Post-operative mobility
Posted , 14 users are following.
I had a THR of my right hip 11 weeks ago and everything is going well although I haven't been offered any physiotherapy. However when I saw my surgeon at six weeks although he seemed very pleased with my progress he told me that I will never be able to bend much beyond 90 degrees and will never be able to reach my feet to be able to put on my socks, tie shoelaces or cut my toenails! Having asked around I find that without exception friends and friends of friends who have had hip replacements are all able to do this even though it may take some time. The physiotherapy department at the hospital said they had never heard of anybody being told this before and the nurse at my GP's surgery (who had a hip replacement six years ago) said that was rubbish! I have tried, without success, to contact my surgeon and all I could get was an appointment with him, but not until the end of June. I feel I am wasting time when I could be getting more mobile. I can't believe that my THR can be different from anybody else's - I don't want to spend the rest of my life having to depend on other people or mobility aids to do simple tasks like washing and dressing. Has anybody else been told this by their surgeon?
0 likes, 38 replies
nan64673 gay81225
Posted
gay81225 nan64673
Posted
Thank you so much for replying. Nobody said anything to me about arranging physio, but last week I asked my GP if I could have some and I'm waiting to hear from them. Presumably a physiotherapist will be able to tell if there's some odd reason why my surgeon would have said that and will be able to give me some exercises and the confidence to try.
jodie38566 gay81225
Posted
Hi, I'm also 11 weeks post op. I saw a physio in hospital before I was discharged and given exercises to do at home. I now see a physio every 2/3 weeks and keep up with me exercises twice a day.
When I had my followup appointment at 7 weeks my consultant said I should be able to put my socks and shoes on myself( I couldn't) but 4 weeks on I am able to do it and more or less back to normal, this is down to all the strengthening exercises I've been doing. You deffo need physio.
Good luck :-)
gay81225 jodie38566
Posted
Thank you for this advice. Because of what my surgeon said I've been afraid to try bending much more than the 90 degrees, especially before the 12 week "danger" period is up! Hopefully I'll be able to get some physio soon and start getting back to where I was.
RichardKen gay81225
Posted
Dear Gay
I'm in the process of recovering from the revision of my twenty year old total hip replacement and up to it wearing out I was able to place my hands flat on the floor in front of me without bending my knees. I cannot recall at what stage in my original recovery I was able to do this. BTW I'm 75 yrs old
Cheers Richard
gay81225 RichardKen
Posted
Thank you so much for replying. You've certainly encouraged me to believe that I will eventually get back to where I was. I can't understand why my surgeon would be so pessimistic about my outcome.
RichardKen gay81225
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Cheers Richard
kim89222 gay81225
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I was not offered Physio so I chased it up myself sadly for me not much help, I think I need to re-learn how to walk having limped for so long as for putting on socks I have no idea as I dont wear them but I can put on trousers cut my own toe nails, I can just about touch my toes too
just listen to your body and take as long as you need.
gay81225 kim89222
Posted
Thank you for this. I'm sorry physio didn't help you. Hopefully I'll have better luck. I've managed to find ways round just about everything with washing and dressing, and walking's OK, but I just can't reach my right foot! Most frustrating.
kimberley38758 gay81225
Posted
Hi,
I had a FRHR about 10 months ago. I now feel completely back to normal. Physio is required right from the start (before you leave the hospital) and will continue until your muscles are functions properly again. That was able 9-10 weeks for me.
The good news is that it's not too late for you to start physio. Physio will help to increase your flexibility and strengthen your hip muscles. It is also needed to help keep you new hip in place and prevent further injuries.
I'd make an appointment as soon as possible with a physical therapist. The sooner you get started, the better the outcome. I'd also get a different hip specialist.
Take care and best wishes!
gay81225 kimberley38758
Posted
Thank you so much for replying. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of choice where my consultant is concerned especially now the operation's been done. Also the hospital has now cancelled the appointment I had with him when I was going to ask him why my outcome should be different from everybody else's! So I think I'll give up on him and just concentrate on getting some physio.
julie40975 gay81225
Posted
Hi Gay
I didn't get any physio post op either and felt as though I had stopped improving and then started to get some groin pain. Sounds nonsense what you have been told and I can report that I cut my toenails for the first time at the weekend and was so chuffed - I am 6 months post op. I got a referral from the GP and waited some time but now have physio I paid for first one £47 and now on NHS made a big difference and they have said my muscles are very weak hence slow improvement and pain. They get me to try and touch my toes so there!! I think we hippies will always be mindful of bending too far forward and you certainly know when you have gone too far. Hope you get some physio it really helps and you will be able to do most things again but it all takes time. We are impatient to get back to the mobility we once had and have to be patient. Good luck you're doing great
Julie
gay81225 julie40975
Posted
Thank you so much for this encouraging reply. I don't mind if it takes time. It was thinking I was never going to be able to be totally independent again that was depressing me. By next weekend I'll be 12 weeks post-op when the danger of dislocation will be less and if I can get some physio I'll be a lot happier about trying to be more flexible. I have asked my GP for physio, but am still waiting to hear.
kimberley38758 gay81225
Posted
You can get started on physio sooner. Go to YouTube and type in 'strengthening exercises after a total hip replacement'. It has videos to show you how what to do. There are also many other websites that have instructions and diagrams on various exercises after a FHR.
Resistence bands are wonderful and are very inexpensive. You will probably find instructors using these in the videos.
gay81225 kimberley38758
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I've been a bit wary of stuff on the internet. I downloaded some exercises early on and before I started doing them showed them to my practice nurse when she changed my dressing. She was frankly horrified and reckoned at least one of them would guarantee a dislocation!! I will have a look at the YouTube you recommend, but I might wait until I can check them out with a physio before trying them. Thank you very much anyway for the suggestion.
kimberley38758 gay81225
Posted
I can't say that I blame you. I've watched the videos and they seem to be the same exercises that I was put through. You can't compare a video to that of a professional though. A physical therapist will tailor exercises to your strength and ability.