Hip Precaution Question

[YoungM]

Hi!

I know bending over from the hip to reach the floor is one of the hip precautions that must be followed. However, my therapist had given me a handout which shows that you can lunge onto the non-operated hip (bending at the knee) and keep the operated leg straight behind you in order to achieve picking something up from the floor.

Has anyone used this method?

 

[JudyS]

Hi Melissa
I certainly have used that method. I swear I have had bending restrictions for a year now!!! I am not allowed to squat down after my knee surgery and I don't want to mess up my back by not bending with my knees, so it is very tricky for me to pick anything up!!!

I do use that especially at your stage of the game as I wanted to take my buddy for a walk and needed to pick up his poo!!!
judy

 

[YoungM]

Thanks Judy! Everytime I do it, I get nervous I'm going to dislocate -but I'm following it correctly. BTW, I'm at 3.5 weeks post-op.

 

[JudyS]

I know about that fear!!! When I am doing my strengthening exercises at home (knee surgery) I start stretching and still worry a little that I may do something wrong!!!
I think I will ask my pt about that today. If my memory works this afternoon
judy

 

[Judles]

Yep! I bend like that,tii! Now I end up sometimes with my leg up in the air behind me keeping pressure off my hip! Extremely pretty move!!!

 

[Curlynne]

Hi young M
I have done that since I got home and felt steady enough.I was told it was ok to do by the occ therapists. I was a little wary at first and used my grabber for everything, but I hardly use that anymore.
Lynne x

 

[Karen54]

I've used that method, too, Melissa. I actually started using it before my surgery when it hurt to bend that hip, and just kinda carried it over to post-surgery.

 

[YoungM]

Exactly Karen! Me too! I've been maneuvering that way for the past 6 years too since I couldn't put my weight on the leg.

 

[nickji]

I've also been using it from around the second week after THR. It's called the 'golfer's lift'. Saves using a 'grabber'.
Enjoy it all,
Nick

 

[Laurie]

Hi all, I used that technique to bend out of necessity for years before surgery and afterwards for about 6 wks. (Felt like a flamingo for some reason!!!??) At over 7 months, I still work on bending with even weight and both feet on floor. But it doesn't hurt anymore, the same flexibility just isn't there on my right side. Still working on that. Bad habits take a long time to break!
Laurie

 

[Judles]

If EVER, Laurie!!!

 

[YoungM]

I wonder if I'll ever naturally go to lunge on to the operated hip -even years from now? I can't imagine!

 

[HopAlong]

I have been picking things up off the floor (without the grabber) for weeks, just by placing the op leg back behind me (straight, not bent) and reaching forward with all weight on the non-op leg.........I guess that would be a lunge. I tried it once and it didn't hurt, so I kept doing it.

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

and here I thought I was the clever one lol. I absolutely do this and everyone at home is always hollering at me. I just figured it was good exercise too!

 

[PRGal]

I did this some, too, even though I had no restrictions about bending over. (It just felt better the first couple of weeks or so.) Always pictured it as somewhat like a very deep curtsy . . .

 

[Laurie]

Melissa, Given your young years, I bet you will recuperate fully. I can only relate from my 25 years or more of gradual decline in my hip function (though thought it was sciatica/my back for most of that time). I am amazed at how much of my hip/leg function has returned even with all the years of bad habits, "advancing age". You have age and health on your side. With only a few weeks out, you have most of your recovery ahead of you.

Take care and enjoy the next few months as you get better and better.

Laurie

 

[prinny68]

Hello all! You should have SEEN my face when my in-home PT showed me that move! After using the handheld 'grabber' for two weeks and thinking i had mastered it, my PT showed me this move while picking up the remote off of the floor and I seriously almost kissed her! And actually, the move kind of feels like a yoga move and provides a GREAT stretch!

 

[oldbones]

Doesn't it make you feel like a ballerina ( or it least that's what it makes me think of)to do that move? Oldbones