Question about therapy?

[sunshine]

I know there are a few PT on here or I think there are. MY therapy was over two weeks ago I guess cause no one ever came back.
My question is do I continue the exersizes or am I done? Wouldn't you think they might tell you it was their last visit and.......But no nothing.

So I am not sure what I can or can't do and I am on like week 10 post. No chance of asking my Doc, he is impossible to get a hold of so you sort of have to go sit there for 5 hours with an appt. Not doing that either.

Just in general can someone tell e if I can swim laps in the pool now with my hip? Can I bend at all from knee? I haven't tried to touch my feet at all for fear instilled about hip. Thanks anyone....

 

[JudyS]

Sunshine,
When I saw my surgeon at the 2 week check up, he told me to wait one more week, then I could begin swimming.
I am at 5 weeks today and I started swimming laps this week. A pathetic start, but I am trying.
I am still practicing all the hip precautions and am not driving yet.

My pt that came to my home made it very clear whenn her last visit would be. I even had to sign a form at the beginning of that week stating that I kneew that was my last week!!!

Judy

 

[Josephine]

Some say up to 6 weeks, but that is basically OS preference. If he said 3 then go for it. Anyway, whatever the surgeon said, at 5 weeks those deep muscles and ligaments are well healed now so all should be well.

 

[sunshine]

Thanks Judy, I really did want to know about swimming I am tired of walking in the water. Your pt sounds much more polite then mine was in the end. Just vanished and he was soooo cute too.
But do I still have to do all the exersizes that is what I don't know. I mean will rhe hip tighten up if I stop 1234 every day? Thanks Josephine

 

[Josephine]

I would continue to do the exercises for a while yet. Can't have too much of that!

 

[JudyS]

Sunshine,
My pt did tell me to walk in the water and she probably thought I was going to a therapy pool. The first day I went, after I did my attempt at laps, I walked a little bit.
As far as the exercises, when do you see your doc next.
I see mine next week at 6 weeks and I am going to ask him about the exercises. I don't know what the next level of them is and I know my muscles are still far from their previous state.

I will be going to some type of gym once I get the ok. I am not yet as the seats on the equipment would surely break the 90 degree rule. So I will be keeping up with strengthening

Judy

 

[sunshine]

Well, I drove today, I sorta had to I was fine. But I don't see my Doc for like 7 weeks now for my next surgery or to take x ray of left hip. I hate asking him anything beacause he will say when i see you again......He doesn't mena to be like that but he is just too busy with other stuff. Tomorrow I want to try and swim using my legs now with a slight kick. Yea.......Thanks If I sink you will know it was not a good idea..if I make it I will write about it...((smile))

 

[referee54]

I know there are a few PT on here or I think there are. MY therapy was over two weeks ago I guess cause no one ever came back.
My question is do I continue the exersizes or am I done? Wouldn't you think they might tell you it was their last visit and.......But no nothing.

So I am not sure what I can or can't do and I am on like week 10 post. No chance of asking my Doc, he is impossible to get a hold of so you sort of have to go sit there for 5 hours with an appt. Not doing that either.

Just in general can someone tell e if I can swim laps in the pool now with my hip? Can I bend at all from knee? I haven't tried to touch my feet at all for fear instilled about hip. Thanks anyone....

I feel that exercises now are part of our way of life. We should never stop doing some sort of PT.

AS for what you can do, I do feel that your OS or somebody in your PT regimen should be advising you as to what you can do, what you should be attempting, and what is out of bounds for the time being, or forever.

Does your orhto surgeon have some type of physician's ***'t or somebody tht will take the time to talk to you about your case I am puzzled, as mine were very communicative about my questions and concerns. That is there job, afterall, is it not?

Tim C.

 

[bnew]

I am 8 weeks post and when I went to see my OS a couple of weeks ago, he pretty much told me I could do anything. And I asked a TON of questions! He said yes to pilates, swimming, roller coasters, any cardio machines etc. He did say to still not cross the surgery leg over the other and he told me not to squat down to the floor (I used to do that a lot being a teacher). Basically what I've found is that if I don't keep exercising, then I feel like my situation gets worse; I have more pain. I agree with Tim - the more you do, the stronger and better the new hip will be.
Bridget

 

[*gmac*]

Sunshine-
When is your next surgery scheduled? We all know what it's like to strengthen the muscles prior to surgery, It will only help the recovery after it.

 

[sunshine]

gmac
, It isn't scheduled as of yet just the appt to bring in an x-ray of the left hip. Then I suppose he will set it up. I hope so because this is wonderful not being in the pain I was but still am in a chair when not using walker due to pain in bad leg. So it is very frustrating to want to go and not be able to.

 

[sunshine]

Tim,
Yes it is their job and probably if I would have had another appt he would have told me everything but he used my er appt due to slight problem with incision (stitches not disolved) as my regular appt only it was a few weeks early. Sp probably when I see him for that I can get the goods o the rest. I know that sounds crazy but the guy just goes 24/7 I don't know how, his office is like full, only him. I just hope he stay alive long enough to do my other hip. But he just isn't a talker, he will answer you but adds nothing..you know typical make talk..Lol Not like us who tell everything.

 

[JudyS]

Sunshine,
I know what you mean about that type of Doc. Just a few word answers and no elaboration.
I am very lucky with my hip surgeon as I usually have a list and when I go to check it, he ususally has already answered 90% of the questions.

My spine surgeon, on the other hand, runs around like crazy, a little hyper, and last time as he was walking out the door, I said wait a minute and he did come back in and sit down. Still not much elaboration. I will see him next monday and have a lot of questions.

I would still think that you could call his nurse or medical assistant.
When you said you drove in a previous email, was that the first time?
I am a little over 5 weeks and have not driven yet. It still hurts to move my leg up and over between peddles. Also it is a very slow process.

Judy

 

[*gmac*]

Tim,
Yes it is their job and probably if I would have had another appt he would have told me everything but he used my er appt due to slight problem with incision (stitches not disolved) as my regular appt only it was a few weeks early. Sp probably when I see him for that I can get the goods o the rest. I know that sounds crazy but the guy just goes 24/7 I don't know how, his office is like full, only him. I just hope he stay alive long enough to do my other hip. But he just isn't a talker, he will answer you but adds nothing..you know typical make talk..Lol Not like us who tell everything.

It's almost like in the hospital where you have to ask for everything. (Only problem this is all new and we don't know what to ask)
I know when I went for my six week check up my wife Jackie was in the room with me. That girl has no problems with slowing people down with "...and what if...?". I would try writing all concerns and questions on an index card at the next visit. You might even start by telling the OS (politely) that you have concerns that are serious to you and he hasn't addressed them on your previous visit. Hopefully you will hear his sneakers screech to a halt. (I know it's easier said than done).
-Gary

 

[sunshine]

Yes Judy, I could call, the problem is getting thru. I think they take all phones and busy them till like 3. I used to drive out there before when I could get around better and say what the hell is going on here? They get their work done one day gave me a back line but I lost it.
Yes I have been driving, I use a pillow and a dry cleaner bag to slide in easily. My new hip leg is fine, it is the other hip that hurts pretty bad now in the groin area when I bend it to get in the car. I am a little nervous but ok with it. I am sure that leg doesn't have as good circulation in it and will not be as easy as my right one was.

 

[sunshine]

Gary, It is funny you said that because on here before surgery everyone knew exactly what they were getting and discussing it. I felt like an idiot because he told me nothing till like the last second. When I asked about things to get or have he said they will tell you at the hospital? Well, good thing I was here or I wouldn't have had my potty chair in place and I raised my bed. I think he thinks his girls take care of it all or something.
I to once waited like 4 hours and he was out of the room and I yelled wait I have another question! He came back smiling, I don't think he does it on purpose he just has too many patients to see. And I forget by the time I do see him so a card is good and my daughter is like your wife, she can stop a freight train if need be! Lol

 

[westexas]

At my one month checkup, I was told to go home and do lots of walking...PERIOD...Duh...I did not know what to do....At nine weeks which should have been around six weeks, I got in touch with my PT friend. She had me come in to be evaluated and said get on our Maintenance program.

Now you have to realize, I am actually working out at a PT facility. Huge pool, large Gym and the best of two worlds. If I did something I should not, they are right there.

I started the pool by walking and then doing massive leg exercises from a bar in the pool. I also do laps but that is with the noodle between the legs using arms and legs like a bike. In the gym I ride a RECUMBANT bike and just bought one for home. I do leg presses, exercises for the abductor muscle and leg extensions. I use those bands(the different colored ones) around my ankle to also exercise that upper muscle.

Then I come home and crash and burn....lol....

EXERCISE is the only way any of us is going to get better. Sad thing for me, the other hip is really throwing on the arthritis BUT I have to get the left newbie at it's best before the next hip adventure. At 5 months post, I am still having problems and the only way that will help the new one is keeping up with my own PT....Patty

 

[JudyS]

Hi Sunshine,
I have a wonderful gastro doc. I had the same problem getting through to his office. Took hours to be lucky enough to get through, then you are put on hold (I timed it at 16 min.) Then I ask my question and am put on hold again for 10 min (timed again). Often someone would come back then and go , can I help you!!!
When I do now get through and ask to have the doc call me ,he is really wonderful and will stay on the phone for a long time. On the first phone conversation with him, I told him how difficult it was to get through.
He said he was going to talk with his partners. Well, he actually did, it all got cleared up!!!
Of course I told him I was sure he could afford to hire extra people!!!
But of course I said he was really special and keeps up with all parts of my crazy life.

Judy