I hate being "Mr average"

[hernanu]

Chris, are you icing the hip? I find it's great for getting that irritation down form overwork, or just keeping your hip from getting there.

My physical therapist gave me a great solution for icing the hip (or anything really).

1. Get a zip lock bag (one that actually zips with a plastic attachment).
2. place a wet hand towel folded to fit flat into the zip lock bag.
3. Freeze and use.

This has worked great, since it comes out flat. I put it under the hip or to the side, it thaws out in about 10 minutes, which is perfect timing, and can be immediately put back in to freeze without adding water. I've had this since the first surgery and it has been perfect for driving, watching the tube, etc. On the couch, I take a dish towel, put it under the ice pack and have no problem with moisture.

[chris finn]

Now that is a brilliant idea.......I`ll be puting it into action asap ...nice one  :) :) :)

[Lopsided]

A bag of frozen peas worked well for me.

D.

[chris finn]

A bag of frozen peas worked well for me.
D.

Tried that...but the bag was open and they spilt all over the floor ;) ;D

Gotta say I feel great today....walking much better. And I saw my boss yesterday, and he said I can go back part time and work in the office ( not something that he usually does) and ease back into it.

[FlbrkMike]

A bag of frozen peas worked well for me.
D.

Tried that...but the bag was open and they spilt all over the floor ;) ;D

Seems like that might make walking around a little more hazardous.

[Lopsided]

A bag of frozen peas worked well for me.
D.

Tried that...but the bag was open and they spilt all over the floor ;) ;D

Seems like that might make walking around a little more hazardous.

After holding the bag on your upper thigh, picking up the peas from the floor, and refreezing, all multiple times, there comes a point where you consider that you might not want to eat the peas afterwards.

D.

[chris finn]

lol...I dont eat peas anyway...horrible things  :-\

Anyway..saw my surgeon today....and he`s extremely happy with my progress  ;D

Told me to start free squating, and using the leg ext/curl machine. Also said to stop using the crutches completetely. He is a bit worried about the fact that I seem to have no strength in my sartorious muscle...but he is monitoring it and has given me some specific exercises to strengthen it.

[gary2010]

You can buy freezeable gel packs for little money, they come in a cloth bag and stay soft when cold, last about 10-15 minutes which is all you want, I use 'em all the time.

[Lopsided]

... freezeable gel packs ...

They used them at the hospital. I did not think to take a couple of them home with me.

[littleb]

You can also put some water in a ziplock bag and add about 1/4 rubbing alcohol. The more you add the softer the ice. I recommend putting that ziplock into another though so there is no accidental leaking.

[andybc]

Bit of a waste of alcohol imho - I'd put some salt in to lower the freezing point and drink the alcohol!

Andy

[Lopsided]

Bit of a waste of alcohol imho - I'd put some salt in to lower the freezing point and drink the alcohol!

Andy

Andy, are you drinking rubbing alcohol?

D.

[pblythswood]

Hey Chris, hello from a fellow biker ( saw your other post under the biker section ) and I agree with you that pretty certain crashing had a lot to do with our hip problems, although in my case self inflicted as I raced for around 16 years. I'm now 16 weeks post op.

As the other posts have said I think you have to be a bit patient because you've had major surgery and everyone recovers at different times, but you seem to be progressing very well although you may not think so.

I also experienced trouble sleeping for a few weeks but that'll go soon, so don't worry. What I found really helped with my recovery is using a static bike, I do a lot of spinning classes and 3 weeks post-op went back to the gym and got back on a spin bike, no gears just sat there and let the legs go around then started to build up 3 times a week, then at week 6 back road cycling, to say it helped my recovery is an understatement, it seemed like everytime I got on the spin bike I got stronger and stronger, so may not be for everyone but certainly helped me, although I should have tried the wine exercise sounds like much more fun !!

Keep us posted on how your getting on.

Regards
Paul
PS, don't sell the bike....

[chris finn]

LOL...I like your P.S ....as I said we are still discussing that one...although Im really missing the bike. Especially as all my mates are coming out of hibernation and getting back on the road :D

Im feeling better day by day. Im back in the (home)gym...used my elliptical trainer yesterday...it felt good, although I ache today, but its a good ache  :) Ive got a bike and a rowing machine too, so Im going to experiment and see what I can and cant do.

The physio checked out my sartorious muscle....and the whole thing is numb from hip to knee....its also very weak...but Ive been doing the exercises and its gotten stronger in just two days (ok..so its not by much..but its going in the right direction)....I suppose Im just a bit confused as to why he said to "go back to a normal life" as much as I can...but he doesnt want me going back to work yet, not that I really feel able to yet...(maybe Ive just answered my own question  ;) ;D )....

[FlbrkMike]

Chris,

If you get back on the rowing machine I'd really like to hear about your experience.  I have an indoor rower (concept II) that I used religiously for about 12 years but haven't been able to use due to ROM and pain issues for a couple of years.  In fact, I was on my rower when I felt a "twinge" in my left hip that caused me finally to go get x-rays.

Getting back on the rower is one of the things that I'm really looking forward to, but am a little concerned about taking the flexion too far.

Thanks,
Mike

[chris finn]

Gonna be trying it out tomorrow....I will keep you posted :)

[chris finn]

Had a trial run on the rowing machine today. Felt great....hip was a bit stiff afterwards,but that went away very quickly. It was only a try out to see if I can use it, but Im confident that I can build up the time over the coming weeks.  :D :D

[FlbrkMike]

That's great to hear.  Were you able to do a full stroke?

[chris finn]

That's great to hear.  Were you able to do a full stroke?

Yup.....a full stroke with no problem. Its not a concept 2 ...Im not that rich  ;) :D ..but it is very good air-resistance type rower....gotta say it felt great.

[FlbrkMike]

That's great news, Chris.  It looks like you're about 8 weeks out.  If I can make similar progress, which is definitely not guaranteed because I'm about 10 years older and probably not in as good condition as you are, I might be able to get back on mine around my birthday on 8 May.  That would be very cool.

BTW, my concept 2 is about 15 years old and I wouldn't be surprised is it's rusted solid by now.  Not rich enough to go get another one.   :'(