Range of motion post-op

[Scott]

For those of you who are at least a few months removed from surgery...

When and how did your range of motion improve? I'm in week 4 and I know I have some more weeks observing the 90 degree rule, but I'm curious how I will go about getting my ROM improved when I'm set free of the rules.

Just wanted to get some feedback before my next meeting with the OS.

 

[Texas]

Sorry Scott I am a knee. Just wanted ya to know Im pulling for ya!! I know you will be fine and will be bending great in no time...Kim

 

[Scott]

Sorry Scott I am a knee. Just wanted ya to know Im pulling for ya!! I know you will be fine and will be bending great in no time...Kim

Thanks, Kim! I appreciate the vote of confidence.

 

[prairienut]

Hi Scott, I am at 6 weeks+ and just had restrictions lifted. Along witih more advanced strength exercises, I am now doing some stretching exercises to help me be able to tie shoes and put on socks and also to rest my foot (on the operated side) on my opposite knee. Both of these exercises use external rotation of the operated leg to reduce any risk of dislocation. In other words, my knees are apart in both exercises, and in the first, I am reaching down between my knees towards my foot. These exercises should be done under the supervision of a PT. OS's seem to vary widely in the restrictions they push. Even though my OS said "no restrictions" I am easing into the increased flexion gradually. My PT said he was going to give me a third exercise next week. In the meantime, I am trying to get back to more normal activities such as pulling weeds, crawling around the garden, sitting in low chairs, getting in and out of low cars. All of these are flexing the hip joint more than the 90 degrees and day by day I am getting more flexible. In any case, it's probably a good idea for us hippies to avoid extreme internal rotation combined with extreme flexion of the hip.

Good luck with your OS visit.
Gail

 

[mdakota]

scott i wonder that too. i get excited when i think about all ill be able to do . 21/2 weeks june 8th is my first big day

 

[Scott]

Hi Scott, I am at 6 weeks+ and just had restrictions lifted. Along witih more advanced strength exercises, I am now doing some stretching exercises to help me be able to tie shoes and put on socks and also to rest my foot (on the operated side) on my opposite knee. Both of these exercises use external rotation of the operated leg to reduce any risk of dislocation. In other words, my knees are apart in both exercises, and in the first, I am reaching down between my knees towards my foot. These exercises should be done under the supervision of a PT. OS's seem to vary widely in the restrictions they push. Even though my OS said "no restrictions" I am easing into the increased flexion gradually. My PT said he was going to give me a third exercise next week. In the meantime, I am trying to get back to more normal activities such as pulling weeds, crawling around the garden, sitting in low chairs, getting in and out of low cars. All of these are flexing the hip joint more than the 90 degrees and day by day I am getting more flexible. In any case, it's probably a good idea for us hippies to avoid extreme internal rotation combined with extreme flexion of the hip.

Good luck with your OS visit.
Gail

Thanks a lot for the comments, Gail. It's great for me to hear progress like yours. My therapist talked to me about how much safer external rotation is. I've been pretty active already I'm just ready to start stretching like you!

When you get that new exercise/stretch, please post it if you don't mind.

 

[JudyS]

Scott
My range of motion with my new hip is so much better than the original left hip. I started swimming at 4 weeks and swam a lot for the next 5 months. I did a lot of the frog kick always wondering if it was allowed.
Anyway way back at about 10 weeks my doc commented on how great my range of motion was. He did not even take it to any limits saying he did not want to dislocate it in his office.
I credit it all to swimming.
judy

 

[mdakota]

judy that is a great idea. i've been thinking about joining our local community center they have a pool. i look forward to alot of things like standing and walking without pain. and being able to bicycle and swim are great, but i've never had more then a 30 degree external rotation on either leg so i think that will amaze me the most. can you sit indian style. is that exceptable? i've never done it and i really look forward to trying it.

 

[Judles]

Yes! You will be able to sit indian style!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!

 

[Laurie]

Hi,
At 9 months out from RTHR and at 56 yrs old, the ROM is my last thing to conquer. I can sit indian style now but still not comfortable with right leg. Working on that when I think of it.

I bet that the longer we have been w/o ROM (for me it has been over 20 years since I have been able to sit cross legged) the harder it is to get range back. (Bet Melissa is already heads and shoulders ahead of me for that reason!!!)

Just my 2 cents.

Laurie

 

[Judles]

Hi Laurie! We've missed you! Isn't this weather FINaLLY gorgeous? Just returning from our fave nursery! I know I bit off way more than I could chew! I'll be planting for weeks at this rate! Hope all is well with you!

 

[TBONE]

Range of motion is still a bit of a problem for me. I am doing great compared to pre-surgery, but still not at all flexible. I am hoping to start swimming soon and I also hope that swimming will help a great deal. I just can't seem to get to the pool. Other than that. I do a fair amount of stretching, some weightlifting, and exercises, especially squats (with no weight). Still, while flexibility is a bit of a problem, I am now able to do things I haven't done in 20 years.
Tom

 

[leosmom]

.. Both of these exercises use external rotation of the operated leg to reduce any risk of dislocation. In other words, my knees are apart in both exercises, and in the first, I am reaching down between my knees towards my foot...

I've been doing that exercise too. But I find it works better if I do after I have taken my walk, maybe because muscles are warmed up. What is the second exercise, Gail? Thanks for asking the question Scott, it appears even at 11 weeks my ROM is still a challenge!

 

[PRGal]

I sometimes hesitate to post responses to questions like this since my experiences seem to be often markedly different, mostly because of anterior approach. But with that caveat, here goes:

I could bend from the waist & pick things up off the floor by 4 weeks, as well as raise my knees to my chest while lying down. Leg raises (any & all, standing or lying down) were no problem & I could comfortably sit cross-legged (Indian-style) by 6 weeks. I'm 58 & definitely neither a gym rat nor athletic, just normally active. While there's probably not much difference at 6+ months out, I'm really happy at the difference this muscle-sparing approach made in those early weeks!

You're young & seem to be quite fit--bet once those muscles are fully healed, your progress will be off the charts!:thmb:

 

[Judles]

Excellent progress report, PR!!!!!

 

[mdakota]

Yes! You will be able to sit indian style!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!

how cool now i'm even more excited.

 

[Laurie]

Hi Judi, What happened to that dinner? Yes, life has been busy, especially my work. but now happy news as my daughter and bf have just become engaged. Know you have been through this happy time. Looking forward to this new phase in life and now I can keepup!!!

Laurie

 

[Judles]

Laurie.....I am so delighted for you!The best thing is that now you'll be able to enjoy all the wonderful wedding arrangements pain free! Give your daughter a big hug! Now we really have something together!!!

 

[Judles]

To celebrate together, Laurie!!!

 

[mvo]

Hi Scott,
I think Judy’s idea is great about the swimming – I started using the new endless pool at my gym a few months before the surgery and am still doing at least two 20 minute sessions a week. It is quite addictive. For the first 5 mins in the pool both hips feel quite stiff, but after that all feels fine.

I am not awfully flexible – at the moment I can’t touch my toes – I get my wrists just past my knees and that is it. I am still doing the PT exercises and have a limited range of motion in the new hip (but No pain!) and more range of motion in the un-operated hip, but with pain. I Know which one I’d rather have

The lack of flexibility does not really worry me. I’ll settle for being able to do a heap of walking and cycling, pain free.

All the best,
Monica