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General Stiffness

Posted , 12 users are following.

adamjackman
adamjackman

It i now nearly six weeks since I had my hip replacement.  The healing is progressing well and I am managing to have a good walk each day.  The wound still looks a bit pink and itches sometimes, but otherwise it is fine.

What I do find is that my hip and back are often stiff when I get up.  It seems to make no difference whether I have done my exercises or not.  I also find that if I overdo it, I am getting back pain by the end of the day.  Hopefully this will reduce over time.

I see my consultant on the 30th, so hopefully I can start to drive again and get rid of the crutches.

2 likes, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • julie49207
    julie49207 adamjackman

    Posted

    Well done Adam !!! Am 10 weeks on now and feel so well but less stiff now in the mornings.

    Enjoy getting back to driving ....freedom and pain free!!

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman julie49207

      Posted

      thank you Julie,

      the lack of pain is really good, no more bone on bone.

  • Daffi
    Daffi adamjackman

    Posted

    Hi, I'm 11weeks, my consultant told me the stiffness can last for a year,

    I have found swimming helps with the stiffness, good luck

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman Daffi

      Posted

      im still waiting to be allowed to get back in the pool.  Physio are happy, but I have to wait for the consultant to say it is OK, hopefully he will when I see him next week.
  • elaine23679
    elaine23679 adamjackman

    Posted

    Good luck for the 30th I see my consultant on that day also....  

    I have had back pain also but put this down to sleeping on my back.... although I have found that my body wants to be on its side and I wake up just in time not to do this...  

    I am having trouble with my r ankle and going to see GP I badly fractured this in 2000 and tore all the ligaments and think the swelling after op has had some affect as it is hot to touch and my toes will not move without pain...  still all part of having severe arthritis in all joints.. my hips are getting there..

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman elaine23679

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about your ankle, hopefully it will all be OK.

      I'm not sleeping on my back much now, although I still sleep with a pillow between my legs.  I sleep on my left hand side the most, which is the operated side.  Sometimes the bed feels a bit too hard on that side, but it is getting back to normal.

  • kate32837
    kate32837 adamjackman

    Posted

    I'm still stiff at the end of the day Adam (14 weeks post op) but go swimming 5 out to of 7 mornings and find it really helps doing the exercises in water. My physio has asked me to 'up the pool time' as she reckons its much easier on the joints than walking loads. 

    Have you tried rubbing bio oil in the wound? It works for me...

    kate xx

     

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman kate32837

      Posted

      As soon as I am allowed inthe pool again I will be.  I much prefer being in the water than walking round the block a couple of times.

      I haven't tried bio oil, as I have found E45 works most of the time.  Does bio oil help with reducing the scar too?

    • kate32837
      kate32837 adamjackman

      Posted

      Sure does, my scar looks quite neat and has faded really quickly.
  • rich1960
    rich1960 adamjackman

    Posted

    My hip stiffens up a bit after sitting for 1/2 hr or more.  The physical therapy people told me to swing my leg out a few times and the stiffness goes away right away.

    I am 7 weeks post op.

    Good Luck cheesygrin

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman rich1960

      Posted

      My job involves a lot of sitting, but I am still working from home, so I am able to go for a walk if I need to.

      Is it still every time you sit for half hour or more?

    • rich1960
      rich1960 adamjackman

      Posted

      Yes, it is.  Other than that my hip feels great.

      The only other time I can tell its not 100% healed is when I do certain things at physical therapy.

      My job is not a desk job so I cannot go back to work until  12 weeks post op.

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman rich1960

      Posted

      Thanks Rich

      Mine is a desk job in London, but I have been into the office since the 1st of April, due to first breaking my hip.

      I wasn't given any restrictions on when I can go back to work, it is just a case of when I feel up to it.  I'm just not confident I could walk as far as I need, or handle the tube.  I tried an escalator a week ago and getting on and off was not easy.

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure adamjackman

    Posted

    Yes it takes time for the bone to heel And secure the prothesis.

    within time you will enjoy a normal life without all the daily struggles and pain. For now it's all part of the body heeling as aggravating as it is, its important to follow Physio. You will get strength back soon.

    The glute squeezes are the most important exercise it strengthens the tendon from the back like a girdle wrap around stomach and back down the knee.  Also strengthening core muscles helps hold you up and if you need back support there are elastic types with Velcro that helped me .

    take advantage of all the aids needed for recovery now, it's only temporary. 

    Know your limitations and especially important to eat 2200 calories daily to aid heeling.

     

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman hope4cure

      Posted

      My biggest problem with eating, is eating the right things.  I'm finding it too easy to eat easy things that aren't that good for me.

    • elaine23679
      elaine23679 adamjackman

      Posted

      Love the eating bit... just opened a tub of celebration chocolates... so healthy...... 
    • adamjackman
      adamjackman elaine23679

      Posted

      ran out of chocolate, so have made some toffee.  The reason to my wife is that I am practising for making toffee apples for halloween smile

    • kate32837
      kate32837 adamjackman

      Posted

      Can't eat chocolate - it gives me migraines but love toffee , where are you Adam - I'm assuming the states? 

      I'm in Sussex, lots of apple orchards and fruit farms around my village. Haven't been fruit picking this year - guess you know why!! 

      going back to work Monday - three days, four hours to start with. It's been four months since I was in the office😩 Apprehensive, but need to get back to normal, whatever that is!!

    • sarah97675
      sarah97675 adamjackman

      Posted

      Tell me about it, I'm half woman half sugar.  Put on 6lbs since op.  Normal eating has resumed but it's hard !!!  

      I'm ten weeks in and stiffness does get better but if I sit too long I do the Penguin again 😎

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure adamjackman

      Posted

      Do a little research online. There are many healthy choices great menues you can choose from order prepared and eat healthy. Sugars & carbs are inflammatory foods to stay away from while heeling. 

       

    • elaine23679
      elaine23679 kate32837

      Posted

      Hey Kate, Sussex???  I am in Eastbourne, how are you doing, how much physio have you been given.. currently I am going to get 1 session a fortnight.. after having a bi lateral THR 6 weeks ago.  
    • adamjackman
      adamjackman kate32837

      Posted

      I'm in Hampshire,UK.

      I am managing pretty much a full day at work, but I can't concentrate for the whole day. I'm stuck on a problem at the moment, that ordinarily I would sole, but have had to ask for help. I'm blaming it in the sleeping tablets at the moment.

    • kate32837
      kate32837 elaine23679

      Posted

      Hi Elaine

      Wadhurst, near T Wells. On the good old NHS I get three free sessions only. Paying for the additional at £65 a pop! I think it's a postcode lottery, Barnet get six sessions!

      have a great day 😀 Xxxx

       

    • adamjackman
      adamjackman kate32837

      Posted

      I have my third appointment next week.  There hasn't been any suggestion that it will be the last, ir that they will charge.

    • elaine23679
      elaine23679 kate32837

      Posted

      Everything is a postcode lottery these days,  I had to go to Middlesex to get my operation as Eastbourne would not consider me until I was 65yrs old could not wait 10yrs.. 
    • adamjackman
      adamjackman elaine23679

      Posted

      I'm only 38, but replacement was the only option.  I would have soon ended up in a wheel chair otherwise.

      My hip was bone on bone, after a failed fracture repair, and the ball was starting to collapse.

    • elaine23679
      elaine23679 adamjackman

      Posted

      That is so sad but at least you are doing great... you will soon be back 100% as age is on your side.   
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