Anna is due in the OR in a few short hours. Please wish her well as although she's unsuitable for a HR she's a great member of the group has contributed a lot.
Good luck Anna I'm thinking of you.
Danny
Thanks Danny!! One hour to go. Eeeeek. To be honest ... just excited with a few nerves. Back to anterior approach now because I'm 'complicated' but still ..... wish me luck!!
Best of British Anna
David
Great luck Anna - I had anterior - lateral, so it's not so bad.
Just heard from Anna. Her surgeon Mr Witt is very happy with how the op went any she is now on the ward ;)
Good Luck Anna. I hope all goes well.
Bill
Quote from: Dannywayoflife on August 08, 2013, 03:20:52 PM
Just heard from Anna. Her surgeon Mr Witt is very happy with how the op went any she is now on the ward ;)
Excellent. Thanks, Danny.
Congratulations Anna. Good Luck.
Pat
Hi all, thanks for all the well wishes
I thought I got an easy ride yesterday but no such luck today. I went into surgery at 11am yesterday. There were a few tears during the spinal block but then I was knocked out under GA. I woke up at about 4 pm with full feeling in my operated leg and a numb good leg. Panicked a bit that they had done the wrong one!! Anyway, I was very comfortable yesterday. Had morphine on tap and just drifted in and out of consciousness most of the day. I thought everything was fine ..... then I was sick :'( they tried to get me up today but I fainted. I woke with half the hospital staring down at me and tubes and stickers all over me!! That was my low point. Were gonna leave the standing until tomorrow now. Blood pressure is 80/40 which is apparently very low :(
Anyway, my surgeon said my hip was 'icky' and he wasn't surprised I was in a lot of pain. he said he was really pleased with how the op went and that he thinks I will get on with my new hip just fine. He did posterior approach in the end as apparently I was complicated.
Pretty happy but really need to get this blood pressure up or I will be stuck here for life!!!!
Thanks for all your support
Anna
So so so pleased for you Anna! You have bad a horrific journey to get repaired but you are now on the other side welcome ;)
Hi Anna, good to know things went well yesterday- it's been a long time coming for you!
I had the same sickness and low blood count, also remember flaking out as soon as I stood up like you did.
They wanted to give me a blood transfusion at Birmingham but I really didn't fancy it so I took Iron tablets for 3 months, job done!
It took me 3 days to get to my feet in the end but once I was up things moved fast from that point.
You'll soon be up and about, take it easy and recover well. Well done, it's all progress from here!
First of all, congrats! Finally off the OA whirlpool.
Sorry about the blood pressure, but hopefully that will be resolved soon. I'm glad to learn about new medical terms like "icky".
Now that the OA is done for, the recuperation starts (as you know from being here), you'll be fine, improvement is in your future.
Awesome that you're done though. ;D ;D ;D
Thanks again everyone!
Hern, you have never heard of the medical term 'icky'???!
I can do my bed exercises pretty well. The physio said I had strong muscles (must be all that cycling!) So hopefully I will be like you mike and storm the physio and walking as soon as I sort my blood pressure out.
I will update you all soon!
Anna
Well done Anna.
Life improves at your own pace from here.
Be patient and take it easy over the initial few weeks.
My blood pressure dropped rapidly a few hours after the operation and I fainted and threw up and had concerned nurses bringing me back to life too - I was told it was a reaction to the anaesthetic.
As Mike mentioned about iron tablets it's worth discussing the topic with the nurses looking after you as your haemoglobin blood count is probably low and would benefit from assistance.
Good luck as your recovery progresses.
I seem to do really badly with generals. They really knock the crap out of me! So keep your chin up and you'll do great!
I love some of these technical terms surgeons come out with! ;)
My blood pressure dropped to 50/30 (LBHR March 11) and pulse raced to 150 while prone a day after surgery and I was given an emergency blood transfusion (Birmingham as well, but Birmingham, Alabama!). At the two week check up I asked my PA why they didn't transfuse me in the OR and he said it wasn't clinically indicated. "Whatever..." It all ended well and in the final analysis it wasn't worth any more focus. Before you know it you will be marveling at the little triumphs that come when you least expect them, especially after the first 10 days or so.
I just hate getting the icky hip. Glad to hear that's been cleared up. Good luck getting on with it.
Cheers
Tim
That icky hip has gone now, in the past!!
So, its been all up since the fainting incident. I'm now on day 4 and just waiting to be picked up to do the 3 1/2 hour journey home. Yey. So excited. I am on no medication other than ibuprofen and have no pain. I think they are gonna prescribe me something just incase though. I passed physio with flying colours today, up and down the stairs on my crutches and I'M GOING HOME!!!!!!!
pretty chuffed with my progress. I've been working hard though sat in my bed doing my exercises. Can't wait to carry on with them so I have a goal and something to work on.
My only gripe is my operated leg seems a but longer when I stand up straight but my surgeon thinks it will sort itself out.
Right, best go deal with all those extra hurdles at home.
Again, thanks for all your support.
Heading back to yorkshire, Anna
P.s. look down below my post.... I've changed my stamp. I'm a hippy!!!!!!!
;D
Good progress, Anna. Get plenty of rest between all the exercises and you'll be fine.
Maybe the leg length thing is because you were used to compensating for a slightly shorter leg pre op?
Keep up the good work.
Hi Anna! The op leg feeling longer thing is pretty universal with any hip replacement or resurfacing. I had resurfacing and when I stood up for the first that was the first thing I noticed was the sensation the leg was longer.
With THR there is the possibility the your op leg is actually longer (or shorter) but it's not going to matter. You muscles, tendons, and ligaments are going to be doing a lot of recalibrating. Soon the sensation of the longer leg will be gone.
Chuckm
Great news Anna! Hope you keep feeling great, do your exercises and be happy.
Hey I guess I checked in to the site just the right time. Congrats Anna!
Anna - I am glad to hear the surgery went well. You will be back on your bike in no time!
Anna
Great to hear things are going well and are heading home. No Place Like Home!
Take it easy and stay in touch.
Good Luck.
Pat
Anna - What a relief I bet to no more pain from the OA, and glad to hear your going home. Like Pat stated, no place like home. Can't wait to start hearing your recovery progress, which already started by being of the med's.
Congrats!
Bob
Thanks again everyone ;D
My surgeon said pretty much the same as you did Chuck regarding the leg length. He said it may feel a little longer but it will even itself out over a bit of time when the muscles etc sort themselves out. I'm not too worried.
Yesterday was a very long day. I left the hospital around 3pm and had an hour drive to my sisters, only to sit in an uncomfortable chair for 2 hours. By the time I went to leave, my leg was just like lead. I think it had given up for the day and was completely worn out. I tried to get into my partners car and I just couldn't get my operated leg in. I sat there uncontrollably laughing for a while before eventually we managed to squash it in and we were off. I then pretty much slept most of the way home. I was exhausted. I slept for 7 hours straight at home, which is the longest sleep so far and I am now just snuggled in my lovely bed. Feeling pretty happy at the min but I have a feeling, knowing me I will be getting bored very soon!!! Gonna get up and do some physio in a bit ;D
One question, how long was it before you could all sleep on your operated leg. Its gonna drive me crazy having to sleep on my back all the time!
Anna
...... its also been going through my mind over the past few days of the bilat hippies that got them done at the same time.... how is that possible?!!! Seriously, you guys must be super human or very strong. I think my journey so far has been good but I'm still dragging around a leg that feels like its made of lead. I genuinely do not know how you managed it but you are all great!! I'm not sure how I would have managed yesterday either without the help of my partner, family and friends and all the help from you guys. I guess I'm a lucky girl ;D
You are a lucky girl Anna, but even lucky girls get the blues. Be ready for that as normal.
Make sure you ice, giving it enough time to rest in between. Ten minutes at a whack should be good.
As far as sleeping on my side at all , and on the operated side - it may have taken me longer than others, but I'd say four or five weeks before the unoperated side, a couple of weeks longer for the operated.
I got used to sleeping on my back, used a pillow under one or both knees to give my back a little rest.
Sounds good - I had about the same distance to travel, with my parents driving at ten miles below the speed limit, left blinker flashing the whole way, god love'em.
I could sleep on either side immediately--though it took a number of weeks before I was comfortable sleeping on the operated side--as long as a pillow is placed between the knees so as to avoid internal rotation. In caution of the inadvertent loss of the pillow while sleeping, upon advice of my PT I bought one of those very long pillows (I don't recall what their proper name is) at Walmart for <$10 that I placed behind me so I wouldn't roll over and lose the pillow-between-the-knees configuration. Cumbersome, but it does allow you to sleep on either side.
Good idea Elsie. I think I will buy one for future trying but at the minute I just cant seem to get on my side :-[
Hern, I started icing today (the hospital didn't offer ice!) how many times a day do you think I should do it?
Anna
Anna, I aggressively iced myself, quite a few times. The peril here is getting frostbite, which is no joke and should be avoided at all costs.
It's why I would only do it for ten to fifteen minutes, then rest for about twenty, then repeat unless I was doing something.
I actually had the best tool for doing this. It's a homemade icepack that my home nurse suggested and I found excellent:
- Take a hand towel, wet it and wring it so it is wet, but not dripping.
- Get an appropriate sized zip lock bag.
- Fold the towel so it fits correctly within the bag flat.
- Zip and store flat in the freezer.
- Apply when fully frozen.
- When thawed, put back in the freezer, takes about fifteen minutes to freeze.
- Re do as needed, you don't need to add more liquid.
This has a few great advantages for hippies:
- No maintenance - don't need to add water, this is a closed system.
- Keeps forever. I'm still using it after three years.
- Since it's flat, it can fit comfortably under the thigh or bottom, good for hippies.
- It can be used in a car seat while driving (field tested by Hern).
- It thaws in the exact proper time to avoid frostbite - about ten minutes or less.
- Inexpensive, so you can have multiples.
I found this great. I used it at least ten to ?? times per day early on, on different parts of my leg. Once it melted, I put it back in the freezer and waited twenty minutes or so until it froze again. Gave me a nice system to ice while allowing my skin to warm up again.
Another Ice innovation is to take a styrofoam cup, fill it (not to the top) with water, invert once frozen, tear off the bottom of the cup enough to expose the ice, cover with plastic or cloth to avoid ice to skin contact, then apply lightly and for a short amount of time. The styrofoam protects your fingers while you apply.
This is for point areas that may need it, but use cautiously, again - avoid frostbite. When done, just put it in the freezer for next time.
Hern - the fountain of knowledge as always!!!! Thanks, I will give it a try :)
Hi Anna-
Congratulations on your new hip! Sounds like a bit of a rough start, but I am wishing you smooth sailing now moving forward! I am a Newbie on the site and my THR anterior approach, is scheduled for Aug 26th. I sure hope I don't end up with the icky syndrome. ::) I look forward to following your speedy recovery!
Take care.
Reno
Thanks Reno,
You probably already have the icky syndrome but you wont after the 26th August!! Good luck for your op ;D
I echo your comments on bilat's and how they can go thru it having both done at the same time. Here I am 8 weeks post op, still have a limp, and this darn shin pain at night. I missed 5 days of PT, so I am caulking some of the slow recovery to that.
Regarding sleeping on both sides of the hip, I think for me it was around 3 weeks but wouldn't last more tan a couple of hours, and still use the pillow between the legs. My incision is still sore, and a bot hard in spots under the skin. I am curious to hear how Lauren is doing, being she was one day before me.
Oh no bestbob!! Get that PT done! Hopefully you will be back on track after a good session. I'm one week out today and I managed to sleep on my side last night for about 2 hours (with a pillow between my legs) I was chuffed to bits!! Its the little things ;D
Hi Anna, It sounds like you are doing just fine and your attitude is fantastic. I think (and I believe others would agree) that the first two weeks are the hardest. I was 8 weeks on monday. I had some pretty severe skin and medication allergies and I was pretty miserable. I decided I could either laugh, or cry, or sleep...and I did a lot of all three. I got off the narcotics within about a week to 10 days...they were just making my head all foggy and I did not like that at all. I napped a lot. I iced a lot. Did I say I napped a lot? For two glorious weeks it was all about me,myself and I.
I still have the cane with me because I limp when I get tired but I lose it a lot and walk around a lot looking for it. My range of motion was better almost immediately post-op and continues to improve...even though my hip restrictions won't be lifted until week 12. Couple more weeks of PT. Walk every day and am able to walk my big dog alone...it is as though he understands that things are different and he has to be careful with me. :) I do exercises at home with a balance ball, thera bands and a treadmill if the weather is icky. There ya go.... that word again. Slow and steady. I started like a jack rabbit but when the nurse (and then my PT) said they were "afraid for me"....I re-evaluated my foolish ambition and slowed my butt down. Still...I am going to come out of this in great shape! Funny thing...with all the hip and leg exercises...I'm down a size in my slacks. Can't beat that as a positive outcome!
I believe sometimes that my legs are uneven (not by much) but have been assurred that this is extremely common post hip surgery and the feeling will go away with time.
I can sleep on either side and have always been a side sleeper however...now seem to prefer sleeping on my back! And that was the hardest thing to get used to! Funny.
Take care. I have enjoyed reading this thread and wish you a wonderful recovery!
Hi Lauren, thanks. Sounds like you are doing good too! ;D
At the minute I'm struggling to know how much is too much. I keep getting told to rest. I think people know me far too well and know I will probably over do it. I've been very good though. 8 days post op now and I've rested (and slept) loads and done the exact amount of physio I was told to do ... not too much, not too little. I left the house for the first time yesterday. My partner took me for fish and chips and we sat and ate them next to a lake near my house in the car. It was nice to get out! I then went grocery shopping with my mum this morning. I didn't do anything but follow her round, but again, it was nice to be out. I'm now just dying to get back on my bike but I guess that's a no!!!
Why are your restrictions not being lifted till 12 weeks if you don't mind me asking? Is that just your surgeons way of doing things? I cant wait for them to go. Sounds like your dog is looking after you ... and wow to losing a dress size!! All I seem to be doing is eating and know full well that I will need to go on a serious diet in a few weeks time.
I hope your recovery continues well
Anna
Well here it is guys, my ass ... lol, my well earned war wound 8 days on. I'm pretty chuffed with it to be honest. I think it looks fairly neat ;D
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1000239_10151897487021719_2039351919_n.jpg)
:o
Hooray for Anna!
So glad you finally got through this surgery to get relief. My only advice is don't overdo!
Keep up the good work. Everyone is different, but I found that I slept best in an antigravity lounge chair for about 4-6 weeks. I am a side sleeper too and it was about 6 weeks before I could return to a full nights sleep on my side.
Dee
Congrats Anna, looking pretty good for this early on (relatively speaking). Nicely closed and not much bruising at all. I was black and blue much worse at that stage, on both sides.
The pillow between the legs or slightly in front of the bottom leg with the top leg resting on it was wonderful once I could do it.
Ok, I have to ask the meaning of "chuffed". We have some coworkers coming in from UK next week, so I'd like to throw that one around and act like I know what it means.
All the best for a continued positive recovery. Now almost 23 months and 19 months I am doing incredibly well, and still seeing improvements in the muscle discomfort after vigorous activity.
All the best
Dee Dee - Everyone keeps telling me how good these lounge / reclining chairs are. I don't have one :-[ My sleep is going ok though. I managing about 7 hours a night but my back is hurting slightly, even with pillows everywhere. I can manage about an hour now on my side which has made the world of difference! .... I will try not to overdo things!!! ;D
Dan - "chuffed" or also said as "chuffed to bits" is English slang for to be happy; to be really pleased; to be thrilled by something. For example "I'm chuffed to bits with my new computer. Its really good" or "I just finished the London marathon. I'm chuffed to bits"
Anyway, it sounds like you are chuffed with your new hip Dan! Good luck with those English co-workers! ;D
Anna
Great to hear that it's going well Anna. It's 11 months since my op and I know that sleep patterns and comfort sleeping were one of my biggest problems (and to be honest they were only minor problems). I ended up sleeping with my heals on pillows or hanging off the end of the bed to find comfort. In fact I still do it now, 11 months on!
Anna, That is my docs protocol....12 weeks. But I was up on my feet immediately with a walker and off the walker in a few days to cane.
I wouldn't worry about weight gain too much- unless you are eating a gazillion caliries of bad food. I think our bodies burn a lot of energy to heal and you will walk, walk, walk.Initially I could not get my slacks on because of swelling...so I wore workout pants for about a month. Now....I am down a size and the buns are looking tight.:) Buns of steel....literally.
Damn! I want buns of steel. My thigh looks like it belongs to an extremely fat person at the minute. Its like I have a giant balloon attached to my side. Ha, I'm hoping the swelling will go down at some point. Ice ice ice ....
Lycra - my sleeping hasn't been as bad as I thought. I'm managing about 7 hours a night but its just really hard to get settled and comfortable. I'm finding myself going to bed later and later every night and I have to be completely exhausted. I'm happier now I can sleep on my side for a bit though! :)
Hi Anna-
I am Chuffed to hear about your continued progress! And, thanks for the new word. I live in Cincinnati Ohio in the US, and I am always happy to add new words to my ways of expressing myself. So, now from you I have picked up "icky" and "chuffed."
Only 8 days now for me, until I join this elite club officially! Again, I will continue following your progress and learning from you...
Hern - I read your suggestion regarding icing and I will certainly put it to great use!
Take care.
Icky and chuffed... Oh dear! My mum will be shaking her head at me!! ::)
Day 11 post op - Today I have been out and about all day. I went with a friend and her son to a children's play area. I sat on a hard chair for 2 hours. I did all my physio exercises which are now way too easy for me and I walked half a mile with my crutches. I am in no pain and am on no meds except a little paracetamol and ibuprofen. I feel good!!! I keep getting told not to over do it but I don't think I am as my body and my new hip seem perfectly happy. The only thing that hurts are my hands from the crutches!!!! I can just about walk around the house now with no crutches however I choose not to as I am really trying hard to get a good gait and walk properly with no limp. The limp is not great without the crutches.
I'm slightly concerned with my incision as the glue seems to be removing itself a little and I am hoping its not too early for that. I don't want it opening up so I'm keeping a close eye on it.
I really hope the rest of my recovery continues like this. Feeling pretty .... wait for it ... chuffed! ;D
Anna
Sounds great Anna! I'm happy you're getting a good recovery, you certainly fought your way there.
Anything you're concerned about, check with the surgeon. Most likely it's just fine.
Reno - I'll be glad if it helps, icing is important, especially early.
How are you getting on Anna?
Got my op date or 11th September
All the best on a fast recovery.
Jackie
Hey Jackie,
I'm doing really well thanks. I'm 2 1/2 weeks now post op. I'm not in any pain and feel I have the energy to run a marathon (Obviously I couldn't!) I'm out of the house everyday on little 2/3 hour trips such as grocery shopping, restaurants, cinema and I can walk a mile with my crutches quite easily. I haven't pushed it past that yet but I think I could. I only walk with one crutch in the house. I can walk short distances without the crutch but I have quite a big limp so I'm sticking with the crutch to try get my gait good. My incision is healing well too. I have my first PT session on Wednesday which I'm really looking forward to. I'm hoping for some more exercises and the go ahead to get back on the stationary bike and maybe a bit of pool action! I cant wait to be able to do a bit more exercise as I'm piling on the pounds!! I think I will have to be careful though as I've had a couple of light headed moments when out walking in the heat. I had a very low blood pressure in hospital and they almost gave me a blood transfusion so I think perhaps my body is still recovering from all of that .... does anyone have any idea how long that will take?
Generally speaking, I'm over the moon and feeling very confident that I made the right decision in having this done. I'm feeling like a very lucky girl ;D
Good luck for the 11th
Anna
Sounds good Anna ;) has the other pain gone I call it the constant nagging pain which is worse at night I usually wake in pain.
Im going to borrow a treadmill from a friend when I have the all clear, to walk slowly as I don't want to pile the pounds on I'm very active which I need as I enjoy my food :'( to much.
Keep well.
Hi Anna- you're well on top of things by the sound of it.
I think the light-headed thing is worth checking with your Doc, I had the same problem and was offered a blood transfusion at Birmingham but I just didn't fancy it.
The alternative was to take Iron tablets for 3 months which brought my blood count back to normal so maybe it would work for you?
Good to hear you're out and about, pain free!
Well done for using the stick till you're walking nice and straight as well- definitely the right thing to do!
Jacks -That awful arthritis pain that used to wake me up every night has definitely gone! (And it will be for you too soon!) I'm not completely out of pain, I still get the odd niggle if I sit or twist funny but its more achy weak muscles than anything else. It's certainly nothing to complain about. It sounds like you are very much like me. I love my food and keep my weight down by lots of exercise so I'm struggling a little at the minute but I just keep thinking in a month or two I will be more active than I have been in years and will lose the weight again pretty fast. A treadmill will definitely help. I have a turbo trainer to put my bike on so I'm dying to get that out :)
Mike - I've had a good wander round monks cross today and then went to a friends bbq. I have been away from home for 9 hours!! It's my longest day so far. I'm feeling pretty good. I have only felt light headed twice since I left hospital and both times I was out walking in the heat and probably over did it. I've started taking iron tablets so I will see how it goes. I guess I'm only 2 weeks out of hospital and keep forgetting that its not very long! Fingers crossed things continue to go well ;D
Anna
Anna glad to see that you were able to finally have replacement surgery. Have been following your saga, glad you have found relief from the pain. Good luck going forward. Curt
3 weeks - I'm on a bit of a downer :-[
The first two weeks I could see massive improvements everyday, but this last week, I feel like I have hit a wall. I know I should be very grateful as I seem to be having a really easy recovery compared to some and everyone keeps telling me I'm doing really well. I think the problem is, I don't really know what to do or have anything to work on. My physio exercises have become really easy. I had my first PT session after leaving hospital yesterday but I didn't really get any new exercises and I was told no biking ... I was really hoping I could get on the static bike just for a little gentle pedal. So, I'm just sat around getting fat ...... I'm still on one crutch and still have a heavy limp. I guess I just keep walking and resting and walking and resting and icing and walking ... and resting???
I'm being referred to a physio who specialised in hip replacements so I have an appointment next Wednesday. Lets hope she gives me some new stuff to do and lets me go on the bike. My wound is looking pretty good now (In fact, it is tiny and I think it will be pretty much invisible in a few months!) and I was thinking about going to the pool if I can get someone to take me but .... what do I do when I get there?! Ha, just walk around? Can I swim? Breast stroke? front crawl? Any pool advice would be great.
Anna
Anna, I understand your frustration! At only 7 weeks, I was where you are only 1 month ago. I felt the same way --- big changes and then a sudden standstill as you realize the exercises you've been told to do are now easy and you don't know what to do next. I am there again now!! Walking is easy, leg lifts are easy and I want more --- but I do now understand more is not always better.
I was told keep doing the exercises until you can do them effortlessly and then do them again!! The big muscles will return quickly but those smaller muscles will take several months to engage and feel stable. Walk more, but don't over do it. I have felt the day after pain of overdoing and it's not good and it takes several days to recup from it.
Regarding feeling fat -- I am a woman who has always worked out. I've always been in great shape and I understand the feeling fat. I feel like my quads and gluteus have lost all muscle tone. But I keep telling myself tha it took me a long time to wear out the cartilage in my hip and its going to take some time to get back in shape. I have to have my other hip done in December, so I'm giving myself a year. Be gentle with yourself.
We can do this!!
Type A personality rears its ugly head! ;D ;D ;D
Ok Anna, I've been waiting for a while for the opportunity to tell you this. The worst torture for us on recovery is (drumroll).... Patience! ... (there, I feel much better)
It is a hideous thing to face, being used to confronting things head on and barging our way through, but patience is the key.
You are doing well. At three weeks you are very, VERY early in the game. When we start feeling good is when the real work begins. Now you have to do a measured recovery, since your hip is still and will continue to be healing for a bit.
I've also found that my progress came in waves, my body proceeding fast, then resting and getting comfortable, then speeding up, then regrouping... so on. That is still the way it is.
I trust that more than some linear progress where the body does not have the opportunity to get used to its new capabilities.
Quote from: Anna on August 25, 2013, 04:34:26 PM
Hey Jackie,
I'm doing really well thanks. I'm 2 1/2 weeks now post op. I'm not in any pain and feel I have the energy to run a marathon (Obviously I couldn't!) I'm out of the house everyday on little 2/3 hour trips such as grocery shopping, restaurants, cinema and I can walk a mile with my crutches quite easily. I haven't pushed it past that yet but I think I could. I only walk with one crutch in the house. I can walk short distances without the crutch but I have quite a big limp so I'm sticking with the crutch to try get my gait good. My incision is healing well too. I have my first PT session on Wednesday which I'm really looking forward to. I'm hoping for some more exercises and the go ahead to get back on the stationary bike and maybe a bit of pool action! I cant wait to be able to do a bit more exercise as I'm piling on the pounds!! I think I will have to be careful though as I've had a couple of light headed moments when out walking in the heat. I had a very low blood pressure in hospital and they almost gave me a blood transfusion so I think perhaps my body is still recovering from all of that .... does anyone have any idea how long that will take?
Generally speaking, I'm over the moon and feeling very confident that I made the right decision in having this done. I'm feeling like a very lucky girl ;D
Good luck for the 11th
Anna
Post op exercises from the McMinn Centre for non-small head THRs (I assume you have the large head? - can't believe I forgot to ask):
http://www.surfacehippy.info/exercisesmcminn.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/exercisesmcminn.php)
Water therapy and pool exercises:
http://www.surfacehippy.info/poolexercises.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/poolexercises.php)
remember to clear with the nurse / doctor whether you're ready for the pool.
Thanks for this thread, the advice given by the others with more experience is really helping me too at 5 weeks post-op.
I think of the recovery process as an emotional and physical roller-coaster ride, and what you're describing and the other responses fit that metaphor.
I also had some 30 day prescriptions of various meds and I think that some of them, particularly meloxicam, messed with my head and maybe caused mood swings.
Aaaargh. I don't want to have a type A personality right now. I want to be a lazy person who enjoys doing nothing! :-[
I think this process is harder mentally than physically for me. All I want to do is work up a sweat, enjoy some fresh air, go for a pedal..... I will try find some patience and rest more.
I hope you two keep improving fast and thanks for the exercises Hern
Anna
Anna, I noticed a big difference when I started in the pool at six weeks.
All I did the first time at Yearsley Pool was walk from the shallow end up to half way several times. The resistance from the water really worked the dormant muscles and it also felt very stable as the water gave support so I could walk nice and straight for the first time.
Next time, I moved on to swimming, just nice and easy, and it felt great.
I went on holiday at about nine weeks and swam every day, pool and sea-that also made a huge difference
It will all come, Anna, but it is tough when you feel you could do more-once you've had the six week check you should be able to progress fast-keep at it, you're going great.
4 weeks - I went to physio today. I was allowed on the static bike. I had a smile the size of Japan. Peddling was a little uncomfortable as my ROM isn't great and I was struggling a little to get my leg high enough (Without breaking the 90 rule) but the physio thinks it will help loosen me up and may improve my ROM so ..... I'M ALLOWED ON MY BIKE!! Inside that is, on the turbo trainer, very slowly at a low resistance. I can deal with that for now. All I have to do is figure out how to get on it. Any ideas? I'm also allowed to go swimming ... but no breast stroke. I have taken note of Hern and Mikes pool exercises and I will let you know how I get on :D
Anna
Hi Anna, I used a small ladder to get on and off my bike trainer. LOL! Good luck!
Thanks Moe, I have a little stool I'm going to try. Did you swing your operated leg over or your good leg? I'm trying to figure it out without breaking any restrictions. The one I used in physio had no bars to negotiate so it was a bit easier
Anna
Anna, it was a bit tricky as both my hips were done at once. It's been a while but if I remember correctly I inched my way up the ladder and swung my leg around the back of the saddle. You will have to experiment (carefully) to see what is safe and works best for you. Riding the trainer was extremely helpful in getting my ROM back and encouraging healing. Take it slow and easy. moe
And ..... I'm on my bike!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1157538_10151938735141719_1635110485_n.jpg)
.... does someone wanna come help me off now please???
LOVE the picture!! Thanks for the smile....we all completely understand! Congratulations!
I took my first spin class on Tuesday afternoon. I did only 30 minutes at low resistance and only tried standing out if the saddle once for about 2 minutes. Getting clipped in was fine....then I had to try to figure out how to get clipped out without torquing the hip/leg!! It took me a minute I think more cause I was scared I was going to hurt the hip! Too funny. :) I sat there staring at my shoe and trying not to let the whole class see me as I debated I clipping!
Ha, awesome. A spin class is a way away for me yet Juno. I'm only allowed to use the bike for my ROM. No resistance allowed. It is great to be back on it though! ... and flat pedals all the way for now!!! I take it you managed to get your foot out in the end or are you still sat in an empty class looking at it?!! ::)
.. my physio told me to be safe ... I thought she would appreciate the helmet ;D
Quote from: Anna on September 05, 2013, 08:45:58 AM
And ..... I'm on my bike!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1157538_10151938735141719_1635110485_n.jpg)
.... does someone wanna come help me off now please???
Anna, you know you're not supposed to be driving that thing around inside the house?
Oh .... I knew I was doing something wrong Hern. Thanks ::)
... it's safely on the turbo ;D
Inspiring stuff Anna...bugger should have kept the turbo trainer I had a few years ago. Gawd
I found the turbo trainer so,so boring. having said that not being able to cycle for a while post op is going to drive me nuts.. Great photo and smile and before long you will be smashing out those kilometres :)
Thanks Igbran :)
I also found the turbo really boring pre op but I'm glad its around now ... maybe you could borrow one from a friend for a few weeks? ;D
Anna
Will probably use the gym and swim when I can.cycle outdoors once given the o.k..getting ones confidence up will be a big thing but it most be so satisfying to be back on the bike. I 'd love to run again but it's running that has worn my hips out lol. Here in Aus there is a lot of road rage against cyclists. I gather the u.k and Europe folks are far more receptive to cyclists . I am sore as after a few hours of gardening. Can't wait to see the surgeon this Thursday.