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exercises for weak hip

Posted , 7 users are following.

milliejean
milliejean

Hi, can anyone suggest the best exercises to strengthen my right hip (replacement) because after 3 months I'm still walking with a limp, in fact I can't walk without a stick as I'm very 'lop-sided'! I'm doing the exercises given by the physio and can manage stairs, standing & sitting but have not tried driving yet. Would appreciate any exercises others have found useful/helpful in getting the hip back to as normal as possible so I can walk reasonably without a stick at least around the house! Thanks.

0 likes, 42 replies

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  • Hermionie109
    Hermionie109 milliejean

    Posted

    The most helpful excercise for me has been swimming. You can really work on moving your legs in a controlled, supportive way. Water exercise helped me loosen up more than anything else had. Ioften use the stairs and the more shallow therapeutic pool to work on squats. I can't do squats well on land, but I'm making progress by doing them in the water at various depths. Right after surgery, my right leg tended to wander a bit to the left. After working out in the pool, it relaxed and good and straight. Among the three different TRH procedures, can you tell me which one you had? I do hope your limpt is not permanent! Having to walk with assistance (walker or cane) is really annoying. Just ferrying food around the kitchen to prepare a nightmare is problematic! 

    Hermionie109

     

    • milliejean
      milliejean Hermionie109

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply but I can't really swim, haven't been n a pool for decades smile I can however try, I'll make enquiries at our local pool which is a short walk from where I live. I didn't know there were three different procedures? I have a fairly long scar toward the back of my hip but I was given very little information except basically what we can see if we google THR on the web!  What concerns me is that my limp may be permanent and no-one told me that was a possibility! However thanks very much for your reply, helpful smile
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK milliejean

      Posted

      Hi

      I cant swim either  cheesygrin  but neither do i like water. So I left that optionwink

      If you dont mind the water.....why dont you go and walk in it, do a few exercise in it....you'll have to put a little bit more pressure on the exercises if in the water.  So I'm told....havent tried it myself

      Love

      Eileen

    • milliejean
      milliejean eileen64__UK

      Posted

      smile I'll leave it open as an option and see how I go with other stuff, find out first if there's a womens only time at the pool no way am I going with men around confused
  • ginger47520
    ginger47520 milliejean

    Posted

    Rest assured your on the path to healing. BUT it takes time.actual nine to ten months until you fell like your self. If your lopsided it's possible the op led could be shorter now.So ask your consultant. Or doctor.

    BE VERY CAREFUL b/c four new hip can come loose.So take it easy.hugs

    • milliejean
      milliejean ginger47520

      Posted

      My friend who is a retired nurse said this morning at church that they used to say it could take up to 10 even 12 months when she was working, but...as we're all different I'm hopeful and feel happier knowing I'm not that my 'time frame' is not that unusual, thanks ginger.
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK milliejean

    Posted

    Hi

    Swimming is supposed to be very good,,,,,,,non weight bearing

    Be careful.....Iwas told not to do the breaset stroke because of the legs and the chance of dislocation

    Have you asked your physio about extra exercises....whats good whats not?

    We are ll different and it takes us all different times to heal

    Love

    Eileen

    • milliejean
      milliejean eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Thanks, yes I was given exercises and the physio said I needn't see him again, basically it's up to me now which is of course true if everything seems ok! I have heard so many conflicting 'opinions' about the time it takes to 'heal' but of course we are all different and it depends on many things. I'll keep pesevering and see if I can get to the local pool on ladies night or something as I'm no real swimmer. thanks again.
    • gillEE
      gillEE milliejean

      Posted

      My 6 weeks post op was only with NHS physio who said OK see you in 12 months. That was it!  Not happy as I have commented on this forum before.  Was expecting to see a consultant at least .. But because of my need to get back into saddle and get fit for next season I arranged to see physio privately.  It has made HUGE difference.  Having had NHS physio sessions after last year's arthroscopy could not fathom why no physio post THR!  For want of saying the same thing over again... It's a post code lottery the post op treatment and care you rcv and as everyone's recovery is different, very short sighted.   Even so.... I will say we are lucky to have NHS and get these replacements.  Just that some folks are "luckier" than others with their rehabilitation.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK gillEE

      Posted

      Hi

      You should have seen a consultant at 6 weeks. You shouldnt have had to pay for private physio. Although saying that i saw my physio once after the THR and was given a list of exercises and told basically get on with it {not thise words of course} I did see a consultant at 6 weeks and then a year andd X Rays were done both times

      Love

      Eileen

    • milliejean
      milliejean gillEE

      Posted

      I suppose the N.H. is more 'basic' than private health care and it depends where we live but I got the same basic, visit to consultant at 6 weeks who just showed me my xray, said it looked ok, asked if I could stand on one leg, I tried - no - and he said ok, early days, see you local gp if any problems! Busy man smile I had three physio sessions but I wish I'd asked for printed exercises to help me remember them all! We do all heal at a different pace and depends on many things but hopefully, onwards and upwards as somebody once said!
  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy milliejean

    Posted

    Absolutely swimming if you can .....I was given exercises by physio to do in the water which really helped. Had my THR in Feb and now doing breastroke legs fine. I was also given a rubber resistance band to make the standing stretches more effective.....I was driving after 6 weeks but tried it in an empty car park first! Good luck...just take it easy....I'm feeling 1000 per cent normal now...well as normal as ever!
    • milliejean
      milliejean crissy_wissy

      Posted

      What are rubber resistance bands and standing stretches? My exercises  dont include those smile I've heard of many people driving after 6 weeks but my OH and doctor said I shouldn't try to drive until I felt my walking was ok,  some days it's better than others! I'm also going to try driving in an empty car park first, thanks for your reply.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK milliejean

      Posted

      Hi Milliejean

      Where are you....I'm in the UK......its a definite NO NO about driving before 6 weeks is up and you have seen the consultant. In fact if I'm not mistaken you aren't insure here before the 6 week vist to your consultant.

      Sensible to try a car park to start with. I'm in a village and i took my car out on to the main road and up it for about 2 mins, into a Co OP car park, drove round and out and came homecheesygrin That was my first drivewink

      Who mentioned resistance bands and standing stretches? It's surprising the difference in countries.......different rules etc.

      Love

      Eileen

    • milliejean
      milliejean eileen64__UK

      Posted

      I'm in the UK North West and it's now 3 months since my THR op, so I'm hoping to have a trial drive soon round an empty car park near us. Haven't driven for months and my husband is still aprehensive so.....we shall see! 

      thanks

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK milliejean

      Posted

      Hi Milliejean

      Husbands.....!!!!!!!!!!  I wont drive with mine as a passengercheesygrin

      Even if he doesnt say anything you can feel the body language and it makes me more nervous.  I have a little nissan of my own and I slipped out when he wasnt in for the first time because I knew how nervouse I would be, first time and him beside me LOL He's great and very supportive dont get me wrong. I did that a few times and then said I'm going to drive to such and such a place {about 2 miles away}he thought that was my first drive.....didnt tell him it was just didnt mention the other little ones round the car park LOL I think {me anyway} the longer I leave it the harder it will be. Now with 2 crutches and not able to walk far I really appreciate it. I'm in the North East. so ..put the crutches oin the back and go and see friends or go to the Metro Centre {heard of that?} which is about 15 mins drive away.

      So good luck with it.....the first thing to do in the car park is make sure you can do an emergency stop........you will be able to I'm sure.

      Love]

      Eileen

    • gillEE
      gillEE milliejean

      Posted

      When you live alone and not that close to public transport, driving in a necessity.   So I drove after 6 weeks.  Strangely I find driving my old 4 X 4 truck of a Frontera easier than my run around Citroen. Being just under 5'2"... angle of pedals is easier in the truck!  Oh and people were saying we shld mention age... I think I did in another thread... am 61 but reasonaly fit.  Altho not beign able to ride since March, have lost a lot of muscle tone.  But the memory is there and I think that is helping now...  But I still get aches and find the cold wind plays havoc.  Keeping the muscles warm, I found is very important.  Next step, mid to end of November....getting back in the saddle. 
    • milliejean
      milliejean eileen64__UK

      Posted

      LOL your right eileen, we went for a drive this afternoon for about 20 minutes and he said when we got home, if I could drive did I need a stick, honestly men (bless them smile ) I'm hoping that driving again (which went well by the way, It was great being back behind the wheel after over three months) may be an aid to strengthening my hip muscles/tissue whatever...too as a friend said it might? I feel ok for it so that's good. I come from Newcastle originally although I haven't lived there since I was 18....a very long time ago but I have a sister still who lives in Low Fell smile (although I rarely see her!) 
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK milliejean

      Posted

      Hi milliejean

      Yes I know Low Fell.....lots of our arthritis activities are in and around there because our monthly meeting is in Gateshead Civic Centrewink

      I'm in Nortumberland but just over the border from Tyne and Wear....closer to that than anywhere in Northumberland.....do very little in Northumberland.......

      .Glad your drive went well.  The main thing is you felt OK about it. It will be nice to have a bit of independence again.

      My hubby is very supportive and great but I do not want him in the car with me.....I'll go in the car as a passenger with himbiggrin

      Good luck with the driving and the recovery

      Love

      Eileen

       

    • milliejean
      milliejean gillEE

      Posted

      I'm guessing your a horse rider? (not a motorcyclist?) although hey.....whatever, I wish you well and trust that you'll find thermals very handy (I think they're great and I don't ride) but for the colder weather, can't beat them.....enjoy! 
    • milliejean
      milliejean eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Ah Northumberland....why did I leave....neutral...seemed like a good idea in 1963....lol. Beautiful county,  Changed like everywhere, well Newcastle has, I could wax lyrical but will desist cheesygrin thanks for your good wishes Eileen. God bless. 
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK milliejean

      Posted

      Hi

      Well like I said I spend more time in Tyne and Wrear than in Northumberland LOL  Ther furtherest I go Northumberland is to Hexham General.

      Where are you in the North West. I used to work in Manchester center and live in Cheshire....Sale/Timperley and Lym

      Love

      Eileen

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