THR staffsknot story so far

[staffsknot]

MONTH ELEVEN

We got out of the car a bit sharpish being late to meet a friend in Chester. Ping!! something went in the muscles surrounding the scar. Limping quite badly, made rendezvous. Ladies plied me with coffee and Parrotseat'emall, and did rest of walk round Chester, Walls, riverbank, cathedral, an exquisite torture called the Rows, designed by women for their delectation and the despair of their menfolk. We went everywhere. Same as last 4 months, really. I can stay on my feet a long time, can walk a long way, but I am aware of every step as it affects the operation site. I can never relax and just walk. And the least little mishap seems to set me back.
Given that 100% would mean I could get to the end of the street without once thinking about what has happened to my hip in the last 7 or 8 years, I sometimes go as high as 95% and sometimes as low as 85%. Walking quickly is a quick way of getting to the lower score.

Now my question to those who have gone along this route before me, with, say, a similar level of success at the same stage: is it possible for me to make further progress or is this as good as it gets?

It doesn't worry me exactly, but after a lifetime of high activity, I do find it disappointing to have to settle for pottering about at pensioner's pace from now on. I suspect you will say that I am doing very well and should be pleased with where I have got to, and you would be right, but if I can't tell Bonesmarties what I really feel like, whom can I tell?

HIGHTLIGHTS

(a) To Alton Towers (theme park) with two boisterous grandchildren and their parents. On feet from 11 till 5.30, minus two refreshment stops. Wife G was worst of lot. At 67 she tackled every horrific ride with g'kids, while I cringed alongside, full of admiration. I thought transit monorail was quite enough of a white knuckle ride, thank you.

(b) Same team 2 days later to Blue John Mine near Castleton, Derbyshire. More than 300 feet's worth of steps to the bottom of the mine and the same back up again.

LOWLIGHTS

(a) Going lame at Chester.

(b) Deciding yet again that I am not ready to return to Scottish Country Dancing.

 

[Renate]

Sorry about your injury Staffsknot, maybe muscle cramp/spasms? Have you iced it? Sometimes a heating pad will work too. Or booking a massage. I don't know what to say about your recovery, but it does sound pretty good. Don't be too impatient. I have delayed the 'tango' and a bath until next year.

 

[Jamie]

I'd say the two trips you described would get to almost anyone...new hips or not! Bravo!! I think you will continue to see improvements given more time. Remember....you still can have soft tissue injuries that aren't really related to your hip surgery. They happen even with healthy joints!

Continue to exercise and build strength. You'll get to where you want to be....I have faith!

 

[Josephine]

We all can get episodes when we overdo things a bit. Doesn't mean "this is as good as it gets". Sometimes it's just another wallop of the cricket bat that hardens you up for the next time. Don't despair - you know the old saying

 

[special lady]

Alan,

Since I'm not as far along out as you are from my surgery, I read your entire thread today starting from May 16, 2011. Just wanted to tell you that I'm impressed with your progress, and feel that your the type of person that will or can get to that 100% mark and probably not too far off from now either. However, I feel we're all going to feel a pull here or there as we approach that year mark....just because it can happen with or without joint replacements.


I'd also like to compliment you on your writing skills, maybe you could consider writing a book! Seriously, I enjoyed reading your thread, it made me laugh more then a couple times, and at the same time I felt it was immensely helpful.

My sincere best wishes to you, and I hope you continue to improve each and everyday

 

[vivb]

So agree with sp. lady - your posts are always inspiring, whether up or down. I am finding - now that I have a bit of muscle strength again - that the more I push myself, the easier it gets the next time. I was very unfit before the operation so there's lots of catching up to do for me, plus we're no spring chickens any more! I continue to keep the faith.

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Hi Alan,

I assume that the pain is being caused by muscular restriction rather than the joint itself. Is that correct?

If so it's my guess that you will continue to improve.

A ping or a twang can rarely be a good thing - hope you're feeling better now.

Caveat: My medical knowledge is courtesy of the kind people of Google!

 

[staffsknot]

Thank you for all your help and encouragement, people. I especially liked you picture, Jo. I think I can hear the fat lady clearing her throat.

A specific question: I'm blowed if I can think of an explanation. The closest I ever come to that feeling of 100%, where I forget there has ever been anything wrong in the hip, is for the 12 hours or so after a lengthy swim, even if there has been gym work as well.

Yesterday, for example, I did the following: 5 minutes on the ecstatic bicycle at 80 rpm, intensity 6; 2 X 15 repetitions of leg press, leg extension, abductor and adductor machines, all at very undemanding resistances. Then a swim of about half a mile at fairly gentle intensity. Then any walking after that and I felt no problems at all. This morning, back again to that slightly reluctant feel in the operation area. Please, somebody, help me to explain this weird phenomenon.

And, Cappy, what is your gym? If a national chain it sounds more generous than mine, giving you time out for an operation. My gym, run by a miser, expects 3 months notice of leaving, rigourously enforced, but on his side of the contract is quite happy to have his premises operating with malfunctioning facilities. It could be a really nice place if it weren't for that.

Stop moaning, Alan. They've all had enough.

All the best, Alan

 

[Jaycey]

Well Alan, I have the same experience. When I really "use" my hip and the muscles around it I feel much better. Sitting for long periods still gets me. But I must say this has improved.

Give it a bit more time. Sounds like you are still building strength.

 

[DaveGM]

"......And, Cappy, what is your gym? If a national chain it sounds more generous than mine, giving you time out for an operation. My gym, run by a miser, expects 3 months notice of leaving, rigourously enforced, but on his side of the contract is quite happy to have his premises operating with malfunctioning facilities. It could be a really nice place if it weren't for that......"

Now you're sounding like Victor Meldrew - I thought it was only me!

Your posts are always informative with an element of humour - please keep them coming.

I suspect your twang is a minor setback and all will be fine. In any event you seem to be doing really well overall.

All the best

Dave

 

[Jollyroger]

Yesterday, for example, I did the following: 5 minutes on the ecstatic bicycle at 80 rpm, intensity 6; 2 X 15 repetitions of leg press, leg extension, abductor and adductor machines, all at very undemanding resistances. Then a swim of about half a mile at fairly gentle intensity. Then any walking after that and I felt no problems at all. This morning, back again to that slightly reluctant feel in the operation area. Please, somebody, help me to explain this weird phenomenon.

I would say you were doing pretty well for your age, even if you hadn't had a hip replacement. "Slightly reluctant feel" doesn't sound serious to me - I get it most days, round about the time I should be getting out of bed. :biggrin:

Seriously, though, is it not usual to feel a bit tired/sore the day after exercise, especially at our age (and I'm 4 years younger). I get it all the time and just put it down to age/general unfitness. We will never be 25 again!

 

[lisanewmc]

Sounds like you're generally doing great Alan, shame about the twang.

Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue.......and repeat (I'm currently doing 200 lines myself)

 

[Josephine]

I think it's probably because water work isn't demanding on the muscles so they get a work out and a rest at the same time! :wink1:

 

[danni]

I keep saying this to everybody but I really do feel you need more PT to build the muscles in that hip and I know that from experience. I had very little Pt with my first replacement, and the hip certainly felt strange up to a year after the surgery. This time however I got weekly PT for 2 months mainly for abductor strength and the difference is huge. Can you balance on the operated leg unaided, can you squat on that one leg, if not your abductors are weak and only PT will correct that. I wish you the very best.

 

[Phillygirl]

Alan I love your moaning, your writings are always a pick me up. You have a way with words. I have the same thing with exercising, feels good doing them and the next day after strenthening I feel like a truck hit me. And I keep doing this in the hopes of getting stronger. I am certainly not on the fast road to recovery and I was very active before the OP. Some of us just have different muscle issues I guess. I will not give up on being able to play doubles tennis again. Keep up the great journalism it is enjoyable reading.

 

[Poppet]

Yes Alan

Like I have PM'd you before - you are a very good wordsmith.

Always enjoy reading your posts, keep them coming.

Feel better soon

 

[staffsknot]

Hallo Folks,

Just off to see Bone Man to celebrate first anniversary of THR. Excited and apprehensive.

Will show him this list of questions. Tell you later how I got on.

Things I can do:
1) stand on and balance on the affected leg.
2) swim 800 metres front crawl without trying and up to 2000 metres with a lot more effort.
3) walk up to 5 miles a day, including steep uphill and downhill, at a slow pace. Soreness in the region of the scar eventually makes me feel like stopping.
4) do gardening for 4 to 5 hours. Eventually the bending and stretching makes the operation area rather sore.
5) all normal domestic tasks.
6) Drive a car.
I can do all of the above without use of a stick, except moving downhill over rough ground, where I find a stick helpful.
I never need to take painkillers.
Things I can’t do:
1) Walk quickly for more than a very short distance. I get unpleasant discomfort in the affected leg if I try.
2) Don’t feel confident enough to hop on the affected leg.
3) Can’t walk 100% normally, without dragging my good foot along the ground from time to time.
Questions:
1) Is everything joined together as it should be?
2) Are there any activities I should definitely not attempt, for fear of causing damage to the repaired joint?
3) Can I still hope for further improvement in the things I can’t yet do? A year ago, you suggested I might be able to do “speed walking”. I feel a long way away from ever being able to do that.

All the best, Alan

 

[lisanewmc]

Blimey Alan - your 'can do' list is fantastic! Way to go !!!!!!!!

 

[lisanewmc]

ps - WHY do you want to hop?

 

[nanamac]

:th_heehee: Yes Alan, why do you want to hop :hysterical: ? Alan, I have said from the get go, you are doing fantastic! The monthly updates have showed how far you have come. My goodness! You are remarkable!

I do think recovery still goes on though, perhaps for another year. My latest "Old OS" was just telling me that a few months ago. I know it is true to a point but I didn't believe him for how he was applying it to me.

Keep up the great work Alan! You are amazing and I will still look forward to updates! Do let us know how the appointment goes!