THR Hipmom is healing

[C Mac]

Hi Donna,

I believe that I saw some of the twisting precautions on line at various points during my research on THR before surgery. When you describe your surgery having been done posterior approach some of the dislocation risk may be because the OS had to cut through muscle to access your hip joint and that it can take a while for those muscles to heal and become strong enough to prevent a dislocation in extreme positions.

If your OS told you and showed you specifically which positions to avoid I would avoid them. If you feel strongly about returning to those types of movements revisit the issues at your 6 month follow-up and again at your 1 year follow-up to see if the same precautions are suggested.

Just my two cents...

Take care,
Cardie

 

[lisanewmc]

It's still relatively early days Donna.......perhaps a great excuse for a pampering pedicure? Hang on in there:biggrin:

 

[nanamac]

Agreed!

 

[nanamac]

Another good "stretch" exercise that Alex told me of was to lie back on the bed with op leg hanging down over the side. Pull your good leg up to your chest and just hang the operated leg down. DO NOT alternate legs. It just stretches the operated leg. I found it very helpful.

 

[Josephine]

Those movements may well and justifiably be excluded during the six weeks restrictions but I've never heard of them being barred for life!

 

[jsnail89]

Hey there! So I was told by my doctor and his pa that the easiest way to cause a dislocation is to twist your hip inward (i.e. stand pigeon toed). I'm pretty sure once your muscles are stronger a bit of twisting might be ok, but they said that through out my life with the hip to try and minimize the twisting inward because it's the higher risk of all the movements.

 

[DaveGM]

I was told at the follow up appointment of my first hip that all restrictions were lifted. The only recommendation was not to try running a marathon - thank heavens!

Its very strange how the advice varies so much. My thought would be to take it easy but be a bit creative in in following their advice to the letter.

Anyhow you do seem to be doing well. 3 mile walks by the river every day sound pretty good!

Regards

Dave

 

[Josephine]

So I was told by my doctor and his pa that the easiest way to cause a dislocation is to twist your hip inward (i.e. stand pigeon toed).

Not if you've had an anterior approach. :wink1:

but they said that through out my life with the hip to try and minimize the twisting inward because it's the higher risk of all the movements.

I've heard that before on here and I really don't buy it. Not in any way, shape or form.

 

[hipmom]

Elevated toilet seat and arm rails are gone now! Yea! No more feeling like i live in a hospital :th_heehee:

 

[C Mac]

Whoooo Hoooo!! Welcome home.... no more hospital bathroom for you!

Take care,
Cardie

 

[joanna]

It must be so liberating getting rid of the raised toilet seat! I'm sure the rest of my household will be pleased to see the back of it when the time comes for me!

I share your frustration with the restrictions. When some people are given none or all are lifted after 6 weeks etc. I was also told no leg crossing EVER and surgeon also demonstrated something else I should never do but I've forgotten exactly what he did!! I think basically I can drop my hip out when sitting but can't rotate inwards perhaps was the gist. As far as I know my surgery was un-complicated, nothing special about my situation, so my feeling was if other people are allowed to do these things, then can't see why I should be different. I'll proceed with some caution but suck it and see. I just don't think I have the patience to live my life 'babying' my hip at all times.

 

[joanna]

Yeah, I don't know what to make of the "no twisting" rule either. The things the OS demonstrated for me to see what not to do were: He was sitting in his chair and had his torso facing forward but pointed his knees together way off to one side

Yes! I think this was the demo my surgeon gave me. Does that mean we're not supposed to sit on a sofa with legs curled up underneath if get my gist???

 

[Jamie]

Although some surgeons give various warnings about "never" do this or that, I think most people are their own best judge once you are through recovery (6 months to a year out from surgery). As you experiment with various activities and movements, you'll know what is straining your joint and what isn't.

 

[nanamac]

:secretaea::I-Agree:

 

[Jaycey]

Your hip will tell you if you have taken things too far Joanna. My surgeon said no legs crossing as well but is was more because it's not good for the circulation - not about the hip doing anything.

Experiment with things and listen to your body. I think you will find there are very few restrictions.

 

[hipmom]

Yes! I think this was the demo my surgeon gave me. Does that mean we're not supposed to sit on a sofa with legs curled up underneath if get my gist???

Geez, it probably does mean that. I wasn't really thinking about all the different times I put my legs into that position. That stinks.

 

[hipmom]

So I was at the roller skating rink watching my daughter and some friends skate when the one boy's Dad came to pick him up. Since I had my cane with me, I felt I should tell him that I was recovering from a hip replacement. He asked who my surgeon was, and when I told him, he said he heard of him. I asked how he knew of him, and he said, "I sell total joint replacements." Turns out he works for Stryker (where my joint came from)! I told him that I have the ceramic head and the crosslinked poly cup. I said the surgeon told me it should last 20 years and that he pointed out that he was being conservative with that estimate. I asked if that was true. The Dad said that if I were an athlete, it might not last that long, but with my lifestyle I should expect it to last a long, long time. Small world :wow2:

 

[Juliep]

You know what Donna, it's amazing the people we run into and who they are. It truely is a small world. That is so neat.

 

[Josephine]

As regards the prohibition of certain positions and movements, take a look at this article and the chart therein. Puts it all in perspective. This 90 degree rule and risk of dislocation

 

[hipmom]

So i get up this morning and can't find my cane. Spent 15 min wandering around the house and going out to look in my car - finally found it in my daughter's bedroom! Must have left it there when i said goodnight to her : )