Pre-surgery Workouts?

[AdRoc]

Hi,

I'm scheduled for a LHR with Dr. Pritchett on October 9.  Anyone out there have any suggestion for workouts to do prior to surgery?  I want my body to be in as best shape as possible before going in. 

Any suggestions here would be helpful.

Best,

AdRoc

[Spanielsal]

Hi Adroc, I'm not an athlete type so I'm sure that others will chime in too, but I found swimming and rom excercises in water helped me pre op, the water also seems to reduce pain. I looked at the book, "heal your hips" which is full of great pics and excercises both in and out of the water.

[Roberta]

I read a book called "Heal Your Hips How to Prevent Hip Surgery and What to Do if You Need It" by Robert Klapper, MD and Lynda Huey. They did another comparable book on knee surgery. The detail on water exercises might be helpful. I am pre-op, still waiting to learn if I am eligible for hip resurfacing, but for now swimming and the water exercise are  probably keeping me free of pain. Even my limited range of motion is dramatically improved in the water. I use an Endless pool all year round for swimming and exercise and even bought a water exercise vest to use for walking in deeper water in Lake Winnepesaukee, NH, where I am just now.

[Woodstock Hippy]

My first answer is yes, you want to get your body in the best condition possible.  Diet off any extra weight, if you are like me you will gain a few while you are recovering.  Work on your legs, your core, and your upper body strength.  You will need your arms and shoulders to get around after the surgery.  The more you work now, the easier it will be in rehab.

Good luck with your surgery and recovery.  Don't forget to keep us posted as you progress.

[Spanielsal]

Hi Roberta, that's the book I meant, it's good isn't it?

Adroc, Again I second Woodstock bout the upper body strength and shifting a few pounds pre op.

Good luck!

[stephen1254]

You will spend most of the first 7 - 10 days in a chair, probably a recliner. Practice repeatedly getting into and out of your recliner without using your legs. Parallel bar dips are the exercise that most closely duplicates that motion.

[Buster]

I lifted weights up until the day before surgery.  The stronger you are going in the faster the recovery.

[hernanu]

How's the lifting and the hip doing, Buster?

[Buster]

Lifting is going well.  Did 400x3 in the deadlift last week and 405x2 in the squat.  Thanks for asking.  Joe

[David]

It really does all depend on where you are at physically and what you should do.  Some continue to run others can barely walk.  I would try to lift weight with your leg muscles as much as is possible. because they will atrophy after surgery and you want to try to limit that until you can rehab them again.

[hernanu]

I agree David - my PT had me on leg presses (really light, about 190, 30x) at three months; I've ramped up since.

Joe, good to know you're up there again. Also gives me some guidelines, since I'm increasing the weight gradually.