7 Week Post Op Review, No X-ray ?
Posted , 9 users are following.
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
auntiebeanie ann73107
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ann73107 auntiebeanie
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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 ann73107
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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 lyn1951
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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 lyn1951
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Thanks Lynn, I'll relay this to my physio and see what they have to offer.
lyn1951 peggy15811
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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 lyn1951
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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 peggy15811
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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 lyn1951
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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 ann73107
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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 RichardKen
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Thank you Richard, I'll keep plodding away at the excersises. X
christine45355 ann73107
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Chris
Rocketman_SG6UK ann73107
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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 ), 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 Rocketman_SG6UK
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Thanks Graham, I'm determined to get the best out of this I've waited so long I will not be beat. X
peggy15811 ann73107
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Best of luck,
Peg
ann73107 peggy15811
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