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Exercises After THR

Posted , 16 users are following.

jen86183
jen86183

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

45 Replies

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  • dawn53458
    dawn53458 jen86183

    Posted

    Hi. Can your doctor refer you for some physio? 

    Lying down and raising your leg is obv different to doing the exercise stood up when you put leg out to side. 

    Any class you go to if you tell them what you’ve had done they will advise limits for you until you build up 

    • jen86183
      jen86183 dawn53458

      Posted

      Not easy to get physio these days dawn. Compared to some I am doing okay just want to join a line dancing class (lots of twisting) and a pilates class.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK jen86183

      Posted

      I can understand your desire to join in dancing, I want to get back to golf, but have been advised "not for at least 6 months" due to the twisting.

      Pilates should be OK, but do let the instructor know of your replacement hip.

      There just is no free physio these days,  but the expense of my gym physio is worth it to me so I can get back to golf next year, probably March if I'm lucky.

    • dawn53458
      dawn53458 jen86183

      Posted

      So interesting and frustrating the varied experiences people have had.  I had NHS  physio whilst I was being diagnosed (arthritis) 

      You’d think at least one session after discharge wouldn’t you since it’s so important for it to be a success otherwise so many might be back with other problems years later. I am lucky having it covered through work. 

    • jen86183
      jen86183 dawn53458

      Posted

      That is a good point dawn, if physio helps people to recover and maybe stop dislocations because thay are taught correctly then, it must be cost effective.
  • denise79180
    denise79180 jen86183

    Posted

    Hi Jen. I'm in NZ. We don't get follow up physio here usually either unles we go to physio and pay. There are some really good websites for exercises tho. I went on sunnybrook health sciences website and found some good info there. 

  • irene08405
    irene08405 jen86183

    Posted

    I had hip replacement on 27 March . I went back to the hospital for physio but basically it was the same exercises on the sheet . I booked a private physio and that really helped as my knee was turning in and the ooperated leg was slightly thinner . Best thing I did.good luck x
  • Wardrobe_mistre
    Wardrobe_mistre jen86183

    Posted

    Hi Jen,

    im a bit further on than you - 3 and half years and back to “normal”. I’m in London and I had physio at my local hospital, I had 8 sessions in all with a physio who knew what he was doing thankfully. He pushed me which was the best thing he could have done. Once that was over the hospital had Pilates classes and I went to six of those. I still do the exercises I learnt there. You can use a static exercise bike and walking is good for you. 

    The Physio told me you didn’t need to lift your leg high for it to be effective but to stop if it hurt! Also he showed me a way of getting down onto the floor (and back up again). Could you google a private physio in you area who specialises in hips? A couple of sessions should do it. 

    Be careful with yoga/Pilates as there are some moves it’s best never to do. 

    Good luck

  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie jen86183

    Posted

    Hi Jen, almost at my three year anniversary of THR. I had two physio sessions, luckily they had a lower limb gym class for 6 weeks, which I managed to wrangle my way onto. Which was great only three of us in the class, got it extended to eight weeks.  I would say post 3 months see where it goes. If it feels ok it should be. My Osteopath used to stretch the leg upwards but held onto the hip area.  I used to do that exercise and the clam in my gym class. I was petrified initially of doing the wrong thing but I think once you are out of the three months try. My personal trainer says my leg goes higher than men in his work gym who are 30 years younger!  Good luck x
    • jen86183
      jen86183 auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Hi auntiebeanie,

      At five months I feel I want to get back to doing more things but scared of putting the hip out. We moved to a new area last year so any classes I join will be with new people, everyone was used to me limping around and ocassionally saying ouch during my classes. I have tried the doing the clam, bridge, plank but, not sure how far to put my leg up. When you are used to being active it is hard not knowing when you can move properly.

    • DAS50579
      DAS50579 jen86183

      Posted

      Hi

      I am doing the bridge and clam too. Bridge is hard. It is 13 weeks since my feet and am limping. Am totally disgusted and so upset. Hope the therapy starts working! Am not having much success so far and wonder if it will do anything. Will continue doing it for now. Think the problem is tilted pelvis?

    • denise79180
      denise79180 jen86183

      Posted

      Jen. If you look online it shows how to do exercises. What not to do and how far to extend yrself. 

      When doing clam shells my physio told me it's not about height. Lift top leg about fist height. Hold. Lower slowly. It's about control and using the muscles in a sustained way. 🙂

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