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THR That wasn't so bad!!!

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Jane, I have been thinking of seeing if there are any Tai Chi classes near us! After 30 yrs in one style I think it would be great to be a new student again. I still am not doing any kicks but I am learning to trust my hip more and I am really surprised at some of the movement I was scared to death to try for fear of dislocation actually feels ok! Private lessons are a really good way for me to ease back in - if I demonstrate I can do movements in slow motion so be very careful with my limits. I am in no hurry because I do not like set backs.

Judy
 
Folks,

Thoughts from someone who has never done any martial arts...

As I see folks doing Tai Chi I think (before and after surgery) that ist looks like a great way to safely work on stretching, range of motion and strength. For me, I think this would be something I would try in my basement in front of a TV or a computer screen. This would be a means to an end ...with the end being the other activities that I enjoy like hiking and soccer, etc.

Is that a reasonable strategy? Are their websites that have videos of the beginner moves to get a feel for what this might be like?

Thanks for any thots...and good luck with your comebacks.

Judy, I really respect your thought about being a beginner again (in Tai Chi). That is an admirable perspective,,,,

Z
 
Judy, you sound like you are doing so well. When I was puttering around the Net looking for hip stories from athletic types I came across this karate practitioner and thought of you:broken link removed: https://www.shoryukan.com/Topics/Extra/Articles/hipreplacment.html
 
Judy - there's a move in the Form, well several actually, where we bring the knee across the middle line - a no-no for recent THR's - but I've been doing this for a few weeks now (coming up for 9 weeks post-op) with no ill-effects. As you say, it's surprising what your hip will let you do as long as you're slow and cautious. For myself I've no doubt that Tai Chi has strengthened my legs and that has helped with my recovery.

As Z says, good on you for being open enough to consider being a beginner (in Tai Chi or anything else). Lifelong learning is the way to go, eh?

Z - yes Tai Chi is safe, but speaking personally I can't imagine learning it from a video rather than from a real teacher. We concentrate so much on detail - how you position your foot, how you hold your hand., where your weight is etc etc. I'm sure there are lots of beginners' vids on the internet but I haven't looked at them. Occasionally I watch videos of people doing the whole Form, but I wouldn't recommend a beginner watching those anyway, except just for interest. Some simple Qi Gong exercises might be the way to go. Maybe Judy has a view on this?

Also, when I started I found it SOO slow! One of the things 8 years of learning Tai Chi has finally taught me is patience, whilst many people give up early on as it's so slow. Being an active sort of chap, you might be bored to tears by the early lessons!
 
Jen, thanks so much for the link. I had done lots of searches before my surgery but hadn't found this one. It was very encouraging as it parallels some of my expectations (hopes!) - that it takes time but I can return to what I have spent my whole life doing!

Z- I actually love the idea of doing something as a beginner with no pressure to have to perform at a certain level(in our own school as a high rank I feel that if I can't perform at a high level it gives our students a negative view as many do not know the whole story of my set back!). As for using videos, there is a lot to be said for taking a class, I am sure Jane can vouch for the fact that something that seems easy on video is more difficult than you think and correct form that comes from an instructor is important! Not to mention the social part that comes from a class and the extra motivation that also comes from being in a class.

Jane, I have been slowly trying to walk through my weapons form (the one on the video) and although my stances are not as long or low as I would like it is definitely coming along! I hope to post a video soon if I can get my Hubby to film it! My open form is another story - it has drop kicks, spin kicks, jump kicks, cross stances,etc all the things that will take me a very long time to regain.

Judy
 
Hey Judy -

Just thought I would give you a poke to see how you are doing - have not seen you around these parts in awhile. Hope that all is going well.

Kevin
 
Thanks for checking in, Kevin. So glad to hear your recovery seems to be going well. I have been lurking these boards but it has been a while since I updated so here goes!

Last Monday I had my 2 month check-up and all went well. I did have a few days of feeling a great sense of regret- feeling a sense of trading one list of can'ts for another!! I had gone in with my long list of questions and had asked about the possibility of me going back to some of the things I used to enjoy, mainly jogging and martial arts. OS laughed and said "sure, I love to do revisions!!!" then basically said that jogging out permanently and martial arts probably at least a year. He said he often had trouble with yoga patients wanting to bend in ways not recommended. So there went all the things I enjoy out the window! I then took the time to remind myself what I felt like before the surgery and it had gotten to the point I couldn't do any of those things anyway! I have decided I just need to find something to do that satisfies my competitive nature without hurting anything so PT should help send me in a good direction.

So, on a brighter note, I start outpatient PT tomorrow, which should satisfy my desire for more exercise (really need to burn some calories!!) I am pretty much pain free:thumb: except for a little groin/inner thigh pain when I do things like leg raises and that is dwindling to nothing also. I can get my socks off, so moving in that direction, and can walk all I want with no issues! I am teaching private lessons again (very little demonstrating but back to low, slow kicks on my good side when I need to). I am hoping to go back to doing my weapons form (no kicks in that!). My pelvic tilt if not gone is certainly much better and my leg length seems to be good. So all in all I am at a very happy place, although very anxious for this cold weather to end. We had a mild streak (I am a little north of you, Kevin!) so I actually got outside for some walks which felt great!
 
Judy,

So happy to hear you had a good report. I know what you mean about wanting to get back to everything you used to do, but we have our new reality now and the great news is you should be able to get back to even more after a year. That is great news and the way time flies will be here before you know it! Good luck with the PT. Take care.
 
Hello Judy....

Wow we are all going back to normal lives isn't it fabulous!!

Your updates were great! I hit 3 months today and it all seems like years ago hopefully a good sign of recovery YAY!

Wishing you lots of good healing and lots of love!

xxooxx
 
Hi Judy, Your update sounds great! So glad to hear that you are feeling so well and that you are returning, albeit more slowly than you would like, to your treasured activities. Looking forward to seeing a video of your form - please get hubby to cooperate!
 
plinej said:
Day 4, good news so far - sleeping well, surprisingly (except for husbands snoring!!!) Coumadin levels were high so I don't have to take it for a few days until the nurse gets updates on the levels.

Husband says I am not limping:yahoo: Pain tolerable - on Norco. Appetite still not good but should be up to eating today.

Muscle trauma must have been more than I expected as the exercises are a lot harder than I thought they would be (especially the leg raises, and the leg to the side one!) At least this morning I could engage the muscles even though I couldn't move the leg on my own - so I do one set just engaging and one with my husbands aid. Are they supposed to be that hard!? I know it is still early.

Although the surgeon said the surgery was easy, strong bones and all I have discovered that the incision appears to be farther back than I expected (more lateral, I think) so that may be why the muscles seem more traumatized than expected. Incision looks good, though from what my husband says - can't see it myself. No drainage, drying and healing nicely.
Click to expand...
The muscle thing is almost exactly what I experienced with my first THA. On the first day with PT, I could barely move my leg up. 4 weeks later, I was back at work. You will be amazed at how fast it happens. Be sure to take your pain meds before PT so you can work the muscles. Hang in there and watch what happens.
 
Well, 11 1/2 weeks post op I finally did my weapons form for you all to see!!! Not my best, stances not very deep but I am a happy camper!!! Other achievement - put my shoes AND socks on no tool today (socks were a real stretch so I a may wait a while before I make it a habit - I have been stuffing them in my pocket to drive home from our studio, I just don't like my students see me needing assistance with my socks!!). PT is going well, they know my goals and are being as supportive as they can to ease me back into some of my activities. I must say the lack of pain feels great! My quads and hamstrings on the operated side are still very weak but I feel I am making great :dancy::thumb::yahoo: progress! May even compete with this form in April - may not be what it used to be but it will feel great to get back at it!!

Judy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ-CH2MMpow

Hope this works!
 
Judy,

Glad that it is feeling good to be back out there! Just have fun with it and do the best you can at every step of the way...

We continue to get better as long as we're working on it.

Z
 
Judy....eleven weeks is not very far out from surgery and I am amazed at your video. Way to go, gal!!! It's so good to see you getting back into the swing of your life!
 
Wow! Don't know what you did before surgery but that looked great. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration.
 
Hey Judy - I think it was before our surgeries (or soon after) that I was watching your "before" video, thinking MAYBE in a year that you could be back on the floor doing your routine. So now I see this AFTER video, less than 4 months post-op, and you put a lump in my throat gal. Talk about inspiration - this is awesome. Not just the successful rehab physically, but seeing you participate in life again the way you want to .... why that's why we all went thru the THR procedure ! Thanks for the great progress report via video - hat's off to you.

Kevin
 
Well done Judy! Who cares if it's not perfect - you are there! Perfection will come. Great stuff!
 
Judy,

Your video is fabulous!!! You look brilliant and sound scary hahahahah! I wouldn't want meet you in a dark alley anytime soon you would kick my bum!
I would attempt to run but thats not happening Bad jokes sorry!

I'm soooooo happy you are doing so well!

xxooxx
 
Judy, You are doing awesome. I loved your video. Way to go, back in your life and doing the things you love to do.
Just think in how much pain you were prior to surgery and now you are well into recovery.
Keep it up. You are doing great.
Bea
 
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