Re: Two picture of me once home
Latest update - 7 weeks + 3 days since THR operation.
Doing twice weekly physiotherapy gym based 'Lower limb rehab' sessions. The first was pretty scary, as they resistance machines challenged me. Completed third session today and already feeling the improvement and increased resistances by 5lb today on some machines. Yay! Needed ice, a sleep and lots of cups of tea to recover the first time, but only ice and tea the second, and just tea today!
Its interesting being with 6 other people who have leg problems of some sort, we all have different regimes to follow and look very serious a lot of the time. Of course there is always a bottleneck on one machine or other and it seems to be the leg press one at this week. Its like a Pilates Reformer, and if I had the space I'd consider getting one of those. I have done Pilates for many years - mat-based more recently, but loved the Reformer sessions.
I have bought some ankle weights - and a thicker Pilates mat (my yoga one was to thin) and together with the Therabands from the physio I am all set for home work outs to complete the three a week that are recommended by my physio.
The hospital here buys into this gym in some way so we get the 8 sessions for free, then we can join the council run gym at a discount for another 3 months. Its a great system, and has inspired me to consider joining a local gym (with pool , spa and sauna as well of course - lets not be to sweaty and keen about this, and remember the little luxuries in life) for a year to really give myself the opportunity to rehab myself at my own speed - which includes rest and relaxation as well - (see above).
What else has changed?
Oh yes, I can now walk into the town, about 25-30 minutes down a steep hill and back again to include a bit of shopping --
of course. I bought a dress for my 55th birthday party - am so pleased with it, can't wait to accessorise it!
My first time into town was last week, and coming back up the hill was a bit sore, but have done it 4 times now and each time its easier.
As a few people have mentioned, I get a bit of pain on the front top of my right thigh when I raise my leg. I think this is my hip flexor, and having chatted to my physion and read a great book about stretching I am working on gently relaxing into a stretch to work on this. Apparently tight hip flexors stop the gluteals doing their job properly, which leads - amongst other things to impinged hip movement and lower back pain - all of which I recognise as being things that grew worse alongside my hip pain pre-op. So I want to try to stop them re-developing by baby-stretching my hip flexor(s). I've had tight hip flexors for years- especially on my arthritic side and no amount of stretching loosened it, so I hope now it will.
Other things
Love the walking - my husband says I am so much more 'fluid' this week - and its not all the red wine at the weekend, I promise! :cheers_wine:
Truly though it is a good description. Partly because I am learning to walk with a longer stride once again - and to 'heel and toe' rather than walk as if in a hobble skirt.
I get stabbing pains in my thigh sometimes, and the area below my incision is tender, both respond to massage quite well. Still can't really lie on my side at night comfortably - even with a pillow between my legs, and roll onto my back by default. I tried lying on my operated side a few time and that is most uncomfortable.
Still can't get into the bath either as its got really high sides. Can't wait to manage that as I love a deep bath by candle light with a good book....:bathtub:
I'm going to ice, elevate and rest now whilst I watch TV, so will love you all and leave you.:sleepz:
Best wishes to all
Latest update - 7 weeks + 3 days since THR operation.
Doing twice weekly physiotherapy gym based 'Lower limb rehab' sessions. The first was pretty scary, as they resistance machines challenged me. Completed third session today and already feeling the improvement and increased resistances by 5lb today on some machines. Yay! Needed ice, a sleep and lots of cups of tea to recover the first time, but only ice and tea the second, and just tea today!
Its interesting being with 6 other people who have leg problems of some sort, we all have different regimes to follow and look very serious a lot of the time. Of course there is always a bottleneck on one machine or other and it seems to be the leg press one at this week. Its like a Pilates Reformer, and if I had the space I'd consider getting one of those. I have done Pilates for many years - mat-based more recently, but loved the Reformer sessions.
I have bought some ankle weights - and a thicker Pilates mat (my yoga one was to thin) and together with the Therabands from the physio I am all set for home work outs to complete the three a week that are recommended by my physio.
The hospital here buys into this gym in some way so we get the 8 sessions for free, then we can join the council run gym at a discount for another 3 months. Its a great system, and has inspired me to consider joining a local gym (with pool , spa and sauna as well of course - lets not be to sweaty and keen about this, and remember the little luxuries in life) for a year to really give myself the opportunity to rehab myself at my own speed - which includes rest and relaxation as well - (see above).
What else has changed?
Oh yes, I can now walk into the town, about 25-30 minutes down a steep hill and back again to include a bit of shopping --
of course. I bought a dress for my 55th birthday party - am so pleased with it, can't wait to accessorise it! My first time into town was last week, and coming back up the hill was a bit sore, but have done it 4 times now and each time its easier.
As a few people have mentioned, I get a bit of pain on the front top of my right thigh when I raise my leg. I think this is my hip flexor, and having chatted to my physion and read a great book about stretching I am working on gently relaxing into a stretch to work on this. Apparently tight hip flexors stop the gluteals doing their job properly, which leads - amongst other things to impinged hip movement and lower back pain - all of which I recognise as being things that grew worse alongside my hip pain pre-op. So I want to try to stop them re-developing by baby-stretching my hip flexor(s). I've had tight hip flexors for years- especially on my arthritic side and no amount of stretching loosened it, so I hope now it will.
Other things
Love the walking - my husband says I am so much more 'fluid' this week - and its not all the red wine at the weekend, I promise! :cheers_wine:
Truly though it is a good description. Partly because I am learning to walk with a longer stride once again - and to 'heel and toe' rather than walk as if in a hobble skirt.
I get stabbing pains in my thigh sometimes, and the area below my incision is tender, both respond to massage quite well. Still can't really lie on my side at night comfortably - even with a pillow between my legs, and roll onto my back by default. I tried lying on my operated side a few time and that is most uncomfortable.
Still can't get into the bath either as its got really high sides. Can't wait to manage that as I love a deep bath by candle light with a good book....:bathtub:
I'm going to ice, elevate and rest now whilst I watch TV, so will love you all and leave you.:sleepz:
Best wishes to all
United States
