Amy – age 31 left hip to be resurfaced Feb 28th by Mr O’Hara, Birmingham UK
I am 5 weeks out from left hip resurfacing surgery (conserve plus) by Dr.
Pritchett (Seattle, WA). I started physical therapy a couple weeks ago. The
therapist suggested an upright stationary bike with the seat raised so as not to
exceed the 90 degree restriction. Only in last week or so has the swelling in my knee decrease to the point where I have more than very limited movement. Previous to last week, I could only minimally (less than 10 degrees) deflect my knee joint. The physical therapist I am going to suggested a "foam wedge" (approximately 12" tapering to 3" high over an approximate 24" length) placed such that the higer end abuts your butt and the lower end supports your ankles (depending on the length of your leg). You can also achieve a similar cofiguration with pillows. Having your knees higher then your ankles seems to take stress off the lower back. I started going to an out-patient PT at 3 weeks. I had a lot of swelling in
my knee and could not deflect it. I had two large knots on the tendons that run
directly behind the knee. After a couple of sessions of ultrasound and massage
by the PT those knots quickly dissapated. |