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Swimming

Posted , 15 users are following.

eggtimer
eggtimer

(Day 18)  I did laps yesterday with a kick board at the local Y, noticeable improvement in walking and mood today.  Don't think it was coincidence.  Highly recommend this relaxing, non-weight bearing starter exercise.  Go slow, it takes awhile to warm up!

4 likes, 35 replies

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  • RichardKen
    RichardKen eggtimer

    Posted

    I found swimming fantastic exercise after having to reduce walking whilst waiting for a TAR revision. Then the twenty year old hip failed and had to pack swimming in. Had the hip revised and now just started partial weight bearing following the TAR revision so in a couple of months hope to start getting my fitness back in the pool! It's all go.

    Cheers, Richard

  • Irishsuzyq
    Irishsuzyq eggtimer

    Posted

    Hi.  

    Question did you start swimming 18 days after surgery?   Is that what 18 days means.   

    I am today, 17 days after surgery, and would love to start doing something.  

    I am walking with crutches.  I can walk without them  but I limp because of pelvis  being out of alignment, (makes legs feel different lengths), this is after so long limping around with cane.   Been told it’s not legs.  I had lost 9mm with bone in bone OA, which  they gave me back   Swimming might help.  

    Never thought I could do that so soon.  

    • eggtimer
      eggtimer Irishsuzyq

      Posted

      Yes, 18 days after surgery.  Dr said I was fine for the pool on my 15 day follow-up as the incision had closed (anterior approach, tape no sutures).  Walking improved overnight after swimming (easy kicks with the board) as did the painful spasms in my lower back which were hunching me over and making walking/progress difficult.  I was depressed and miserable until today.   It made a difference.
    • Irishsuzyq
      Irishsuzyq eggtimer

      Posted

      Thank you for your response.  I am excited to start.  

      As my leg feeling longer and my old habit of limping with cane because of pain is a problem now.  Aw muscle memory is a battle.  

      Hoping the pool can help.  

  • erela
    erela eggtimer

    Posted

    Oh yes...... the pool is the best way to get your strength and stability back but do not push yourself too hard...... you do not want to dislocate..... takes time to rebuild muscle strength..... and swimming is the best way....... biggrin
  • anniepaint
    anniepaint eggtimer

    Posted

    You can exercise in the pool as soon as your wound is healed. I wasn’t able to drive until 5 weeks so couldn’t get there til then but its brilliant to do all your exercises like squats, leg raises, walking etc etc in the pool. I can only swim breaststroke and couldn’t manage that until 8 weeks. I do aquafit 4 days a week now. Also pilates and yoga. I started Pilates at 6 weeks and yoga at about 12 weeks. I’m almost 6 months post op now and feeling great. 

    Ann

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure anniepaint

      Posted

      Great way to keep the core strong. I luv Pilates been doing them for many years.

      water therapy  is my fav way to keep my joints from locking up. 

    • Irishsuzyq
      Irishsuzyq anniepaint

      Posted

      Must find out what Pilates are.  Excited to start doing stuff in pool.  First physio appt Tuesday.  Hope to get go ahead. 
  • Ducksoup
    Ducksoup eggtimer

    Posted

    I waited 6 weeks before swimming again.  I wear long fins and slow swim an hour a day.  I am at about week 16 now.  I also ride my bike to our pool daily.  Living in the Pyrenees there is little flat ground.
  • Pennypops
    Pennypops eggtimer

    Posted

    Wow , I love swimming ..I'm booked in for my left hip replacement in June and have been feeling quite low but this news has perked me up 😁

    • anniepaint
      anniepaint Pennypops

      Posted

      Do as much exercise as you can before your op Penny. It makes a huge difference to your recovery if you are as fit as possible beforehand. You might only be able to do limited exercise but the pool helps a lot as it keeps the weight off your joints. 

      Ann

  • Tango2020
    Tango2020 eggtimer

    Posted

    I also recommend swimming, it has helped me recover from anterior THR.  I went slow at first (too much too fast can give you tendonitis), but now almost four months out I am going much faster smile
  • jackie56101
    jackie56101 eggtimer

    Posted

    Eggtimer,

    What great idea I'm going to try this

    Thanks for sharing

    Jackie

  • Tango2020
    Tango2020 eggtimer

    Posted

    Thank you everyone for sharing your success about swimming, aquafit, yoga, and pilates. 
  • eggtimer
    eggtimer

    Posted

    The effort it takes to kick with the operated hip (vs the non-operated one) indicates that the muscles do need to be exercised.  This is different than walking and the payoff is an improved and strengthened walking gait. Exercise also helps with sleeping at night. Please post your results if you get a chance to try it.
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