Scott -Observation for you

[YoungM]

Scott -

I was just browsing your blog and wanted to comment on your below post. I just wanted to let you know that I had the same experience with the laying leg lifts. I had SO much pain when lifting my leg a few inches. However, all of a sudden, one week (about week 7) there was absolutely no pain at all with this exercise. It was amazing how it just stopped. I hope you have the same experience! ~Melissa


I've been improving every day. I'm really pleased with my progress and apparently so is my physical therapist. At 3 1/2 weeks post-op (yesterday) he gave me one final new exercise and said he trusted me to continue working hard but he also trusted me not to over-extend myself (literally and physically).

The latest exercise he is having me do is a lying leg abduction, which is just like the standing one I've already been doing, except (obviously) lying down. I lay on my non-operated leg and with both legs fully extended raise the operated leg a few inches and then bring it back down.

I've been doing this standing up since the first week post-op and have been getting better at it each time. There really is no pain doing it when standing and I can extend probably 60-70 degrees now.

Doing this lying down is a totally different story. There is so much more leverage against the hip and muscles on the outside of the leg, such as the IT band. This is where the bulk of my incision is so it's no surprise that it hurts.

I'll just keep working it and it will get better.

 

[Troweltalk]

What hurts and seems almost impossible one week, is tough the next, moderate the next and not so bad the week after that.

Pretty soon you'll wonder what was so hard... just part of the healing and rehabilitation process.

 

[Judles]

That's so true, Mud!!!! The healing process is wonderful!!

 

[aussie]

Not only wonderful, it is amazing what our bodies can go through and come out smiling at the other end.

 

[Josephine]

I had SO much pain when lifting my leg a few inches. However, all of a sudden, one week (about week 7) there was absolutely no pain at all with this exercise. It was amazing how it just stopped.

This is so bizzarre as it sounds exactly like tourniquet pain. But of course - they don't use a tourniquet for a hip op!

 

[Scott]

Scott -

I was just browsing your blog and wanted to comment on your below post. I just wanted to let you know that I had the same experience with the laying leg lifts. I had SO much pain when lifting my leg a few inches. However, all of a sudden, one week (about week 7) there was absolutely no pain at all with this exercise. It was amazing how it just stopped. I hope you have the same experience! ~Melissa

Thanks so much, Melissa, for the comments. I've continued to do them each day and they are getting easier but I still have some pain. I'm definitely not concerned but am surprised how much harder it is lying down versus standing up. Just didn't think about the difference in leverage.

And thanks for reading

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

Oh, I know all about those dreaded leg lifts. They are called anti-gravity leg lifts. The first time I did them was at 6 weeks and the PT put an ankle weight on and told me to raise my leg. WHAT?! First off, I was nervous about being on the un-operated side, sooo taboo from my doctors perspective. Secondly, I could just about do the standing ones! I guess the look of abject horror on my face scared her and she said "never mind" and quickly took the weight off. She actually had to stand behind me and assist in lifting the leg at first. It was rough and scary then but now, not soo bad. I can do 3 sets of 12 but am struggling with the last few. Still have not graduated to a weighted lift. A work in progress I guess!

 

[Laurie]

Hi, I remember the leg lifts lying on my back were the hardest. Had ankle weights too. But just a dim memory now and will be soon for you too.

Still getting stronger as I power walk up and down hills--at almost 9 months.

All good.

Laurie