1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

7 weeks post op

Posted , 12 users are following.

anne26948
anne26948

I have just returned from seeing my consultant 7 weeks post op and am feeling very disappointed. I was very optimistic before the consultation because I can walk independently and feel fine. However, he seemed to suggest that I would never be able to do the things I used to, like sitting or kneeling on the floor to play with my grandchidren etc. I thought that after 12 weeks I would be able to sit on couch/toilet as normal etc but he said to wait until next appointment in January. Feeling dejected.

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

Next
  • cormacrobert
    cormacrobert anne26948

    Posted

    Hello Anne,

    Sometimes I wonder how people can become successful doctors/consultants when they have terrible bedside manner. I can only wonder what he was basing that on? Was he basing it on his own personal opinion or was it because of what he saw during your visit? Either way, I think he is dead wrong. From what you say, if you are walking independently and are feeling fine, then you're doing very well at 7 weeks. Are you still doing your PT? If so, how are your sessions? Are you working on strength as well as flexibility? Keep strengthening your body and there is not much that you won't be able to do when you are fully recovered. Myself, I'm at almost 14 weeks and I feel close to where I was before all the pain. I'm doing yoga daily, getting stronger and more and more flexible. Don't let him get to you. You are in the best position to know what you can and cannot do. Keep a positive attitude, keep exercising and you will have very few restrictions when all is said and done. Best of luck to you.  Cormac

    • anne26948
      anne26948 cormacrobert

      Posted

      Thank you. That makes me feel better. I was only in with the consultant for a few minutes and all he did was check my wound which has healed well and asked me to stand and raise both knees. So perhaps that is standard for 7 week consultation, and he was just being cautious. I have only seen a physio once. Perhaps it depends on where you live as to resources available. Physio told me to walk as much as possible, preferably outside, for at least an hour a day. He said if I walked a lot then the exercises were not necessary. Thanks again for your reply.
  • RichardKen
    RichardKen anne26948

    Posted

    Dear  Anne

    Sorry that you have a doctor who does not have not a clue on the subject of hip recovery because he is talking absolute Bol*ocks in this instance!  

    I am a few months post op and have been able to kneel or sit on the floor for ages.  A couple of days ago I got down on my knees and spent some time washing the house floors......what is he talking about. and the next day I spent an hour on my knees bird watching. I would be very wary of other things he tells you as the result of this!

    Cheers

    Richard

    • anne26948
      anne26948 RichardKen

      Posted

      Oh thank you. That makes me feel a lot better! Perhaps he was just being over cautious because it is early days, and he sensed I was impatient to be back to normal too quickly.
  • lulu75
    lulu75 anne26948

    Posted

    Umm well I can also kneel and sit on the floor too, had my op 4 months ago, my brilliant consultant ( who teaches other surgeons hip replacement surgery at university in the south west uk) told me the only thing I shouldn't do is turn my leg inwards but everything else is fine, you can also sit on the couch and toilet from 12 weeks as normal.

    Don't know what your consultant is talking about!

    • anne26948
      anne26948 lulu75

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Makes me feel a lot more optimistic!
  • anniepaint
    anniepaint anne26948

    Posted

    I've been able to kneel on the floor since 2 weeks post op. The physio showed me how to safely lie down on the floor and get back up so I can do the shoulder bridge exercise on the floor rather than the bed. I had a bit of soreness in my patella of the operated leg after nodding off doing the slide exercise with my knee raised. The physio advised the kneeling exercise would help with the soreness in my kneecap and it did. I have started doing some Pilates moves on my hands and knees too without problem. Perhaps speak to a physio and ask how you can safely do the things you want to. Good luck

    Ann

    • anne26948
      anne26948 anniepaint

      Posted

      Thanks. That makes me feel a lot more optimistic. I will ring my physio today.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK anne26948

    Posted

    That sounds like bad information to me, I was told at my 6 week consultation that I could "live my life" despite my new hip being out of place.  I have since been on my shed roof to repair it, and knelt on the floor numerous times doing so much gardening and landscaping.

    Graham

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Having said that, there IS still a dislocation risk for the first 6 months or so - see this graphic from my website.
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Dear Graham

      Thanks for reminding us as it is very easy as we get back to normality to forget!

      Cheers Richard

    • anne26948
      anne26948 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thank you thats great. I suppose my consultant may have sensed I was wanting to do too much too soon, and was worried about dislocation. Thanks again.
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen anne26948

      Posted

      Dear Anne

      Well rather than telling you something that was patently untrue he could have given you rather more helpful support.

      Al the best, Richard

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK RichardKen

      Posted

      Absolutely Richard, many in the profession do not seem to be able to give the  patient good advice, presented simply in a way that we as non-medical persons can understand and without trying to stop us getting back to normal by scaring us.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.