2 weeks post THR - steady as she goes !
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi - just an update of week two since my left THR which hopefully may be of value to anyone who has just had their THR and wondering what comes next.
It has been quite an uneventful week really - certainly compared to last week. I have been reallly suprised at how much progress I have made. I increased my daily walk steadily through the week and can now manage 1.25 miles quite comfortably and have dropped down to one crutch as the second crutch doesnt seem to do much. It does take about 40 minutes though so not breaking any records.
On Wednesday the Physio took a quick look at me and said I could be discharged. I am a bit miffed at this as I know that I am a long way from full fitness and a new set of exercises each week surely must be good ?
On Friday I had my staples removed which was quick and painless and the scar is nice and neat ( according to my lovely wife). I now have a four week wait for my follow up with the consultant and I am sure that I can just expect a much more steady recovery between now and then.
My goal is to just keep things ticking over - in my mind I have a broken bone in my leg and it will be six weeks to achieve full strength.
I would be grateful if anybody has recieved advice on how soon they were allowed to go to the swimming pool please, I would love to go for a swim.
Paul
2 likes, 17 replies
julie49207 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul
Well done!!
In the UK we leave hospital after 3 days and no physio just a sheet of paper with a few exercises to do at home.
However it has worked for me.
Julie 🖒
paul170864 julie49207
Posted
Ariseka paul170864
Posted
Greetings Paul,
My right hip replacement was September 2016, I was swimming in our pool November.
My healing was very impressive, a little pain was tolerant , minimal pain pills (I took 1 a week for a month), I exercise daily, a vegetarian and before the hip replacement, I swam daily.
Be very careful with you healing process. Look carefully at your hip, make sure it is TOTALLY healed, no discharges, to a point where your skin coloration has returned and you can barely see the scar.
Also, be aware of your pool's cleanliness and sanitation. Make sure you have the required sanitation upkeep, etc. If you share your pool with anyone, be aware of their cleanliness habits (no diapers, etc).
I could not wait to swim again, but patience is very important. Different people heal differently and you must "LISTEN" to your body. I realize one fact, if you are health conscience, exercise regularly, your weight is controllable or no problem, you should enjoy the magic of indulging in the equatic side of your life!
If you have taken care of your body before the surgery, your body will take care of you post surgery!
paul170864 Ariseka
Posted
Ariseka paul170864
Posted
If you physio has given you an "OK", obviously he/she is condifent that your healing process is progressing.
Frankly, I had "no problems" with my post surgery, seriously. I think my healiing normally was accredited to how I have taken care of myself over the years! My left and right surgery (3 years apart) was "excellent"! Plus the surgeon and his crew were top of the line, here in Florida.
Additionally, the hospital and private room was comfortable, all of the medical staff was professional and very pleasant. The hospital food was surprisingly "delicious"! My menu was vegetarian, no complaints!
FInally my pain level was almost non existence because I chose NOT to take the 'required' pain med; only one a week for a couple of weeks! All of the above mentioned is responsible for quick healing processes. It IS a major operation. Be confident that everyone surrounding you will encourage you to "do the right thing", and soon this will be history.
If your past track record of "how your body and miind" operates under certain unpredictable circumstances, is maintained within positive environments and reinforcements, you will heal perfectly and your life will progress as before.
AnnieK paul170864
Posted
Paul, your incision has to be completely healed before you can go swimming. Your surgeon should give you the time frame for that. And as far as gaining full strength, well, that takes much longer than 6 weeks, more like many months. It sounds like you are feeling and doing really well, but the healing of the bone and soft tissues inside your body takes a certain amount of time, as things must knit themselves together from the cellular level and on up, so you need to not stress that healing too much. You can't rush recovery, but you can hurt yourself and delay your recovery if you do too much too soon.
Hope you keep moving along in this positive direction!
paul170864 AnnieK
Posted
point taken - I do feel strong but I am probably at that point when damage can be done easily
judith12644 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
Glad it's all going well!
I went swimming at about 7 or 8 weeks, after I'd seen the consultant. It wasn't V successful at first, because I really only swim breast stroke, and I tried to combine breast stroke arms with up and down leg kick. Didn't go terribly well, and afterwards my hip was a bit achy. When I bumped into my consultant at about 5 months, he said that breast stroke legs would be fine, and I've enjoyed swimming since. Check with your consultant and if you are good at crawl, you probably will be ok in a few weeks. Happy swimming!
paul170864 judith12644
Posted
up until my op I was swimming regularly but to keep the pain in my legs down I used a pullbouy between my legs which immobilises them allowing you to do any stroke you like with your upper body but provides buoyancy keeping your lower body afloat. I plan to keep using it when I am back to fitness as a good heart and upperbody exercise saving my legs for walking and cycling
judith12644 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
Continuing to use the pullbouy seems to be a very good idea. My problem was trying to tame my legs so that they weren't flapping around too much!
anneee95728 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul
I go back to my Physio 2 1/2 weeks post surgery. I was 'glued' not stapled, not sure what difference that makes however if healed she will decide whether I am ready to go for Physio swimming. Not sure if it's available where you are but I can't wait. I am 10 days post surgery of hip 1. Exercises still testing but like many other patients I was sent home with sheet of papers exercises only. Need other hip replacing asap but am glad Cons said one at a time.
Will report after Physio appt. I so miss my swimming having been the only exercise I was able to do ore-surgery.
Good luck with yours.
paul170864 anneee95728
Posted
I had had my op on 24/2 so I think you were just a few days behind me. I like the sound of the glue but to be fair staples havent left any puncture marks like stitched do. Has anyone mentioned swimming to you or is it something you will bring up at you physio meeting ? Have you been given a time frame for second hip or are they waiting to get you up and running on this one ? Mine mentioned 8 weeks apart but that will only give 2 weeks after my follow up appt. maybe he has booked a theatre spot already.
I so crave exercise !! I was out on my bike most days before all this happened and took to swimming as it was the only option left.
I dont know where you are Anne ?
amanda1827h paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,I would continue with Physiotherapy as much as you can,even if you have to pay.Also perhaps ask to get into a hydrotherapy pool.This is the best all round excercis Please remember that you have had a major operation. DON'T over do things.Occupy your self with books,magazines,& TV. Regards Amanda h
paul170864 amanda1827h
Posted
Everyone I meet at the moment is giving me grief about not doing too much too soon. I must have a bad rep - the 85yr old lady who lives opposite came out to tell me off for cleaning windows yesterday and said she will shop me to the missus if she spots me doing anything daft.
An old school friend of mine is a private sports physio ( he first diagnosed the cause of all my leg pains as being referred from the hips ) and I will definitely see him possibly in a couple of weeks time.
Its tough watching Spring arrive through the windows but I get your point and will be v. careful for the next month or so.
Paul
kimberley38758 paul170864
Posted
Hi Paul,
Glad to hear that you are doing well
I'm surprised that they discharged you from physio so quickly. I'd advise that you continue doing the exercises that you looked up on the internet for a while longer. You need to continue to strengthen the muscles around the hip.
As far as swimming, I wouldn't do a whole lot until 10-12 weeks. This is how long it takes for the soft tissue around the hip to heal (according to my specialist). Be very careful in the water. Don't do the breast stroke kick for a while longer. I had restrictions of not extending the operated leg backwards and not to kick out until the 12th week.
Strengthening exercises like walking in the water will help, but be very careful at only 2 weeks!
Best of luck on your continued recovery
paul170864 kimberley38758
Posted
good to hear from you, sound advice - I had to do a couple of half mile walks as well as my usual 1.25 mile walk around the park lake today and I am really tired tonight. I might give swimming a go at 6 weeks if consultant gives it the ok but just crawl for now.
Thank you for your encouragement
Paul