Proprioception

Posted , 8 users are following.

I saw my physiotherapist for the first time on Monday of this week. Since I'm doing really well with my recovery and am already off crutches and walking outside with just a cane, she had me doing squats and standing on one leg.

She explained something that I thought was fascinating. Our brains normally take information about balance from our hips. When a hip is replaced with a prosthetic it doesn't send any signals so our brain has to make new pathways and find different ways of working out where to put our feet. That's why we feel so strange when we first walk after surgery - well I did anyway. I felt like my leg didn't belong to me and wouldn't do as it was told at all!

I wish someone had explained this beforehand as I thought I had nerve damage or something! My brain is obviously catching up now because I'm walking more or less normally. Still have to concentrate quite hard on uneven surfaces though and come home tired, Not just physically but mentally.

So the moral is: if your operated on leg doesn't feel like it's yours it's because your brain doesn't yet think it is!

6 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    Jenny,

    How interesting - and it explains so much.

    Thank you, and please thank your physio.

    Graham

    • Posted

      Isn't it? I will tell her I shared the info. She's very enthusiastic about theories of healing and did her Masters on this aspect. The other thing she said was that the chances of dislocation (after the first few days) is tiny unless you cross your bad leg over your good leg and lean forward. Reassured me no end as I've been breaking the rules from the first week onwards! I do have a cemented post though, which might make a difference.

  • Posted

    Wow. Thanks Jenny. That's great information. Best news I've heard all day on this subject. With both hips done now my brain gets the disjointed feeling, pardon the pun.  I will keep it on my computer notes. That really is interesting and makes so much sence. I do wish doctors would communicate better with there patients about most of the complexities of heeling after THR.

    Sounds like you are doing well . Peace and heeling on your journey to wellness. 

    HOPE

  • Posted

    Jenny, that's very helpful. I got told something similar, however, I have had two serious falls since my replacement last year. Didn't damage my hip but did damage my face the second time. I have had a brain scan to rule out any nasties but my balance remains compromised. If you get a chance can I be cheeky and ask if you can ask your physio if this is permanent for me and is here something I can do to make it better?? 

    Thanks. 

    C

    • Posted

      I'm sorry to hear about your falls C. I am seeing her again next Thursday and will certainly ask. Are you having any physiotherapy now? I'm guessing there are specific things you can do to improve balance and confidence - as I said she had me standing on my operated leg to start making new connections. I wobbled a lot at first but am pretty ok now, having practiced every day.

    • Posted

      Yes I had physio after my operation (in spring 2015) and still do the standing on one leg thing as well as other exercises for balance. I'm seeing a neurologist in February next year as the ENT guy has ruled out a problem with my inner ear.

  • Posted

    hi jenny, 

    wow ... again a missing piece - I read some articles after read9ing your post and a lot of things make sense to me know ..

    I know we need to learn to walk again and be focussed on how we move ..

    I also had 2 THR surgeries and for some reason have dizzy spells and balance issues . so bad at times that my PT suggested to use rollator when feeling wobbly ... I am not feeling as confident as I would like to ...

    thank you so much ...

    I do have an appointment with neurologist as this is really an unpleasant feeling ..

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • Posted

      It's good that you're having things checked our Renee. It is indeed a horrible feeling. One question: are you by any chance taking naproxen? I took that more or less continuously for over two years and often had dizzy spells. I haven't taken it for a month now (yay!) and the dizziness has gone. Might be coincidence but... ?

    • Posted

      Hi Renee,

      Its amazing how much this post has filled in all the blanks over the years coping with THR.  It's to bad most docs don't take the time to print out all the information and facts on THR any more.

      My first THR doc was like that talked and talked my ear off very educational and many hospital conferences before THR. We had a booklet as think as a encyclopedia to study it had everything. Except this. They don't do that any more the older doctors were more examples of teaching docs very few any more. I miss them. 

    • Posted

      I think there should be a more holistic approach to this operation. You need to know what they're going to do and what the aftermath is likely to be but they also need to tell you about the emotional/physical connection. I'm convinced that a really positive attitude is crucial, as is understanding how our brains and bodies affect each other. I think orthopaedic surgeons only see bones! I'm really lucky that I've been assigned a physio who knows about the other stuff and who I can connect with.

    • Posted

      I absolutely agree. Most info is online these day. Educational tools at our finger tips

      I have seen the videos online all the components and manufacturers as well as the Joint registry UK, Scotland and Australia. And the American joint registry . 

      I have been reciently studying up on different techniques for revision surgery. Includes removal of the femor implant as well as the ball joint.myhe femor removal is brutal. I hope I survive this as its set after Jan. 

      Thank you.

      have a great day!

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