Exercises After THR

Posted , 16 users are following.

After having my hip replacement last April, I left hospital with a piece of paper, it had six basic exercises to do three times per day. Never offered any physio just left to get on with recovery alone.

My question is to those who are a few months into recovery. When lying on my side how far can I lift my leg up, is it safe to lift fairly high also, rolling down to hopefully, eventually touch the floor, is that safe.

I rang the physio department at the hospital sadly they were no help. Every question I asked I received the same answer "if it hurts stop" I wanted to know what progress I could expect in the near future.

I hope someone who maybe does yoga/pilates can help.

1 like, 45 replies

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  • Posted

    In the States under my insurance coverage I needed to have the surgeon write and order for PT.  The bed exercises I got from the hospital were for the first 2-3 weeks before getting on with some more advanced work.  Same with a release from precautions- 90 degree rule- that came from the doctor as well at about 6 week, although my procedure was a hip resurfacing not a replacement so could be different.  Can't you make an appointment with the surgeon to get this addressed?  Best wishes.

    • Posted

      Hi Jimbone,

      It is not the same in the UK, because yours is dealt with by insurance you seem to get physio presumably because the insurance will pay. We cannot just ring up to make an appointment with the surgeon. Once operation is done, that is it for him.

  • Posted

    The hospital has a person who came around and set up the physical therapy at home for the first few weeks.  After that either you should have continued at a physical therapy place or check with your doctor to see if you needed further therapy after your visit to the doctor. I had 2 1/2 weeks therapy at home. Then stopped and just did it on my own and did a lot of walking. Now it is 12 weeks and about 3 weeks ago started to go again because I am limping as of the end of July and sometimes you have to be the aggressive person. The doctors do not baby you.  I find once the surgeon does his job he is through with you. They see you a few times and I don't think they like to hear if something is wrong.  Call your doctor and get a prescription for therapy I a place convenient to your home.  Everyone says it helps??? I am going twice a week and trying hard to be disciplined to do at home too. You need someone to show you how to do the exercises at the beginning.  What state are you from?

    • Posted

      Hi Das,

      It does not work like that here, I did not see the surgron at my six week appointment, just one of his team. The next appointment is May 2019.

      I exercise, I walk everyday and use my elliptical walker, I just do not know how high I can lift the leg safely and as I said they were no help at the hospital pyhsio department.

    • Posted

      DAS where do you live? I live in U.K. There is no way I would ever get PT at home. I suppose I could pay for it separately. You say the surgeon sees you a few times! In your dreams where I live. One appointment in my case six months out lasting about five minutes. If I phoned up my doctor for therapy they would say go and sort something out yourself privately. Life with the NHS is very different from the US. 
    • Posted

      I live in nyc. What is NHS? The exercise is important so they say. It might be worth it to take a few professional exercise classes and try to follow up on your own. 
    • Posted

      As Jen says it is the UK's health service, the National Health Service. Their strap line - Free at the point of delivery. I am not sure where one would get special exercise classes suitable for people with new hips. We have things like Pilates, tai chi etc. which anyone can go to which of course you pay for. 

  • Posted

    I was told not to over do anything, until after 6months, i was told not to ever go over 90° angle, and don't cross my leg over one another, just listen to your body, give yourself time to heal 100%!

    • Posted

      Hi Biggs,

      I have never been told not to do anything, this is the problem. The doctor I saw at the 6 week appointment just said after the 12 week precaucations, take it easy for another 6 months.

    • Posted

      Hi Jen, I had my hip done on the NHS and was given a photocopy sheet of exercises when I went home. That was about it, or I wasn’t listening!  Also discharge appointments to see physios, post operative nursing and surgeon so they could basically check everything is OK and discharge you from their care. I don’t remember being told anything about 90 degree rule, although the OT did tell me not to sit on a bench and slide along it. I learnt most of the information from this forum.
    • Posted

      I had about the same as you ptolemy, I am learning from here, reading other people's experiences. I was not even given a discharge note,

    • Posted

      I did get a folder saying Discharge on it! It contained the surgeon’s notes on the op and the hip type plus general notes to my GP and blood test results taken while in hospital. They also gave me a load of meds when I left too.
  • Posted

    Yes the doctor has to write the prescription for PT.  That is what mine did and friends had the same experience. Ask your surgeon.
    • Posted

      It is not that easy these days das to get physio, certainly not in my area in north wales.

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