New Hip For Summer

stephen1254 · August 30, 2012, 10:22:08 AM

Hern - Those are some great suggestions. I've been intrigued by the slide board for some time. We took up X-country skate skiing a few years back and it would be much more enjoyable if I could learn how to skate! Growing up in San Diego the only ice we saw was in the cooler.

So a question. The slide boards come in different lengths, all the way up to 10'. How do you determine the correct length to purchase?

hernanu · August 30, 2012, 11:11:24 AM

I did it by how scared I was to use it, not being a skater, so I chose a 6 foot, which forces you to slide, but doesn't expect a huge push off at first.

It is very slippery once you slip the 'booties' on top of sneakers, so at first I was as stiff as a board ( ::) ) and wasn't sliding at all; a little confidence and I was going completely across. The length is just enough to force you to push off the starting edge (right or left) and slide, controlling your body, then be stopped by the opposing edge - then repeat until your body dope slaps you and says enough.

I first learned how to use one when doing PT to treat my 'muscular condition' before my OA was correctly identified. I used an expensive version which I was unwilling to pay for when a rompin' stompin' hippy.

The prices vary all over the place, some are over $300, the one I found on ebay does the job and cost about $100. It's not as fancy, has wood edges instead of some contoured plastic edge, but it does the job well and has not been an issue.

One cool thing about it is that it comes in a bag, you keep it rolled up until it's needed - the bottom of it is meant to stick to floors (some kind of heavy carpet like material) so no slippage. Very compact when stored, doesn't take a ton of space when unrolled.

You will have to bear smirks and comments from your significant other and kids since the booties just look plain silly, but once you get going, it's kind of exhilarating.

stephen1254 · September 14, 2012, 03:58:39 PM

Thumbs up on the slide board. I got the 8' model and it just took a few minutes before I was sliding from one end to the other. Interesting in that this device showed the most imbalance between my operated and non-operated hip. I think you mentally - instinctively really - determine how hard to push off on each side. I was a foot or two short initially when pushing off with the operated hip. I had to force myself to push harder on that side to slide all the way to the other side. I don't think it's a muscle weakness issue as much as a re-learning or re-programming the mind - muscle interface. Anyway, by the end of the session I was sliding end to end with both legs without thinking about it, so it comes back quickly.