THR Severe stiffness where my leg won't hang straight

[charlie cyborg]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Hi Lisa,

It finally clicked this morning that Psoas is another name for HipFlexor!!

As a fellow Perthes sufferer I have the same problem as you ...it's very short... I reckon after doing a crude Thomas test it's about 2-3 inches short!

I'm sure you've seen this YouTube exercise but I'm going to give it a go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv1471TaM3A

Keep me in touch if you have ant "break throughs"!

Charlie

 

[C Mac]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Hi Lisa,

I can't remember if your surgery was anterior approach? I ask because when I first started PT my incision area was a bit swollen and very tight and this also had an impact on how I moved my leg. I didn't have muscles cut for my surgery but those front hip flexor muscles were retracted for about 2 hours worth of surgery and they threw a tantrum afterwards... I did and sometimes still do, some kneeding and massaging on those muscles -- and this could be helpful even if you didn't have your surgery in from the front. I also take my cane and hold it horizontally and firmly press it down the front of my leg and outter side as well to massage those muscles, especially when they are cranky from sitting or exercising.

I guess we should be kind to our psoas muscles as they have tried to work as best they could under faulty circumstances for a pretty long time and now suddenly we have rocked their world and expect them to just grow and behave like normal muscles...

Take care,
Cardie

 

[Josephine]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

What you in the US call a physical therapist or PT, we in the UK (and Australia/NZ if I remember) call a physiotherapist or physio for short.

 

[LisaP]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Gizmo and Jaycey, thank you for your comments. Gizmo, I'm always flippant when I talk about my weight... it keeps me motivated.. hehehe! Jaycey, I slept like a baby! :biggrin:

Charlie... thank you so much for your post. Not that I want you to suffer with what I have but its good to know I'm not alone. I will say this... I am noticing that every day it seems to be dropping little by little!! Today I couldn't believe how wonderful I felt... halfway normal! I am thrilled and very very very optimistic that this is just a temporary problem and with hard work it will be like new in time! I feel so happy!!! Do the exercises Charlie and those 2 to 3" will keep dropping. Also, make sure you use heat on it a few times a day. I use a heating pad before and after I exercise. Thanks for the video... I posted one a page back too.. but it is definitely worth reposting!!!!

Cardie, I did not have the anterior approach but what are you are saying makes total scense!! My butt right around my incision is so tight! I've been afraid to massage it in fear of breaking lose a blood clot. I wonder if it is ok to massage that area now? I think that would really help with some of my stiffness.

Jo, maybe you can answer that question?? Jo, also thanks for answering the physio question. I don't think we have many PT's in our area that do acupuncture and deep tissue massage but I'll ask around. That is what I need for sure!!

Again, thank you all for the GREAT advice! With all your help I'm feeling better mentally and physically each day!

 

[charlie cyborg]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Hi Lisa,

Good to hear you're loosening up and perhaps I'll have to be patient and give myself some time (I've already been put in my place, very kindly. by Jo & Cardie for being an impatient Nit Wit).

Hadn't thought about heat ... too busy icing:th_heehee:!! But will give it a go.

Thanks for your advice and optimism ...keep posting!

Charlie

 

[Josephine]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

My butt right around my incision is so tight! I've been afraid to massage it in fear of breaking lose a blood clot. I wonder if it is ok to massage that area now? I think that would really help with some of my stiffness.

Oh for pity's sake, honey! Clots don't form in your butt! They form in the veins in your leg from groin to ankle. Butt comes nowhere near it! Besides which, massage isn't the kind of thing that makes it break up. DVT

 

[nanamac]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

:hysterical:...sorry, that just sounded so darn funny Lisa!

 

[LisaP]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Oh for pity's sake, honey! Clots don't form in your butt! They form in the veins in your leg from groin to ankle. Butt comes nowhere near it! Besides which, massage isn't the kind of thing that makes it break up. DVT

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! I can rub my butt!!!!!!! :hysterical: Life is good!

 

[Jyoti]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Lisa,
To give you hope the other day, exactly at 8 months I FINALLY activated my 'gluteus medius', the muscle which helps with gait!! I was able to isolate it by doing standing hip abductions while keeping my pelvis still and I only moved a few inches to the side. But for me I was so happy as I could see that I was getting there.

I have to say my Physio/PT also said to me that when I was showing him some of my simple exercises he gave me of stepping forward and backwards with each leg, FINALLY again I was able to keep my knee alligned (bad spelling) so looked straight. He even said that was 'bloody brilliant'!! Also my gait has improved and I'm not lurching so much. Yes, I'm still using my crutch, and my knee and back still ache a bit, but it is getting there.:yes 4:

I was happy because despite him being a hard task master and I think for me what has helped is by using accupuncture which releases some of the muscles and he releases my muscles through breathing techniques. And it's not only around the leg, he focusses alot around my ribs, mainly my right side.

It's still early days but I am finally improving in my gait and it's steady as she goes :th_heehee:

All your emotions are natural and good as it pushes you forward!!
Keep at it
Jyoti

 

[Josephine]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

 

[LisaP]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Lisa,
To give you hope the other day, exactly at 8 months I FINALLY activated my 'gluteus medius', the muscle which helps with gait!! I was able to isolate it by doing standing hip abductions while keeping my pelvis still and I only moved a few inches to the side. But for me I was so happy as I could see that I was getting there.

I have to say my Physio/PT also said to me that when I was showing him some of my simple exercises he gave me of stepping forward and backwards with each leg, FINALLY again I was able to keep my knee alligned (bad spelling) so looked straight. He even said that was 'bloody brilliant'!! Also my gait has improved and I'm not lurching so much. Yes, I'm still using my crutch, and my knee and back still ache a bit, but it is getting there.:yes 4:

I was happy because despite him being a hard task master and I think for me what has helped is by using accupuncture which releases some of the muscles and he releases my muscles through breathing techniques. And it's not only around the leg, he focusses alot around my ribs, mainly my right side.

It's still early days but I am finally improving in my gait and it's steady as she goes :th_heehee:

All your emotions are natural and good as it pushes you forward!!
Keep at it
Jyoti

Jyoti... great post!!!!! :yes 4: Those days when I'm feeling so blue it's hard to realize that "time" is our friend. A post like yours makes me realize that I'm still early on.. it's only been about 12 weeks (wow, it seems like yesterday), and like you I do see a little progress. When I stand up it doesn't seem like my leg is extended forward as much in the neutral position. I'm going to make them measure next week to see if my flexion contracture has gone down any.

I'm so happy for you that you are seeing progress.

 

[LisaP]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

I just got back from PT and my regular therapist was there and I told her what the other therapist told me about my 15 degree hip flexion contracture and she got really upset! She said that it is way too soon to know if I have a "contacture" and what I have is called "muscle tightness". She said if my leg doesn't drop after a year or more than they will consider it a contracture. She said I'm still healing. So I made her measure me and I'm at 14 degrees now... YAY!!! I guess a "contracture" is when it will never move further. I wish these PT's would get their acts together.

 

[nanamac]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Even from doctor to doctor you can hear conflicting info Lisa. Take it with a grain of salt. Knowledge is power, how you use it is what counts. I usually listen and then see how it applies to what I am capable of. Not what someone else thinks I am capable of.

We are not all the same. I am and probably will always be the weakest person I have ever know in my likfe physically, so there is no way that I could ever recover like a stong to begin with person could.

 

[LisaP]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Janet, I don't trust any of them. My doctor first told me not to worry about it (my first visit), then my PT says they will have me good as new, then my doctor tells me again don't worry about it, another PT says I better start worrying by telling me I have a contracture, then my original PT says don't worry about it until after a year or two. I'm so over all of them. They are supposed to be professionals. I'm going to listen to my body.. it never lies to me. I know its going to take time and I am going to be very patient... that is the one thing they all have told me.

 

[nanamac]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Smart woman! There ya go!

 

[forbesy]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Talk about the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing Lisa, best to listen to your own body but if a problem crops up further along the line then get back to your doc.
Take care Lisa :console:

 

[Poppet]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Don't you just hate it when all this conflicting information comes at you from professionals.

Hi Lisa, we know our bodies better than anyone, we know when we are getting a cold because our nose runs or our throat gets sore. Then we go to a professional and they say Mmmm you have a cold, only viral not bacterial.... You dont need antibiotics. And I just paid $80 to find out what I already knew..

Yes our favorite mantra "patience".

I like what Jo has said a few times in different posts that 'hips have a way of working out for themselves'.. I think about that comment when I think, Mmmm I should go out for a walk, but I feel like a sleep. Then when I give in and sleep and wake up 2-3 hours later, I think this is sheer luxury to have the time off to indulge my mind and body in lots of rest... I know it is healing whilst I am sleeping

Take care honey

 

[C Mac]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Hi Lisa,

Just wondered if you are still taking any anti-inflammatory meds? I remember you mentioning voltaren (diclofenac) a while back. I saw you mentioning that your leg was feeling pretty stiff -- the old board up the rear sensation.

I'd like to have Jyoti's physiotherapist and have some acupuncture and breathing exercises, so nice to have a complimentary approach!

Great news that you aren't having a contracture and that you can now massage your incision site without worries about blood clots :rolleyespink:

Have a nice weekend and don't forget your ice pack...
Cardie

 

[nanamac]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Hey Lisa...Just checking up on you. Where have you gone to?

 

[gizmo]

Re: 9 weeks post op... Severe stifness where my leg won't hang straight

Hi Lisa,
Conflicting info is confusing- but I agree with nanamac. It can be useful if you take it and see what applies to you. I tend to filter most things nowadays and believe little first off until I've investigated and considered it and often asked around as well. Meeting with differing opinions will help you to know whats right for you in the end even if its a bit confusing on route. Maybe they are both right in their own ways from their own perspectives- it certainly gets you thinking about it from different directions. Hope it doesn't feel too confusing. The important thing is that you have progress in the right direction. You are doing great. I always listen to as many opinions as I can and then make up my own mind with whatever fits best.
All the best
Gizmo