pre op exercises

[Gaye]

hi
I am starting the journey to having a hip implant. In order that I have a successful recovery, I wonder if there are any suggestions for what can be done before surgery. I see my surgeon on Feb. 27, 2008. He will have information for me but wanted to go prepared as best I can.
thanks

 

[Josephine]

Any exercises that build up the muscles in your hip area would be good. Thus an exercise bike is good therapy. I would seek the advice of a PT for anything else.

 

[ripanco]

Hi Gaye,

I can tell you what worked for me. I had simultaneous bilateral THR in May '05. DH and I are fitness enthusiasts and are very athletic although my hips were starting to slow me down. I had been doing plenty of PT to try to help with the pain, but finally surgery was the only option. I had 2 months from the time I found out I needed surgery to the date of surgery. I cut way back on cardio and stretching and really hit the weights hard. I worked on my whole body:core, upper and lower. As a result I went into my surgery as strong as I have ever been in my life. The hard work paid back big time. I was able to come home in 2 days (a hospital record), never used a walker and was forgetting to use my crutches in 4 days when I went room to room. My PT was just ticked pink and would bring her colleagues to check me out. The home health nurse they sent to me was less enthusiastic, in fact horrified at what I was already doing, but after she called my surgeon several times to "tell on me" he told her I was fine and probably didn't need her anymore.

I worked hard to get in such good shape, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I need surgery again. If you are not familiar with weight training, I would hire a personal trainer to get you started. It can really help. And of course, maintain a positive attitude about your surgery, you are about to get your life back!

Andrea

 

[BigDog Mom]

Hi Andrea,
When you say you hit the weights hard - what do you mean 30 minutes a day, every other? Longer? I do hydro therapy twice a week for an hour. And have just started to use a BowFlex 4 to 5 times a week for about 4 weeks now.
I am in what was your situation and would really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanx,
Donna

 

[ripanco]

Hi Donna,

Sounds like you are well on your way, congratulations! Everyone is different and a lot depends on your level of fitness when you begin. I loved working out in the pool too. I did a lot of water running with a belt as well as resistance training in the water.

If you lift everyday, you need to make sure you are alternating different body parts so you are giving the muscles time to recover (2 days). So you can do lower, core, upper, but I would take at least one day a week off. If you are using the correct amount of weight (resistance) 30 min/session should be good. but you do need use enough weight/resistance to make it work. BowFlex is a great piece of equipment, put your weight into it and you should see some great results. Good luck!

Andrea