OP
OP
hiphiphorray
member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2013
- Messages
- 112
- Age
- 62
- Gender
- Female
Thank you, Starlight. Sorry for the delayed response. I've been in pre-op scurry mode with all the labs, Dr. visits and preps.
Re: the laptop resting on the legs, I am certain that it did not help my hip and probably did a lot of harm. I'll explain...I never had any hip symptoms whatsoever until a year ago. I'm a technical/marketing writer who works from home, and at the time, I was working 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week (I know --yuk!). I had an older laptop that was ~3-4 lbs. which rested on my thighs while I sat in a big comfy chair with my feet on an ottoman. But, I didn't pay enough attention to my posture or body signals. As the long days wore on, I would sometimes work for 3-4 hours without leaving the chair, sinking ever deeper into it. I would stand up afterward and feel stiffness, but wrote it off to "darn long hours!" At the time, I was also training 1-2 hours per day on the ice for a national figure skating competition, so I think the two things combined to really cause some deterioration. The coup de grace was when we moved from a condo into a house with stairs last Spring and I spent two weeks rearranging furniture, lifting things, hanging things, etc. Afterward, I could barely walk.
I'm not sure what your situation is re: the lifting heavy things, etc. (would love to hear) but I can definitely say that when I carry heavy things these days, my hip complains for a while afterward. as for the laptop on the legs, when you think about it, we're not just sitting still when we do that -- between typing and mousing, we're constantly making micro movements, and our hips have to adjust to each one. If there's already damage, well...
Hopefully, I'm smarter today (at least in this area). I'll tell you what I've tried as alternatives to avoid resting the laptop on the legs:
Cheers,
HHH
Re: the laptop resting on the legs, I am certain that it did not help my hip and probably did a lot of harm. I'll explain...I never had any hip symptoms whatsoever until a year ago. I'm a technical/marketing writer who works from home, and at the time, I was working 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week (I know --yuk!). I had an older laptop that was ~3-4 lbs. which rested on my thighs while I sat in a big comfy chair with my feet on an ottoman. But, I didn't pay enough attention to my posture or body signals. As the long days wore on, I would sometimes work for 3-4 hours without leaving the chair, sinking ever deeper into it. I would stand up afterward and feel stiffness, but wrote it off to "darn long hours!" At the time, I was also training 1-2 hours per day on the ice for a national figure skating competition, so I think the two things combined to really cause some deterioration. The coup de grace was when we moved from a condo into a house with stairs last Spring and I spent two weeks rearranging furniture, lifting things, hanging things, etc. Afterward, I could barely walk.
I'm not sure what your situation is re: the lifting heavy things, etc. (would love to hear) but I can definitely say that when I carry heavy things these days, my hip complains for a while afterward. as for the laptop on the legs, when you think about it, we're not just sitting still when we do that -- between typing and mousing, we're constantly making micro movements, and our hips have to adjust to each one. If there's already damage, well...
Hopefully, I'm smarter today (at least in this area). I'll tell you what I've tried as alternatives to avoid resting the laptop on the legs:
- Getting up and moving around every half hour (I have a freeware program set on my computer that pops up and says, "Get up!")
- Changing work locations throughout the day, from kitchen table to desk, to chair
- Using one of those lap desks with a flat surface and beanbag bottom or using a pillow (this is better than just the laptop because it distributes the weight, but is not ideal because it's still pressing on your legs)
- Using a breakfast tray to elevate the laptop so it doesn't rest on the legs (works very well for the hips, but logistically, it's a nightmare. Every time you get up, you have to place the tray somewhere, and it's hard to find a configuration that doesn't wobble)
Cheers,
HHH
United States
It falls over because the foot is small so you have to make sure its standing by itself before you let go. I have used it constantly though. It has a spring loaded joint at the base so it has a nice give when your walking that stick canes don't. My husband and kids make fun of me because they can hear me coming when I use that cane. Nothing like a little good humor when your disabled, gotta love family. LOL! I will definitely keep you guys posted on the "whats to come". I wish you well too and will keep and eye on your posts.
Yesterday, we had "the talk," that is, he will either have to shave my legs for a while or deal with the Sasquatch effect that he sees down there.
