1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Pre Op Exercises and Stretches

Posted , 6 users are following.

susie74530
susie74530

Two years ago, I was given a couple of sheets of exercises to do by a physiotherapist, after I had been diagnosed as moderate to severe arthritis in my right hip.  I have followed them, with the occasional lapse.  Lately, I have embellished a couple of them with foot rotations and flexes - the leg lifts.

I have found that the stretches have been very helpful, indeed.  The leg muscles and foot of the affected hip were distorted and atrophied.  Since doing the quad, hamstring and calf muscle stretches, I have found that my calf muscle, which was rock hard, has relaxed considerably, to the point where I can now stretch the leg well out behind me and keep the heel firmly on the floor.  The quad muscle and hamstring are not as atrophied and again, they are softer.  I am able to bend and touch the floor with the tips of my fingers, although my knees are still not straight.  Have added some push ups to strengthen upper body, for any etra work it will have to do post op.  The physio told me that my arches have dropped somewhat, so I am picking up pencils with my toes, both feet, as this causes the arch to flex and strengthen, so that post op, my right foot will point straight ahead and not to the right, as it has had a tendency to do.  Also I bend backwards looking up at the ceiling, and put my hands on my butt to stretch my spine.  I have just started this, and it is not very comfortable, but I am slowly beginning to feel the benefits.

I am doing all I possibly can to keep my body as flexible and strong as possible, particularly the spine and muscles supporting it, as I have noticed that I get lower back pain now, as my lower back is having to do the work of my hip.  I do still get sciatic pain, but but is not as frequent, and seems to locate itself more toward the lower end of my calf muscle toward the ankle.   

I have been told that what I am trying to do, is not going to make one iota of difference to me post op.  Is this true?  Am I wasting my time and effort, surely not?

What is important to me, is that I am trying to contribute to the work that the consultant/surgeon will be doing and with any luck, speeding recovery by working the affected muscles.  The biggest hurdle, I suppose will be the recovery of the nerves and muscles around the hip replacement itself, and various swings in mood and pain following surgery.  

I am wondering what other members' experiences have been post op, after following a pre op physio exercise program, or whether or not there are those who did not follow a regime, and what their experiences were, post op.  

It would help me enormously to know wheter or not what I am doing is of benefit, particularly at this time, as I am to see the consultant for the first time next Monday.  The appointment will be "drawing a line in the sand."  Until then, I have felt that I am standing outside the door, waiting my turn to come in.  Once I have seen him, I am committed, and have stepped over the threshhold!

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • billiemaw
    billiemaw susie74530

    Posted

    Well it certainly my wont do any harm!

    I was advised to build up the muscles in my thigh and buttock as it may help speed up recovery.

    Same as anything with this op tho, everyone is different, the surgeons are different and there really is know way of knowing how your recovery will go until it's here. Anything you can do to keep fit and healthy is a bonus tho

  • jumer
    jumer susie74530

    Posted

    Dear Susie, I think it is both wise and admirable that are maintaining strength and flexibility. This will definitely help you post-op. Often, people are decondtioned with loss of muscle mass and strength going into the surgery due to pain and limited mobility. So you will have a big advantage. I am a year post op and swam back to health. One friend has had 4 hip replacements, was always active both in the gym and outdoors. It certainly paid off to have been fit. So think you are on the right track. Best of luck for your surgery and afterwards. Keep us posted.
    • susie74530
      susie74530 jumer

      Posted

      Hello Susan:

      Many thanks for the positive feedback.  I am aware that there has been a deterioration in fitness because, of course, I cannot do the walking, much less the jogs that I used to do.  Cardio vascular is a concern, and that is why I want this op to be over and done with ASAP.  I don't want to reach the point, as I suspect so many people do, of giving up, because that is the beginning of a major decline in health,

      Keeping up with the exercises has been good for my morale, and I do feel that I am achieving something.  I would also like to think that the consultant I am going to see, who I understand, is a very supportive and  empathetic man, will be pleased that I am doing my best to help him achieve a good result.  

  • jumer
    jumer susie74530

    Posted

    Your outlook is key and that can make all the difference in the outcome. Also having a physician in your corner is imperative. It sounds like you are prepared on all levels. When is your surgery? Wishing you the best.
    • susie74530
      susie74530 jumer

      Posted

      I have an initial appointment with my cosultant this coming Monday.  From that point, I am hoping I shall have my op date, so that I can organize my life.  I am thinking of telling them that I will accept a cancellation, but whether I take it or not, depends on the amount of notice given.  It is early days, the surgeon, I think, is just about the best there is in the area.  Once I have seen him, I am through the door, so to speak!  Then, I can start lining up my ducks and it becomes a reality.
  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 susie74530

    Posted

    Being fit is important, both for your recovery, and during the surgery process itself.

    I think the fitter you are the faster you get well.

    Especailly during my first THR, the physios congratulated me on just how fit and flexible I was, and walking the corridor's by day two with my IV pole and sick bags, I frightened them with One stretch I did, reaching behind me with my right leg, it had always locked solid when my big toe reached my heel, so the first exercise I tried was to see if I could get it past my heel, yippee, 30 years of physio and I could never improve that damned short gait on right side, one surgery, and it was all loosed up.

    My claim always was it wasn't muscles, and tendons, it was a boney issue, after a accident, could I get a refund of all the money I spent, don't think so.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 susie74530

    Posted

    Hi Susie, 

    Good for you and if it makes you feel good, just do it ... I was not so fortunate with pre-op physical therapy - I so wanted to be fit and stronger - they put me on weight training (I used to do that diligently) with machines but it left me in sooooo much pain afterwards that I could not do a thing -  After a session on the rowing machine, I stopped going --- downhill from there as the pain was just too much -

    The floor exercises I was given were good though - made me feel good to stretch ...

    blessings

    renee

  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK susie74530

    Posted

    I think mental attitude is just as important as physical preparation.

    I was incredibly fit up until two years ago. This deteriorated to the point I could hardly walk before my first hip op in June last year. 

    My partner now calls me 'the one legged athlete' as I have been trying to build up the muscles in my op leg in order to take the strain from the next one which is on 12th Feb.

    I am sure age and fitness have some bearing on hope you cope with the op but we all face the same battle to get over it. I would say it took me 5 months to feel normal again on my right side but am fairly convinced that no matter how careful I was exercising the stress has taken it's toll on the 'waiting' hip.

    I am sure that mental attitude is what makes you strong and you seem to have plenty of that, Susie

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.