Duck4three,
Glad to hear you are feeling well. It sounds like the way you feel with one crutch is the way I felt about a week ago. You feel like you can do one crutch, but you still get pressure build up in the joint and you limp, partially b/c of the partially b/c of the pressure and partially b/c of the fear of the pressure turning to pain. I definitely understand. I'm taking the advice of Pat and many of the others here and staying positive, recognizing that there will be ups and downs, and always, always, following the guidelines given to me by Mont and the PT.
The exercises I've been given to do at home include the ones the hospital PT gave me, but there are a few more that I find helpful. I AM NOT A DOCTOR. The exercises given to me for my rehabilitation only, are:
(note: NONE of these exercises were meant to add resistance to the hip. 0-5 weeks rehab strictly forbid resistance through weights, gravity, or bands)
Hospital PT:
1) lying on back (or in recliner), elevated leg (small pillow under knee and calf); pump ankles like a gas pedal; both feet
2) lying on back, elevated leg (two small pillows under knee only), ankle lifts, bending at knee. Pillows help to isolate thigh and avoid use of hip muscles; both legs
3) lying on back, slide operated leg from mid line (strictly forbidden to cross mid-line) to shoulder line. (sort of like doing 1/4 of a snow angel)
4) lying on back, heal slides. With op leg heel on smooth surface (i use a cookie sheet), pull heel towards butt, bending knee. Be sure not to extend past 90deg between thigh and torso
5) Sitting, feet on floor, op leg foot on smooth surface (cookie sheet), extend leg out, keeping foot on floor, then extend leg back with heel sliding behind knee 2 to 3 inches. I felt this one in my thigh and knee quite a bit, as I had a lot of stiffness there for the first 2 weeks.
In-Home PT:
1) Standing with crutch in front; gently rock left to right shifting weight from op leg to opp leg for 1 to 2 minutes.
2) Standing with one foot ~ 1 to 2 feet in front of the other, shoulder width apart, rock back and forth (like a jab step to back off a defender); rock gently back and forth 15 times; repeat with opposite foot. Use both crutches for support
3) Standing with both crutches, feet side by side, shoulder width apart, gently bend at the knees, 1 to 3 inches, 15 times
4) Standing with two crutches, heel taps. Feet shoulder width apart, pick one foot up and tap the heel of this foot at spot in line with the toes of the other foot. Keep feet shoulder width apart when tapping heel. No crossing of legs.
5) Standing with two crutches, feet should width apart, gently pick up one foot, and move backwards at 45deg angle, approx. 4 inches, just to activate the upper thigh muscles.
6) Lying on back, both knees bent, pillow between knees, squeeze knees together and push butt down; Do not move knees or butt, try to keep everything in place and just activate the muscles.
7) After 2 weeks, I was allowed to do lifts. Lying on my back, knees bent, I was allowed to raise my butt up to help strengthen my core. Very gentle lifts just to activate and slightly work the muscles.
After 2 weeks, I was allowed to put 2 lb weights on my operated ankle, with a pillow under my knee, sitting in my chair, and do leg lifts. The pillow isolates the thigh, so I was not working the hip.
That's pretty much what I do everyday, 2 to 3 times a day. I also walk a bit, but not the miles that some people have been able to do. DO NOT do any of these exercises without consulting your phys. or PT. I mention these only as a description of what I'm doing. I hope your rehab goes well! Cheers, -Scott
Topic: Athlete Resurfaced and Happy (Read 10703 times)
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