THR, Riding Mowers, and........?

[MsCat62]

First the "and......" question.
Has anyone had the pain in their hip completely go away before their THR? My hubby (btw, his name is Jim) has had no pain for the last 2 days. And he worked the last 2 days which is a small miracle! Cause normally, he'd barely be walking by the end of the day, let alone 2 days! I'm thinking it's possibly because for the last few days, the weather has been a lot warmer and that may be the reason.

The other question is.....

We've made arrangements to have a neighbor mow our yard while Jim is out of commission. But is it possible that he might be able to sit on a riding mower sooner than later in his recovery?
And just for the record, I've said I'd do it, but he won't let me cause he's worried I'd fall in our pond. Mind you, I've had to tow his tail out of that pond more than once in the past. So I'm thinking it's a "guy" thing.

 

[JudyS]

Hi,
I have no answer to your question, but it sure made me laugh. I will have you both in my thoughts and prayers on Tuesday (I hope that is the right day).
Judy

 

[MsCat62]

Thanks Judy. Yes it is Tuesday. Though we'll be going up tomorrow. Cause with it being 100 miles away, we just got a hotel room, then I'll be coming back home Tuesday night. I wanted to stay the whole time, but we can't afford that. And I also have a cat here that has had health issues and I'm not comfortable leaving him here that long, even with a friend checking and feeding them.

 

[Josephine]

sInteresting question - can't say I've ever had anyone ask if it was alright to use a mower before! Being totally ignorant of the demands a mower makes upon one's body, I'd have to pass on that.

As for the pain going away - yes, the warmer weather most likely would have had a beneficial effect in that way.

All the best for Tuesday ...

 

[phoggie]

Hi there~
Would Jim have to use his leg to use the mower? I don't know if he will be able to raise it up and down if he needs to use it for the gas or brake. I went out and got on to our John Deere and I don't think I would have been able to do that for several weeks....those thigh muscles will be extremely sore and weak for awhile....and a set-back would not be good..but this is interesting...ask his OS and let us know. And good luck and best wishes to him in his surgery.

 

[MsCat62]

sInteresting question - can't say I've ever had anyone ask if it was alright to use a mower before! Being totally ignorant of the demands a mower makes upon one's body, I'd have to pass on that.

As for the pain going away - yes, the warmer weather most likely would have had a beneficial effect in that way.

All the best for Tuesday ...

Hi there~
Would Jim have to use his leg to use the mower? I don't know if he will be able to raise it up and down if he needs to use it for the gas or brake. I went out and got on to our John Deere and I don't think I would have been able to do that for several weeks....those thigh muscles will be extremely sore and weak for awhile....and a set-back would not be good..but this is interesting...ask his OS and let us know. And good luck and best wishes to him in his surgery.

Well leave it to me to ask the unusual questions. I'm good at that. <lol>

I asked Jim about the brake and gas pedals and yes they are on the right side, so considering his THR is on his right, that will probably be a problem like phoggie said. Jim was planning....hoping to be able to do it in about 4 weeks. We'll see. But I'm thinking if they say you can usual drive after 6 weeks, than you should be able to do a mower a bit sooner?

But not only will I make sure it's cleared with the OS (cause your right, we don't want any set-backs!). But I'll also make sure to tell HIM to stay away from the pond til we know HE won't fall in! ;-) <lol>

 

[*gmac*]

Tell Jim I hear my rider crying out as well. But at 2 weeks out I cant even comprehend the mechanics involved in trying to climb on that bear. Doc says 50 % for 6 weeks. (That's standing upright) Somewhere in the process he has to put 100 % weight on leg and pivot and step through to sit down. I spent an hour or so out in the garage Saturday and overdid just put-zing around out there. I do like Jim's 4 week goal. I think most of those 4 weeks will be spent doing strengthening exercises on his abductor and quad muscles. Jim, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[MsCat62]

I'll tell him gmac. And Thanks. ;-)
Good luck with getting back on your as well. :-D

 

[Traceyleth]

Hi, can't help with the mower question but i can tell you that i had a similar situation regarding pain myself a week or two ago. I posted here wondering wether i should cancel my op which is scheduled for July. I was thinking i had made a miracle recovery launched myself into the housework was walking my children to all their activities instead of driving even did some gardening, unfortunately the miracle didn't last very long.
Good luck with your op
Tracey

 

[Bob A.]

I have had days where the pain just seems to disappear, not the limited mobility, but the ongoing discomfort. Unfortunately, those days don't last long or only occur when I have a Dr's appointment. I think what is really happening is the inflammation goes down for some reason, maybe lack of use, but returns soon enough.

As for the riding mower part, I can tell you that when I do my lawn, I can definitely feel it in my hips since you are sitting in a pretty low position relative to the pedals and footrests on the machine. If you are feeling it then you are at a point where the joint is being pushed to its limits so I would think that would be a no no after surgery.

 

[MsCat62]

Sorry I haven't been back til now, but thank you Traceyleth and Bob A for the responses. I'm afraid I was being a bit optimistic and probably jumped the gun in even asking about a riding mower. Cause if you look at my recent post in the "After Hip Replacement" section, under "He Didn't Think It Would Hurt That Much", you'll see he's having a really rough go of it. Though I will pass along what you both said, and hope it can use it sooner than later.

 

[*gmac*]

MsCat62- Tell Jim it can be done. I tried it today at just under 6 weeks. Pure therapy, mind and soul outside in the sunshine. He might want to bungee his walker in case he gets stuck. (also a life jacket in case he gets too close to the pond). Just slow n easy.

 

[westexas]

GMAC,
WAY TO GO...MSCAT HAS NOT POSTED IN QUITE A WHILE BUT HOPE SHE WILL SOON....LOVE THE PIC.... patty

 

[JudyS]

GMAC
I love the pic too!!!
Jim you were right, I didn't think it would hurt this much either. Fortunately, I am not 1 week post and have been home for 2 days!!!
Judy

MSCat
Did Jim deal with all the swelling. If I knew how to post a pic I would send in my legs and see if anyone could tell what they were, or find the kneecap.

Judy

 

[MsCat62]

MsCat62- Tell Jim it can be done. I tried it today at just under 6 weeks. Pure therapy, mind and soul outside in the sunshine. He might want to bungee his walker in case he gets stuck. (also a life jacket in case he gets too close to the pond). Just slow n easy.

GMAC,
WAY TO GO...MSCAT HAS NOT POSTED IN QUITE A WHILE BUT HOPE SHE WILL SOON....LOVE THE PIC.... patty

GMAC
I love the pic too!!!
Jim you were right, I didn't think it would hurt this much either. Fortunately, I am not 1 week post and have been home for 2 days!!!
Judy

MSCat
Did Jim deal with all the swelling. If I knew how to post a pic I would send in my legs and see if anyone could tell what they were, or find the kneecap.

Judy

OMG! I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to ya'll until now! I swear everyday this last week I think I'll get some time to reply to e-mails and post here to update ya'll and check on Judy, but when I finally get the time, it's late and I can hardly see straight, let alone gather enough brain cells to write an even remotely coherent sentence.

We've had PT 3 times this last week (Mon, Wed, & Fri.) and also had Jim's first post-op appt. (Tues.) which is 100 miles from here (one way). Also, for 3 days straight (Sat, Sun & Mon), Jim tried to kill me! <lol> He's the gardener, not me, but he wanted to get some stuff for the flower bed outside of the bedroom where he is most of the time (he has his bed, chair, TV, etc. there) and I understood that. So we got some roses and a couple other plants, but since he couldn't bend to plant them, he supervised and I did it. However, considering I have my own chronic pain and breathing issues and add to that the heat and humidity had jumped real high, I was knocked flat for the rest of the day, each day, after we were done.
Then yesterday was my day to run errands all day, then by early evening we were under Tornado warnings, so I was glued to the police scanner for the rest of the night.
I hope after reading all this, you'll understand why I haven't been able to post.

Jim's doing well and improving little by little. He's starting to walk with only 1 crutch at times and hoping in about another week to be to a cane. Now you would think that he'd be running me ragged less, but nooooooo! I think part of him likes being waited on.......a little too much maybe.....so I may have to start being the bad guy and telling him to, "do it himself". ;-) <lol>
In some areas he's advancing well, maybe even above average (like the number of reps in his exercises at home, though I have weights coming so the number will decrease). But in other areas (lunges), he's a little behind where maybe he should be, but it's all the, "each person goes at their own pace" reality.

GMAC, Thanks for the pic. When there's a will, there's a way! <rofl> Jim was eyeing the mower the other day, so I don't think it'll me too much longer. The doc even said (at his post-op appt) that he could try in about another week.

Judy, Jim had a lot of swelling too. His operated leg was twice the size of his good leg. But the only time I got concerned was that one night when the calf got bigger than his thigh. But after icing it all night, by bedtime it was back to where it had been. I know it should be 20 minutes on and 20 off, but as long as your not getting frostbite and can stand it on longer, the more ice the better. Get some hot/cold packs and just keep rotating them. ;-) Jim's swelling lasted about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks, but now looks fine. And his steri strips are finally starting to come off in the last few days (though the doc was laughing cause his are I guess stubborn and hanging on longer than normal) and the incision looks great.

Patty, Got your PM and will reply shortly. Again, sorry it's been so long.

Well, I have to post most of this in the other thread too, then it'll be time for me to crash for the day. I'll check back in as soon as I'm able.

 

[JudyS]

MsCat
Glad to hear from you. You need a vacation. I try to be very independant and hate to ask for any help.
Lunges???? I can't imagine trying any excercise like that. I came home wed aft. the pt came to my house today (friday). She told me a lot and it was great to see what is allowed and not in your own environment. She wants to talk to my OS before she gives me any standing exercises.
I hope lunges are not on her list!!!!!
I hope the gardening supervisor is done with you, you have more than enought to do without that.
Judy

Jim, there will be another growing season soon

 

[MsCat62]

Hey Judy, :-D

Yeah I think the "Supervisor" is done with me for this season. <lol> I think he's worried about me getting ticked with all the "weapons" laying there. ;-) <lol>

As for the lunges, those weren't even talked about, or tried until this week (week 3), so by then you'll probably feel a lot different. But as was pointed out to us, they are crucial in building the leg muscles back up again and for giving you more stability. But even if you feel ready for them, wait til they help you that first time.

Cat

 

[JudyS]

MsCat,
I was not allowed to do lunges at pt in the past as my knee would hurt too much!!!!
Did Jim have the posterior approach? I forgot. Seems to me lunges would break the 90 degree rule.
Of course my clutsyness would come into play and I would fall sideways like a cartoon character!!
Judy

 

[MsCat62]

MsCat,
I was not allowed to do lunges at pt in the past as my knee would hurt too much!!!!
Did Jim have the posterior approach? I forgot. Seems to me lunges would break the 90 degree rule.
Of course my clutsyness would come into play and I would fall sideways like a cartoon character!!
Judy

Judy, Sorry I'm just now getting to this post.

As for the approach, I'm not good and knowing the terms, but I can tell you his scar is down the side of his hip if that helps? <lol>

Now for the good news! Today is exactly 1 month since his THR and he not only got on the mower, but mowed half the yard! He tried sitting on it yesterday with me standing there just in case and when he climbed up and sat down, all he said was, "Is that all there was to it?". <lol>
Anyway, he went for it today and did fine. He also drove us (only a couple miles) to his PT appt. And after all that he layed down, iced his leg and is now taking a nap. <lol>