Surgery in 8 Days

[hernanu]

Hey Annie, my surgeon also will have me take antibiotics from now on before dental work. Four pills one hour before a cleaning is not too bad.

[Anniee]

Hernan,

That's exactly what I was told to do.  The new hip is worth it!

[phillwad]

Nekko

The weight distribution is an interesting topic.  Today I noticed that I stand with my operated leg much straighter now than my soon to be operetated "bad" leg.  I seem to lock the knee out better, I had been having trouble with ROM right at the hip that made it hard to straighten my hip out when standing - it was like my knee was always a little bent - now that has gone away.  My operation was March 18th so I am just past a couple of months.

Flying - I fly everyweek and my Doctor wants me to take asprin 2 days before and 2 days after - that will be almost all the time as it is not often that I go 4 days without a flight.  I am on the 325 and I asked about the baby 85 but he wanted me to stay on the 325 once a day

Cheers - Phill

[nekko]

@phill: Thanks for the feed back about operated leg being stronger. BTW, did you get a cemented or uncemented device ?

@annie: How long does it take per day for doing your PT exercises ?
I got very short series, even if I do it very slowly, I take me no more than 15 minutes per day.
As you said it is interesting to compare rehab protocols.

[Anniee]

Necko,

I only have 4 exercises right now (supposed to get new ones at my 6 weeks appointment), and I don't think it takes me more than 5-10 minutes each time.  I have to do them twice a day, plus walk twice a day.  The walking takes longer because I'm still not very fast, about 20-25 minutes to walk a mile twice a day.

Today was my first day back at work.  I thought they would put me on half days to start, but no such luck! It actually wasn't bad, except for sitting at the computer for long periods.  I've gotten used to being able to get in my recliner or on the couch whenever I feel like it.  Also, I noticed my dogs were not thrilled about me going off to work and leaving them all day.  They got used to being able to go outside whenever they wanted to!

[nekko]

Anniee, time we are spending on our exercises is very similar. I have also to walk a little bit using 2 crutches and Wednesday, I am supposed to use only one. Sitting on a chair is not really comfortable (latero-posterior approach ) and I cannot sit more that 30 minutes. However, I can now see some progress on this side.

Wish you good luck for coming back at work.

[Anniee]

Thanks!  I was very sore last night and this morning, I think from sitting in an office chair and walking up and down stairs (I don't have any at my house), but once the soreness wore off, I felt stronger.  Maybe (careful) stair walking is good for the hips?  My surgeon does the posterior approach also, but it never really hurt me to sit.  Isn't it interesting how we all experience some of the same type of things differently?

[hipnhop]

It wil get better each week. I am at week nine and can't believe how well I'm doing.  Get ready for a new life.  No cane; no pain.
Hipnhop

[Tin Soldier]

same here, but nearly 3 months out and I'm "forgetting" to do PT exercise.  I need to keep stretching the capsule, but forget to.  My PT says it could take a year ot notice and sizeable changes in ROM after the initial recovery form surgery.  No pain though, even when the PT does the serious capsuel stretching.

[Anniee]

Tin,

I find what your PT said about ROM interesting - the ROM in my operated hip, after slightly less than 6 weeks, is already better than in my other hip!  I find it quite difficult to remember some of the restrictions.  Does anyone know if the prohibition against bending the hip more than 90 degrees (for those of us who do have that restriction) goes away after 6 weeks?

[Ernie]

My surgeon lifted the 90 degree restriction at my six week check up.  It was such a relief to be able to start stretching again.  He said that I was so tight there was zero chance that I could dislocate the hip!

[John C]

I believe that Dr Gross still lifts the 90 degree restriction at six weeks. However, he does encourage taking it easy for six months, including no extreme stretching, due in part to concerns with femoral neck fractures during the first six months. It is rare, but I did read one case of a gal that had a femoral neck fracture when her PT pushed her flexibility too hard too early.

[FlbrkMike]

I never had the 90 degree restriction - my doctor told me 120 degrees but I couldn't come close to that anyway with my hammies as tight as they were (but getting better).  He was very insistent, though, about not lifting my right knee toward my left shoulder and vice versa, turning my feet too far inward, and crossing the center line.  Any of those motions tend to twist the ball out of the socket.

[nekko]

Interesting to compare how slightly different our protocols are. After surgery, I was given a practical instruction leaflet with the "do" and "don't" .Regarding the 90 degrees bending rule, it is said that this rule must be followed during the first month post op.
However, hip flexion, abduction and internal rotation (ie "sanchin dachi") are forbidden during the first 6 weeks.
I leave you here, my PT is ringing  ;)

[Anniee]

Thanks guys!  You've given me hope that the most tiresome restrictions will be lifted after tomorrow.  Yippee!!!

[nekko]

Dear All,

Now 3 weeks post op. Still need a cane but pain has gone off. Staples has been removed and shows a clean 10 inch scar.
Thanks to PT, I have been able to "reprogram" my brain in order to have a 50 % natural weigh distribution on each leg.
I have used a weigh scale and a big book with the same thickness  :) as the weigh scale. Left foot on the weigh scale and right foot on the book is a good way to sense the correct position.
Next PT sessions will be dedicated to reduce the remaining stiffness I can feel in my operated tight.
To be continued...

[Lori Cee]

Way to go Nekko!
Glad to hear that the pain is gone and you are doing well :)
Look forward to hearing about your continued progress and PT adventures!

[halfdone]

Hi Nekko and LC.  Nice updates.  Good luck for continued good progress.  (That's an amazing blog of yours LC! But I was relieved that there was no "A shark bit my butt" photo like on TS's blog  ;) ;D)
HD

[Lori Cee]

Halfdone:  I did contemplate following TS's lead but I just couldn't do it.  I have thought about it a couple of times and did actually have some pictures taken just in case I change my mind.  I just don't know about putting my butt on the Internet...  lol

Think I do need to add some pictures though.  Make it a bit more real. 

[newdog]

Glad it's going well, nekko!

I thought about taking a pic of my shark bites and sending them to a co worker who is really proud of his long surgical scar he has on his arm. I don't know if he would be jealous or nauseous. So I chickened out.   :-\