THR Hipster64's Recovery Thread

[Barbaraj]

I loved the comment about a "two week tease" before your surgery, @Hipster64. I felt like maybe I got that as well, although I'd hoped for a LONG and PAINFREE time between my surgeries and was totally bummed when just as it seemed I was recovering from the first hip replacement, the other hip started kicking up. It was particularly aggravating because before my first surgery, the other hip had caused no problems at all. But, while it clearly needed to be replaced, the second hip never was as aggravating and painful as hip #1. But, my first hip surgery was in September last year, and by year's end I was feeling pretty darn good--so if you do have surgery in September, I predict you'll be feeling pretty darn good going into the new year. Wow, bridging...can't even imagine attempting that. You are a brave woman!

 

[Hipster64]

CricketHip: Since I read the Bonesmart recovery notes multiple times in the last few weeks, I cringed too when they asked me to do a bridge. Oh, I'll play along at physical therapy to the best of my ability, but I am not doing any bridging at home. My only exercising at home consists of walking outside with my cane and some light home PT exercises....and that's it. Not changing it.

Barbaraj: Since I got the right hip done, I definitely notice the difference with the undone left hip. My left knee locks up and I notice the left leg is harder to move than the right one when walking. I still have some tightness in the right leg but I have more mobility in it now so it's to be expected. At least the left hip is better than the right one was at pre-op. For now I will carry on!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am now sleeping upstairs again, and thanks to only needing the cane, can prepare my own light meals. It's amazing how much difference a little independence can make!

 

[Fiona444]

Oh the independence is priceless isn’t it? I too was given bridges to do but must admit I haven’t done too many. Not because they are painful but because i like doing exercises where i can hold my ipad in one hand as i find them rather boring i also do a few exercises while waiting for the kettle to boil but my mainstay is walking walking and more walking as that makes me feel good and loosens me up. You are doing great!

 

[Barbaraj]

You crack me up, @Fiona444, can't imagine doing exercises whilst holding an iPad! On the other hand, I often had my cellphone by me when I was doing my PT exercises at home, and would check it in the middle of leg raises so I suppose I can relate! And congrats on moving downstairs to sleep, @Hipster64, and being able to prepare a few simple meals. Independence is fabulous, and it's the small things that loom large for us during recovery. Seems like you're getting better, stronger and more confident every day. Fabulous! Have a great day!

 

[Hipster64]

Fiona 444: I do PT exercises at my kitchen sink while I'm waiting for my food from the microwave. It doesn't seem as much like work that way; only something I am doing to pass the time.

Barbaraj: Every day it gets better. Today after PT we stopped in to see my dad, then went to CVS to pick up my Tramadol refill. It was my first time in a store since the surgery. I was able to push the little shopping cart around the store with no problems. My theme song should be "Feeling Stronger Every Day" by Chicago!

 

[Barbaraj]

I think shopping in stores with carts was great for me, @Hipster64. You can walk with it, pushing or clinging, depending on how you’re feeling and you get a good little workout! I remember going to Costco early on with hip #1, and loving those sturdy carts and wide aisles. You are doing great, and aren’t those first outings fabulous?

 

[Layla]

It sounds like your doing really well @Hipster64 its so nice to begin getting out of the house again amongst the real world.

Eman85 often mentions pushing a shopping cart around as safe way to get out and fit in some walking. I must say I'm happy to hear your not doing Bridges. They are hard on new hips.
Treat that hip well and it will serve you for many years to come.
Have a great evening!

 

[Hipster64]

Barbaraj: They sure are! Tomorrow my husband and I are planning to go out for breakfast to a small, local restaurant, which will be my first time going out to eat post surgery. One thing we did when attending a fund-raiser in April was successfully bid on all the local restaurant and supermarket gift certificate collections offered at the silent auction. We knew we were going to be short on money when I went out on short term disability, and we got every collection below face value cost. It was a win-win.

Layla: The only place I am doing any bridging is at PT. They had me do 3 for 5 seconds each. They also had me do 5 leg lifts with a one pound weight on my leg, and 5 band stretches, but I was determined not to overdo the stretching. I also had to do clamshells, but I made sure to grab a pillow to place between my legs when doing them. Like I said before, I will play along at PT twice a week, but that's the extent of it.

 

[Barbaraj]

Oh, a lot of meals out for you coming up, @Hipster64! And some cheaper groceries! Aren't you the smart little planner for making that happen with all those great gift certificates purchased at below list price! Very smart and impressive! By the way, your PT sounds really hard for someone who's so early in recovery! I hope that even though you're only doing those exercises at PT you are being very careful and flat out refusing to do anything that even remotely begins to pain your hip. Sheesh...

 

[Hipster64]

Barbaraj: I agree with you about the exercises and am watching them very closely. So far I have mostly had to do 3-5 repetitions for each exercise. A couple were 10 repetitions but I was closely supervised with those. I am only going to PT twice a week for a month. They did have me lay down on a mat with a pillow and an ice pack all around my right hip for 10 minutes after the session was over and that was much appreciated. I don't go back until Tuesday and that will give me plenty of time to just walk and relax. The one thing that I plan on putting my foot down on is using any type of gym machines, especially the treadmill, which was how my right hip got blown out in the first place. I am too scared to get back on one of those at this time.

I also reminded them that my left hip isn't in the best shape, needs surgery as well (the therapist heard my left leg click loudly during exercising so she knew I wasn't kidding) and technically looked worse on the xrays than the right one, so this way I will have to take it easy somewhat.

The therapist said I am doing excellent, and I intend to keep it that way! ​

 

[Barbaraj]

Good for you, @Hipster64 for being assertive and reminding those PT folks that while you'll be cooperative and work with them, YOU are in control of this situation and don't intend to do anything that you have concerns about. I think the mark of a good PT is that they listen to you and work within your restrictions. Slowly and sure, I found, PT was a good thing to help me regain range of motion, flexibility and an improved gait. But you are starting pretty early in the process which would make me nervous. My OS says no PT for 6 weeks. I waited last time and immediately got a referral at my 6 week check-up visit and was super ready and excited about getting back into PT then. Glad you are being smart, and cool that your therapist says you're doing excellent--hope that was mood booster for you.

 

[Layla]

The only place I am doing any bridging is at PT. They had me do 3 for 5 seconds each. They also had me do 5 leg lifts with a one pound weight on my leg, and 5 band stretches, but I was determined not to overdo the stretching. I also had to do clamshells, but I made sure to grab a pillow to place between my legs when doing them. Like I said before, I will play along at PT twice a week, but that's the extent of it.

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday,
You do realize you can say NO to these exercises I hope. It's recommended you refrain from using weights and bands at this point in time. You could injure youreself. Your leg is healing, it doesn't need to be put through a workout now.

Personally, I wouldn't even pacify PT by engaging but simply say, "Next" with a smile. My understanding is that those bands can cause tendinitis in the upper thigh muscles especially the ITB. Clamshells are an abduction exercise and are also hard on the ITB.

Bridges are a core stability exercise and they put a lot of pressure in an area where soft tissue and muscle was just traumatized. You wouldn't believe the number of people who engage in these unecessary exercises and end up suffering set backs, sometimes for several weeks. Your body is injured and has just experienced a "controlled" trauma. I really wish you'd reconsider and at least look at setting this aside until you're further along. All you really need to do for exercise at this point is walking and not to excess. I really would hate to see you hurting, so please ponder all.

I hope you have a nice Friday and a great weekend! With any luck the heat isn't unbearable.

 

[Elf1]

@Hipster64 I, like you, are a bit conflicted with the PT, especially so early. Had a long talk with the PT yesterday about feeling like this was way too early and that we needed to work on my walking. She said she understood and that I don't have to do anything I don't want and most definitely not if giving me pain. I liked the recumbent bike yesterday and she explained that it was good since it's non weight bearing, it felt really good. She gave me some stretches to do and then had me concentrate on balance. Was able to use the hand rails on the walking platform (for lack of better word) if I needed to but didn't really need to. She agreed that there wasn't a ton of stretching we could do with the limitations I've been given but will do our best to work with what we can.

 

[Aline]

I had my initial appt yesterday with PT, which he is under my pain mgt doctor, the office has been restructuring the services, Mike explained to me yesterday that his title is Health Nurse, not PT, he will focus on my limitations and strengths to devise a treatment plan for me, this will include diet as well as re teaching me how to walk properly with gait and to carefully work on my muscles, after my sessions I am scheduled for a massage with another person.
My doctor who owns this group has also included a behavioral therapist that works with you to reduce any anxiety or stress as I phase back into my job, and adjustments to be made differently with my brand new hips. I realized how anxious I have become in a car, I had to Uber at times for doctor appointments and was a bit overwhelmed being in a car with someone I did not know, I don’t seem to have this anxiety when I’m traveling with my family I believe it’s a trust issue and three months of being in a controlled environment.
My doctor would like me to see her every three months and when I do my other sessions twice a week I will work with Mike and have my massage after. I found it very informative and pleased that all areas of my life will be addressed to my needs Mind Body Soul
@Hipster64 @Elf1

 

[CricketHip]

That sounds like a really nice, full spectrum service and have never heard of such a thing, but it makes complete sense!! Lucky you!
Man, now I want something like that offered to me, too! @Aline
P.S. love the new hairstyle.. very nice!

 

[Hipster64]

Layla: I agree with your concerns too. Although I was very nervous doing the exercises after reading everything on here, I will admit I came out of PT feeling much better than when I went in. However, I have a physical with my PCP on Monday 8/5 (scheduled way before any of this surgery business) and I plan on discussing my concerns about overdoing it in PT with her. She is very open-minded and I am very comfortable talking with her. It's perfect timing because my next PT appointment is Tuesday 8/6. Any tips she can give me will be very much appreciated.

Elf1: My therapist did reiterate that we would not do anything that would cause me pain. So far I have been fine. However, I know the machines are going to give me a problem...if not physically, then psychologically. I associate them with problems.

Aline: I love the holistic treatment approach you are getting. My chiropractor would totally be on board with your approach. However, I am waiting to return to him once all surgeries are completed.

On a happier note, today (or should I say yesterday) was my first day feeling like a productive person. My husband and I went out to breakfast-first time in a restaurant since the surgery! Later on we stopped at the bank, ran into a store, went for ice cream and visited my in-laws. Very busy day for me-I ended up crashing on the couch! Later today I will tackle going to church for the first time pre-surgery...no kneeling of course, but I have a lot to be thankful for right now.

 

[Barbaraj]

Sounds like a very productive and busy day yesterday, @Hipster64 That is a lot of activity to cram into a day, but despite feeling exhausted when you got home, I bet emotionally it was so satisfying. I am not a church goer, but can absolutely appreciate and agree with your comment that you, as do I, have a lot to be thankful for these days. Despite the aches and pains and slowly relearning how to capture our more active lives, each day brings small miracles that bring a smile to my face and another tiny notch up on the self-confidence scale. We're all getting there! Hipsters rule!

 

[Layla]

I think it's wise to talk to your PCP on Monday about exercising. You might as well get her opinion while there. Wishing you the best on your visit with her.

Oh my...you sure had an action packed day. It makes us feel part of the world again to be out eating breakfast, shopping, visiting people and sneaking in an ice cream treat. I'll bet you thoroughly enjoyed all. Then off to Church also, I'm sure to give thanks and praise for all the great strides you're making.
You're doing well @Hipster64 May it only get better!

 

[Elf1]

@Hipster64 you had a jam packed day, know it felt fantastic and you definitely earned some couch crashing time! You're moving steadily along and you seem to be keeping a good balance between activity and rest. I agree with you on the PT, felt better this week when I was done but am suspiciously eyeing the tension bands or whatever they're called. Will point blank pass on those if they try to introduce them.

 

[Hipster64]

Hello all: Hope everyone had a pleasant weekend! Still making valiant attempts to rejoin the human race. Made it to church on Saturday afternoon (no kneeling), stopped in to visit my dad, and yesterday was able to go out to eat with my husband, my son and my son's girlfriend. I consider those small victories.

I had my yearly physical today, so I asked my PCP about the PT exercises and if it was okay to do them, especially when items such as weights and bands are thrown into the mix. I also voiced my concerns over using a treadmill in the future, especially during PT since my last experience with a treadmill caused my right hip to go under.

She advised me that these exercises are not uncommon, that I should be fine doing them, that the new train of thought for treating hip replacement patients is to get them moving and using the muscles ASAP, and that more conservative treatment methods cause muscles to stiffen due to lack of use. I advised that I understood that train of thought but reiterated to her that on the five days I do not have PT, I am walking two laps on my street and doing the easier, lower-key home exercises I learned in home PT. That is it. Regarding the treadmill, she asked how I would feel about using another gym machine since the treadmill makes me uncomfortable at this time. I told her I would cross that bridge when I come to it (which I hopefully never do). She did approve of my exercise regimen outside of PT.

Thank you all for reminding me that if I am uncomfortable with anything proposed in PT and if it bothers me, that I have the right to speak up. I will continue to be vigilant over my PT exercises from here on out. The way I look at it is that so far all medical personnel involved with my care agree that I am doing very well. Therefore, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! (Except for hips that need replacing, of course)