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My Six-Week Check-Up

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shilohplace

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My 6th week check up was on July 14th.. Dr. said I was doing so well from my hip replacement. He dismissed me at 6 weeks. Normally he said he sees patient again at 3 months after surgery. He said I could come if I had any questions. Otherwise he said, he would see me in one year for X-RAY .He said I was doing awesome... Haven't used a cane in a week. While I am still of for summer vacation. I am an interpreter for deaf in public school. I walk 3 miles each day, exercise bike 30 mins dailyDo all my PT exercises here at home once a day with leg weights. Dr. ask me if I had been cheating to put on my socks. I said, "NO". I don't want my hip to pop out. I have my first grandbaby due 278 miles away on 23rd of this month. I have to drive. Anyway, I still have some precautions cause the surgery was June 1st.. PT dismissed me 2 weeks ago. Still reminded me of precautions..... If I do not go back to the Dr. at the 3 month mark. ??? Maybe I should to ask questions. ???? Like bending over picking up things off the floor. Putting on Socks. all that stuff. HE told me ,"if you have to sit in a low chair or low toilet (sit like your mother told you not to.....) spread you knees far apart... sit unlady like." He also said I could cheat a little on the socks if I put my foot on a stool press my knee out with my elbow and then I could get my sock on.... keep my knees spread out. I had been faithfully using my hip kit neat things for shoes and socks... :-) It is like if you don't go back at 3 months how do you know when precations end??? Would love any of he wealth of knowledge out there for you that are more than 6 weeks out of this process. I love my new hip.....
 
Shiloh, I moved your wonderful comments to a thread of it's own so that it doesn't get lost in the one where you posted. People will be more likely to see your progress and offer information for you about what is to come.

Congratulations on doing so well with your new hip!!
 
Hi Phoebe, Welcome Im a knee so I wouldnt want to advise in anyway. But it does sound like you did a terrific job in your recovery. Congradulations .I am really happy for you. I like all kinds of success stories. hip. knee. Do what you can do, dont hurt yourself. Still take care of that new hip and enjoy !!!!!Thanks for posting.......Good luck to you....
 
Hi Phoebe,
Your doing great my surgery on my left hip was may 22. Like you my doctor told me monday I wouldnt see him until my 6 month anniversary, I was given 3 new exercises that was to stretch I guess my leg so I can put my shoes and socks on my self, but let me tell you they hurt one is called the crab, have you done it where you lay on your side that wasnt operated on draw your knees up and then you lift your knee up as far as you can 5x . another is you stretch out and with your leg that was fixed you take your foot and run it up your good leg as far as you can 5x I probabily arnt decribing it like I should but was told this would be the exercises for eventually putting my leg up and putting on my shoes and sock and maybe cutting my toenails. Like you there is alot of unanswered questions like when can you take a bath again and not a shower. My doctor did tell me I can bend, I bend with my right leg and have my left leg stretched out behind me. You are so far ahead of me in progress its wonderful for you. God Bless
 
Hi Phoebe,

Sounds like you are doing really well :)

I saw my surgeon at 6 weeks, and then that is it until the 12 month visit. I kept using one crutch for a few more weeks after that - I wanted to walk really well, no limping, especially on longer walks. To pick things up off the floor I bent down and put the operated leg out behind me, if that makes sense. (Warning, check behind you before you do that to avoid tripping up anyone walking behind you :) Workmates also take some time to get used to that move - mine dubbed it the giraffe manoevre!)

I missed that raised toilet seat for a while. I found it easier at work to use the disabled toilets as they seem a little higher than the regular ones, plus there is a bar to haul/push yourself up - the few muscles I had seemed to have wasted away! I still needed a bit of help with socks and shoelaces until about the 8 week mark. My surgeon uses the 3 month mark as the "back to normal" point.

Hope that helps :)
 
Hi Phoebe

We are both at the 6 weeks point at the same time and you are doing really well - it is so nice to see what a real difference just a few weeks makes after having the operation. I am still taking my cane with me when I go for walks but can walk fine without it - I suppose it is just a a reassurance thing for me.

My OS also said about the sitting on low seats etc with my legs apart - no dignity ever again then.....he also said that the same outwards manouvre could be used for cutting toenails, i.e. bend operated leg up and outwards and pull foot towards you, but he advised me to wait until the flexibilty had improved a bit more before doing that.

He told me that I should never bend my hip beyond the 90 degree mark unless I twist the joint outwards - makes snese really as he reckons it would put quite a lot of stress on it to try and bend in the way that you would touch your toes - but then again all Drs seem to have differing opinions.

I have got to go back at 3 months, which I am quite happy about as I feel comfortable being told what I can and cannot do. If you are unsure about things at that stage then maybe you could ring him up and have a chat about what he suggests.

Meanwhile keep up the excellent work - my second grandchild is due on the 27th of this month so we are in a similar place at the moment - happily my daughter only lives half a mile away from me. Get practising that driving, cos you are going to be needing it for that journey and I hope that all goes well with the baby - I am sure you will love it to bits.
 
Thanks Trish TS, no one told me of those exercises. Thanks so much. I do lots of exercises each day. But new ones will help. MVO and Steph I do that (leg straight out deal) to pick up something of the floor. I did a search on internet about that and found that and was told it was the golfer bend. I know I see them pick up the ball that way when golf is on TV. I also found that most golfers over 45 have had to have hip replacement and or knees and or shoulder. repetitive motion. Thanks to you all. Yes I am excited about the granddaughter Hannah Grace.
 
I think so because we are at a really early stage regardless of how good we feel, there is still so much healing going on. My OS said his problem with me was going to be trying to slow me down and stop me doing too much, lol. I said it is just the new found freedom of movement without pain after such a long time.

I bet you've been buying lots of pretty baby things because you know it is a girl - and what a pretty name. My daughter wanted to know the sex, but my son-in-law wanted a surprise so they didn't find out, but if it is a girl it will be Rebecca Jane and a boy will be William Stewart. Not long to go now - it is really exciting.
 
phoebe
congrats on the good report and progress. I love my new hip as well. I transitioned from hip patient to knee paitient with my doc so I see him still after a year. I always have lots of questions. I would make an apt and if you think you don't need it then cancel at the time. All of my restricitons were lifted at 3 months except running. Just not advised even 2 weeks ago when I saw him.
judy
 
phoebe, i bow to you. that is awesome. i'm 36 and new hip or not i think your in alot better shape then me. i'd be jelous if i wasnt so happy for you. have a great time and if i were you i might go but see how you feel. the pt told me pain is their indicator they hold me back cuz i dont have pain anymore. lol. anyhow i'd use pain as my indicator as long as the hip has good placement.
monique
 
Thanks Monique ,
I have worked really hard cause I have the grandbaby due soon. I have to drive from Chatt. TN to Morg. NC. about 278 miles. I think I am ready. My job in the school system (deaf interpreter) starts back on Aug. 3rd. I have to walk long halls BIG SCHOOL to change classes . When my hip was bad for months last year it killed me. I normally walk about 2 miles a day on my job if I don't conserve my steps. I always walked a lot cause it is good for the body and the heart. So when it was hard to walk and I was planning shortest route in the school ... that was a bunner. I am very thankful I love my new hip... I think I am ready for the trip to meet my grandbaby and for my job to start back too. You have a great Friday.. All of you have a great Friday. I have my bag packed if the baby come before the set time of inducing labor on 23rd. If things go as planned I will drive the 22nd and be rested for the excitment of the birth the 23rd. I am hoping for the 23rd. My daughter in law is ready... now however and her feet are soooo swollen..

Phoebe
 
So much to celebrate, Phoebe! Just take it easy, be kind to yourself, and boy are you going to reap the dividends!
 
phoebe. i cant wait to see those baby pics. i admire what you do. my mom was a special ed teacher and worked in alaska for 6 years. she loved it.
monique
 
The Clam exersise is GREAT.. it is hard to do at the start , but wow it is a GOOD ONE. After repetitions for a day or two you can feel so much stronger.... :-)
 
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