I did exactly the same post RTHR. I constantly had to rein in the activity and many times my hip sharply complained. I was SO impatient! Still early days!
THR Gilly made it - 2nd hip done 16th November!!!!
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Gilly
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Hi everyone,
Its two weeks today since my operation and things are going well plus sleep is good too. I am wondering is it too soon to hop on a stationery bike and do small amounts of exercise? I also know not to have any resistance on the bike...
Cheers
Its two weeks today since my operation and things are going well plus sleep is good too. I am wondering is it too soon to hop on a stationery bike and do small amounts of exercise? I also know not to have any resistance on the bike...
Cheers
sharonslp
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Gilly, there are so many divergent views on what is good vs not good in the PT/activity department. I skew very strongly toward the rest and go easy side, and so I caution that you move in that direction very....cautiously. That said, I did do PT from the get-go with both my surgeries, and at two weeks in, every PT session started with 10 minutes on the Nu-Step. I kept resistance minimal, and I set no speed records. It was comfortable and I grew very fond of that particular piece of equipment.
So the secret here is to hop on for a very brief minute or two. Then hop off and give it a rest. Later in the day try another minute or two. If you're still feeling fine, then maybe try three minutes at a time, over three periods the next day. Now here's where you'll start to think this is no problem, so you tackle 15 minutes on the third morning and half an hour in the afternoon. NOPE...mistake. Just keep increasing in very small amounts. Generally it's better to do small bouts of activity sporadically throughout the day instead of one large burst. The idea is to make sure that if at some point it is too much for your recovering soft tissue, it will only be a little bit too much, and a day or two of rest will easily put you right. Go for the BIG OVERDONE IT, and you may have a nasty tendonitis to deal with instead.
And as you progress, balance that with your other activities. If you're getting outside for longer and longer walks (again, build up gradually) you don't need long biking on the same day. Look at your total activity level as you feel better and better. Listen carefully to what your body tells you....pay attention to little twinges so they don't become big painful aches.
Sharon
So the secret here is to hop on for a very brief minute or two. Then hop off and give it a rest. Later in the day try another minute or two. If you're still feeling fine, then maybe try three minutes at a time, over three periods the next day. Now here's where you'll start to think this is no problem, so you tackle 15 minutes on the third morning and half an hour in the afternoon. NOPE...mistake. Just keep increasing in very small amounts. Generally it's better to do small bouts of activity sporadically throughout the day instead of one large burst. The idea is to make sure that if at some point it is too much for your recovering soft tissue, it will only be a little bit too much, and a day or two of rest will easily put you right. Go for the BIG OVERDONE IT, and you may have a nasty tendonitis to deal with instead.
And as you progress, balance that with your other activities. If you're getting outside for longer and longer walks (again, build up gradually) you don't need long biking on the same day. Look at your total activity level as you feel better and better. Listen carefully to what your body tells you....pay attention to little twinges so they don't become big painful aches.
Sharon
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Gilly
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That's awesome info @sharonslp thanks so much..I don't want to over do it by any means, so may just wait a bit longer and walk a bit more frequently. I am trying to much I think too soon....I did go to the shopping mall yesterday for a wee while but did struggle with it...And have rested all day today pretty much. I don't want any set backs....
Have a cool day and thanks once again...
Have a cool day and thanks once again...
Early days @Gilly ! I was told to wait for any gym equipment until after my follow-up visit with my surgeon. Then it was use the equipment without resistance until 3 months out. I agree with Sharon's advise. Go very slow and don't try to do too much. Walking is really the best exercise for new hips.
DGrant
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Glad to hear of the progress Gilly. Very cool news. I'm still afraid of the gym equipment, as I haven't even yet went to PT, other then a PT guy that came by my house 2 times to check on my welfare, and shared some very simple zero impact exercises... but as Jaycey shared, and I attest here on recent experience, walking is the best that I've found, and just walking a bit each day is helping me dramatically.
I'm going to a real PT house next week... and I'll get some exposure to some of that stuff too.. When I was in PT a few years back(for the same hip I just had replaced).. I found the recumbent bike very effective, as the seating position, and the seat itself lend well to not putting a load on hips. An eliptical machine could also be of great benefit, as well as swimming. Thats the kind of equipment I'm waiting for, and by the time I get to it, I'll be ready I'm sure.
Keep fighting the good fight. I wish you well.
I'm going to a real PT house next week... and I'll get some exposure to some of that stuff too.. When I was in PT a few years back(for the same hip I just had replaced).. I found the recumbent bike very effective, as the seating position, and the seat itself lend well to not putting a load on hips. An eliptical machine could also be of great benefit, as well as swimming. Thats the kind of equipment I'm waiting for, and by the time I get to it, I'll be ready I'm sure.
Keep fighting the good fight. I wish you well.
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Gilly
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Hi @DGrant I won't start any bike exercises until I have had my 6 week check up. I am best to speak to my surgeon about this. I used the stationery bike for a while with my other hip replacement but can't remember how far down the track I started. No rush thou, I defo don't want any set backs. Yesterday I stayed up for quite sometime as had some visitors then watched tv in the lounge, but noticed later in the day I had some swelling more than usual, so came straight to bed and iced for most of the night. The extra swelling has gone down today, thankfully so I think taking it super easy is best at this stage. Sadly we don't get any PT sessions in New Zealand for hip replacements. I had a couple of small sessions when I was in hospital. I have been given exercises to do at home and that's it......
I do hope you're doing well also.....
I do hope you're doing well also.....
DGrant
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Hi @DGrant The extra swelling has gone down today, thankfully so I think taking it super easy is best at this stage. Sadly we don't get any PT sessions in New Zealand for hip replacements. I had a couple of small sessions when I was in hospital. I have been given exercises to do at home and that's it......
I do hope you're doing well also.....
I am well, thank you.... and the "super easy" sounds very good... do it while you can... you/we deserve it for sure. Have a nice "super easy" day.
Lseven
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@Gilly you can check out my thread on what I've been doing. It is unpopular for many but continues to work for me. Not sure what you had done but I was starting to do some 'purposeful' walking on crutches about where you are and ramping up the distance and frequency quite a bit. I didn't get on a stationary bike until 4 weeks and set it up carefully and specifically and spun with low resistance. I'm doing 30 minutes a day now and having no problems. I can get muscle sore and some of the stuff around the hip is remains stiff but coming around. I've also started on some weights on machines with controlled movements and starting with very light resistance. I was fit going in and still pretty fit which is maintaining well thanks to the biking. I'm 5 weeks and a bit and still using a cane by the way. It feels like it should be gone soon. I see my surgeon on monday and then actually get sent for some physio finally.
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