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NEVER lift a suitcase

Posted , 7 users are following.

gillEE
gillEE

Hello all... had Rt THR Aug 8th and I was recovering well ..expecting to be back on my horse and riding  now.....   Oh dear.... I went overseas end Oct and been doing my 2 x daily exercises, and gaining strength etc. BUT at airport coming home, lifted my 23 kg case from trolley to check in desk.  I am used to it (before op), humping heavy items etc. Then I had an unexpected long walk - that's another story - OK I had my crutch, but I was carrying hand stuff.  Sittign on flt and gettign up every now an d then I thought Ohhh that feels "stiff/tight".   BTW I had a 4 hr drive  before my 5 hr flt, followed by 3 hr drive from LHR to home.  Oh yes and of course at LHR lifted case from Baggace Claim onto trolley.. BUT nice man lifted it into car!!

After all that feeling really stiff/tight. So that day (Monday) and flwg days no exercises as no easing.... Limped into my physio on Thurs am "What have you done!"  she reckons I may also have twisted the joint....SO... I am now weeks back again BUT strange is that it is the muscle attached to pubic bone that is "spasming" and restricting my walk AND hurts if sneeze or cough.   Plus lots of inflammation around top of leg!  So.. BEWARE, you might think you are doing OK .... but be too cock sure and this is what happens.  So my horse is still "out to grass" and is as unfit now as me!  Seeing Doc this afternoon, so pulled muscle, tendonitis, hernia even?? Or just plain STUPID!

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • jeanwales
    jeanwales gillEE

    Posted

    This is something that worries me too. I had my op in August and am feelling quite good. My problem is my husband is disabled and I have to help lift him from his chair and I know some days I can feel the strain and wonder if I am doing too much. I am flying in January on my own and hoping to carry a suitcase too so will have to watch that.
    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 jeanwales

      Posted

      Hi you are a least three months post-op thats good but be careful not to lift anything heavy.

      If you are traveling, take advantge of the checkin luggage carriers they will assist you and your taxi driver can also carry your luggage to your home.

      When lifting objects remember the precautions unless your surgeon lifted your precautions.

  • HippiechicUK
    HippiechicUK gillEE

    Posted

    Thank you for that. I am a couple of weeks ahead of you (end of July). Not been an easy time and frustrated beyond measure. Still have stick and limp quite a bit without it. Still painful muscle, ligament etc. Having  physio. I really did think I would be further on than I am. Physio tells me my problems stem from a weak medial gluteal muscle on my operated side and a back problem from years of nursing in the days before anyone cared about lifting etc. Am working towards being fully mobile by mid January and am off to New Zealand (yes I know it is far away). Pretty much dreading the trip and we are stopping off in various places en route. The lure of seeing my son, daughter in law and most importantly, my grandchildren is pushing me. I will now, not even bother suggesting moving a suitcase.  Hope you get better soon. 
    • jennifernz
      jennifernz HippiechicUK

      Posted

      Hi, when you come to NZ book assistance from the beginning.  I did this each time i beought my mum, aged 90, and not only will they push you around the airport but will fastrack the gates, immigration, customs etc, thus eliminating the standing in queues etc.  They will also lift case up and down.  Try and get an aisle seat and get up and walk about the plane and drink plenty of water - nothing else!  Enjoy your trip, if you come near Blenheim look me up and we can compare, i had my hip done here in Oct and thought i would be much further on than i am, but starting pool work next week so hope this will help. Jennifernz
    • HippiechicUK
      HippiechicUK jennifernz

      Posted

      Thank you. Sounds like a good plan. Am not 90 but feel like it some days!! Hope my walking will improve but I think going through airports can be very stressful at ge best of times. No point in arriving totally exhausted. Have booked aisle seat and will be drinking water and nothing else! Looking forward to the NZ SB wine when I get there. Am also doing pool work from next week. Don't know if I will be near Blenheim but if so will definitely compare notes on UK v NZ THR. 
  • beachbum1957
    beachbum1957 gillEE

    Posted

    You have over done it thinking you was ok to do all activities.

    Common sense will tell you to check with your surgeon prior to all activities.

    All you had to do was your daily exercises, ice therapy and walking.

    Now since you pulled your muscle you may have a setback in recovering.

    Take it easy and follow your physio and surgeons instructions. You don't want to mess with your new hip and risk dislocation. Your muscle needs to be tight and strong prior to activities. Keeping your precautions is a must. 

    • gillEE
      gillEE beachbum1957

      Posted

      Check with surgeon/consultant??? Don't make me laugh!!! Here in Dorset I will not see the surgeon again. 

      6 week post op follow up was with physio and my next follow up is in 12 months time... with physio!  There is no follow up with surgeon/consultant.  I was so surprised I even phoned his secretary..Oh no you will not see him again.   So there is no-one to "ask".  Plus I was really well forward with recovery.... hence my, without thinking, lifting a case which in "normal" circumstances would not prove a problem.. BUT IT DID!!   I am in normal circumstances fit, esp given daily mucking out of horses etc! Ahh well....And to help my recovery I pay for private physio as none is supplied by NHS.  You are left to your own devices!

    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 gillEE

      Posted

      Didn't know that is how they treat patients in Dorset. That is not right unless it has to do with your medical nsurance. Otherwise, they should have followed-up at least twice after surgery. Here in US-NYC we get followed-up with surgeon twice every thirty days and now i get the third follow-up July, 2015. I had physio at home and outpatient for the remainder of the year. 4 months post-up since July 17, 2014.

      Tuesday was my first day back to work.

       

    • gillEE
      gillEE beachbum1957

      Posted

      In UK it depends on where you live, what is called here a Post Code Lotttery.  It applies to access to many treatments and medications within NHS.  I have commented beofre on this site re. disparity of folow up depending where you live.  It seems in my locale, wait  till it goes wrong and then treat.   BUT, I feel that I was offered a THR earlier than in other areas.  So I won out on receiving THR but lost out on the follow up.  My only hope is that after going thru all this I can once again ride long distance or if not... at least be able to ride again!
    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 gillEE

      Posted

      Oh ok the lottery thats something. We dont have that here.

      But i understand why the follow and therapy is not followed after surgery.

      So you have to pay for physio otherwise you're on your own.

      Wow. I am fortunate and we complain so much and take things for granted. Not realizing how good we have it in US. 

      Best wishes to you and your recovery.

      Happy Thanksgiving.

    • gillEE
      gillEE beachbum1957

      Posted

      Oops sorry .. "Post Code Lottery".. that is a phrase we use in UK.. it actually does not mean you have to rely on The Lottery!!!  It is a term to say the treatment you receive varies all over the UK and depends on where you live....   (Post Code /Zip)  In some areas, there is a 6 week, 12 week, 6 month and 12 month follow up with your consultant/ surgeon.. in other areas.. there isn't.   You do feel in the latter case like  being thrown out with no support.  What on earth did people do before internet and forums etc.   Plus I live on my own, so no other "support" around.  Altho I think I would go nuts with somebody  fussing over me!!  Too independent.    In US I guess you are OK .. IF you can afford health insurance... and if you cannot.. then what.  So overall I think here in UK with the NHS we are extremely lucky ...a brilliant system of health care for all.  Not perfect but then what is....
    • lorraine46575
      lorraine46575 beachbum1957

      Posted

      Actually beachbum, not everyone in the US gets the same care, I have a friend with no insurance who had waited years for a new hip in the US.  I live in Canada so we also have a system similar to the U.K. it may not be perfect but at least everyone gets free healthcare.  It must be terrible not to be able to afford to go to the Doctors, I cannot imagine it as previously I lived in the U.K. so have been lucky.
  • lorraine46575
    lorraine46575 gillEE

    Posted

    I am so sorry this has put you back in your recovery.  This is a warning to me, I had my R hip replaced on August 19th and am off to Mexico next week.  I will definately not be carrying or lifting anything.  I do hope you heal quickly.

    Lorraine from Vancouver,

    • gillEE
      gillEE lorraine46575

      Posted

      Hello All,

      well just returned from my GP.... he thinks it is tendonitis and so now on a course of anti-inflammtories and if after 2 weeks still no better, then back to orthopaedic dept. GROAN

      So WARNING TO ALL  ... play the "disabled card", or even "helpless female" - which I detest - but needs must....ask for assistance and DO NOT lift heavy items. Nor if using a crutch carry items as it will unbalance you and cause more stress on op side.

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