Physical Therapy after Total Hip Replacement

Posted , 12 users are following.

Good morning. I am 2 weeks out (tomorrow) from my surgeery. I have had home physical therapy 5x weekly since my release form the hospital on day 2, I am now capable of walking with no cane, and 1 mile on my elliptical and 1 mile outside. BUT I am unable to bend down vertically and bring up my operated leg to cross over the other leg to put on socks shoes and tie my laces. This therapist I am using can't-or won't-help me. I just found out he is a PT assistant. All he does are the same exercises over and over for strength and walks me outside for 1/2 mile. Can anybody please share their experiences with their therapists so that I know what to do AND whaa is their recovery.  Do I fire this one and hire another or just fire this one? Or just accept the fact that I will forever be unable to bend or put on my own shoes socks, etc. without instruments? I have apointments with my pt through May 11.Thanks.

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  • Posted

    Hi Shelley

    i had RTHR mid Dec 2016 and found my ability to lift leg gradually returned until at exactly 6 weeks I was able to put my socks on!  Perhaps you are expecting too much too soon, says I!!!! I was back dog walking 5k also at 6 weeks and most days walking 12,000-15,000 steps. Physio told me to cut back to 10-12,000 if possible! I restarted Pilates at 8 weeks and do Health Circuits at the gym 3x weekly. Both are quite gentle. Despite this I have days when I get pain in hip or thigh which causes weight bearing difficulty. Physio said complete rest for a couple of days, which I obeyed and today I went to an agility dog show and ran my 2dogs albeit not very successfully and am now home with no discomfort, great result. It does seem recovery is erratic with steps back occasionally which are sooooo disappointing but listening to your body does seem to be the best option, hard though it is a times, when we just want to get back to normal living. You will get there though perhaps not at quickly as you would like!!! Take care K 

    • Posted

      Well done Kaye, bet the doggies are pleased too!

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Thanks Richard, though I only made up the numbers it was so good to 'run' the dogs again. Small successes mean so much! Best wishes K 

    • Posted

      Dead Kaye

      You deserved to get out and have fun...excellent, that's what its all about, living again!

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Hi Kaye, I promised myself that if my limp (w/ cane) would go away after my surgery, then nothing else mattered to me. And my limp is gone! So I am thrilled as can be, but am just questioning whether or not I will be able to do certain thing in the future. My home pt left today and now I will try patient therapy to build up strength in my leg and agility. Will let you know what happens. Continue on the road to recovery!!
  • Posted

    Hi Shelley

    Gosh, 2 weeks seems VERY early days after a major op to be so active. I was told to avoid bending beyond ninety degrees for six weeks, which completely ruled out trying to put my own socks on for all that time. I was also told not to cross my operated leg across the mid-line of the body, and just do gentle simple muscle strengthening exercises, plus walking as far as felt comfortable for six weeks , which sounds exactly like what your PT is doing with you. However I do believe different surgeons impose different or fewer restictions. You will be able to do socks etc eventually, don't worry - I was very proud when I finally got mine on at six weeks!

    • Posted

      Yes All you say is correct, the sense of achievement putting on my socks at 6 weeks was a major success!!! I'm sure that was because I followed the advice you outlined, boring though it was!

    • Posted

      I was used to running 2 miles a day, so I imagine I was in pretty decent shape going in. My surgeon placed no restrictions on me, so I am just questioning getting dressed, as now it is so very difficult for me. Once I start outpatient therapy, I will let you know how I am progressing. In the meantime, continue feeling good!!
    • Posted

      Hi Kaye, It WAS a sense of achievement and I totally get it! Kudos to you!!
    • Posted

      Hi Shelley

      it sounds as though you were fitter and more active than me Pre op so I'm sure you'll be fine in time. Although I do find the continued limitations my Physio tries to enforce a bit tedious!!!!! The strengthening exercises seem easy but that's all she wants me to do as apparently my G medius hasn't worked for some time! However if I push it I pay for it, so do try to be patient or like me you will learn the hard way. Remember the surgery was a brutal assault on your body, cheery thought hey!!!! Best wishes K 

  • Posted

    Shelley

    Generally the rule for the first 6 weeks is:

    Don't bend your body over 90 degrees to your operated leg

    Don't cross your legs

    Don't twist your operated leg

    So I think you should not be trying to put socks on as you describe. If you want to wear socks (I've given up for the time being) you need a sock aid which is a plastic cone with strings. My one is an Etac Socky I find it works better than some of the cheaper ones.

    I did manage to put socks on normally after my first hip op but it was a strain, but I've never been very flexible.

    So patience for another 4 weeks I'd say.

    But it sounds like you are making good progress.

    Mike

    • Posted

      Dear Mike

      I’m in agreement with you that one should not bend to put on socks though I seem to remember going through all sorts of contortions whilst l lay on my bed!

      These days devices for enabling one to safely do it are so readily available. I got one as soon as my replacement hip failed and I could no longer safely manage and it Si soooo easy!

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Hi Michael, I am able to put my shoes andsocks on by myself, buy  am extremely spastic in doing so and in a lot of discomfort. My surgeon gave me no restrictions, but I feel that I need to be more limber to keep doing these things. I plan on starting out -patient therapy shortly, and will let you know how that is going. In the meantime, keep up the good work!
    • Posted

      Hi RichardKen, I don't bend down to put on my shoes and socks. My arms are way too short for that. teehee. No, I take my operated leg and drag it up my outstretched good leg (sideways) and struggle to commplish these tasks. Hopefully, my agility will  increase once I start-out patient therapy. Like you, I am turning into a real contortionist (Too bad Ringling Bros. is closing...lol)

    • Posted

      Dear Shelley

      It's all a bit of a challenge but having got a sock aid it is one less frustration!

      Cheers Richard

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