Self-rehab - THA soon

[Scott]

Hi. Want to first say thanks for all the informative posts in this forum. I've read quite a lot and have gleaned very good information. I'm 37, male, and getting total replacement in less than two weeks. I had a complete break of the femoral neck when I was 14, requiring three screws to repair. I had the screws removed several years later and have been very active most of my life.

Most recently, I've been an avid runner. I've run a marathon, two halfs, and many 5 and 10Ks. The pain started getting worse recently and I finally gave in and got it checked. Unknowing to me, the weight-bearing portion of my hip/socket was grinding bone-on-bone. There is almost no cartilage left. It seems to be mostly due to the additional bone that grew around the break, but I've suffered with arthritis for years and I knew I would eventually have to get another surgery done. Just didn't realize it would be this quick.

I had already done a lot of research before seeing the ortho, on this site and others, and had planned on probably getting a resurfacing done primarily because I felt like it was the best option to allow me to get back to hard, physical activity. My first ortho recommended I see a second ortho who was a hip specialist. When I saw him he noticed that my right leg (bad one) was shorter than the left by about 3/4 inch. I've always known it was but just learned to deal with it. He said he could gain a slight amount with a resurfacing but not much. He said with a full replacement he could get the full length even with the left leg. I've had some lower back problems over the years due to the length discrepancy, so the decision was an easy one for me.

I'm not scared. I'm actually very excited about getting this done. I've dealt with pain and limited flexibility for so many years I'm ready for better times. The ortho is going to use a Wright prosthetic that is metal on metal and a larger head and socket to allow me to get back to hard activity. I'm actually going to switch to cycling to help lengthen the life of my new equipment.

Anyway, sorry for being so wordy to get to the point, but I felt it was relevant. I would like to hear about folks who have been able to rehab at home with some direction. I'm lucky in that I work from home, but I won't be able to drive for at least two weeks and I really don't want to impose on my wife and other family members to drive me back and forth to PT. I'm already in very good shape and think I could do my own thing but I wanted to hear from some others' experiences.

 

[Judles]

Hi Scott! Welcome to Bonesmart! I'm a hippie, too and had RTHR on 11/07/08....Its
Amazing surgery! Being that you're athletic will definitely help you
In the healing process!
I also have metal on metal,,Biomet which my OS thought would be the best fit for me! As
Long as you are going with an experiences surgeon, you will be miles ahead of the game!
Do you have a date for your surgery? .My OS made me wait 6 weeks before I could resume
Driving,,,you better recondider the 2 you're thinking!
BTW...we LOVE wordy here! Good luck!

 

[Peta]

Hi Scott and welcome! I had LTHR on 23rd Oct last year - it's absolutely wonderful surgery! I agree with Judles though - I wasn't allowed to drive before my 6 week check-up, so don't count on being able to do so after only two! As to the home PT - I was shown exercises etc while still in hospital, and then at around the 4 week mark I attended a physiotherapist once a week for about a month. The rest I did at home (and I am definitely NOT athletic! LOL) I used my pool almost every day and found that helped enormously with getting muscle strength back. I would think you would certainly be able to re-hab at home successfully, provided you are shown initially what to work on. Good luck, and let us know when you have a definite date!

Peta

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to the forum, Scott. So glad that you have benefited from the posts of our members and even MORE important....that you decided to post yourself!!

I am from the knee side, but I did all of my therapy at home. I had 6 weeks of sessions (it takes more for a knee than a hip) and it worked GREAT. I chose to do it at home because I had a wonderful therapist and it just seemed right for me. I was used to working with a trainer and had a pretty good idea of what to do. In fact, many times I was ahead of the therapist on exercises just because I DID know something about it. She loved it!

So in my opinion, that's a great way to go. My only caution would be just not to push yourself too hard. Your body will rebel if you do and you'll get swelling and pain. Slow and steady works much better.

 

[HopAlong]

Hi Scott,
I remember feeling exactly how you feel. The pain and discomfort eventually reaches a point where you are more excited than fearful.
I too was not happy about burdoning my family, because I am so used to being the self sufficient one, but having this procedure taught me that it is okay to accept help from my family. In fact, it actually helped me to feel closer to my husband and son than ever before. For the first time they were helping me, and I was seeing them in a new light. I was no longer too busy to notice or fully appreciate how much they mean to me.
It made me also realize that I should have allowed them to help me more often even before the surgery, because I now see that it gives them pride and makes them feel good about themselves to help me.

Hop

 

[Jamie]

Beautifully said, Hop!!! I hope LOTS of people see this post!

 

[Judles]

Oh Hop,,,,that's so sweet!! My hubby was the BEST too! Something about our vulnerability brings out their sweetness!

 

[HopAlong]

Thanks Jamie & Judlees.... isn't it true that we sometimes get wrapped up in things, and don't realize how our loved ones want feel good about helping too?

 

[Jamie]

Yes, it IS true. That's why I believe that some of the worst things in life (like having to have major joint surgery) can be such a blessing. You are forced to slow down and reflect on what is really important in life. We don't do enough of that these days in this fast-paced world.

 

[Judles]

And this forum is a blessing for all of us!

 

[YoungM]

Well said Hop! Scott -welcome to the board!! I had a RTHR on 3/17/09. So far I have had about 6 sessions of in-patient home therapy. At this point, I know the exercises and will continue without the therapist until I see the my doctor and go to out-patient therapy. Therefore, you may be able to drive yourself by that time. I also have a 6 week restriction on driving.

Melissa

 

[JudyS]

Welcome Scott,
I am 51 and very active , had my right hip replaced in June. Wonderful surgery, you will be so happy.
My doc did not give me a specific drive time restriction, but I waited until 6 weeks. It was my right hip though.

I had home pt for 3 weeks. My doc did not send me to outpatient after that. I was anxious to get back to the gym and not sure of which exercises would be in line with my hip precautions so I went to a pt gym for a few weeks. It was not necessary. I did have problems with my ITband and the therapist did massage (the hurting kind) the heck out of it. All the strengthening exercises are certainly ok to do on your own.

Good Luck with your surgery
judy

 

[Scott]

Wow. Didn't expect so many responses so quickly. You folks are great!

I gave the wrong impression on driving. The nurse told me I would have to see the OS at two weeks and at a very minimum I was not to drive before that. The OS would evaluate then and give me a better idea when I would be able to. I had hoped it wouldn't be too long but it seems like 6 weeks is pretty common. A bit disappointing to be that long but a small price to pay

I have upset my wife many times over the years with my darn independent nature, so I know the responses here are correct. I just have always had a hard time letting anyone help me with anything. My wife is a great caretaker when I don't get in the way.

It's good to hear about so many of you being able to do some in-home therapy. Thanks so much for sharing. I have other questions related to that. I understand from reading several posts on this board that lots of walking is expected, but I would love to hear some details on that, such as how much and how often.

Also, at what point can you start using an elliptical or stationary bike? And lastly, when can you start riding a real bike? I'm not looking for absolutes, because I know that's not feasible - just examples and experiences and generalities.

 

[Josephine]

Well, you've already discovered this is the right place to ask questions!

 

[Scott]

Oh, and my surgery is April 16th.

 

[Judles]

Scott! Each of us heals at our diffferent stages, & also our OS's instructions,,,
, Your 6 week visit most of the restrictions will be lifted anyway!

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

I was going to say the same thing - you will have to follow instructions from your OS. I was OK'd to drive and return to the gym after three weeks. Every doctor is a little different. Good luck with everything! You are young and in great shape so I am sure your recovery will be quick!

 

[JudyS]

Scott
Do you know what type of approach your doc is doing? Posterior or anterior? Restrictions vary a lot with that.
I was told at my 2 week visit to wait one more week, then I could start swimming. Off I went and turned into a regular at the pool, getting up to a mile per day in a few weeks. I was not previously a swimmer either. I was a mountain trail runner and really need exercise a lot to stay sane. Also not a good patient person with myself. I did learn to be as this was very important to me to heal properly and quickly.

I started going to the pt gym a few weeks later. When I went for my 6 week visit my doc was surprised that I had not started driving yet. I hadn't felt ready. My home pt person wanted me to at about 4 weeks . We went out to my car and she saw that my motion from brake to gas was not too smooth, so gave me an exercise to build that up. I did start right after my doc visit. Honestly , I am a mom taxi , so I held off driving as long as I could, enjoying walking.
Oh on walking, when I started swimming at a little over 3 weeks, I walked to the pool which was about 1/2 mile each way. My hip complained loudly the first week (losts of pain)my pt told me I should have only walked a little, but I did continue the routine about 4 days per week and all was well.

After that I just added more and more walking after swimming (and taking a nap). At 3 months all restrictions were lifted and the next day I hiked my local trail up to a stream about 1 and 1/2 miles each way and pretty strenuous. Then I headed to the pool. Life was good!!!!!

About 6 weeks later I was hiking to the top of local mountain peaks on a weekly basis.
I did get on my bike, although hiking is my favourite, so I can not remember when, but no problems.

you will be so happy, it is great surgery.
judy
ask any questions

 

[Scott]

Hi Judy. I don't know which approach he is taking. I didn't even think to ask that. Great to hear about the swimming. I'm not a big swimmer either but was at one time. Just lost interest for some reason. I figured swimming would be good for recovery. I also bought an aqua jogger belt, so hopefully I can use it during recovery as well.

When you walked to the pool did you do it with a cane or walker? Sounds like you recovered very well!

Thanks for sharing about all your experiences. Very helpful!

 

[TBONE]

Scott-I wanted to wish you the very best on your upcoming surgery. I had BTHR on April 1, 2009, and I am already far better off than before surgery. I also had a leg length difference, about 3/8", so not as much as yours, but still a factor. I am 51 y.o. and had my ailment since my pre-teens. Because you are fit, I feel certain that your recovery will be swift. Please just remember to let the recovery come to you a bit, and don't overdo it too much.
Tom