Post op physio - what have you been offered?

I had my hip in 2015 and I had 6 weeks physiotherapy and 12 weeks hydrotherapy. Both of these were very beneficial, but I thoroughly enjoyed the hydrotherapy in the water ( and I can't swim) it also seemed to loosen the muscles and tendons with being weightless in the water. If you can get that it is surely a winner. The only other thing I will say is that it does vary from hospital to hospital and Consultant to Consultant. Mine was especially good here in Norfolk and wrote me up for everything. Good luck with your healing process. x

Hi.

Do you mind me asking how old you are?.

I am 55 and also from the North East. I actually have my six weeks check tomorrow.

I got a phone call from physio and because I asked to see them during that call I got one face to face appointment. I wanted this to check I was doing e revises correctly. But that is the total I got!! I wouldn't have had that had i not asked.

I feel like my progress has been very slow and more should have been done .

Much the same as my experience. I saw a physio twice in the 6 weeks and had one phone call. I'm in the East of England. Basically do the exercises in your folder - I was given my folder before the op and that's about all. I agree that it doesn't seem much but I'm now 7 weeks and doing better. Good luck

I live in the West Midlands, coming up to 12 weeks post-op after TRHR and have never been offered any physiotherapy at all.  All I had was a brief session while I was in hospital showing me three very basic exercises and how to manage stairs.  I am trying to arrange some physio through my GP because although I think I have made good progress, I feel that at 12 weeks I should be doing more muscle strengthening exercises and I am wary of just taking stuff off the internet without supervision.  I don't know what your surgeon has told you, but mine said I would never be able to bend much more than the 90 degrees, would never be able to put on my socks, do up shoelaces or cut my toenails, and so many people (including physiotherapists and nurses) have said that's absolute rubbish, that I feel I need some physiotherapy to give me the confidence to try being more flexible.    It's hard to believe that such a major operation affecting mobility doesn't automatically warrant physiotherapy, but I suppose that's the state of the NHS now.  If you feel that what you are being offered is not enough you may find you can self-refer for physio, but you'll probably have a long wait so you'd better start the process now, or try your GP.  Whatever happens I'm sure you'll find that you're over the worst and I wish you all the very best.

I had THR on a Wednesday cane home on Saturday and began Physical therapy the following Monday. It helps you get your muscle strength back. HTH Take care Vickie

Hi Liz

I had my op on the NHS in York November 2016. Physio offered was a couple of sessions the day after the op when I was shown the standard exercises and how to manage stairs. That was it. After a couple of months of reasonable progress I phoned my local NHS physio dept to say I'd like some advice, and was given an appointment the following week.

When I saw the physio, I asked for advice on how to progress safely to more vigorous exercise. She was quite dismissive and said that I shouldn't have self-referred because physio was not offered as standard on the NHS for hip replacements.  This was embarassing and made me feel like a self-indulgent fool, however she did check me over, and suggested a couple of new exercises, and told me I was doing fine, which was reassuring at least.

A few weeks later I felt ready for some more challenging aerobic exercise so started going to aquafit classes, which I thought would be safe as it's non-weight bearing. However there's currently a trend for high intensity Interval training in aquafit, and I managed to overdo it, and ended up back using a stick for a couple of weeks. I'm only now at six months post-op getting back to where I was before.

So in conclusion, once you're past the six week mark you could try the self-referral route (if you don't mind being made to feel spoilt and demanding!) or maybe you could find a private physio for advice if you can afford it. Alternatively you could ask a qualified instructor at your local council leisure centre/pool for further advice re safe exercise. Other than that we seem to be pretty much on our own unless something goes seriously wrong!

 

I too am in the NE I had my opS (2 total hip replacements) in the Nuffield as an NHS PATIENT I hasten to write!

I made a reasonable first recovery with 4 or 5 sessions of physio. The second op went well from a hip point of view however I was very ill subsequently with heart and chest problems not of my own making !!! I also have a long term spinal issue.I have had fantastic physio support and it had made s huge difference. However I am very aware other areas have different perspectives in the area - it seems most people do very well with minimal support- motivation and determination seem to be what works- there is lots of useful lit on rehab on the net- Northumberland health care had a brillient leaflet - good luck! Sue