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3 weeks THR post op physio.

Posted , 10 users are following.

jan24212
jan24212

Just got back from seeing the physio and must admit felt good going in thinking I was doing Ok. He immediately told my hip

Movement wasn't as good as it should be and told me to start the exercises for 4 weeks post op straight away and to buy a wobble board. He went on to say cut down on the co codamol and only use paracetamol and try and go through the night without taking extra. Wow that burst my bubble and I am not sure I can do without the co codamol. I only take one every 4 hours which is much less than the max dose. Anyone else come across this rigid line with their physio's. The lady Physio I saw 10 days ago was very supportive and encouraging.

I am a bit deflated to say the least!!! 😢

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • sonia97062
    sonia97062 jan24212

    Posted

    I ended up in bed for a week unable to move doing as the physio told me. Trust yourself, do what you can and I am sure you are doing fine. We are all individual and have different problems. He is just dealing with his ideal not listening to your story. Some of them need a big kick up the bum! Pain relief is not his remit, that is for you and your GP to discuss and agree. Jan, do not let him spoil what sounds like a good recovery. Steady as you go, xx
    • jan24212
      jan24212 sonia97062

      Posted

      Thanks Sonia, it was a bit of a shock but you are right, I need to listen to my own body. I just needed someone else to remind me.

      I have arthritic knees so don't think I could cope with just paracetamol. I will try the extra exercises but only as much as I can. I don't want to end up in bed like you. I hope you are now well on the road to recovery. 😀

    • sonia97062
      sonia97062 jan24212

      Posted

      Hi Jan, when I ended up in bed she was treating me for the excrutiating pain in my groin and upper leg which was after I had had an exray of my hip. This was 8 mths before they realised I needed an urgent hip replacement. I wholly blame them for the miserable year I had last year. They didnt listen to my history, tried to get me to do exercises that were physically impossible for me to do correctly with the state of my knees and feet. My husband was shocked and angered by their stupidity. He was a weightlifting teacher and trainer. He started me on a safe regime of exercise which has helped prior to my op. I will let him guide me, I will not be going to the physio dept again. The male physio wanted me to leave the hospital on sticks last Saturday. After 2yrs on crutches. I didnt, and today, because I cannot feel my feet and if I lose concentration they are all over thebplace, I tripped on my crutch. If  I had been on sticks I would have hit the deck. As it was I did wrench my knee and leg quite badly and it has knocked my confidence a bit.

      life aint easy is it? You take care now, safe and steady gets there, everyone is different. xx

  • margaret08277
    margaret08277 jan24212

    Posted

    Jan, take no notice and listen to your body. It will tell you when you overdo things, just go gently along doing what you need to do. I saw my physio two weeks ago and she gave me exercises to strengthen the operated on leg so that I could lift from the hip when flat on the bed. I simply could not do it, and it ended with me in tears because of the pain. I still can't do it, I don't do the exercises and shall say so when I see her Thursday.......and she can like it or lump it! It's my body not a text book illustration, and when it hurts that much it's telling me to stop it! Take your painkillers, you know what you need, don't be bullied by him. We all heal at different rates, sometimes I think they think they are Gods when actually they are little Hitlers
    • susan57233
      susan57233 margaret08277

      Posted

      Have to agree with you on this Margaret. I really don't think they have a clue to how we feel or the consequences of doing an exercise we are not ready for. Your body will tell you when it can do things and when it can't.  
    • MarthaUK
      MarthaUK margaret08277

      Posted

      Hi Margaret. When you try and do the leg lifts is the pain in your groin? If so it might be your iliac muscle.

      My physio had told me to do leg lifts as well but the pain was dreadful. I took in some info I'd printed off the Internet and, after a bit of prodding and poking, he admitted that was the problem and the leg lift would aggravate it.

      Good luck. X

    • margaret08277
      margaret08277 MarthaUK

      Posted

      Martha yes it was, and getting into the car brought me out in a cold sweat. I searched the forum to see if anyone else had had the same thing and found previous posts by you and others, and that was when I decided I knew my my body better than she did. I have printed off the posts and am prepared to wave them in her face if she says anything. At last, aged 77 I am beginning to stand up for myself! I shattered my right ankle and leg 2 years ago, the consultant who saw it got very excited and said it was an interesting break......not what I called it...... And I took my time with the exercises for that and now hardly remember I did it except that the scar itches sometimes!! So I am adopting the same approach to this hip. I don't think they make allowances for age or for the fact that we are all different, not a mythical case in a text book. I will do this in my time, not theirs.
  • Lama22
    Lama22 jan24212

    Posted

    Hi Jan

    I feel deflated for you!

    I couldn't have managed without strong painkillers at 3 weeks. Still resort to them occasionally at 9 weeks.

    I would try and see the more supportive Physio in future, you need encouragement not put downs.

    You can get your support here!! I think your doing really well

    Barbara x

  • susan57233
    susan57233 jan24212

    Posted

    Hi Jan, I'm going to put my two cents worth in and this is my experience so please everyone continue to listen to your own body and doctor regarding your recovery progress. I worked with a physio therapist at home 3 days per week for a month. I was given the basic exercises you can do in bed if you like. This really helped in the beginning of my recovery weeks to stretch out those sore still thigh muscles. As I moved on to a bit more challanging exercises I found that not only did it hurt, that it set me back days at a time. I and this is just me talking stopped and only continued to do the basic stretching I was given and increased my daily walking. I walk now 3 to 4 times per day only for about 15 to 20 minutes around my neoghborhood. I am currently in my 9th week of recovery. I have no more pain, the stiffness in my thigh is minimal so it made me wonder if those intense exercises do more harm than good when at least for me walking seemed to put me in the best shape of my recovery. Also do not stop taking your med's for pain, that is for you and your doctor to decide what is best for you not the pt.
  • catrin46108
    catrin46108 jan24212

    Posted

    Hi Jan. three weeks is very early in the recovery and you should definitely listen to your body. However, at the risk of being controversial I think the physio has a point in that the best way to recover is to use the limb and strengthen the muscles. I am ten weeks now and I saw a physio for the first time at three weeks. I had two crutches at the time and he said I should be using one it made me despondent I wont deny but I listened to him I did the exercises and more and my recovery has been good. Every Otis I see him he gives me harder and harder exercises which I do because they work. I am crutch free now and no limp. Prior to surgery I did exercise every day and couldn't wait to restart so everyone has a different start point and I can only speak from my point of view. I'm stubborn so when he said I wasn't progressing quick enough my response was "I'll show you". I can't comment on the pain meds as I was lucky enough not to need any except paracetamol from about day ten. Good luck with your recovery
  • amanda1827h
    amanda1827h jan24212

    Posted

    Oh Jan! We are all different! I would listen to your own body! I have never heard that from a phsyio ! If you need pain relief take them! I am 9 weeks today! Still bruised! Consultant said it will take a while! You need to remind your physio that it's a major op you've had!regards Amanda
  • jan24212
    jan24212

    Posted

    Thank you everyone who replied. I feel much better reading all your advice.

    I managed a couple of 15 minute walks in the sunshine and only did minimal exercises before bed and feel that tomorrow is a new day with new challenges. It's late and I still can't sleep but had a great sleep last night so again every day and night is different. I will certainly ask to see a different physio next time!! Many thanks.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 jan24212

    Posted

    Good morning jan ... I hope you were able to sleep a bit longer ...Wow ... I thought I was the only one who had a bad experience with Physical Therapy - Prior to my R THR surgery I wanted to get stronger and more fit - I was feeling okay at that time and still able to get around and pain was bearable - I had severe osteoartheritis and was bone on bone ... PT excercises were good in the beginning - sationary bike, leg presses, upper body and the the rowing machine - by that time I felt that something was wrong - this was not muscle pain - instead of listening to my body I pushed a little harder ... until I felt totally crippled and was in so much pain ... he didn't listen to me either - I could.t move any more and stopped going - I tried to please him, I guess and didn;t want to be a loser in his eyes ... I am 8 weeks post op now and still recovering from weak muscles - i have a different PT now, but she is from the same clinic ... same school of thought -

    as for the pain meds? I was told to take them by my GP  to prevent pain so that I can do the excercises --- do listen to your body - you are doing great -  no need to get all worked up and stressed out and if possible find someone else who will encourage you and not make you feel like a loser .... big hug and good luck 

  • helen248
    helen248 jan24212

    Posted

    thats ridiculous. if you reduce your painkillers you will do less and your recovery will take longer. ignore the idiot and continue as you are. sounds like you were doing fine until he crushed your confidence. im also unsure about starting 4 week exercises at 3 weeks post op. surely they are 4 week ones for a reason?? it would perhaps be reasonable to start to introduce them into your daily regime, but do it slowly, dont push yourself and if your body says no then listen to it. There are some wonderful physios out there but there are also some complete numpties. if in doubt ask to see someone else. 
    • jan24212
      jan24212 helen248

      Posted

      Now that I am calmer and have slept on it. That's exactly what I will do. Try the new exercises but gradually. I plan to ring and make sure I have a different physio next visit. I accept that I am a bit child like and need encouraging!!! He is probably a very good physio for some people who like to step up to the challenge but he and I are just not a good "fit"

      Thanks for the reassurances.

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