THR Severe stiffness where my leg won't hang straight
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LisaP
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Hi my dear hippie friends! Thought I'd check in and see how you all are doing and give you a little update on my progress. It's been almost 5 months since my surgery and there is definitely improvement but I still have a long way to go. My hip flexion is still way off where it should be. I'm at 13 degrees from front to back and about 20 degrees off to the side. I don't care too much about the side flexors but the back ones are still causing me a lot of problems. The PT's have me doing three stretching exercises. (1) The thomas test with weights, (2) hanging my left leg off the side of a couch with weights on it, and (3) Laying on my stomach with my head resting on my hands. I can sure feel the stretch but I'm not so sure my muscles are listening.
I ran out of physical therapy because my insurance only pays for 30 visits per year so I decided to pay for my own PT which seems to be working out really good. I can use all the machines but I don't have the physical therapists helping me (even though they yell at me all the time for over doing it a bit). I decided to start using the treadmill. I'm up to 2 miles per hour for 20 minutes and it feels so good. I've never been able to walk that long especially without any pain. It feels fabulous! Although I can't use it without holding on to the handles yet because my gait is so off. I'm still using the cane (which my surgeon said I wouldn't be by now... that's how much he knows)... but I can shuffle around the house without it for a little while.
I go see my OS in 2 weeks (for my 3rd follow up) and I can't wait to see what he has to say. My PT says that I could get a surgery that slices my thigh muscles to help loosen my psoas... I'm hoping I don't need that. I'm doing everything in my power to make these muscles stretch. I'm hoping the treadmill will do the trick. Has anyone else used a treadmill during PT? What are you opinions? I'm thinking about buying one because I love how it feels to actually "walk".
I ran out of physical therapy because my insurance only pays for 30 visits per year so I decided to pay for my own PT which seems to be working out really good. I can use all the machines but I don't have the physical therapists helping me (even though they yell at me all the time for over doing it a bit). I decided to start using the treadmill. I'm up to 2 miles per hour for 20 minutes and it feels so good. I've never been able to walk that long especially without any pain. It feels fabulous! Although I can't use it without holding on to the handles yet because my gait is so off. I'm still using the cane (which my surgeon said I wouldn't be by now... that's how much he knows)... but I can shuffle around the house without it for a little while.
I go see my OS in 2 weeks (for my 3rd follow up) and I can't wait to see what he has to say. My PT says that I could get a surgery that slices my thigh muscles to help loosen my psoas... I'm hoping I don't need that. I'm doing everything in my power to make these muscles stretch. I'm hoping the treadmill will do the trick. Has anyone else used a treadmill during PT? What are you opinions? I'm thinking about buying one because I love how it feels to actually "walk".
haldox
post-grad
Hi Lisa!!! Nice to hear from you.
Im very glad your pain is gone:yes 4:But you are only 5 months out!!! I think its still so very early out for you to be worried too much. Think about how long your leg/hip was bad pre op, its gonna take some time.
I dont know about getting the psoas surgery yet, personally I would keep up the exercising for now(but I am not a professional!)
Walking is great all around and sounds like your doing great with your distance/times!Just as long as you are keeping a normal gait and its good your using an aide when needed.
Im very glad your pain is gone:yes 4:But you are only 5 months out!!! I think its still so very early out for you to be worried too much. Think about how long your leg/hip was bad pre op, its gonna take some time.
I dont know about getting the psoas surgery yet, personally I would keep up the exercising for now(but I am not a professional!)
Walking is great all around and sounds like your doing great with your distance/times!Just as long as you are keeping a normal gait and its good your using an aide when needed.
nanamac
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Welcome back Lisa! So glad you decided to return, although I know you said you were just taking a little break :wink1:. Just my opinion, but I TOTALLY agree! I just cut my toenails at 20 months! It can take at least a year to recover from an unproblematic THR and Lisa, you have come so far in five months!
I am thrilled to hear of your progress, but again this is only my opinion...PATIENCE HoneyBun! You've come a long way baby :wink1:!
Congratulations on what you have accomplished so far :yes 4:...
Hi Lisa, just to echo what others have said, patience is the key. I'm 10 months out and I'm also tight around the hip flexors. Doing the stretches you said are perfect. Also what has helped me is accupuncture which has relaxed the muscle helping my ROM. Only now can I put my socks on 'properly'. It is still difficult but so much better.
Now I need to get off my crutch
Now I need to get off my crutch
DallasSarah
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Hi Lisa,
Nice to hear from you. You sound really well congratulations and good for you on the PT that sounds fabulous. Not sure about using the treadmill some of the other hippies love their treadmills. I'm walking outside still using my cane for help on my limp. I think with time this will heal too.
I'm sure someone else will help with you with the muscle advice, there are a few people dealing with that, sorry!
Continued success!
xxooxx
Nice to hear from you. You sound really well congratulations and good for you on the PT that sounds fabulous. Not sure about using the treadmill some of the other hippies love their treadmills. I'm walking outside still using my cane for help on my limp. I think with time this will heal too.
I'm sure someone else will help with you with the muscle advice, there are a few people dealing with that, sorry!
Continued success!
xxooxx
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LisaP
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Hi Haldox, Janet and Jyoti! So sorry I haven't been around much lately, to be honest I've been a little depressed to post. It seems like no matter what I do I can't loosen up these muscles. My muscles are getting stronger just not looser. If I thought accupuncture would work for me I'd have a bunch of little holes in my body... hehehee! But I will ask my OS when I see him if he thinks it will help. I'm willing to try anything at this point. My girlfriends keep buying me "Patience" books... I am the worst. I know you guys are all right but it seems like these 5 months have been years for me. I think this horrid winter and all the snow is depressing me also. The only time I get out of this house is when I go to PT. I WANT TO GO SHOPPING! Maybe I'll do that tonight. Head on over to Walmart and get one of those scooters around 1:00 am when the store is pretty empty. That would be fun. 
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LisaP
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Thank you Sarah! I am loving the treadmill. I have no pain anywhere.... I can't walk on pavement very long even with my cane because of my psoas tightness . It hurts my back too bad. But I have absolutely no pain in my hip!! I'm not sure which is worse. Truthfully, once my back even begins to ache I stop walking. I'm not going to take any chances with my back.
C Mac
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Hi Lisa!!
So nice to see you and know that you are still working on your PT stuff!
I did the treadmill during my PT weeks and found that it was instrumental in opening up my stride -- in addition to the hands on stretching that my therapist would do at the end of each session.
You are rocking on the stamina -- 20 minutes at 2 miles an hour is fantastic, seriously!! I found it helpful to go a smidge slower when I'd start and concentrate on allowing my leg to be carried back further than I allowed it to go naturally. If I went slower I didn't get the gimpy limp going as much either. Do hold on to the bar, I always do that for a bit in the beginning -- or when I feel unsteady, that is what it is there for.
I still use the cane, too off and on, and I think it has helped settle down my limp some -- I don't really know how it has helped but I theorize it allows my glutes to work differently than when I'm unsupported. Keep working & resting and listening to your body (back) when it feels sore. It is taking us time and the improvements are more subtle than in the beginning right after surgery. I'm sorry you are having so much winter in PA, it will be nice to get to spring (I do notice that it's light a bit later these days, that always helps me).:flowerysmile:
Let us know how your next follow up goes with the OS.
Take care,
Cardie
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LisaP
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Thank you Cardie!!! OMG... I was doing the treadmill and I took my hands off the handles and started wobbling really bad and grabbed back on real quick and the PT started screaming at me and said "if you do that one more time you are banned from the treadmill" :hissyfit: He was furious... and I can't blame him.
How is the weather in Virginia? We're getting freezing rain, snow and all that other ugly stuff by tomorrow morning. I'm getting ready to head out to Walmart now!!! I can't wait. I want to check out the treadmills.
Huggs and love to you, Cardie!
How is the weather in Virginia? We're getting freezing rain, snow and all that other ugly stuff by tomorrow morning. I'm getting ready to head out to Walmart now!!! I can't wait. I want to check out the treadmills.
Huggs and love to you, Cardie!
Poppet
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Hey there Lisa
I was wondering how you were doing.. Pleased that you are back on line.. Stay with us
Regarding the Acupuncture, I would suggest having a go. I have prolapsed discs in my spine that cannot be fixed.. and I am get Acupunture for it. It is a Japanese type of Acupuncture where the practitioner puts a very small fine needle in and tapes it and leaves it there for five days.
I had treatment on Wed and it was just like a shot of morphine, popped in the pin - no pain.. still no pain.
Certainly consider it, but really hunt around for a good Acupuncturist. xx
I was wondering how you were doing.. Pleased that you are back on line.. Stay with us
Regarding the Acupuncture, I would suggest having a go. I have prolapsed discs in my spine that cannot be fixed.. and I am get Acupunture for it. It is a Japanese type of Acupuncture where the practitioner puts a very small fine needle in and tapes it and leaves it there for five days.
I had treatment on Wed and it was just like a shot of morphine, popped in the pin - no pain.. still no pain.
Certainly consider it, but really hunt around for a good Acupuncturist. xx
Shawnna
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*waves hello*
Hi Lisa,
Just finished reading through your thread and I'm so amazed - you're doing really well considering where you were.
It's so hard to patient when we feel we are so close to the 'normal' we've longed for.
I'll be following you closely so please keep posting updates. You're an amazing woman!
Hi Lisa,
Just finished reading through your thread and I'm so amazed - you're doing really well considering where you were.
It's so hard to patient when we feel we are so close to the 'normal' we've longed for.
I'll be following you closely so please keep posting updates. You're an amazing woman!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Neither can I! I haven't been to the gym in a while but when I was going regularly (many months prior to surgery) I only ever walked on it and could no more have let go the bars than fly to the moon!
Hi Lisa, nice to see you back here!
I used a treadmill before and after THR. It really helps! Don't worry about feeling unsteady. Many people have that problem on a treadmill. It took me months before I could go on it without clinging for dear life!
I agree the muscle surgery sounds a bit trastic to me. Keep trying the PT. After all it took awhile to get those muscles shortened. You have to give them time to stretch.
I have also had acupuncture for my back problems. Not what Sandy is describing but a 10 minute treatment once per week. It did help loosen my muscles but you need to keep at it for awhile. A bit expensive since it's not covered by insurance.
Hope you stay with us!
I used a treadmill before and after THR. It really helps! Don't worry about feeling unsteady. Many people have that problem on a treadmill. It took me months before I could go on it without clinging for dear life!
I agree the muscle surgery sounds a bit trastic to me. Keep trying the PT. After all it took awhile to get those muscles shortened. You have to give them time to stretch.
I have also had acupuncture for my back problems. Not what Sandy is describing but a 10 minute treatment once per week. It did help loosen my muscles but you need to keep at it for awhile. A bit expensive since it's not covered by insurance.
Hope you stay with us!
C Mac
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Hi Lisa,
Our weather has been pretty mild this winter -- for which I am grateful!! We got pounded the last two winters and that was fun & a little back-breaking. I hate that freezing rain/sleet I find it way more treacherous than snow. We have had a number of socked in rainy gray days and I do feel that in my hip in increased achiness. I seem to function best with 60 degrees and sunshine
Ok, this is just my opinion and you have to do what you want to do. I favor using the exercise equipment outside of my house. It gives me a more dedicated focus without the ability to stray into some distraction. The other benefit is that it gives me the variety to choose riding on a bike instead of a treadmill or varying my workout in ways that tend to be more limited by the "home gym" option. It can get boring if you only have one cardio machine to work on -- for me at least. Lastly one of my favorite most practical reasons is that if the machine is broken I don't have to fix it, look for the instruction manual or pound my fist over money spent -- I just go to a different machine :th_heehee:
Also, if you are hell bent on buying a treadmill then you need to commit to total brain focus while you are on it -- no t.v. or ear buds, I didn't even read for the first few months on my return. You don't want to take a stumble and it's easier for this to happen if your brain isn't fully engaged (not to mention hands on the wheel :rolleyespink
That is totally my 2 cents....
Plus money not spent on a treadmill gives you more money for the new shoe fund :biggrin:
Have a lovely weekend in spite of the crummy weather,
Cardie
Our weather has been pretty mild this winter -- for which I am grateful!! We got pounded the last two winters and that was fun & a little back-breaking. I hate that freezing rain/sleet I find it way more treacherous than snow. We have had a number of socked in rainy gray days and I do feel that in my hip in increased achiness. I seem to function best with 60 degrees and sunshine
Ok, this is just my opinion and you have to do what you want to do. I favor using the exercise equipment outside of my house. It gives me a more dedicated focus without the ability to stray into some distraction. The other benefit is that it gives me the variety to choose riding on a bike instead of a treadmill or varying my workout in ways that tend to be more limited by the "home gym" option. It can get boring if you only have one cardio machine to work on -- for me at least. Lastly one of my favorite most practical reasons is that if the machine is broken I don't have to fix it, look for the instruction manual or pound my fist over money spent -- I just go to a different machine :th_heehee:
Also, if you are hell bent on buying a treadmill then you need to commit to total brain focus while you are on it -- no t.v. or ear buds, I didn't even read for the first few months on my return. You don't want to take a stumble and it's easier for this to happen if your brain isn't fully engaged (not to mention hands on the wheel :rolleyespink
That is totally my 2 cents....
Plus money not spent on a treadmill gives you more money for the new shoe fund :biggrin:
Have a lovely weekend in spite of the crummy weather,
Cardie
Lisa,
I do appreciate what you say about feeling a bit depressed. when I was at your stage I also expected to be further in recovery and I kept saying by this time I would be at a certain place. I kept saying this and felt quite low as I never got there. By december I gave myself a year but don't feel that will happen. So now I have excepted it will take longer but it doesn't mean I won't keep trying.
We will all get there but at different time:yes 4:s.
I do appreciate what you say about feeling a bit depressed. when I was at your stage I also expected to be further in recovery and I kept saying by this time I would be at a certain place. I kept saying this and felt quite low as I never got there. By december I gave myself a year but don't feel that will happen. So now I have excepted it will take longer but it doesn't mean I won't keep trying.
We will all get there but at different time:yes 4:s.
ChefHuber
member
Lisa
I think we all get depressed this time of year. Some more than others. The holidays are over, the weather is getting bad, then there are us folks that decided to get a major joint replaced. I really wanted to wait until January to have it done but couldn't put it off any more. I hear you on the depression. Let me know if I can be of any help.
I think we all get depressed this time of year. Some more than others. The holidays are over, the weather is getting bad, then there are us folks that decided to get a major joint replaced. I really wanted to wait until January to have it done but couldn't put it off any more. I hear you on the depression. Let me know if I can be of any help.
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LisaP
junior member
Thank you everyone.... I had a really bad night... no sleep yet (it's 6:00 am EST). No pain or anything... just can't get my mind to slow down and quit thinking and thinking. Everytime I get up to walk it makes me so mad and sad. I want to be positive but weekends are really really hard for me because I can't go to PT and that's the only time I feel good. Cardie you are 100% right about being more focused going to a gym. I have a couple machines here and I just can't motivate myself to get on it. I can hardly motivate myself to get out of bed. I hate being in this house and just getting stiffer and stiffer. My "wellness program" is closed on weekends so it's been 3 days since I went (because Friday I woke up too late and they close at 12:00 noon... and I just can't seem to fall asleep until the sun comes up)... I'm so messed up...
Sorry being so negative but I guess I just needed to vent and have a good cry. I'm gonna try to go to sleep now. I <3 you guys.
Sorry being so negative but I guess I just needed to vent and have a good cry. I'm gonna try to go to sleep now. I <3 you guys.
Z15
graduate
Lisa,
Not sure where your head is at about the treadmill, but I thought I would offer my 2 cents. I happen to be one of those who likes the equipment in my house. Then I can go down a flight of stairs and do my 20 minutes in less time than it would have taken me to even get ready to leave the house...let alone the 25 minutes roundtrip drive. I bop down for a workout and continue with my day....but that's me.
Regarding treadmills...To some degree, the slower you go, the better the treadmill you need...within reason. I USED TO run fast and the belt would be flying and the momentum of the belt at that speed and the short time my foot was on the deck made for a really smooth run. But when I went slow...there was not the momentum of the belt and my foot was being dragged back for a longer time and any fluctuation in the speed of the belt was easy to feel. My point is that you'll want to get a solid piece of equipment to walk on.
Another point that I realized as my hips started going. Some of the most expensive highend treadmills were build SO solidly that they offered less shock absorption...they were ROCK solid and there was NO give. I ran on some that were more like running on concrete....which was awful.
I think your stretches sound great and even tho I can imagine them not always feeling lovely it sounds like they will stretch the right things. How long were you told to hold the stretches? Some things I do I was told to hold for 5 seconds and do that 10 times...other I was told to hold for 30 and do those 3... Just curious.
And lastly on the sleep...I feel your pain. Nightime is my worst time for comfort. I happen to take my one Celebrex per day first thing in the AM. I wonder if it would help me sleep if I took it just before bedtime...I'm really not sure if it is doing anything since I just take it every day.
Let's look forward to the sunnier, warmer days in the NorthEast:yes 4: (I'm not sure you is you consider yourself NorthEast or not) and do what we need to inside for now.
Z
:cat-kittyandsmiley:
Not sure where your head is at about the treadmill, but I thought I would offer my 2 cents. I happen to be one of those who likes the equipment in my house. Then I can go down a flight of stairs and do my 20 minutes in less time than it would have taken me to even get ready to leave the house...let alone the 25 minutes roundtrip drive. I bop down for a workout and continue with my day....but that's me.
Regarding treadmills...To some degree, the slower you go, the better the treadmill you need...within reason. I USED TO run fast and the belt would be flying and the momentum of the belt at that speed and the short time my foot was on the deck made for a really smooth run. But when I went slow...there was not the momentum of the belt and my foot was being dragged back for a longer time and any fluctuation in the speed of the belt was easy to feel. My point is that you'll want to get a solid piece of equipment to walk on.
Another point that I realized as my hips started going. Some of the most expensive highend treadmills were build SO solidly that they offered less shock absorption...they were ROCK solid and there was NO give. I ran on some that were more like running on concrete....which was awful.
I think your stretches sound great and even tho I can imagine them not always feeling lovely it sounds like they will stretch the right things. How long were you told to hold the stretches? Some things I do I was told to hold for 5 seconds and do that 10 times...other I was told to hold for 30 and do those 3... Just curious.
And lastly on the sleep...I feel your pain. Nightime is my worst time for comfort. I happen to take my one Celebrex per day first thing in the AM. I wonder if it would help me sleep if I took it just before bedtime...I'm really not sure if it is doing anything since I just take it every day.
Let's look forward to the sunnier, warmer days in the NorthEast:yes 4: (I'm not sure you is you consider yourself NorthEast or not) and do what we need to inside for now.
Z
:cat-kittyandsmiley:
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LisaP
junior member
Hi Z... thank you for the treadmill advice. I will probably buy one after I quit my wellness program, but for now the good ones I looked at are over $1000.00. I only have to pay $35.00 a month for my wellness program which is only about 3 miles from my house and I enjoy getting out. I'm going to start saving for a good one and also save for construction of an exercise room.
As far as my stretches they have me holding the "Laying on my stomach" one for 5 minutes and the other 2 exercises for 2 minutes. I probably do them around 3 or 4 times a day. I'm trying everything possible to stretch my psoas. My PT told me I'm not a kid anymore and stretching those muscles might not even be possible... If it isn't possible then surgery will be necessary again. UGH!
Yes, I am in the North East. I'm from the Pittsburgh area and I'm truely sick of this winter. I put a pool in 2 years ago so I could exercise because I surely couldn't walk with all the hip pain. In my pool is when I'm the happiest. I would really like to pack up and move to Florida. hehehehee!~
As far as my stretches they have me holding the "Laying on my stomach" one for 5 minutes and the other 2 exercises for 2 minutes. I probably do them around 3 or 4 times a day. I'm trying everything possible to stretch my psoas. My PT told me I'm not a kid anymore and stretching those muscles might not even be possible... If it isn't possible then surgery will be necessary again. UGH!
Yes, I am in the North East. I'm from the Pittsburgh area and I'm truely sick of this winter. I put a pool in 2 years ago so I could exercise because I surely couldn't walk with all the hip pain. In my pool is when I'm the happiest. I would really like to pack up and move to Florida. hehehehee!~
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