Almost 8 weeks post op, seeking advanced athletic or something like that..

hawaiieric · December 27, 2008, 05:06:30 AM

I am checking to see what others do for their PT and for how long, and at what point do you feel comfortable to be over the PT?

I have been just about doing everything, just about ready to jump back into sports, but I know I am to wait alittle longer. I am stretching as much as possible but I am the guy who never stretched before this operation, so I am one tight guy. I have been doing my PT pretty much 6/7 days a week up till now, and now adding in the stretches along with swimming and walking on the beach, all with mostly no pain at all, only when I get out of the truck for the first 5 steps if I had a long day,(all day at the beach, even flying a smaller kite for the feel in the hip and legs along with the thrill of my favorite hobby). I feel strong in everything, no hip pains or needs to rest besides the stiffness getting out of the truck.

My weakness is not too bad, its a restriction that my doctor said I can now break. To lift my leg into crossed leg getting my ankle onto my other knee. For strenght I was told to do the sit down abductions with bands going out to the side, or pulling in and past my left foot sideways.(and also a crab walk sideways with a band around my feet) And after working on it, to stretch it by crossing and getting my ankle to my knee while laying on my back, and then gently pulling my right knee,(in all directions possible Gently)

I feel that once I strenghten this muscle and loosen it up stretch wise, I will be ready to surf or kitesurf and do things that hopefully will not hurt my progress. My goal is sooner then 3 months for the gentle surf playing,(similar to the bunnyhills in the snow)

Hoping to hear from those who have already been there, and wishing good recoveries to those to follow.
Eric

RBHR 11/3/08

I should start to work on the pop to my feet from the paddling position, guess thats my next also..

stevel · December 27, 2008, 01:10:47 PM

Hi Eric,

I've been doing physical therapy (with a physical therapist) for three months post-op. I'm still improving the range of motion for my left hip by doing several hip exercises on nautilus machines and hip stretches such as lunges. I've been working on gait in front of mirrors at the aerobics studio. I'm clear to do low-impact sports and lift up to fifty pounds but I must wait until six months post-op before resuming high impact sports such as racketball, downhill skiing or hunting in mountainous, uneven terrain and lift over 50 pounds. This is to prevent fracture of the femoral neck. I still have a bit of swelling near the incision after a 30 minute aerobic workout but otherwise my left hip muscles continue to improve in strength and flexibility.

n9gun · December 28, 2008, 12:52:39 PM

Hi Guys -

I'm just 4.5 weeks post op. I have very little ROM yet. I can do some leg lifts etc but my thigh and butt muscles forgot everything. I even have a "divot" in legs. I started PT outside of the house last week. Very painful - just doing the very basics. I have about 30 deg range on my left hip extension. So I got my therapist to come with me on my 6 week doctor visit to discuss. I have always been stiff, but as hockey coach and referee, I was always way better than this and in pretty good shape.

I plan on having Personal Trainer for 6 months after surgery to try and get my ROM way better than before. To me, it is the best money I can spend so that I don't have to do the right side or re-do my back surgery. I can get trainer at the local gym or might hire my PT as he knows me very well.

Thanks,
Tom

blmjumper · February 04, 2009, 04:00:04 PM

Well...FWIW,

No PT, as in therapist.

The only exercises were the "up and out" and the "clock". Two weeks after, I was allowed to get on the stationary bike, six weeks after - eliptical trainer and stair master by Valentine's day.

I'm two months out and riding my bike to work (20 mi./day)....45 min on eliptical trainer 5 day/wk. ROM increasing...crazy. I want to go make some turns on my teles. Crossed my leg for the first time in years last week.

I promised no impact for 6 months...which I think includes pop-ups, skateboarding and all the other fun stuff a 42 yr. old likes to do.

Yeah, this kicks ass.

hawaiieric · February 12, 2009, 01:40:13 AM

My recovery has been above average, surfed today at 14 weeks, kited 3 times last week and felt great after, ride a mountain bike all the time and at work its not just a sit or stand job, it involves pushing heavy things for 10 minutes up hills and across carpet or grass...

I figured that PT was just not in it for me for my life and experience is more then what PT people have for me. I also know my body so I work on what feels week, so for those who know themselves, go for it on your own. I do PT anytime I am bored, even if its easy for my PT peoples said that PT is concentrated while life is just working at normal.

To those who think you know what your body tells you, don't be afraid to listen to it and do what you think is best,
Eric

tedroberts · March 28, 2009, 11:36:37 AM

I am almost 3 months out from bilateral hip resurfacing. I started out patient PT 3 weeks ago and it has been a big help.
I was evaluated for my strengths and weaknesses and given land and water excercises. To my suprise the water work
has been a huge help. I am still quite weak even compared to where I was at pre-op for example riding the stationary bike.
I'm going to stick with the out patient PT until I don't feel it is helping anymore. I would strongly recommend finding a good
PT to evaluate you and then take if from there. A lot of people don't need it. I'm not one of them.