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Guidance please

Posted , 9 users are following.

fiona38303
fiona38303

I am 9 weeks post op i had a FHR on my right leg due to a fall on compacted snow in Auschwitz. Seen the consultant last week and he's happy with progress but gave me another 6 weeks off work! I need to get back to work sooner, can anyone suggest an exercise that works better than others, my office is 3 flights up in a listed building. I can do most things on one crutch but I need to be fit sooner rather than later and because I was fit and healthy before my accident I am not eligible for physio! I feel abandoned and frustrated frown

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • susan05157
    susan05157 fiona38303

    Posted

    I understand your frustration but you have to give it time.  This is major surgery and you don't want to mess it up now. Don't understand why no physical therapy I had someone in house for 6 weeks and then 6 weeks out in therapy office.   Hang in there but don't over do 

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 susan05157

      Posted

      Thanks Susan. I meet people when I'm out and they say youre doing great and then the next one says youre still using a crutch? I am exercising the best i can but feel so stuck.

      I contacted the local athroplasty dept and she reiterated that no physio if you are fit and well before hand. She did send me a book out but in the main its for people who are electing to have an op. Not really geared at my situation sadly. She has referred me now......so i now have to wait.

  • jen86183
    jen86183 fiona38303

    Posted

    I personally do pilates which strenghtens the bones and muscles, if you can get an elliptical walker they are good. Your surgeon must have had a good reason to delay your returning to work and I am presuming your job is not a sitting down one. Were you not given a phone number for the physio team at the hospital, they can give you advice.

    We cannot rush the healing process and it is different for everyone. Trying to bypass natural healing could create problems with your hip so be very careful.

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 jen86183

      Posted

      Pilates sounds good. I will take a look at that. I havent pursued anything because i hadnt driven until yesterday but now i can travel further afield this should be an option. Thank you.
  • 2young
    2young fiona38303

    Posted

    You cannot rush your healing. Since you had a fall, consider you likely have soft tissue damage too. I fell and the tissue damage is taking longer than the actual hip replacement. If you push yourself, you might end up doing more damage. I know - I did that!
    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 2young

      Posted

      The soft tissue damage is the worst. I feel absolutely fine. Its the weakness in my right leg that i am struggling with.

      The surgeon said that one day you will just forget you have a FHR - cant wait for that day 😆

    • 2young
      2young fiona38303

      Posted

      Do you feel like your quad muscles are weak or higher up in your glute muscles ?  Are you limping?
    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 2young

      Posted

      I think both sets of muscles are wasted. I have lost 5 kg and its muscle definitely not fat! I look the same apart from a bit of swelling in the operated area. I have googled and printed off exercises to do as i am desperate to get back to my old life 😊

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy fiona38303

    Posted

    I don’t understand why you are not eligible for physio. If you had had a car accident for example you would get it and you would have been fit and healthy beforehand. 
    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 ptolemy

      Posted

      Me neither. But apparently that is the local NHS policy. But i am on the list now so in the meantime i will just carry on cycling my exercise bike and walking.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy fiona38303

      Posted

      Some suits sitting round a table and making things up without any thought!
  • penny08987
    penny08987 fiona38303

    Posted

    I'm 11 weeks post op physio starts in 2 weeks. I still can't go up the starts on my op leg. I still have to use a crutch. My Dr suggested another 8 weeks off. My tissue is still really swollen around the scar. My hip is still tight and stiff. My job is physical and I know there is no way I can do it right now but I'm desperate to return as I need the money, sick pay will not cover my bills. Contact your Dr to get a referral for physio. Bum crutches are a must so you don't get a waddle. Good luck

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 penny08987

      Posted

      I have had a referral now Penny but only after i asked for physio. You would think tho that they would be encouraging the working population to get back to work? I have been fortunate enough to be paid but i wont be for much longer.

      Bum crunches it is 😁

      Thank you.

  • av09867
    av09867 fiona38303

    Posted

    Hi Fiona, if there is one thing I have learnt with my FHR it's that you can't rush the healing, I had my op in Nov 2017 and thought 6 weeks and I will be back to normal and work, long story but I had complications and had my last op in jan this year, I have just returned to work full time this month, I worked from home for a couple of months as I am a sales rep and unable to drive any distance till now, to say I was frustrated and impatient would be an understatement if I pushed myself on the excercise too much I payed for it the next day , it will get better but you have to give it time and I can't stress that enough don't put yourself under pressure everyone is different if you do you will end up like I did and really feel down about it all, as for the physio I can't see that's right as it should be part of your after care and you should be entitled to help. I am not old I have just turned 55 and like to think I was fairly fit before but it's hard work getting your fitness levels back, good luck and take it easy

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 av09867

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. I too am very frustrated and as you say if i do too much it just slows me up for the following day. I thought i would be walking unaided and back at work by now. I look at my progress and granted i am fitter than i was but am a long way from being the old me 😢

      I dont have time for this. My old life is waiting for me and i cannot wait to get back to it! Hopefully it wont be too much longer.

    • av09867
      av09867 fiona38303

      Posted

      Ahh bless you, I know exactly how you feel, I was the same  but trust me it will come, I had two dislocations and an infection so three times operated in the same wound, it's taken me a while to get my confidence back but I can do most things now although I will maybe give jogging a miss for a while lol

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 av09867

      Posted

      Oooh that sounds nasty! I somehow expected everything to happen naturally and i would be fit as a flea in no time. The reality is nothing like my idea of recovery. As you say i will get there! Thanks again for the support 😊

    • penny08987
      penny08987 av09867

      Posted

      How long after can you tie you own laces or shave your legs properly 🤔

    • av09867
      av09867 penny08987

      Posted

      I have just started to tie my own laces but it's not easy and shaving my legs but they say 6 months before you should bend too far but you know your own body so just keep flexing over a little more each day without pushing it too far , I only started on the advise of my physio who said I would be eventually be able to touch my toes and I can now with my finger tips lol but be careful you really do not want to dislocate it's the most painful thing ever, worse than child birth lol

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 av09867

      Posted

      I went to a local salon to have my toenails cut and had shellac on them together with a luxury pedicure and that made me feel better. My husband will do so much but drew the line at a pedicure 😂

      I have been putting fake tan lotion on as my legs have been neglected. I can only get to my ankle on operated leg and am using the sole of my other foot to get it onto the top of my foot.....making sure i rub any surplus off the underside so i dont slip! No doubt i will have a brown sole 😂😂 but as i cant see it im not bothered.

      As for shaving my legs well its been a struggle. Fortunately i am fair so im not too worried about them 😁

    • penny08987
      penny08987 fiona38303

      Posted

      I sellotaped my razor to my grabber 😂 that's how I'm shaving, my daughter did my toes once I forced my husband once but now I'm considering tapping my nail file to my grabber 🤔 I can't do my shoe and I hate depending on ppl to do my shoes up, these things make me regret it 😢

    • fiona38303
      fiona38303 penny08987

      Posted

      Very inovative! I wonder what i could strap to my grabber to rub the moisturiser into my lower leg and foot???

      Im not troubled with dark leg hair so i can get away with leaving for a while. Its more for my peace of mind 😁

      Heres a whole new leaflet post op....."Beauty tips when you cant reach your toes" Has best seller written all over it 😂

    • jen86183
      jen86183 penny08987

      Posted

      Hi Penny,

      When I am further down the road and able to bend my legs, I am thinking of lying on my back, bending my leg up and hoping I can shave that way. I do not know if it will work yet, until then poor hubby will have to do it.

    • av09867
      av09867 jen86183

      Posted

      You are a braver women than me penny I wouldn't let my hubby anywhere near my legs with a razor lol

    • jen86183
      jen86183 av09867

      Posted

      I am not that silly, it is a battery one hopefully he cannot do any damage with that although, I have not asked yet!
    • penny08987
      penny08987 fiona38303

      Posted

      I use a soft flannel for creams or found sensitive face wipes good just put a lump of your cream on them and use your grabber 😂 yes it takes a while to dissolve with lumpy lines but if your off work you have time for beauty 😉 I'm on legs today 👍

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