Its been just over 11 weeks since my operation...I think...(9th DEC 2010 ) All was going very well until about a week ago. I am getting constant pain in the hip...like an ache....it goes from a 3 up to an 8 or 9 on the pain scale. Ive not done anything new that I can think of and Im doing everything that the surgeon and physiotherapist have told me to do.
Also, I get very tired from what I consider a short walk...for example...I went to Costco with my wife the other day. We were there about 1 to 1.5 hours. I was exhausted afterwards and fell asleep when we got home.
Im an electrician by the way....lots of heavy carrying....bending, loftwork (attic?) etc
So is there anybody else out there with a physical job...and how long did you take off work. I was thinking of going back in about a week, but I really dont think Im ready.
I work in a busy warehouse and went back after 9 weeks. I felt that I was ready to go back, I was able to walk a couple of miles each day with no pain, cycle on a stationary bike and lift some weights. However if you are still in pain I would suggest you see your specialist or a doctor and don't go back until you are ready. Any heavy lifting, bending or twisting will only make you much worse than you are now.
Mick - left hip sept 2010
Cheers Mick,
Im seeing the doctor tomorrow. I just dont get it...Ive been walking good distances for a few weeks now, and weight training for 2 weeks without any problems...this just seems to have come from nowhere. Ive had various opinions from friends and family...ranging from "your not using the crutches now" to "its the weather" ...ah well I will see what the doc reckons
Good luck, Chris.
Chris,
A lot of doctors have around a 50# limit for the first 3-6 months and no breaking the 90 degree rule for the first 6 weeks. YMMV.
Chuck
I was a good boy as far as the 90 degree rule.....but I didnt know about the other ....did you mean 50%....rule. Ive been lifting much more than that....both in the gym and around the house. That could be it I suppose...overdone it
Different docs have different protocols for lifting. Its pretty common to limit weights like that until after your 6 month mark.
The hip bone/neck is actually at its weakest at 3 months. It had its blood supply cut during surgery, and then supposedly gets stronger after 3 months as the supply reroutes itself, its at 90% strength at 6 months and 100% at a year.
The concern would be small fractures that either grow and get worse or it fails catastrophically. :o
Yep, and if you get a femoral neck fracture I am sure it won't be anything you will want to remember.
Chuck
Hey Chris,
I work on submarines. Lots of climbing, hauling heavy gear, tight spots, trip hazards and so on.
I had my left BHR Oct 22 and returned to work Jan 3. Went to PT twice a week during my time off and continued PT after I returned to work for the month of January.
Are you going for physical therapy?
Chris,
Most doctors do NOT recommend doing heavy weights 10 or 11 weeks post-op, yes, some have miracle recoveries and do well 3 months post-op but to me it's like spinning the cylinder on a revolver with one round in it and hoping you don't end up lining up a cartridge to the barrel.
What were your doctors recommendations post-op? This of course could be nothing but overdoing it, it could also be something bad too.
Hope you feel better.
Chuck
My PT has finished...you only get 5 visits on the NHS >:(
My surgeon told me to just do everything that I wanted to do....he is a bit worried about the fact that some of the muscles/nerves in my leg arent working properly, but said to start weight training and cardio. He seemed to think that I would self regulate what I could do and what I couldnt do. And to be honest that has worked so far. I think/hope this is just a blip.....maybe a warning to me to slow down and take it a bit easier than I have been.
I think another 3 or 4 weeks to build my stamina and strength up a bit and I will be ready for work. ;D
Hey Chris,
I work as a concrete finisher form setter etc. and I am a tile setter/mason. Very hard and heavy labor intensive. I went back to work the 12th week, just one week shy of 3 months. I could have gone back 4 weeks sooner but i figuered why rush it when the doc just did all this wonderful work on me. I have had no problems since going back to work and i believe it actually helped stretch my muscles out. When I went back to work i did 4 straight weeks of laying floor tiles so I was up and down a million times a day, happily all with no problems. Good luck.
Wayne
Doc has signed me off for another month. She is a bit worried about the pain I am getting....especially as I have had no pain since the op. If it doesnt go by next Monday I have to go back and she will arrange x-rays...just incase.
Quote from: chris finn on March 01, 2011, 08:17:36 AM
Doc has signed me off for another month. She is a bit worried about the pain I am getting....especially as I have had no pain since the op. If it doesnt go by next Monday I have to go back and she will arrange x-rays...just incase.
Hi Chris,
I'm only at five weeks but am happily walking 2-4 miles per day.
I'm also exercising 2-3 time a day but not lifting much weight at all, probably 20kgs max for squatting with a gym ball at by back for a little extra stability.
Cardiovascular, such as a static bike, is fine.
I too occasionally get very tired for no apparent reason but just put it down to the general trauma of the surgery.
I would definitely take it very easy on the weights mate, my surgeon told me before surgery that I was going to have rein myself in for the first 6 months, particularly where squatting or similar was involved, with anything other than light weights.
He explained that the first 6 months you are at risk of the dreaded femoral head fracture and over-stressing this area with extra weights should be avoided at all costs.
Good luck mate and I hope it all works out for you.
Sure to turn out to be a blip because you're overdoing it a bit, we all do it as we feel better ;)
Quote from: AlanN on March 01, 2011, 09:50:55 AM
Hi Chris,
I'm only at five weeks but am happily walking 2-4 miles per day.
Blimey...your walking more at 5 weeks than I am at 11 weeks. Ive got no excuses as I live in the countryside....I think I might up my distance. I didnt start lifting weights until week 9..and then only because the doc said I could. But maybe he meant for me to take it slow... and not start a strength cycle :-[ :-[
That sounds like a good plan Chris, hope it all works out for you.
Chuck
Quote from: chris finn on March 01, 2011, 08:17:36 AM
Doc has signed me off for another month. She is a bit worried about the pain I am getting....especially as I have had no pain since the op. If it doesnt go by next Monday I have to go back and she will arrange x-rays...just incase.
First morning for over a week that I havent woken up with pain :)
Started to get pain about 2pm....so I took the dog for a walk in the woods. And after a while the pain went, so its lots of walks in the woods for me....and the dog. I think it was just too soon to be doing tabata or interval training....ah well you live and learn. :-[ :-[
Chris,
So glad to hear you are better. Keep up the dog walking.
Chuck
Pain came back with a vengance. So I finally decided to do something about it..I rang the hospital where I had the op...the conversation went like this...
ME "had my hip resurfaced back in December, and Im getting bad pain...and I dont know what to do."
THEM "well you have an appointment scheduled for May 31st"
ME " dont you mean April 26th ?..thats my appointment"
THEM " that one was cancelled..didnt anyone tell you?"
ME "No, they didnt..and I cant wait until the end of May. Im in a lot of pain"
THEM "Ok, I can offer you 30th March if you like.But there is nothing until then"
ME "And the pain???"
THEM "Just keep taking the pain killers until your appointment"
Dont ya just love the NHS ::) ::) ::) :o :o :o
Do you take something for inflamation? Pain killers are just going to make you feel funny but won't help much with the inflamation that you are experiencing.
I hope your hip improves.
Chuck
Quote from: obxpelican on March 18, 2011, 11:09:51 AM
Do you take something for inflamation? Pain killers are just going to make you feel funny but won't help much with the inflamation that you are experiencing.
I hope your hip improves.
Chuck
Your right...I should take an anti-inflammatory :)
I think you're overdoing it Chris, I didn't start resistance training for 3 months, and no impact for 6. I've just started running on grass. I plan to do that for a month or 2 before I kick anything. At your stage I restricted myself to static cycling, walking (all directions and inclines) and bodyweight exercises. Anti inflammatories will definitely slow the bone remodelling so use them sparingly, I've had 2 since I left hospital.
You may be right...but I get sooooooooooo bored ;)
plus the surgeon told me to "just go back to training as you normally do" ..I did tell him what that meant and he said it would be ok as long as I didnt use weight for the squats....which I dont anyway as my training is more along the crossfit (chrisfit ;) )style.
YAY!!! ..no fractures. ;D Could be either an infection...(they have taken blood to find out) or the squidly diddly nerve (well thats what it sounded like he said to me anyway ;)) ...for which he gave me a steroid injection...in the groin :o ....so, unless I win the lottery before Monday...its back to work!!!
Apparently the injection can take up to a week to kick in..but to be honest as long as its not fractured I dont mind too much.
That's great, Chris! I know our big bugaboo is the neck fracture. I'm at four months on my last hip, seven on my first, so hopefully that fear is winding down. Excellent news.
Quote from: hernanu on March 30, 2011, 12:10:18 PM
That's great, Chris! I know our big bugaboo is the neck fracture. I'm at four months on my last hip, seven on my first, so hopefully that fear is winding down. Excellent news.
Cheers....must admit..... its a weight off of my mind ;D ;D
Not to scare you, but, an infection in and around your implant can be a VERY serious thing. Infections can be very difficult to treat and can cause for you to have to deal with a revision.
Hopefully it's a nerve and it's not anything serious.
Chuck
Quote from: chris finn on March 30, 2011, 12:04:03 PM
Apparently the injection can take up to a week to kick in..but to be honest as long as its not fractured I dont mind too much.
Wow Chuck...you really know how to cheer someone up dont you ;) ;) :D :D
seriously.....Infection is bad too,but my surgeon doesnt think it is infected....especially as it hurts more if you push in certain areas.
Your all missing the really bad bit...Ive got to go back to work >:( :( :'( :'(