curious about follow up

Dear Libby

As we are all different in so many ways I wonder if my experience will be of much help!

On my return home I went on walks of a up to a mile in the first couple of days from what I remember, please bear in mind that it was twenty years ago. This was on very rough county tracks which lay directly outside my front door.

Within days I found that I could manage without the one walking stick and extended my walks to several miles a day. At no time did I have any physio or was I given or did exercises.

My hip served me me exceptionally well from 1997 until seven weeks ago when the poly became worn through and now I am waiting for revision surgery mid next month.

Well there you are. Happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Cheers Richard

Dear Libby

As we are all different in so many ways I wonder if my experience will be of much help!

On my return home I went on walks of a up to a mile in the first couple of days from what I remember, please bear in mind that it was twenty years ago. This was on very rough county tracks which lay directly outside my front door.

Within days I found that I could manage without the one walking stick and extended my walks to several miles a day. At no time did I have any physio or was I given or did exercises.

My hip served me me exceptionally well from 1997 until seven weeks ago when the poly became worn through and now I am waiting for revision surgery mid next month.

Well there you are. Happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Cheers Richard

Hi Libbym it all depends where you live regarding physio. I had a session at 4 weeks and one at 6 weeks, then I was lucky enough to get 6 week course of lower limb classes once a week which helped alot. 

In regards to walking we were told to build up each day, so I walk to corner of road and then my goal was 3 extra houses a day and back, I was off of crutches completely at 5 weeks and no walking stick. I do not limp but if I get tired I have the hippie roll, I feel myself walking to the rightat an angle!  Mine was a little complicated as I had an infection in hospital and nerve damage. The nerves did repair after 12 months and also bursitis.

I would say from personal experieince if I was given more physio and hydrotherapy, I would have recovered alot quicker. However when you are an NHS patient you take what you are given. I know people who had private treatment had physio almost immediately. 

I did my excersises every day for the first few weeks, and walked a house width more every day. I had 12 physio with a physiotherapist and aso 12 weeks hydro therapy (this was brilliant). I still do a lot of walking 2 years later, still so good as I couldn't do it for years. I also have an under desk cycle that I use daily. This is brilliant for circulation in the legs.

Everyone is different so you need to get to know your body it will tell you what to do and when to to do it and also when to stop. Ice packs are good too. xx

Hi Libby,

I'm still waiting for a THR but I've been told by numerous people that after surgery YOU MUST KEEP DOING THE EXERCISES THEY GIVE YOU!

These people haven't had surgery themselves but are shocked by family members/neighbours who were unable to walk prior to surgery but through keeping on relentlessly doing all the given exercises are now totally pain free and can even run for the bus!

dear libby ...

like other members already said, it depends - 

some are not offered any physical therapy or their doctors don't think it is necessary - Some countries offer standard 6 weeks of in home physical therapy and if needed, OS will authorize for more (outpatient) session -

I live in Holland now and have PT included in my health insurance - I took additional insurance to cover for extensive PT ...Also had to give name of physical therapist at pre-op appointment so hospital PT could brief them ..

Unfortunately my experience with PT has not been so great ... 

walking outside was more shorter walks a couple of times a day instead of one long walk - 10 minutes and the in increments of 5-10 minutes , with walking aid ..

I personally don't think there is benefit of maintaining long term physical therapy unless needed like massages etc. 

Exercise program in the gym however is beneficial - perhaps under supervision at first ... not sure if this falls under physical therapy ...

how are you getting on otherwise??

let us know, okay

big warm hug

renee

 

Hi libby

I'm am an NHS patient,I asked on discharge home,did I need physio, no they said gave me 2 exercises. I waited until my 7 week post op consultant appointment, I explained I had a limp,my foot on the operated leg turns in and I am unable to bend my knee properly. He recommended physio,due to a 6 week wait I have gone private. My limp is improving, the pain is improving, especially after a massage.

I walked after a few weeks outside along the street,walking past more houses each day, stopped using one crutch at 7 weeks, stopped with a stick at 8 weeks. I could probably do a substantial walk now.

I think my time to stop physio is when the limp has gone and my knee, leg bends properly, I do daily exercises which are boring but in the long run will help strengthen my muscles and improve my gait.

However I would be unsure as of how long to do the exercises once iv been discharged by physio, I will ask.

I hope this is of some help

Regards

Nicky

It depends how active you are. For myself, at 52 and working with children I need to be very active and flexible. I live in NZ. I went privately to physio and got exercises to do at home. Like sports training. Each month I got harder exercises. These were all about strengthening my leg. I could walk just fine so it wasn't about being mobile. If I stop doing my exercises I can still walk and get on with life but my muscles loose strength. This affects my flexibility and active levels. I realise that if I want to be fully active I need to do my exercises for ever. It's good for general suppleness anyway. 👍