I go for PT 2 times a week. I start with riding the bike 10 min. Then I stand on edge of box for call stretches, squats and butt kicks. Then use the machines. First one I lay down and push myself back, second one I sit with leg over bumper and pull bumper back, next one legs go under bumper and lift bumper up and finally sit and push upper body back to almost recline position. Then I go to table for pelvic tilts, bridges (lift butt off table as much as you can ), leg lifts and then leg lifts using strap to lift as high as you can. Finally working on loosening up those thigh muscles so you can put your ankle over your knee and I can't do that yet. She said to keep working on stretching out those muscles. Other than the thigh thing, the exercises are the same as those I did when I went for my lower back last year. Yesterday we also did the step thing with the box. I had to step up on the box like it was a stair and then step down. I was to lead with my bad leg. I needed to use the lower box to do this.
I do go for the PT but it isn't extreme and I really am not very sore after. Maybe s little bit tired but again, not bad so I don't feel that I am overdoing. I will admit I haven't done much at home in between but I've decided I need to change that so I'm going to work a bit more at home between PT sessions. I want to be able to go up and down all stairs normally again and I want to be able to get my ankle up to my knee to put on my socks. I can do the stair thing already but leg feels weak and it doesn't feel like I'm doing it very smoothly. I can feel it in my knee. PT said that is still from my hip not being strong enough so we will see.
It probably wouldn't hurt to go a few times just to get an idea what you can do to strengthen those areas that bother. My thigh, for example, is still very tight but I can see that is is very gradually improving. I can step over side of tub now easily where I couldn't just a couple weeks ago.
I also asked PT about bike vs walking and she said each is different. She said the bones like the walking for hip recovery. She said biking is good exercise, too, but doesn't replace the walking. Prior to surgery a OS told me biking was better because it was non weight bearing and easier on my body than the walking so I guess it all depends on our situations.
United States
