Surgery in February, NEED SOME ADVICE!

[ArthriticHip]

Hi Everyone - I'm scheduled for hip resurfacing in my left hip end of February with Dr Peter Brooks. Question: I've heard that it is beneficial to get your leg that will be operated on in as good a shape as possible prior to surgery? Was hoping you could give me some feedback on this. Given the arthritic pain I've had in my left leg for the past several years, the leg has become out of shape as my other leg has compensated for most of the activity work load. Your feedback is much appreciated.

[Joe_CA]

Hello AH,

Before my surgery I asked similar questions. The first responses were to simply improve your fitness in general, meaning your lower and upper body. This was good advice, as I really needed my shoulders and arms to be strong for activities like getting out of a chair/bed for the first couple of weeks (I had bilateral surgeries, so I didn't have a good leg to use). So I continued to hit the gym prior to the surgery date. Did a lot of weight training on all body parts where I could. Because of my arthritis, I could barely do exercises like lunges, but I tried. I did everything I could, and I believe it helped in my recovery (that, or I was just lucky). So hit the gym if you can, and try and get all of your muscles tone (and you can concentrate on your left leg a bit too). A stationary bike might be a great idea as well.

Good luck,
Joe

[ArthriticHip]

Great advice Joe, thanks for the response!

[karlos.bell]

 :) Hard stuff. If you work at the exercises sometimes it makes it more difficult for surgery due the muscles are stronger so the operation is harder. A balance I would say not too much not too little. 8)

[ArthriticHip]

Thanks Karlos, I appreciate it.