Exercises after THR

I dont want to scare you but be careful about abducting your leg if its not going easily,

My 2nd THR I was doing a similar NHS exercise but it was standing with hands on a table and putting your leg out to the side.

I had done it for 6 weeks during my first THR and I was four weeks post op 2nd one,  when suddenly I was doing it and crack and my leg gave way.

They took me into hospital, x rayed it and said I had fractured my greater trochanter bone, nothing they could do, it would heal itself but take a long time. A few months later, still on crutches, i had another x ray and it showed one bit of the bone moved far away from the other so the prognosis is now it wont heal and I'm on crutches permanently.  That was fourteen months ago!!

I WANT TO STRESS........it wasnt the THR as such. I had osteopinia {precurser to to osteoporosis} before I went in....that should have been in my notes.

After that had happened I rang my GP and she said my next DEXA scan was due at the end of the year {2014 and it was Feb} so she got me an early apointment and it turned out I have full blown osteoporosis now and thats why it cracked so easily.

Like I say I would never say to anyone dont have a THR but since you mentioned that I thought I would tell you. You may be fine, probably will be   Just make sure you dont have osteoporosis because that is not an exercise we should be doing if we have. I only wish I'd known before I started the exercises

Love

Eilee  UK

 I put a thin piece of plastic paper (I got free from the garden center that you use to protect your car while transporting plants that you buy) on my bed when I exercise. It allows your legs to slide easily back and forth, especially if you have on socks and soft pants of some type. It's about 3 ft X 4 ft. I could have never moved my legs without it. I'm sure many different things would work the same, maybe a piece of shower curtain or plastic drop cloth.

While getting out of bed, try putting your good foot under your op heal and lifting the leg up gently while moving legs to the edge of the bed. You should be able to lift your op leg soon. It took me about a week before the anesthesia (spinal)wore off. I was then able to left my legs using my ab muscles. In and out of bed.

Good luck!

Kathee

I am almost 7 weeks post op THR and before i came home from hospital,

I purchased what they call a "leg lifter" to help me bring my operated leg up on the bed.  I tried to take a picture of mine to show you, but apparently my image is too big to put here.  If you google it though, it comes up.  kinda looks like an "invisable dog leash"  .  Also, A belt works also.....   I don't know what I would have done without it the first couple of weeks.  Eventually, you won't need it. Your leg will become  stronger.  Also, using a plastic board under the leg with a strap around foot as you guide your leg helps.  You tube has these excersises that you can see.  But, if you are in pain, definately call your doctor or mention it when you see him. These movements we took for granted before are not so simple in the beginning.  Good luck to you.