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Using a TENS after hip replacement

Posted , 7 users are following.

judyvin
judyvin

I had bilateral surgery 13 days ago and my muscles are still quite weak.I have been doing exercises as directed by my physiotherapist. I have a TENS machine that also has muscle stimulation modes and wondered if anyone can give me advice as to how best to use it. I am not in so much pain so am looking to use it more to strengthen.

4 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK judyvin

    Posted

    Congrats for making it through the surgery! I've only heard about TENS helping with pain, not strengthening. You are very early in recovery, and there is lots of healing that needs to be done before you think much about strengthening. Doing the walking that you are normally doing with your walking aids will probably be all you need. It is very easy to overdo things and hurt yourself this early on.
    • judyvin
      judyvin AnnieK

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. However it is the walking I am not allowed to do because I opted for both to be replaced. I have been told it is best to let them settle before I bear weight on them.if I had just had the one I would be walking around daily. I think this is why my surgeon and physio said I was crazy!
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK judyvin

      Posted

      I see. So you are completely non-weight bearing? Doing no standing up or walking at all yet?
  • rose0000
    rose0000 judyvin

    Posted

    I didn't use a tens machine so sorry not to be able to help....but hope someone else can post their experience...a few used them for pain relief. I haven't heard of using it for muscle stimulation.
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee judyvin

    Posted

    Hi Judy,

    I have used a tens unit in the past for pain and I have heard of it being used for muscle stimulation.  Kind of a passive work out for muscles, evven in the face to deter sagging with age.  But somewhere through the years, I also heard that this does not give any significant results.  You could research it to see if it is worth it, but in the meantime, it will not hurt you at all to try.

    You are still fresh out of the traumatic surgery, so feeling weak is normal.  My best wishes to you in your recovery.  We only have once to heal right, and it sounds like you are doing everything right!

    Take care!

    Dawn, USA

     

    • Dmann
      Dmann DawnDedee

      Posted

      Hi I'm using a TENS unit for physio as well., the doctor said it would help strengthen the hip muscles faster. I had THR 10 weeks ago and still have a lot of pain and also have movement (pistoning effect) in the joint when I put weight on it walking. Doctor said that the movement was not from the prosthetic joint but was actually my pelvic bone moving because the muscles are so atrophied from a spinal fusion I had last year. Has anyone had this problem? I'm in the US.
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee Dmann

      Posted

      Quite a battle is'nt it?  Sometimes I become weary.  My muscles are very atrophied because I could not move well with a failed THR, for a year and a half before my revision.  Laying around is detrimental.  So when I was six months out, I took a part time janitorial job that fits well in my world right now.  I needed something to force me into being physical and also get me out among the living again.  If I did not do this, I would continue to deteriorate.  
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