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THR Shoes & Sox

JaZee59

new member
Joined
Dec 5, 2023
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Age
65
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Hi
I am in week11 of recovery and am doing well. I have no pain and walk like normal. My main issue is tying laces and putting on Sox. What exercises can I do to improve my flexibility so that I can do these daily tasks ?
 
Week 7 here and call on my family daily for help with socks and shoes. I try every day and it gets closer. My other hip was done almost 10 years ago and I don't remember it taking this long but I was much younger. I know it will come.

No doctor or Physical therapist here but since you are more than 6 weeks out, I would suggest static stretching no bouncing. While standing reach for your toes and hold it for a bit and do again. Laying on the edge of your bed, let your leg hang over for a stretch. And also sitting with legs out, move heel toward body and allow knee to drop carefully to the side and let it stretch.

I am going to PT mostly for the stretching and the game ready icing machine. Both my surgeon and I don't think PT is necessary for healing. This hip has always been incredibly tight, so a few weeks of PT may help. If you have any PT in place or available, asking for their suggestions for home activities would help.

Good luck! I am sure it will come with time.
 
Some gentle stretches could definitely help but will tell you that it will come eventually and you will be tying your shoes like a pro!

No doctor or Physical therapist here but since you are more than 6 weeks out, I would suggest static stretching no bouncing. While standing reach for your toes and hold it for a bit and do again.

If attempting the stretch mentioned above by Mature Mama, maybe try leaning towards your toes from a sitting position, like when sitting on your bed with your legs supported fully by the mattress. You could also do this by sitting on the floor but not sure how you are doing with getting back up. But it's that same position as sitting on the floor with your legs out in front of you.
By doing it this way, you have less danger of over stretching by things - such as losing your balance or gravity pushing you downward, harder than you'd like.
But it will come on it's own.. one day I simply was able to tie my shoes.
 
As others have said easy stretches and don't force the stretch. Chair yoga is a good start and progress from there. With my first I forced getting to my foot and it felt like I tore something. With my second I had 1 muscle group that would not loosen up for quite some time but I kept easing into it.
I used a sock aid with both hips and slip on shoes with a long shoe horn. If I got the sock started I could lay on my back and slide my heel to my butt and reach the sock to pull it up. You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.
 
Welcome to BoneSmart, @JaZee59! Glad you found us.

Please let us know the exact date of your surgery and whether it was the left or right hip so we can create a signature for your thread.

Even though you are 11 weeks into your recovery, I will share our Recovery Guidelines with you. Each article is short but very informative and will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind we are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

HIP RECOVERY GUIDELINES

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs

The recovery articles
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
I don't know if this will help you or not, but after my shoulder (not hip) replacement I put toggles on my shoelaces to be able to tighten them with one hand. That might help if you're able to bend over more on one side?
 
I bought some elasticated shoelaces too although I didn’t in the end use them. You put them in your shoes, tie them up and cut off the ends. So that you can treat your shoes like slip ons.
 
Thanks to all for their contributions.
I have slip ons and use long handled shoe horn.
I had my left hip replaced just over 3 years ago. I don’t remember how long
It took to be able to do Sox and shoes. I’m just asking to see if there was a way to speed up the process. I’m hoping to be able to tie my shoes by golf season so I do have some time.
 
I like the sock putter on-er device I bought as part of a “hip kit” on Amazon. It also came with a bath sponge on a handle, a leg lifter and a long handled shoe horn. Plus a stick with weird hooks on it that seem to help me straighten out clothes- not to mention the invaluable long grasping tool. I have a video of the device for Sox but will go take a photo
 

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Hi again, @JaZee59 :wave:

Please let us know the dates of your two surgeries and which left and right so we can create a signature for your thread. Knowing that history helps everyone respond to your posts. Thanks!
 
One month has gone by since my post and there has been some improvement. With a bit of difficulty I was able to cut my toenails for the first time in months.
I can tie my left shoe without straining too much. My right shoe is a different story I am able to some what tie my shoe but it is progress. Sox left I can do some days but most days the use of my sock aid is required.
 
Hi @JaZee59 :wave:

:bored:slowly but surely....but we DO get there.
I had some "reaching down" struggles for the 1st 6-8 months
It unfortunately just takes the time it takes but well worth the result...
Glad to be rid of that chronic pain and in May, I will be 7 years out from double hip replacement and have great range of motion and healthy and happy.

When was your right hip replaced?
We still need your surgery date, please.
 

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