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Getting down on the floor and back up ...

Posted , 8 users are following.

linda38528
linda38528

Lynn and I just exchanged postings about encounters with our surgeons and how we missed the opportunity to get advice on getting down and up from the floor.

So everyone ... what's your best advice?

Linda  

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • rose0000
    rose0000 linda38528

    Posted

    Okay..so getting down on the floor holding onto something you bend one knee down then the other, slowly coming on to the floor from a kneeling position. To get back up you need to go onto all fours, slowly onto your knees, strongest leg first, holding on, and then getting up that way.

    If you fall over, and have nothing to hold onto - turn and put yourself onto all fours and then crawl on all fours to somewhere you can hold on to safely. I tried this and it works.

    BEWARE that you may have swelling in and around your knees, which may not be obvious but will be the minute you bend your knees that much, if you can make sure you have someone with you. I got stuck the first time, as both legs were swollen for some reason and I was very very stiff!

    Have fun!

    • linda38528
      linda38528 rose0000

      Posted

      Thank you Rose (and others who replied in an earlier thread with Sarah ... I was trying to respect process by starting another post). 

      Rose - you have unerringly pinpointed one of my challenges. My knees are quite bad (in addition to my other hip), so that I don't have confidence doing this or in getting out of the bath. Very embarassing.

      I am working on my knees to reduce swelling and strengthen the surrounding muscles and tendons that ought to be doing a better job of supporting them. But it is slow work. and part of the work is to realign them as they have shifted as I recover to accomodate my new hip and gait. And I will get to do it all over again with the second one! But at least I will expect it and prepare for it.

      Thank you for your understanding and support.  

    • annie.conway
      annie.conway rose0000

      Posted

      Hahaha - I literally did crawl over the gym floor to find someone to help me. Felt a right banana ....
  • sportsw4
    sportsw4 linda38528

    Posted

    This happens to be one of the questions I asked at my 6 week follow up today, as I was keen to know when I'd be able to get back to doing mat work at the gym - and the consultant told me he wouldn't advise getting down on the floor until 6 months are up! Have to say I was a bit surprised at that - and I'm not sure whether I'll last that long without risking it (carefully!), but thought I'd let you know for what it's worth :-)
    • Lallydye1
      Lallydye1 sportsw4

      Posted

      Hi

      I think 6 months is a bit pessimistic. I think you can get down on the floor if you follow  what Rose advised.  I was at the gym today and I faced the wall and hands on the wall dropped down on my knee of my operated leg then down onto my other knee.  Then it is easy to get on all fours and manouver yourself down that way.  Same on the way up.  You dont even break any 90degree rules doing that.  Yes knees can be a bit swollen so you can't sit back on your ankles but your body will tell you that. I am 13 weeks and the gym has really helped my recovery. 

      My advice is just be careful but go for it.

      BW

      Alison x

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Lallydye1

      Posted

      Thanks Alison - sport and gym are a massive part of my life, so will be a big psychological as well as physical part of my recovery. The advice here on getting on those mats will really help :-) Mark
  • renee01952
    renee01952 linda38528

    Posted

    Hi Linda, 

    Daunting .... my physical therapist showed me how to get down and up because he wanted me to do flooor exercises ... Well,since I livfe alone and could't get up the first time I did this, I am still sort of traumatized - getting better - but my knees feel so bony !!!! 

    Maybe surgeons are not the best persons to ask these physical exercise questions - 

    big warm hug

    renee

  • annie.conway
    annie.conway linda38528

    Posted

    Would love to know. Apart from having handles to grip on all over the show, that is. Couch is still too low for me at 8 weeks
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