How do you exercise when it hurts?

[HME]

Everyone emphasizes the importance of exercise in the time preceding THR, to keep muscles strong around the hip joint and speed recovery. But how do you do this when it's so painful? I'm 50 and in good shape, used to exercising but it's hard to maintain a regimen right now. I've read about some incredibly elaborate workouts in this forum that people claim they stuck to up to the day of surgery. Well if I could do all that I wouldn't NEED surgery! All I can think is that they must be taking LOTS of pain meds. Maybe that's the answer, more pain meds and just work on through the burn. I'm also concerned that my poor ol' joint has to hold out somehow until August when my surgery is scheduled. I have advanced avascular necrosis. What are good exercises for AVN hip joints to prepare for surgery? I know there are lots of you out there...... Wendy

 

[Hillstcrew]

Hi Wendy.Getting thru the day was more exercise then I could handle.I had the traditional THR.PT AFTER surgery is your best friend.My upper body is where I could have used the pre-op exercise.There is no reason to put yourself thru that torture unless the doctor tells you to.ex.'' you need to lose some weight''.Otherwise I would just take it easy and keep yourself healthy for surgery.You will not believe how much better you are going to feel.Good Luck and God bless.Before you know it it will be over and you will be on the road to a full recovery.This past Tues. was 5 weeks since my surgery.On Wed.the doctor took x-rays.He told me he is really satisfied how things look and that he is removing ALL restrictions.I just have to continue with PT 2-3 times a week.Everyday things just get better.They will for you to!

 

[dixieodoodles]

Hi, Wendy!

I agree with Hillstcrew. I had my first THR (right side) in '88 and am going in on April 16 for the other hip. When that is healed I need a new liner for the right side.

I am in excriciating pain right now and can barely walk, so exercise is out of the question. Try tightening up your butt muscles (isometrics) while watching tv. Also helpful is a kind of 'thigh-master' that I got at a thrift store. You can either squeeze your legs together or push out, depending on how you arrange the contraption. You can also do some upper body exercises if you're able.

Don't agonize over what you can't do. A little exercise in the right places will go a long way. You will feel 100% better after the surgery!

Linda

 

[Kentdougal]

Hi Wendy
Of course you won't be able to do elaborate work outs but lying on your back bending your knees towards your chest one at a time helps keep the joint flexible, squeezing a ball between your knees helps build muscle,sitting in a chair lifting a straightened leg one at a time will build up thigh muscles ideally with a weight on your ankles.The other one is lying on your back pushing each leg out sideways one at a time to maintain flexiblity (I had trouble with this one as the hip got worse)The thing is that the thigh muscles have to be moved and stretched during surgery and that's why it aids recovery if you can keep them strong. However at the end of the day you can only do what the pain will allow
Regards
Doug

 

[ripanco]

Have you tried pool workouts? I spent hours in a warm pool and was able to stay in very good shape right up till my surgery. Sooo very much easier to work in water on your joints, but the resistance from the water still makes your muscles work. I did deep water running with a belt, water aerobics, and weight training in the pool. I did a fair amount of dry land weight training too which does not have to be hard on your joints. Best of luck,

Andrea

 

[Doverbaldy]

Hi Wendy,
The pool is the best place to be right now. On good days I did a few laps with the kickboard, walked until water reached my arm pits and then back, walked sideways (both sides) again until water reached arm pits. Then I put a flotation device between my legs and swam the crawl (upper body only) as many laps as I could. Every day my goal was to stay in pool for one hour. I am now post op three weeks. I feel like I am making progress, but am very depressed because I want to get back to where I was. But I continue to do PT and workout every day!

 

[Josephine]

I recently read some research papers on subjects who had and had not done pre-op exercising and the conclusion was that there was no appreciable difference in outcomes between the two groups.

I.e. exercise gets you no further forward over all!