I am six weeks pre-op for an HRA. I have developed quite a limp over the last nine months - partly due to the gradual loss of cartilage space and perhaps some added bone loss due to "bone on bone". The medical assistant to my OS says that this is also likely due to pelvic tilt or rotation and some muscle contraction. I know that post op leg length (discrepancy) cannot be changed to any great amount with resurfacing. But the medical staff believes that this will correct itself after several months as long as your leg length was substantially equal prior to the loss of cartilage etc due to the OA. Does anyone have any input on this and perhaps some pre-op exercises that can be done to accelerate post-op recovery. Also, as my limp has become worse I am now hearing and feeling a click or pop which seems to be coming from the knee below my bad hip. It almost seems at times that the pop is a release of some sort of torque put on the femur due to my bad hip. I have never had a problem with either knee and I hope that this pop will go away when the hip alignment is restored. ANY HELP OR THOUGHTS PLEASE?
Tommyhip, there's not much specific to do except try to maintain your overall health. Laying low might even be better than trying to exercise while you have this condition. Eat right and get rest. Your surgeon might put you on vitamin supplements.
Once you have the surgery there is no magic to recovery there either. You body will do what it has to do and while you cannot speed up the recovery you can slow it down by over doing things.
Take it easy and try not to hurt that knee any further before the surgery. The hip will feel really good right away but the contracted muscles can take quite some time to lengthen.
Chuckm
:) Yep Tommy. Exactly what you say. Get your hip sorted it does help out your knee. Yes this does rotate and cause knee issues. Yes it will pop (the knee). I have the same issue a floppy left knee but is getting better the more the hip muscles get stronger. 8) Mine after 2 half years is just still getting stronger and no way up to normal yet. Cheers K