Final Goodbye to Physiotherapist along with important info
Posted , 10 users are following.
I have just wished my physio goodbye but before he left, I needed to ask him a question. Prior to my hip replacement, I would,whilst walking and without warning, fall to the ground. It would appear as if I had no limb. The falls were frequent and without the automatic instinct to save myself. It was explained, that the receptors to the brain that instruct our legs to move and walk, are contained within the synovial fluid of the hip. When suffering from osteoarhritis, some of the synovial fluid is missing and therefore, at times, the brain does not receive the signal, which, in turn, results in a sudden and unexpected fall. So my questions was "now that I have artifical hips with no synovial fluid. What is it that signals my brain to walk"? The answer is "Your brain, to walk, now uses your thigh muscles". To test if these are strong, I was asked to close my eyes and bend at the knee. If you wobble, then they need strengthening. This is why the initial exercises, that focus on the muscles within the thigh, are so very important. Not only do they need to strengthen to hold the prosthesis in place, but also to send receptors to your brain to walk. I was also advised to walk, indoors, barefoot; to ensure that I walk slowly, heel to toe. Because I am now re-training my brain to use my thigh muscles and it needs to learn how to do it correctly.
So keep working on those thigh muscles and me? I'm going for a well deserved nap!
5 likes, 21 replies
renee01952 morriewynn
Posted
hi morrie,
it makes so much sense, doesn't it ...
thank you ... what kind of exercises were you given to continue with?
big warm hug
renee
morriewynn renee01952
Posted
Sorry Renee, I am not ignoring you; just busy wrapping Christmas 🎄 presents 🎁.
These can only be performed after two to three months .
Lie on unoperated side with leg bent. Make sure the leg on the hip side is straight with foot pointed forward . Slowly Raise the op leg as high as poss and slowly bring back down . You can feel the muscle at the top of the thigh and over the prosthesis . Do five to start, three times a day and gradually build up. This also helps to rectify limps.
Squats. This has to be done correctly or you will hurt your back.
Stand with feet facing forward and in line with your hips. At first, hold on and sit back on your chair . Coming up through the heels, stand. Repeat. Gradually perform squats with arms crossed against your chest . Always come up with the heels.
Put the opposite hand to the op outstretched against a wall . Standing straight , stretch your op leg behind you.
Ok?
Back to 🎁 wrapping.
Hugs to you Hun xxx
Firstly stand ensuring that your
renee01952 morriewynn
Posted
holiday cheerz
renee
morriewynn renee01952
Posted
You are more than welcome. When you have someone with you try the eyes 👀 closed, knee bend. This shows you how well the brain is receiving the signal. It feels really strange. But I bet you can do it without a wobble . I'm still wrapping these wretched presents. I have not moved from the same spot but still managed to lose the cellotape, scissors, tags and pen whilst also dropping absolutely everything . Have several paper cuts to my fingers and thanks to the cellotape, no skin to my lower lip!
Oh what fun!
Xxxx
morriewynn renee01952
Posted
Sit on end or side of bed with legs dangling. Lay back. Leave the op leg dangling. Hold the good leg beneath the knee and pull it towards your chest. This really pulls and strengthens the front thigh muscle. Sets of five. Hold for ten seconds.
I walked a short distance outside today without a crutch. Should not have tried ; I am not ready and waddled.
Hope you had a good day Hun.
Love and Hugs
Maureen xx