Bilateral THR Swimming and PT after THR in first 3 months

[Storygirl]

Hi,
In the early days of recovery, I'd consider a wedge. Low to mid heel height for more stability.
Dressier than a flat and more comfy than a kitten heel.
Whatever you decide on....have fun!
@Storygirl

@Alitm, your story sounds so much like mine! I gradually got worse til I couldn’t even walk in a pool without pain the last month before my surgery. I am a pretty active person so it was so discouraging. I’m 6 weeks out and swimming, walking, biking...and that awful pain is gone. And I can’t tell you how wonderful it thank you Layla! I will! (And I got some cute wedges ️)

 

[Storygirl]

Hi,
In the early days of recovery, I'd consider a wedge. Low to mid heel height for more stability.
Dressier than a flat and more comfy than a kitten heel.
Whatever you decide on....have fun!
@Storygirl

Try it and see.. I wore some heels two to three months after my BTHR for a banquet. They were off under the table, and off as I walked across the parking lot going out of there.
Dont know if it is detrimental, but certainly not comfortable.

The next time I was due to dress up, I got some inexpensive shimmery ballerina type flats...too bad, most folks knew I had hip surgery. Dont like that style shoe really, so only wore them the one time.

Thanks Mojo. I like the idea of “kicking them off under the table”. Will remember that!

 

[Storygirl]

Hi,
In the early days of recovery, I'd consider a wedge. Low to mid heel height for more stability.
Dressier than a flat and more comfy than a kitten heel.
Whatever you decide on....have fun!
@Storygirl

Try it and see.. I wore some heels two to three months after my BTHR for a banquet. They were off under the table, and off as I walked across the parking lot going out of there.
Dont know if it is detrimental, but certainly not comfortable.

The next time I was due to dress up, I got some inexpensive shimmery ballerina type flats...too bad, most folks knew I had hip surgery. Dont like that style shoe really, so only wore them the one time.

Thanks @jaydub, I did get wedges! Off to a beautiful party!

 

[Alitm]

@Storygirl, thanks for your great and uplifting post. I am on the west coast too, British Columbia (Vancouver Island). Yes I have been super active all my life and having my active world get smaller and smaller is really disheartening. I was traveling a couple of weeks ago and was riding a small motorcycle for transport while on vacation, and stepping through for getting on and off the bike has really done a number on my right hip. I've missed two Pilates classes while away. Some things I can do, but others just have to leave, but it really helps with my core strength. I have my class today, and not sure if it is wise to go or not. The instructor knows my deal, so I hide in the back of class and do what I feel comfortable doing and modify other things. Since my holiday and the bike riding, I'm wondering if I'll be able to do. I think the pool will be my last stop way of exercising, in addition to feeding, mucking and turning out my three horses. I'm getting a bit nervous that that will go out the window too, before I get to surgery!! I don't want my poor husband to do more than he already has to do post surgery. Anyhow, thanks for listen to me vent and keep your encouraging progress updates coming - they are very supportive. I am SO thrilled for you!

 

[Storygirl]

Had a great time at the wedding! Wore some stacked heels - no problem! Wow, that’s sure a change from before the surgery. Every day I thank God I did this! Great day to you all today.

 

[Layla]

Wonderful news! I'ts nice to hear you had fun at the wedding and found a shoe that worked.
This surgery is a life changer.
Thanks for the update. Stay in touch.
Hope your week is great!
@Storygirl

 

[Mojo333]

Isn't it just grand..and I bet you are standing up so much straighter and taller.
All that stress pain isnt showing on our faces...I swear I feel decades younger.
You have done an amazing job with recovery and should pat yourself on the back for your patience and determination.
I do believe a good attitude helps

Both at once?!!
yes ma'am

 

[Storygirl]

@Mojo333, you are so encouraging!
I got to encourage a friend yesterday who is in almost the same position I was before surgery. She is in so much pain- and amazed at how fast my recovery was. She’s now going to see my surgeon to get all the info. I told her about the forum ️

 

[Storygirl]

PT QUESTION-
I’ve now been to 2 physical therapists (that’s another story). One therapist did the exercises like stationary bike, balance board and matching, etc. Because I had some discomfort on one side he did some deep massage in the IT band area. The next day I felt great. The other therapist did no exercises, just stretched me...Lots and lots of stretches on the table. Now the Hip discomfort is back tho not like before. But I’m wondering about all that stretching vs. strengthening and massage. Any thoughts anyone?

 

[Layla]

Hi @Storygirl
Sorry you're struggling with some discomfort. Try icing and taking a break and see if that helps.
And remember the BoneSmart Big Tip....

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.

I hope today is a good day and your pain eases soon.

 

[Storygirl]

Hi @ Layla
Yea, think I’m gonna lay off the PT stretching. I really was doing just fine without it. Hard to know sometimes. I actually do like the recumbent bike and balance board. They were more strengthening than anything else. May go back to that therapist. But I am doing great. Swimming is wonderful. I can barely tell I had surgery except my hips DO NOT hurt...yay!!
Thank you for your words ️

 

[Layla]

You're doing really well for not even two months post op. You're cruising through this recovery biz.
Curious about that balance board. I'm going to look that up.
When I was a kid, my parents had this thing called a Bongo Board.
I'm wondering if it's the same type of thing. I mastered it, as a kid. Might initially frighten me now.
Keep up the good work. As a bilateral...you're inspirational!
@Storygirl

 

[Storygirl]

@Layla, can I send you a photo of the board? They sell them on Amazon. They're called Rocker Boards, or stability boards.
Also, the stretch that the PT had me do that was so painful was where youlay down, bend your left knee, bend your right let and set your right foot on left knee. It wasn't good for me..
I'm doing soooo good. I still can't stoop down, difficult to pick something off floor. Not sure how to do it right. Still hard to tie my shoes or put on socks.. But everything else is great!

 

[Mojo333]

Yay, Story girl.
Isn't it wonderful that these hips are good!
Very happy you are doing well.
Take things easy, only two months out and lots of having still happening.
Have a great evening.

 

[Layla]

Oooh. Thanks for posting that photo. I like that!
It looks much safer and lower to the ground than the Bongo Board I described.
I'd like to work on my balance. Seems so important as we age and I'm no Spring Chicken

I think you're doing great for not even two months out. I'm sure stooping and shoe tying will come.
And you know what...if it doesn't, aren't you still better off? Someone once said - If I'm only ever 90%, I'm good. I'm sure many would agree, considering where they came from. Sure doesn't hurt to set goals though.
Hope you have a lovely weekend!
@Storygirl

 

[Storygirl]

Thank you Layla. I love the balance board and will probably invest in one for home. Another thing I found to help me sleep was a wedge pillow. It made a big difference. I was actually able to sleep on my side until my time with the PT last week. Now my hips have a burning feeling when I turn sideways. I think the nerves are inflamed and am laying off all PT to give them time to calm down. And you’re right, i haven’t been able to stoop down for a few years so why start now .
I am not sure I ever mentioned that my hips were both implanted with dual mobility cups. That is why I have no limitations as far as the 90 degree rule, etc. And my surgeon was very grade A. You know, I saw 4 surgeons before I settled on him. I just didn’t have peace about any one of them. Perhaps my fear and lack of trust? But I clicked with him instantly. Not sure why, they were all fine surgeons. I really prayed about it and I know He was the right one for me. Turned out he was the only one that used this particular implant, which has been right for me.

 

[djklaugh]

@Storygirl Heehee as for stooping ... you will eventually be able to do that! Check out my story (link in my signature) about 3 months out from surgery and the anecdote about cat wrangling for a grooming session

 

[Layla]

I believe you were led to your surgeon as an answer to prayer.
Sounds like he was a perfect fit for for you.

You mentioned dual mobility devices. Not sure if you've ever noticed this thread on the Pre-op side but they've had some serious discussion on the topic. Check it out, you may enjoy it. In all honesty I've only glanced at it a few times, since it really doesn't apply to me. Maybe I should educate myself though, lol.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/dual-mobility-acetabular-cup-vs-traditional-implant.36586/

Have a great weekend!
@Storygirl

 

[Alitm]

@Storygirl Hey, How are you doing in your recovery? Hope you are doing well and that the backing of the PT, icing and resting helped your pain. Thinking of you! I've seen pictures and read a little about the dual mobility devices. They appear to be pretty fabulous. I do not have that available to me here, so am going with a ceramic head and plastic cup. The surgeon feels the larger of the ceramic heads will work just fine for my activities. The dualies are supposed to be amazing for ROM though...so enjoy!!

 

[Storygirl]

@Alitm, hi!
Doing great. Swimming 3 times a week. Stopped PT for a few weeks because I went somewhere that made me feel worse instead of better. Starting again this week with the PT who focuses on strength instead of stretching. I feel that is what I need right now. For some reason the stretching hurt my back. My surgeon said it's possible that because I'm so tight (from a few years of not being able to stretch) my back was taking up the slack. Strengthening seems to really help. I still have a numbness and weird burning that comes and goes where my incisions are. The doctor told me to massage those areas. I'm rubbing wheat germ oil into them. It goes beneath the skin, lots of stuff to break up. I really like the dual mobility though I feel a tiny 'deep click' every now and then. Nothing that has any effect on me, I just feel it and it bothers me. Surgeon said it was normal. Its the ball in a ball. I still wouldn't trade it for anything. I am pretty active and I work with kids so it helps me keep up! You said it isn't available in your area... Are you in the US?