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7 Week Post Op Review, No X-ray ?

Posted , 9 users are following.

ann73107
ann73107

Hello All, I had my 7 Week Post Op Review yesterday, all ok except because I've had zero mobility for the past 12 months the surgeon said I had to concentrate on excersises for building my muscles in the thigh rather than pushing myself walking as this could be counter productive without the muscle strength. Overall he said I was doing great, it was only once home I realised I hadn't had an x-ray to see if the new hip was bedding in , is this normal ??

0 likes, 32 replies

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  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie ann73107

    Posted

    Hi Ann, I did not have an X-ray at my review. I had one the day after the op. My surgeon did not want to see me again unless I was having problems. He is right in regards to the muscles. If they are not built up it will delay recovery. You obviously had no mobility pre op for some time and muscles waste very quickly. It would be beneficial if you could get into a lower limb class at physio. It did more for me using the static bike in 6weeks than other exercises. Good luck 
    • ann73107
      ann73107 auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Thank you, I've bought a small pedal cycle which I've been told is beneficial in helping building muscle and I've got on going physio I'm back with the surgeons in Dec at which point they will decide if I can have my right hip operated on. X

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 ann73107

    Posted

    Agree with Auntie beanie I'm afraid, I too did not have an x-ray at 6 week review.

    Muscles are the problem with recovery, as I found with my second hip replacement, I was walking but doing more harm than good with one muscle in particular being very weak.

    The physio was great, gave me very specific exercises for my hip joint and one muscle in my buttocks, taught me how to feel for the muscle twitching, as that's all it would do, could not move my leg for about 2 - 3 weeks beginning physio, into the clam position, but it came slowly, and my walking improved as that muscle got stronger, that was the culprit, other than than she was amazed at how strong I was in other muscles, and said I will be recommending what you have been doing to other patients.

    I got in the local heated pool at about 22 days post surgery, and did my post hip replacement exercises in the pool, and then spent some time treading water supported by a noodle, then back to post hip exercises, then some more treading of water. built that up to an hour 3 times a week for an hour at a time.

    • peggy15811
      peggy15811 lyn1951

      Posted

      Lyn,

      is there anyway you could share the exercises you do? I too was very inactive from a fall a year before. I am age 70 and not very limber. I was not given exercises, my doctor was great for surgery but no instructions afterward. He just told me to walk. I did that and ended up with an IT Band injury, now I am at the end of my 3 weeks rest with no walking or exercise. I had tried physical therapy but they really didn't seem to know what to do with me. Mostly tens unit and heat. A few simple things like moving my leg up and down. I was trying to walk, shop etc and got worse. Now I have pain when I walk that I did not have in the beginning. I cannot take anti-inflammatories so that makes it harder. I now realize I need to strengthen those muscles but have no idea how to do so without getting another injury. Any ideas would be appreciated.

      Peg

    • ann73107
      ann73107 lyn1951

      Posted

      Thanks Lynn, I'll relay this to my physio and see what they have to offer.

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 peggy15811

      Posted

      Really simple stuff, stand at the kitchen sink, and swing your leg out to the side, just a little bit for a start, more comes with practice, repeat 4 - 5 times, you will be surprised how tired your leg gets, I would do it on both sides if you can, and most of all don;t do it if it hurts, just until you feel the pull I was told.

      again stand at kitchen sink, side of hip to sink, hold on, leg foward and back. gently, repeat 4 - 5 times with each time, you can do this upto 3 -4 times a day. with a break between.

      Another one, stand at sink again, hang on, and dip, just a little bit, keeping back straight, as if you were going to sit in a straight backed chair, but not that far down, maybe only a couple of inches for a start, then stand straight again.

      others to do, when you are lying on bed, keep leg straight and lift up off the bed, another to try is again lying on bed, just slide ankles up and down bed, bending knees, watch for dry heels, some moisturiser helps, a very gentle exercise but you are using your pelvic muscles and help you do that.

      Look up post hip replacement exercises on the internet, watch for exercises from a hospital web site, their are lots out there, you will recognise some from my poor description's.

       

    • peggy15811
      peggy15811 lyn1951

      Posted

      Thank you Lyn, I have done the bed one and bridges, lifting backside off the bed but did not know the others. I am still on "rest" per my doctor but he will probably tell me I can start doing things again next Wednesday. I have done gentle stretching in bed and the heels thing but not too many as did not want to aggravate my IT Band injury. I set myself back 3 weeks and it feels like 3 months! I will start back slow and easy. I have a recumbent bike but it lifts my whole leg and hip terribly high and was afraid it may do more harm than good until I can manage to strengthen those muscles a bit. I can't take another set back. I could go back to physical therapy when doctor releases me, but honestly they didn't seem to know what to do with me, They did the thing they used to do for my knee replacement, where they lifted my bent leg to my chest at 2  months. It seemed very dangerous as could cause a dislocation. I was not happy. I will look exercises up online too. Thank you Lyn

      Hugs,

      Peggy

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 peggy15811

      Posted

      try coastal orthopaedics here in australia  remember to add the com and the au to the address, and exercise book.

      There are nice photos of the exercises you should be doing and also what you should not be doing, very similar to the exercise book I was given at my hospital one day after surgery.

      Sideways lifts were the day after surgery, I could only move my ankles apart about 2 inches if that, but with practice it came easier, also quarter squats, as they call them, or dips as I call them, be very careful not to go down to far.

      When I read you bent leg to chest I was horrified, NO NO NO for a hip replacement, you can dis-locate, only after you are back to full strength can you even consider that move.

      We are told here in australia no moving past 90 degree bend for the first few months, even getting up off couch you would bend more than 90 degress as part of normal movement.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen lyn1951

      Posted

      Dear Lyn

      Excellent advise. I try to do various exercises when standing waiting for something and leg lifting exercises when just sitting down. It all makes a huge difference in the long term.

      Cheers Richard

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen ann73107

    Posted

    Dear Ann

    Thanks for putting something in your profile. I always check profiles when it is someone I don't recognise to get some background before replying.

    To answer your question I think it is normal to have an X ray to check all is well before going home so I would ask for one.

    I feel sure that you are best building up your muscles before trying to walk after such a long lay off.

    Cheers Richard

    • ann73107
      ann73107 RichardKen

      Posted

      Thank you Richard, I'll keep plodding away at the excersises. X

  • christine45355
    christine45355 ann73107

    Posted

    Hi Ann, I had an x ray just after my op and not one at 6 week check up.   

    Chris

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK ann73107

    Posted

    As long as you had at least one X-Ray after the operation (mine was the day after), and it was checked properly (mine wasn't sad), then it should be fine.

    It was only 4 weeks after the initial THR when my X-Ray was re-checked and the problem with my THR was found, and as it proved in the subsequent revision operation, that was too late.

    Just make sure you build up those muscles well, as the strength of them and the advised precautions (90 degree, twisting, etc.) are the best defences against hip dislocation.

    Best wishes

    Graham

    • ann73107
      ann73107 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks Graham, I'm determined to get the best out of this I've waited so long I will not be beat. X

  • peggy15811
    peggy15811 ann73107

    Posted

    I had x-rays at each doctor visit after surgery. I am 4 months pre-op and have had 3 visits. However I am in the U.S. so the policy could be different.

    Best of luck,

    Peg

    • ann73107
      ann73107 peggy15811

      Posted

      Peggy there is a world of difference between us, but we all have one common goal , thank you so much for getting back to me.
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