THR RTHR Recovery - UK - 65 year old woman

[Klassy]

I can’t find them now and I can’t remember where they came from, sorry. It might have been SportsDirect. I think they were called aqua shoes, fitted tight like ballet slippers, and had little rubber pimples on the soles. They cost less than £10 and seemed satisfactorily non slip when I tried them out in the shower, but I never tried them for real.

 

[myglasshalffull]

There's probably someone to assist you getting in and out of the pool??? Hopefully!
Both my sons have pools and last summer enjoyed pool time while still on cane. Had help getting in and then just held onto sides of pool until I found a spot to sit. They have stairs going into pool but still scary to slip so I understand the anxiety.
Just checking "Y" here in my neighborhood, they have water aerobics so definitely going to look into that.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

near Malvern.

Not far at all @Klassy.
Swimming is my go to exercise of choice anyway so if nothing else it’ll get me into the pool (warmer than usual I think) and let me see how I feel and maybe just going swimming on a regular basis after the hydrotherapy sessions end.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

Coming to the end of week 11.
Averaging 1.5 miles walking a day. Not doing my exercises as religiously as I was so I must get back to that because I’m sure they were helping.
Finally gave up the pillow between the legs but still back sleeping, mostly without any problems. Not comfortable on OS and haven’t yet tried non OS. Just don’t really feel I need to after all that fuss beforehand about how I’d manage back sleeping.
I can also now get my sock off the operated side without the grabber.
Weight has reduced a little bit, any tiny amount off is less to carry.
Using two sticks to stop the limp, one or nine in the house. Need to build up the muscles on the OS which are really weak.
Small steps forward, all going reasonably well if a little slower than I’d like, but improving is good.

 

[lanstan]

I love water walking. You put a float belt around your waist, go to the start of the deal end and head to the deep end all the while not touching the bottom. Works your arms and legs and (bonus)you dont get your hair wet.Some people call it water jogging. You can look it up on google

 

[Merrimay]

Hi @Gloucestergal65 , I did arthritis water aerobics for years and used what are called pool shoes. Many are designed specifically for water aerobics and rehab. You can find good ones online. They are a bit like little socks with excellent traction.

I've never had hydrotherapy, but I've peeked into many a room set aside for it. Getting in and out of the pool should not be hard for you because they have hydraulic chairs that lower and raise patients into the pool. I've seen special wheelchairs that carry patients into the water on ramps. Lots of tools should be at your disposal to make your entrances and exits comfortable and safe. Good luck! I hope this new therapy works wonders.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

Week 12
Met my Italian group for the first time in ages face to face. So much nicer than on Zoom. 25 minutes drive each way and I arrived a bit early so was able to walk for 20 minutes after the drive there.
A friend called in the afternoon and dropped off a jigsaw. Not something I normally have time for but I have enjoyed doing some while recovering and not being as busy as usual. And when I was struggling to have enough concentration for reading.
And my first hydrotherapy session in the evening. The water was nice and warm and I managed to get some pool shoes so I felt less vulnerable to slipping poolside. There were steps and a rail to get in and plastic garden chairs to sit on to help with changing. I was in the water for about an hour working on a range of exercises all of which felt so much easier to do. A strange sensation getting out of the water, your body feels so heavy climbing the steps out. My legs were quite trembly when I got out from working so hard.
Today I have a slight all over achey, stuff feeling telling me I’ve been using all my muscles but so far nothing telling me I overdid it. Fingers crossed I didn’t.
I thoroughly recommend it and look forward to five more sessions.
Just to add I’ve averaged 1.6 miles a day in February, 1.2 miles a day in January. Not sure what to aim for in March. I might just see how it goes and at least not dip below the current average.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Rest day! All sounds great

 

[Gloucestergal65]

Bit tired this afternoon and a bit headachey. Probably a bit dehydrated and in need of a rest as you say @myglasshalffull

 

[Gloucestergal65]

I have a question. Have any UK peeps investigated the One Step Program for gait training?
I seem to remember @Jamie or was it @Jaycey or @Layla was a One Step Program Ambassador and that joining the program via Bonesmart gave us a discount. I can’t now find that information.
My walking asymmetry according to my phone varies between 60% and 100%. It always seems more like 100% when I concentrate on the ‘heel toe’ walking.
Still using two sticks outside but wondered whether this program would be helpful for improving my gait. And whether it’s available to us in the UK.
In week 12 now.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

End of week 12. Still on two sticks to try and stop limping. Will it ever happen?
A visit to a garden in the Cotswolds today. A walled garden, a woodland walk, some uneven ground, a bit hilly in parts, a friend’s car (hills and a friend’s car were new). All coped with plus a cushion less seat in the cafe. My friend had to carry the coffee to the table though.
Small steps forward.
Lovely display of hellebores and snowdrops.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

@Gloucestergal65 saw on another thread you were looking for this!

 

[Gloucestergal65]

Today is my 3 month anniversary on RTHR. I had a lovely day out with friends doing a printmaking workshop (etching) and laughing and chatting along the way. The drive was just over an hour in my friend’s car and I wasn’t too stiff at either end. At least I didn’t have to drive. Stratford-upon-Avon looked lovely in the sunshine and made me think I need a day out there just to look around.
I still can’t cut my toenails or tie my shoelaces on the operated side and I am a bit tender around the incision area and above my knee but not even sore enough to take painkillers.I am using bio oil to massage the scar and the numbness is fading although it all still feels a bit lumpy.
I’m still using two sticks when walking outside because of my limp but my walking asymmetry is sometimes down in the 50% range. And I’m averaging 1.8 miles a day although the snowy, sleety weather didn’t help earlier this week and kept me indoors all day one day. Not good for my mental health though.
I’m generally feeling a lot less anxious and a lot more confident that I can get out there and get on with life. But pacing myself and recognising it’s going to be a long haul.
Looking forward to a weekend away at the seaside in a couple of weeks time and depending on how that goes I’m beginning to feel the urge to replan some of the trips I missed out on during Covid.
Thanks again to BS for the help and support of complete strangers. What a wonderful place this!

 

[Newhip_Pol]

Sounds as if you are progressing well @Gloucestergal65 - Hellebores, snowdrops and now Stratford-upon-Avon all sound wonderful - Congrats on your 3 months anniversary.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
Great to read you spent time out today with friends and even enjoyed some sunshine. Clipping nails and tying shoes will come, but it may take awhile. Remember heel-toe walking as it does seem to help when you're limping.
The prospect of recovery can feel overwhelming early on so it's good to read you're feeling less anxious.
I wish you all things good as you continue on your healing journey!
@Gloucestergal65

 

[Mojo333]

Splendid update...
Things will keep improving and getting some salt air and Vitamin D will certainly help.
Your range of motion will surely improve as you heal more... I remember waking every morning with all the tightness making me feel I was beginning anew every day.
It would work out as I got mobile, just to freeze up again at night.
It will get there!

 

[Gloucestergal65]

I have a question about the incision site and scar tissue. When they make the cut, do they go through all the layers in one go? Or is it possible that the cuts in deeper layers are not quite aligned to the surface cut?
I’ve got some bumpy, slightly tender areas near the incision line and I wondered why.
Just out of curiosity really.
I am massaging them with bio oil regularly so hopefully they’ll disappear in time.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

6,500 steps today. Checking back there have only been 3 occasions when I have walked this far in the last year and I remember suffering afterwards. 10 September in Dungeness, 22 June in Manchester, 27 April 2022 in Randwick Woods.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

Later the same week. Tummy gripes on Tuesday and Wednesday. I thought I might have pulled a muscle doing Hydro but in the end I decided it was caused by constipation from dehydration. They did tell me to drink plenty of water after the session which I probably didn’t.
Then yesterday I had lower back pain, something I’ve suffered from time to time for 25 years. Painkillers and regular movement seem to have sorted it out (touchwood). Perhaps the 6,500 steps were a bit much!
Going gently today - a short walk so far 1,500 steps and I notice that my walking asymmetry is down to 33%. I don’t know when it was last that low. Faster steps too and a longer stride. Still with two sticks but it endorses the little and often view rather than pushing ahead.

 

[Jaycey]

@Gloucestergal65 Hydrotherapy is a tricky one. When you are weightless you tend to do more. As with any new activity - gradually increase.

Have a restful Friday!