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Using an exercise bike. Any advise please?

Posted , 5 users are following.

jenniferLouise
jenniferLouise

Can anyone advise me about using an exercise bike before and after the operation please?  I am six months plus away from my THR but want to be as fit as possible beforehand.  I am a regular, if somewhat restricted, gym user but I don't go every day.  On my days off I try to walk and I have just been given an exercise bike.  The general advise seem to be to keep active.  I find the exercise bike quite hard to use.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • jason42777
    jason42777 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi JenniferLousie, I didnt have a static bike before my op ,other half got one just after and physio said i shold get on it at two weeks. pre op get as fit and supple as possible is the general recommendation as far as i know. dont have much resistance set on bike just keep legs moving.

    All the best for your op. jay. ps. be prepared for a protracted recovery whatever proccedure you get, keep your sense of humour , do excercises as prescribed , dont stress about the rest of the world just concentrate on you for a month or so after... hmmm ...should really follow my own advice sometimessmile

  • mark26805
    mark26805 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer, I'm in the peculiar position of needing a hip replacement, but being in no pain, so the recommendation seems to be "stay active and use the capsule around the hip" i.e. exercise the joint and surrounding muscle, yoga, stretches in different directions and exercise bike. I am in no pain cycling at all and should do it more really.

    Physio gives me hip exercises, lay on back, knees high but feet flat on floor, hands crossed on chest and then raise my bum 20 times, then one legged. I think the consensus is to keep active with hip/leg rotations.

    Everyone is different, and there is NO best exercise for everyone. Every Dr and every physio has a different plan to try and help.

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise mark26805

      Posted

      Thanks Mark, guess you are right, all of us are individual and our way to and from THP must differ.  I just don't want to do anything I shouldnt.  I think I will start with five mins  per day on the bike and gradually increase. One of my problems with exercise is that because my knees are so shot I can't kneel.  Getting up from the floor is impossible for me.  I thought I should need new knees but according to the surgeon I need a new hip first!  Just hope he is right.
  • Paulus1949
    Paulus1949 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer.

    Ive posted on here a few times about the benefits of building up the leg muscles pre op by using a stationary bike..here is a brief idea of how it worked for me.

    For my 1st THR in feb 2014 all I did was walk as far as I could manage about 25mins every day..Post op my recovery took quite a while,around 6months.

    I knew I needed the other hip replacing as well so bought a stationary bike in Dec 2014..I began with 5-10 mins easy spinning every other day,then slowly built up the time and distance so by early Feb2015 I was doing 15km every other day in around 45 mins...I had my hip op feb 6th 2015..my recovery has been far quicker than my previous op,I could weight bear and climb stairs after a few weeks..and did a 5mile walk today with very little pain.

    Im sure having built up the  muscles for my 2nd op made a massive difference to my recovery..I've just started back on the bike this week,but only easy spinning for 10mins for a few weeks, and slowly build up the time.

    I would thoroughly recommend you give it a try..but I know it's not for everyone,and if it gives you any pain I'd get medical advice before continuing.

    I have to admit a stationary bike takes a lot of will power and perseverance,there will be days when you just don't feel like doing it,but like most exercise once you warm up you start to enjoy it.

    Dont wait go for it😊

     

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise Paulus1949

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your encouraging response to my question.  I already do an hour twice a week in an aqua aerobics class and I have personal training twice a week at the gym.  The instructors have devised a programme to help me build up the leg muscles and I have lost over a stone in weight since Christmas.  I will take your advice about the bike, I know it is boring but perhaps signing along to Tina Turner will help.  She is an inspiration to all we older gals.  I'm not looking forward to my THR but must hold the thought that 2016 will be a better, pain free year.  Fingers crossed.
  • valerie48782
    valerie48782 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    7 1/2 weeks post op and back to work on Monday-I will remove the washing from the handlebars and get on my static bike today!
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