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Stretching Exercises Pre Op

Posted , 14 users are following.

susie74530
susie74530

I follow the posts on the Forum very carefully, and have noticed that a lot of peple are experiencing a lot of pain in their upper thigh, front and back, knee, calf, ankle, etc.  In fact throughout the entire leg and buttocks. 

Two years ago, my physio gave me a set of exercises, the usual program.  However, they include stretches that exercise the entire hip and leg.  What I am wondering is whether or not pre ops are still following the exercises, right up to the day before the op is due?  I am no expert, as I am still very much a "beginner!"  But, something is telling me that it is very important to keep going on the exercises, right up to almost the last minute, because stretching and maintinaing those muscles that are not working correctly because of the bad hip, need to be toned up, so that recovery is not quite as trauatic post op?

I am wondering what the post ops have kept up on their pre op exercises, and if they have, have they found that the exercises helped after their ops?

I have a suspicion that it is a great temptation to give up on the exercises when discomfort becomes more intense, and it is felt that the exercises are no longer benefiecial?  What do you think?  

 

3 likes, 77 replies

77 Replies

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  • linnet2015
    linnet2015 susie74530

    Posted

    Hi Susie

    I was given a booklet with all the exercises I would need to do post op and was advised to do them all (bed and floor exercises) pre op too as this helps   with recovery when you start to use your new hip.

    I still do all these exercises as well as extra ones the physio gave me starting with the original bed exercises first thing before I get up which helps to get me moving after laying on my back all night. 

    I am 6 weeks post op and find yes I have good days and bad days but generally l feel I can do a bit more each day.

    Linnet x

    • susie74530
      susie74530 linnet2015

      Posted

      Many thanks, Linnet.

      Basically, I feel that we cannot and should not rely on the surgeon to pull miracles out of the hat.  We have to wrok on our bodies before and after surgery as much as we possibly can to aid the surgeon in his job, and hekp recovery pot op.  

      I understand, after reading another post, that during surgery, the surgeon will stretch muscles and ligaments for us, anyway, which will be a great help post op.

      All the best,

      Susie

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 susie74530

    Posted

    I was swimming (modified) before my surgery, only exercise I could do, rest of time was in a wheelchair if I had to move around or go shopping, got to the point where i didn't go out at all, only to pool, pain just impossible, pain killers did give me some relief towards end. I am still going swimming for an hour three times a week, I do my post-op exercises in the pool, using the weight of the water for extra effort, as I am still struggling with getting back to normal after 10 months, and yes I do know I am the exception rather then the rule, I have done alot of research on my problems, and now have a complaint with the ombudsmans office.
    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 lyn1951

      Posted

      Hi lyn,

      We must be on the same " wave length" (excuse the pun)

      I think the pool is the best place to exercise after THR. The jacuzzi in fact is my second home. We have a seat in the one at our baths where I actually managed to do "clam" today for the first time since my op.

      I use a "woggle" as an exercise aid, since it gives a certain amount of gentle resistance. Under my foot I pump it up and down to use buttock muscles. Then I use it behind my  knee and pump while in a lounging position. I kind of feel the resistance of the water is more gentle than the force of gravity when on land. Also while in the water I practise standing on my operated leg and doing single leg squats. I certainly cannot do that on land. Everything I do has been learned at a "hippy" aqua rehab class in the past but I prefer to follow the exercises on my own as I can fit them into my day a bit better that way.

      Sorry to go on a bit but I really wanted to share these tips with others on here as they are so helpful in rebuilding muscles. 

      Best wishes,

      Shirley

  • Shortz
    Shortz susie74530

    Posted

    I'm in Australia. Was not given exercises to do pre-op, but only had to wait 4 weeks from appointment with specialist till operation.
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 Shortz

      Posted

      Shortz - I too am in Brisbane Australia. I was stuffed around by my GP, for years, specialists when they finally saw me at the hospital were shocked, senior registrar told me in no uncertain terms, that my GP hadn't done the right thing by me, they wanted to admit me there and then, outpatients appt, but ended up booking surgery for 10 days later, that didn't happen as I developed a clot in leg, finally 6 weeks later had surgery done.
    • Shortz
      Shortz lyn1951

      Posted

      How are you doing now, Lyn? 11 weeks post-op for me and doing ok, back to my normal activities, though do get a bit of pain in the muscles in my bum. Am doing stretching exercises for that, as prescribed by my physio.
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 Shortz

      Posted

      Coudn't agree more, follow the physio advice, 11 weeks is still early days yet, it can take as long as a year before you are completely back to normal, thats about how long it took for my right hip, and its just perfect. One day i realised it was like it had never been full of arthritis and been replaced. My left hip although it has been replaced in Feb, I am still battling with it, its not the right length for me I do believe, and I still cannot walk any distance, it goes numb as does my whole leg and into my foot. Been back to the hospital three times, feeling as though they are not listening, I continue with my physio exercises and it has improved but very very slowly, waiting for another physio appt at the hospital. Am presently in the process of an Obudsmans investigation, we will see what comes from that.
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