THR Severe stiffness where my leg won't hang straight
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
I remember that feeling when I got to recovery! The joy of know it was done and dusted and I lived to tell all!
Wow - your family sure hides their age well!
I remember that feeling when I got to recovery! The joy of know it was done and dusted and I lived to tell all!
Wow - your family sure hides their age well!
C Mac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Hi Lisa,
WOW, two hours of exercising at home each day -- that is amazing!! I did 6 weeks of PT and it wasn't until close to the end that I ventured out to ride the exercise bike for 20 minutes on Saturdays. I would do some gentle stretching on the days that I didn't have PT but I did not have the capacity, whether it was strength or stamina, to exercise on the off days. I did do general walking around for shopping, library, school trips and a lot of driving -- which I considered "exercise" in a more minimal sense. My body usually told me if I'd overdone it, often with an unpleasant sense of inflammation down my entire leg that would require some meds and an ice pack.
I didn't get the exercise where you hang your hip over the table with a weight as in the anterior approach that could be a dislocation issue. I went on the treadmill at a slow walking pace and gradually worked on allowing my leg to be pulled back as I walked. I was a bit gimpy looking doing it, but it helped tremendously and I still do it on the treadmill now to open up my stride.
I am still struggling with my ROM and feel it takes an amazing amount of mental and physical energy to make my legs move in a "normal" fashion when walking. My hip joint still seems a bit stiff and that contributes to some discomfort that I feel in both my knee and my lower back. I find that exercise helps to get the blood flowing in my leg and my ROM improves.
I can relate to that feeling of having a steel rod up the back -- go easy, some of that relates to the stretching and adjusting that we have going on with our femur being lengthened and the LLD corrections. I asked the PA the other day if I was done with the internal stretching yet (I'm at 5 months) she says that it can take a year and that my stretching continues...
Your family has good genes, you and your sister look to be about 30 something from the picture that you shared!!
Take care,
Cardie
Hi Lisa,
WOW, two hours of exercising at home each day -- that is amazing!! I did 6 weeks of PT and it wasn't until close to the end that I ventured out to ride the exercise bike for 20 minutes on Saturdays. I would do some gentle stretching on the days that I didn't have PT but I did not have the capacity, whether it was strength or stamina, to exercise on the off days. I did do general walking around for shopping, library, school trips and a lot of driving -- which I considered "exercise" in a more minimal sense. My body usually told me if I'd overdone it, often with an unpleasant sense of inflammation down my entire leg that would require some meds and an ice pack.
I didn't get the exercise where you hang your hip over the table with a weight as in the anterior approach that could be a dislocation issue. I went on the treadmill at a slow walking pace and gradually worked on allowing my leg to be pulled back as I walked. I was a bit gimpy looking doing it, but it helped tremendously and I still do it on the treadmill now to open up my stride.
I am still struggling with my ROM and feel it takes an amazing amount of mental and physical energy to make my legs move in a "normal" fashion when walking. My hip joint still seems a bit stiff and that contributes to some discomfort that I feel in both my knee and my lower back. I find that exercise helps to get the blood flowing in my leg and my ROM improves.
I can relate to that feeling of having a steel rod up the back -- go easy, some of that relates to the stretching and adjusting that we have going on with our femur being lengthened and the LLD corrections. I asked the PA the other day if I was done with the internal stretching yet (I'm at 5 months) she says that it can take a year and that my stretching continues...
Your family has good genes, you and your sister look to be about 30 something from the picture that you shared!!
Take care,
Cardie
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LisaP
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Thank you so much Cardie.... I know have found about 3 of us that have that stiffness and we all have a congenital hip issue that we've lived with all our lives. For 54 years I walked on my left leg toes to try to correct the huge limp I had and even when I added lifts to my shoes I couldn't stop walking on my toes. My friends kept say "Lisa, toes DOWN"... I still do that. I think old habits die hard.. hehehee... but I'm doing my best to be mentally aware. My gait is so off kilter but after reading your posts and also a couple others, I see that I'm not alone and I have to learn the meaning of "patience". When I say I exercise 2 hours a day... the majority is stretching. No hard core for me. I have machines at home but my PT said "No" to them but I do use the "nu step" and do leg presses on other machines.
My family does have some great genes... we got them from my daddy. He didn't start getting a few grays until they diagnosed him with prostate cancer. He passed away 2 years ago and the majority of his hair was still dark brown. I have noticed little grays popping up since my surgery but I pluck them every couple weeks. When I start getting bald spots I guess it will be time to color my hair... heheheee! My sister in that picture just turned 60 and talk about looking great. She landed herself a hubby 15 years younger than her and I think she looks youngr than he does.
Has anyone else gain weight since their surgery? I worked so hard to lose 58 pounds and I've gained 10 pounds back since my surgery... it just ads to my depression. Any suggestions how to get it off while I'm still not moving that great? It's definitely adding to my post-op blues.
Again, thank you everyone for this site... you guys are the best and I know that I will send all my friends here if they have any bone issues they are conserned about.
<--- I love this little guy. hehehee!
Thank you so much Cardie.... I know have found about 3 of us that have that stiffness and we all have a congenital hip issue that we've lived with all our lives. For 54 years I walked on my left leg toes to try to correct the huge limp I had and even when I added lifts to my shoes I couldn't stop walking on my toes. My friends kept say "Lisa, toes DOWN"... I still do that. I think old habits die hard.. hehehee... but I'm doing my best to be mentally aware. My gait is so off kilter but after reading your posts and also a couple others, I see that I'm not alone and I have to learn the meaning of "patience". When I say I exercise 2 hours a day... the majority is stretching. No hard core for me. I have machines at home but my PT said "No" to them but I do use the "nu step" and do leg presses on other machines.
My family does have some great genes... we got them from my daddy. He didn't start getting a few grays until they diagnosed him with prostate cancer. He passed away 2 years ago and the majority of his hair was still dark brown. I have noticed little grays popping up since my surgery but I pluck them every couple weeks. When I start getting bald spots I guess it will be time to color my hair... heheheee! My sister in that picture just turned 60 and talk about looking great. She landed herself a hubby 15 years younger than her and I think she looks youngr than he does.
Has anyone else gain weight since their surgery? I worked so hard to lose 58 pounds and I've gained 10 pounds back since my surgery... it just ads to my depression. Any suggestions how to get it off while I'm still not moving that great? It's definitely adding to my post-op blues.
Again, thank you everyone for this site... you guys are the best and I know that I will send all my friends here if they have any bone issues they are conserned about.
<--- I love this little guy. hehehee!
nanamac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Hi Lisa . Sorry I'm jmust getting caught up with your thread. I was having a hard time myself for a while...
First of all, DON"T worry about the weight! When you are well on the road to recovery, you will be moving a lot more than you are now. It 's not important right now.
Secondly, my OS could only prescribe narcotic meds per hospital orders for just so long, and then I too was under the care of (and still am) of my GP. Pretty standard procedure in the US I think.
That being said, I am surprised they didn't give you percocet or vicodin. I think you are very undermedicated, especially trying to do so much exercise/PT all day. I think you are doing too much...
In any event. DON"T TOUGH IT OUT! If you need better [pain management, I would ask your GP for something stronger. I don't think you need a whole cocktail of 2 or 3, I think one stronger one will work better.
Anyway, just my two cents worth. I think you have been thru a lot, and will continue to have an uphill recovery given your past, but with time and patience, along with not pushing it too m uch, I think you will do just fine. Hang in there...you are doing fine!
Hi Lisa . Sorry I'm jmust getting caught up with your thread. I was having a hard time myself for a while...
First of all, DON"T worry about the weight! When you are well on the road to recovery, you will be moving a lot more than you are now. It 's not important right now.
Secondly, my OS could only prescribe narcotic meds per hospital orders for just so long, and then I too was under the care of (and still am) of my GP. Pretty standard procedure in the US I think.
That being said, I am surprised they didn't give you percocet or vicodin. I think you are very undermedicated, especially trying to do so much exercise/PT all day. I think you are doing too much...
In any event. DON"T TOUGH IT OUT! If you need better [pain management, I would ask your GP for something stronger. I don't think you need a whole cocktail of 2 or 3, I think one stronger one will work better.
Anyway, just my two cents worth. I think you have been thru a lot, and will continue to have an uphill recovery given your past, but with time and patience, along with not pushing it too m uch, I think you will do just fine. Hang in there...you are doing fine!
Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Lisa, I agree about not worrying about the weight right now. Some of it could still be water from the procedure itself. They pump you full of fluids, you know, and it can take a while for all that to get out of your system. Just be sure you are drinking lots of water each day and going light on the sodium.
Hooray for you and your sister!!! What a couple of young chicks!!! So nice to see both of your smiling faces.
Lisa, I agree about not worrying about the weight right now. Some of it could still be water from the procedure itself. They pump you full of fluids, you know, and it can take a while for all that to get out of your system. Just be sure you are drinking lots of water each day and going light on the sodium.
Hooray for you and your sister!!! What a couple of young chicks!!! So nice to see both of your smiling faces.
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LisaP
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Janet, Thank you so much for your advice. Seriously I don't feel I'm over exercising... if anything I wish they would let me do more. I just went on a shopping trip and I used my cane for the first time shopping. I shopped for 2 hours waiting for my little girl to get groomed.
![[Bonesmart.org] Severe stiffness where my leg won't hang straight](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/aimg-photobucket-com_albums_v141_monalisa57_lacey004-jpg.40653/ "[Bonesmart.org] Severe stiffness where my leg won't hang straight")
Janet, I've been on vicodin for 2 years and I'm just starting to wein myself off of it because my OS won't give me anymore. He gave me Tylenol 3 and diclofenac (worthless in my opinion)
Thank you for the advice.... I have a problem with patience, plus cabin fever is kicking in big time.
Janet, Thank you so much for your advice. Seriously I don't feel I'm over exercising... if anything I wish they would let me do more. I just went on a shopping trip and I used my cane for the first time shopping. I shopped for 2 hours waiting for my little girl to get groomed.
Janet, I've been on vicodin for 2 years and I'm just starting to wein myself off of it because my OS won't give me anymore. He gave me Tylenol 3 and diclofenac (worthless in my opinion)
Thank you for the advice.... I have a problem with patience, plus cabin fever is kicking in big time.
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LisaP
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Jamie... I've been recently thinking the same thing. I never drink water and my sodium intake is ridiculous .. in fact my BP has gone up ridiculously. All I drink is coffee, diet pepsi, coffee, diet green tea and coffee.
Trust me if you saw a picture of me right now you would be saying to yourself "Old hag".... I swear this surgery has aged me. Hopefully when I take my trip to Florida I'll get some color back in my very pale and drawn face... but thanks for the compliment.
Jamie... I've been recently thinking the same thing. I never drink water and my sodium intake is ridiculous .. in fact my BP has gone up ridiculously. All I drink is coffee, diet pepsi, coffee, diet green tea and coffee.
Trust me if you saw a picture of me right now you would be saying to yourself "Old hag".... I swear this surgery has aged me. Hopefully when I take my trip to Florida I'll get some color back in my very pale and drawn face... but thanks for the compliment.
nanamac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
:DOH:OMG! If you look haggard, I must look like Methusla :th_heehee: .
I understand what you are saying about the pain meds, just seems you need them MORE now after the THR than before. If something is "useless" , why bother taking it?
I am still on Percocet 5/325mg, 2 tablets, 2-3 taimes a day. My GP is wonderful, knows I am in pain, and not taking them for any other reason.
These US doctors make me crazy
! I would like to have them go thru having their leg hacked off and then say, how does that feel? You can not put a time limit on how long a person needs medication for. It is in individual healing thing.
I happen to have a high pain threshold, so when I need something, I NEED SOMETHING!
:DOH:OMG! If you look haggard, I must look like Methusla :th_heehee: .
I understand what you are saying about the pain meds, just seems you need them MORE now after the THR than before. If something is "useless" , why bother taking it?
I am still on Percocet 5/325mg, 2 tablets, 2-3 taimes a day. My GP is wonderful, knows I am in pain, and not taking them for any other reason.
These US doctors make me crazy
! I would like to have them go thru having their leg hacked off and then say, how does that feel? You can not put a time limit on how long a person needs medication for. It is in individual healing thing.I happen to have a high pain threshold, so when I need something, I NEED SOMETHING!
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LisaP
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
:hate-shocked: I never thought of it like that!!! I guess we did have our legs hacked off and put back togetther!!! EEEEEP!!!! :hate-shocked:
PS.. can I borrow your GP for a few years?
These US doctors make me crazy
I happen to have a high pain threshold, so when I need something, I NEED SOMETHING!
:hate-shocked: I never thought of it like that!!! I guess we did have our legs hacked off and put back togetther!!! EEEEEP!!!! :hate-shocked:
PS.. can I borrow your GP for a few years?
nanamac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Absolutely! She is the best ever!
And I don't care how they poo poo it off, that is exactly what was done to us!
Absolutely! She is the best ever!
And I don't care how they poo poo it off, that is exactly what was done to us!
Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Hi Lisa, you say this surgery has aged you. Well at least you didn't see the side effect I did - major gray hair. Almost overnight! :hate-shocked: So much so that if I even attempted to pull them out I would be bald! Oh well - minor price to pay to be able to move around again.
Hi Lisa, you say this surgery has aged you. Well at least you didn't see the side effect I did - major gray hair. Almost overnight! :hate-shocked: So much so that if I even attempted to pull them out I would be bald! Oh well - minor price to pay to be able to move around again.
C Mac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Here's what I say to that --
gray hair = nature's highlights.... :biggrin:
Have a nice day,
Cardie
Here's what I say to that --
gray hair = nature's highlights.... :biggrin:
Have a nice day,
Cardie
Mikeb
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Hi Lisa, Hope you are on the road to recovery. Before I had my op I could hardly walk and my leg just used to lock up and found myself up on my toes too. My GP was quiet good with the meds towards the end before op.He had me on Diclofenac 100 mg,1 a day, Gabapentin 100 mg 3 a day, Amitriptyline 10 mg 1 at night and some Omeprazole 20 mg ( for the Diclofenac). I had some Tramadol but only went I came out of hospital, I stoped these after about 2 days. The only one I am taking now is Amitriptyline, Simvastatin and Aspirin.
Hi Lisa, Hope you are on the road to recovery. Before I had my op I could hardly walk and my leg just used to lock up and found myself up on my toes too. My GP was quiet good with the meds towards the end before op.He had me on Diclofenac 100 mg,1 a day, Gabapentin 100 mg 3 a day, Amitriptyline 10 mg 1 at night and some Omeprazole 20 mg ( for the Diclofenac). I had some Tramadol but only went I came out of hospital, I stoped these after about 2 days. The only one I am taking now is Amitriptyline, Simvastatin and Aspirin.
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LisaP
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Jaycey and Cardie... the more I pluck the more that come... at this rate I'll be white in a few months. I wonder why having surgery does it to you???
MikeyB... you sound like a walking Pharmacy... I'm glad they took care of your pain. I wish I could say the same for my OS.
I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.... I spent my Thanksgiving hanging on my toilet. What a day to have the smell of food make you want to throw up. Needless to say I cancelled my visit with my family. I was looking to show off a bit. None of them have seen me walk on my cane yet. So my Thanksgiving dinner consisted of a piece of toast and some crackers. Ugh! We have a terrible stomach virus going around in Pittsburgh... Off to bed I go.
Hugggs to all and "Thank you" for everything you have done for me and so many others.
Jaycey and Cardie... the more I pluck the more that come... at this rate I'll be white in a few months. I wonder why having surgery does it to you???
MikeyB... you sound like a walking Pharmacy... I'm glad they took care of your pain. I wish I could say the same for my OS.
I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.... I spent my Thanksgiving hanging on my toilet. What a day to have the smell of food make you want to throw up. Needless to say I cancelled my visit with my family. I was looking to show off a bit. None of them have seen me walk on my cane yet. So my Thanksgiving dinner consisted of a piece of toast and some crackers. Ugh! We have a terrible stomach virus going around in Pittsburgh... Off to bed I go.
Hugggs to all and "Thank you" for everything you have done for me and so many others.
Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Aw Cardie, this made my day! I have to remember this one!
Aw Cardie, this made my day! I have to remember this one!
C Mac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Hi Lisa,
Ohhh, sorry you are having a tummy bug and I hope it goes away soon. Your family will be thrilled when they see you walking with your new hip, Baby's first steps!
If you are still doing your outpatient PT why don't you ask for more help working on your stride to see if they can get it loosened up and moving a bit more with you. I know it is frustrating, we get this nice perfectly round ball and socket joint and expect it to move flawlessly from the start but I guess it's just the rest of our body parts trying to figure out what is going on and catch up....
Take care,
Cardie
Hi Lisa,
Ohhh, sorry you are having a tummy bug and I hope it goes away soon. Your family will be thrilled when they see you walking with your new hip, Baby's first steps!
If you are still doing your outpatient PT why don't you ask for more help working on your stride to see if they can get it loosened up and moving a bit more with you. I know it is frustrating, we get this nice perfectly round ball and socket joint and expect it to move flawlessly from the start but I guess it's just the rest of our body parts trying to figure out what is going on and catch up....
Take care,
Cardie
Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Oh dear Lisa, not a good day for a tummy bug at all! Hope you are feeling better real soon!
Oh dear Lisa, not a good day for a tummy bug at all! Hope you are feeling better real soon!
nanamac
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Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Oh Lisa! What a disappointment to be sick for the holiday! Well just think, when they see you on Christmas you'll be that much farther along and you'll amaze them!
Feel better
. Want some turkey soup?
Oh Lisa! What a disappointment to be sick for the holiday! Well just think, when they see you on Christmas you'll be that much farther along and you'll amaze them!
Feel better
. Want some turkey soup?
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LisaP
junior member
Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight
Cardie, you must have read my mind....
Here is an update on my stiff leg. I just got back from PT and the Head PT (actually the owner) was there for the first time filling in for my PT who was on vacation. He was watching me exercise and commented on my leg not laying flat and I took advantage of having someone else LISTENING to my concerns.
I stood up and showed him how my leg hangs in my neutral position and also showed him how it's like hitting a brick wall when I try to move my leg backwards... and I FINALLY GOT THE TRUTH! He said I have a 15 degree hip flexion contractor and he started doing all these different tests and exercises to see what was going on.
He honestly stated that it's possible they might be able to correct it but I'm not 15 years old and my muscles might not stretch much more. He said that if I could get it to 5 degrees that I probably won't notice much and will be able to walk fairly good... but he didn't promise me anything.
He gave me 3 new exercises to do twice a day at home and he said we're gonna work hard to try to stretch all the muscles. He mentioned at least 4 different muscles that were affected and it is that way because of my past (perthes did most of the damage when I was 6).
It's not what I wanted to hear but it was I knew in my heart. He said it could take YEARS before I'm able to walk with a fairly normal gait... and basically he said I might never be able to. He doesn't think I'll ever be at 0 degrees. I
t took everything I had not to break out in tears but I held it back and as soon as I walked outside the water works started. I know I shouldn't be so worried and have a positive outlook but I'm just a little scared because if I don't get these muscles stretched I'll never walk normal again... I guess I've never walked normal in my life so at least I won't have the horrible pain. There's always a rainbow in every situation. :skeptical:
Cardie, you must have read my mind....
Here is an update on my stiff leg. I just got back from PT and the Head PT (actually the owner) was there for the first time filling in for my PT who was on vacation. He was watching me exercise and commented on my leg not laying flat and I took advantage of having someone else LISTENING to my concerns.
I stood up and showed him how my leg hangs in my neutral position and also showed him how it's like hitting a brick wall when I try to move my leg backwards... and I FINALLY GOT THE TRUTH! He said I have a 15 degree hip flexion contractor and he started doing all these different tests and exercises to see what was going on.
He honestly stated that it's possible they might be able to correct it but I'm not 15 years old and my muscles might not stretch much more. He said that if I could get it to 5 degrees that I probably won't notice much and will be able to walk fairly good... but he didn't promise me anything.
He gave me 3 new exercises to do twice a day at home and he said we're gonna work hard to try to stretch all the muscles. He mentioned at least 4 different muscles that were affected and it is that way because of my past (perthes did most of the damage when I was 6).
It's not what I wanted to hear but it was I knew in my heart. He said it could take YEARS before I'm able to walk with a fairly normal gait... and basically he said I might never be able to. He doesn't think I'll ever be at 0 degrees. I
t took everything I had not to break out in tears but I held it back and as soon as I walked outside the water works started. I know I shouldn't be so worried and have a positive outlook but I'm just a little scared because if I don't get these muscles stretched I'll never walk normal again... I guess I've never walked normal in my life so at least I won't have the horrible pain. There's always a rainbow in every situation. :skeptical:
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