LibraryLynn
senior
United StatesHow was the pool? 
THR Makoplasty Recovery in CT
- Thread starter kfenn
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kfenn
member
@LibraryLynn Pool was a little too cold for me. 
The pool attendant said it was 84, it was more like 74. I am a wimp when it comes to cold temps. I spent most of the time just walking around the pool while holding my 25 lb toddler. I also did some range of motion by moving my leg forward, backward, and laterally. Then went into the hot tub to warm up, not sure if that helped or not, but it warmed me up!
Since Friday, I have been doing way too much. Just like you I started back driving, and did some errands, as well as some of the chores around the house. At times I feel very good, making being patient difficult.
I cancelled my appointment today due to the weather, ice across CT and into NY. To hard.
This morning is definitely the tightest, and sorest I have been in 10 days. Gonna ice and relax all day. Hope I don't get whacked for canceling this morning.
Have fun in the pool, and I hope those little monsters brighten your day.
The pool attendant said it was 84, it was more like 74. I am a wimp when it comes to cold temps. I spent most of the time just walking around the pool while holding my 25 lb toddler. I also did some range of motion by moving my leg forward, backward, and laterally. Then went into the hot tub to warm up, not sure if that helped or not, but it warmed me up!
Since Friday, I have been doing way too much. Just like you I started back driving, and did some errands, as well as some of the chores around the house. At times I feel very good, making being patient difficult.
I cancelled my appointment today due to the weather, ice across CT and into NY. To hard.
This morning is definitely the tightest, and sorest I have been in 10 days. Gonna ice and relax all day. Hope I don't get whacked for canceling this morning.
Have fun in the pool, and I hope those little monsters brighten your day.
OP
OP
kfenn
member
I got a good look at the incision this morning. I am shocked at how clean it looks. The area of the incision whEre the glue has come off literally is the width of a line from a ballpoint pen! It looks like I used my red correcting pen and drew a line on my buttocks.
Question: the past 2 days I have noticed a lot of clicking and popping noises in my hip when I contract my gluteus specifically. Is this a common occurrence? I can feel the sensation if I hold my fingers to my hip and flex. Is this soft tissue ie tendons and ligaments? Is there any concern of the prosthesis loosening? @Poppet , @Jaycey @Jamie Do any of you have insight?
Question: the past 2 days I have noticed a lot of clicking and popping noises in my hip when I contract my gluteus specifically. Is this a common occurrence? I can feel the sensation if I hold my fingers to my hip and flex. Is this soft tissue ie tendons and ligaments? Is there any concern of the prosthesis loosening? @Poppet , @Jaycey @Jamie Do any of you have insight?
OP
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kfenn
member
Today is the 4 week anniversary of my new hip! To think 4 weeks ago this hour, I was coming through in recovery, feeling no pain and feeling anxious about what lay ahead of me.
I finally made it to PT today. I was given some sof tissue massage, and a group go initiation actions, that we're described as building blocks. I associated it to our falling starts we use to train the sprinters in for track. Did 2 sets today, with a potential 3 rd once the kids go to sleep. My wife is out with her mommy friends, probably complaining about how long this recovery is taking.
I took an aggressive move forward today. After weeks of a very conservative approach, I went to Target after PT, and did my shopping while walking unassisted. It was about a 45 minute workout. The manipulation I received at PT had me feeling very good. Tomorrow should tell if I attempted too much. I feel good still at 7:30. Ice has been on for 45 min. Next PT appointment is Friday. Tomorrow will be a rest day, with the exception of the movements prescribed to me. I am anxiously waiting for the 6 week mark. Both the DR and the PT have cited that week as a pivotal time frame for patients being able to start building strength.
Time to take Tramadol. I have also been taking Arnica pills and Arnica gel as a supplemental pain reliever. I don't know if it works, but it makes my wife happy that I take it.
I finally made it to PT today. I was given some sof tissue massage, and a group go initiation actions, that we're described as building blocks. I associated it to our falling starts we use to train the sprinters in for track. Did 2 sets today, with a potential 3 rd once the kids go to sleep. My wife is out with her mommy friends, probably complaining about how long this recovery is taking.
I took an aggressive move forward today. After weeks of a very conservative approach, I went to Target after PT, and did my shopping while walking unassisted. It was about a 45 minute workout. The manipulation I received at PT had me feeling very good. Tomorrow should tell if I attempted too much. I feel good still at 7:30. Ice has been on for 45 min. Next PT appointment is Friday. Tomorrow will be a rest day, with the exception of the movements prescribed to me. I am anxiously waiting for the 6 week mark. Both the DR and the PT have cited that week as a pivotal time frame for patients being able to start building strength.
Time to take Tramadol. I have also been taking Arnica pills and Arnica gel as a supplemental pain reliever. I don't know if it works, but it makes my wife happy that I take it.
LibraryLynn
senior
Happy anniversary, hip buddy! Glad you had a great day! I did too!
Maybe your wife should call my husband because he's definitely done with this hip recovery! And I still have one more to go!
Lynn
Maybe your wife should call my husband because he's definitely done with this hip recovery! And I still have one more to go!
Lynn
Hope all is well. You did quite a lot for having had PT. Easy does it. Remind your wife that it's a few weeks time for a lifetime without pain.
OP
OP
kfenn
member
I was concerned with my activity level yesterday......I woke up today feeling better than yesterday!!!! @Jaycey
Last night i did a last set of initiation movements at 9:45, then went to sleep. Spent half the night on my back, and half on my stomach. Woke up feeling very good. I forgot about my hip again going down the stairs (i was talking to my 18 month old) and took 3 stairs in normal fashion before i corrected myself. Another great sign. I did my exercises this morning, 2 sets of 10 repetitions for 6 movements. It takes forever. Felt good after, so I thought i would go to school for a visit. The Class in the gym was surprisingly happy to see me; it prompted the sub to say " boy they are happy to see you". Made me feel good. Walked into and around school unassisted for some additional exercise, and i wanted to demonstrate my ability to walk with no limp. The students were accustomed to seeing me limp around for the past 2 years.
2nd session of exercises once i returned home.
Now i am resting with ice. Probably will stay in this position for the remainder of the day. PT tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to it. Hoping to be well enough to go into the gym at PT. The Therapist i am using does one on one visits. It was what attracted me to him. I have 2 close friends, a former student, and the company we used for athletics when i coached, who are all capable therapist..... but my search found this person. So far so good.
My legs are now close to the same length now. My surgical leg was about an inch longer up to 10 days ago. However strangely enough they have evened to just under a 1/4 inch difference, with the surgical leg longer now. Dr explained all of this, however seeing it, and experiencing it is very peculiar!!
Hope today continues to go well, and tomorrow the same!!
Last night i did a last set of initiation movements at 9:45, then went to sleep. Spent half the night on my back, and half on my stomach. Woke up feeling very good. I forgot about my hip again going down the stairs (i was talking to my 18 month old) and took 3 stairs in normal fashion before i corrected myself. Another great sign. I did my exercises this morning, 2 sets of 10 repetitions for 6 movements. It takes forever. Felt good after, so I thought i would go to school for a visit. The Class in the gym was surprisingly happy to see me; it prompted the sub to say " boy they are happy to see you". Made me feel good. Walked into and around school unassisted for some additional exercise, and i wanted to demonstrate my ability to walk with no limp. The students were accustomed to seeing me limp around for the past 2 years.
2nd session of exercises once i returned home.
Now i am resting with ice. Probably will stay in this position for the remainder of the day. PT tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to it. Hoping to be well enough to go into the gym at PT. The Therapist i am using does one on one visits. It was what attracted me to him. I have 2 close friends, a former student, and the company we used for athletics when i coached, who are all capable therapist..... but my search found this person. So far so good.
My legs are now close to the same length now. My surgical leg was about an inch longer up to 10 days ago. However strangely enough they have evened to just under a 1/4 inch difference, with the surgical leg longer now. Dr explained all of this, however seeing it, and experiencing it is very peculiar!!
Hope today continues to go well, and tomorrow the same!!
This will continue to ease. In most cases leg length differences disappear as you get more and more mobile and your pelvis tilts back into a balance position.
Sounds like you are making great progress! Well done!
OP
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kfenn
member
@Jaycey i owe alot to the wisdom of this site. It has given me the confidence to date, to relax and let my body heal. I would have fallen to pressures of PTs myself, and friends asking when can i do this and can you do that. I realized that my body will heal at the rate it needs, and i do not have much control over that.
Also it was so strange 2 weeks ago to sit down and see one of my legs sticking out an inch farther then the other. It started to get me nervous!!!
Also it was so strange 2 weeks ago to sit down and see one of my legs sticking out an inch farther then the other. It started to get me nervous!!!
OP
OP
kfenn
member
PT has gone very well. Today i spent time lateral steps, walking on foam, and taking a step up one stair. I finished with some one legged balancing. I have noticed that icing works faster for me now. If i have sweeling or tightness, after applying ice for 30 minutes and an hour or two rest, the symptoms seem to disappear.
Tonight i went to watch a high school basketball game. I sat in the bleachers, and i felt better after the game, than i did before when i was picking up and vacuuming. My new routine is walk unassisted,PT exercses in the morning. Then from 12-3 rest, ice, elevate. Walk for 15 min, rest and ice for 2 hours. Then time with kids and wife, in bed by 8:30 for ice. This has been the schedule for the past 5 days. Each day i have felt better. I started ascending stairs with my surgical leg today. Feels good. Little by little getting pieces of my life back!! Very exciting!
Tonight i went to watch a high school basketball game. I sat in the bleachers, and i felt better after the game, than i did before when i was picking up and vacuuming. My new routine is walk unassisted,PT exercses in the morning. Then from 12-3 rest, ice, elevate. Walk for 15 min, rest and ice for 2 hours. Then time with kids and wife, in bed by 8:30 for ice. This has been the schedule for the past 5 days. Each day i have felt better. I started ascending stairs with my surgical leg today. Feels good. Little by little getting pieces of my life back!! Very exciting!
OP
OP
kfenn
member
Today I spent the day without the use of a crutch. We went to breakfast at the Mohegan Indian Casino nearby and Had a fairly comfortable long walk from the parking garage to the breakfast buffet, with the exception of some tight calves. It feels good to walk, it's been so long since I felt that way.
I do have a complaint today. After going to PT on Friday, I was given more exercises. One of which was to do toe raises. The PT told me it was important to do a high volume initially to overcome the lack of use. Well, he assigned me to 3 sets of 20 toe raises, among other exercise, 3 times a day. Need less to say, I smoked my calves doing about 150 toe raises yesterday. I should have known better......live and learn. I have become anxious to start doing some 'work' to improve my condition. It reminded me the value of patience again.
On to more positives, I did about 50 stairs today between my two sets, I even did a few weighted reps when I carried up a basket full of laundry.
I took the kids up to the schools gym yesterday to play; while we were there I tried shooting a basketball.........long way to go before I can do that.
I do have a complaint today. After going to PT on Friday, I was given more exercises. One of which was to do toe raises. The PT told me it was important to do a high volume initially to overcome the lack of use. Well, he assigned me to 3 sets of 20 toe raises, among other exercise, 3 times a day. Need less to say, I smoked my calves doing about 150 toe raises yesterday. I should have known better......live and learn. I have become anxious to start doing some 'work' to improve my condition. It reminded me the value of patience again.
On to more positives, I did about 50 stairs today between my two sets, I even did a few weighted reps when I carried up a basket full of laundry.
I took the kids up to the schools gym yesterday to play; while we were there I tried shooting a basketball.........long way to go before I can do that.
I think you're doing really well!! Don't feel too bad about the toe raises....you didn't really hurt anything and now you have the knowledge that you know yourself better than anyone!!! Patience is the hardest thing about all of this, isn't it!! I think it's that way for just about everyone.
You deserve a big pat on the back, though....you've come so far!
You deserve a big pat on the back, though....you've come so far!
OP
OP
kfenn
member
@Jamie Good to hear from you. I still remember looking at your avatar that first night while still on the morphine drip. One of those memories that get etched into your brain!!!
Thanks for the encouragement and congrats.
I am taking advantage of MLK day, Its 12 noon and I am still in bed!!! I had some pain this mornng so i decided to stay in bed. Luckily my wife took care of the kids, now everyone is napping.
It is looking like i will head back to work feb 2nd unless things change. I have my post op appointment with the Dr on thursday in NYC. We will see what he says.
Thanks for the encouragement and congrats.
I am taking advantage of MLK day, Its 12 noon and I am still in bed!!! I had some pain this mornng so i decided to stay in bed. Luckily my wife took care of the kids, now everyone is napping.
It is looking like i will head back to work feb 2nd unless things change. I have my post op appointment with the Dr on thursday in NYC. We will see what he says.
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kfenn
member
I had my follow up appointment today with the Dr. It went very well. I have excellent pelvic rotation!!! He stated i was definitely ahead of the curve. Although i still have to watch for interior rotation and small angles at my hip joint, he released me to begin exercising. I go back to work Feb 3rd, 7 weeks after surgery.
He also stated that the soft tissue heals 60% at 6 weeks, and 90% at 12 weeks. He thought i could get on to the basketball court for ind workouts after 3 monthes. That all seems fairly progressive for this conservative guy, but the fact he believes that gives me alot of confidence with my rehab to date, and moving forward.
@Was_86 i give Dr Meere the highest recommendation.
He also stated that the soft tissue heals 60% at 6 weeks, and 90% at 12 weeks. He thought i could get on to the basketball court for ind workouts after 3 monthes. That all seems fairly progressive for this conservative guy, but the fact he believes that gives me alot of confidence with my rehab to date, and moving forward.
@Was_86 i give Dr Meere the highest recommendation.
bottomshollow
Former BoneSmart staff member
copsham
post-grad
Hello@kfenn,
It is really helpful to read your posts. I am day 7 post op and your posts give a detailed, considered view that makes sense to me. So I am following behind, with trial and error.
I just look forward to the day when I can walk outside, despite it being -2 temp here at the moment. Your journey is very informative so a big thank you!
Karen
It is really helpful to read your posts. I am day 7 post op and your posts give a detailed, considered view that makes sense to me. So I am following behind, with trial and error.
I just look forward to the day when I can walk outside, despite it being -2 temp here at the moment. Your journey is very informative so a big thank you!
Karen
sandyharman
junior member
Great to hear you are doing so well mate, will be back on the court before you know it !
Very interesting points about the soft tissue healing process.
My follow-up appointment is a week monday which will be 7 weeks since the op.
Managed to take the dog for a walk this week with no major problems - My lower back ached a bit when I got home but nothing major. The most noticeable difference was the old pain had vanished !! Miracle !!! Dog walking was too painfull in the end for me before the op.
Great to hear when they think you can start exercise / basketball etc as hopefully I will follow the same footsteps !
Very interesting points about the soft tissue healing process.
My follow-up appointment is a week monday which will be 7 weeks since the op.
Managed to take the dog for a walk this week with no major problems - My lower back ached a bit when I got home but nothing major. The most noticeable difference was the old pain had vanished !! Miracle !!! Dog walking was too painfull in the end for me before the op.
Great to hear when they think you can start exercise / basketball etc as hopefully I will follow the same footsteps !
OP
OP
kfenn
member
@sandyharman and @bottomshollow it truly is incredible to get so many previous activities back after THR.
As for my rehab, i am back icing and resting today after a long day of travel yesterday. This evening i plan to do some PT exercises. I prefer time between PT so i can see the improvement! Haha. On a serious note tomorrow i have plans for the gym. Upper body workout and 15 minutes WALKING on the treadmill. I do have to build up my stamina to prepare for my return to work. Like many things, this process is getting more interesting. I am able to tie my shoes by angling my knee outward and bringing my foot up toward my other knee!
As for my rehab, i am back icing and resting today after a long day of travel yesterday. This evening i plan to do some PT exercises. I prefer time between PT so i can see the improvement! Haha. On a serious note tomorrow i have plans for the gym. Upper body workout and 15 minutes WALKING on the treadmill. I do have to build up my stamina to prepare for my return to work. Like many things, this process is getting more interesting. I am able to tie my shoes by angling my knee outward and bringing my foot up toward my other knee!
LibraryLynn
senior
Just thought I'd stop by and say hi. I'm excited for your great visit to the surgeon. I see mine for the second time on the 30th. I'll be very thankful to be off that damned warfrin and blood letting.
Glad things are going well for you!
Lynn
Glad things are going well for you!
Lynn
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