decision to undergo hip replacement surgery, you know it's time when putting on your socks becomes an Olympic Event.
Good Luck,
Doug

 

[Laurie]

Hi Doug and all,
Thanks for your positive response re: getting back flexibility. Loved the comment on tying shoes being an olympian event--truly how it felt for me each morning getting ready for gym. Was the last straw before surgery.

After I am officially off hip precautions in couple days will be more proactive on stretching.

My strength and balance seem to be coming along great.

Laurie