7 Weeks post surgery and have a question

[Todd15]

Dr. Lannin performed my re-surfacing surgery and everything has gone great. I was off pain meds after one week and walked with out a cane or walker at the 3 week mark. One thing that has been challenging for me is my fexibility. I still cannot put on a sock (very close) and cannot put my shoe on. My question is; at this stage should I be more flexible and be able to put my sock and shoe on? thanks in advance, Todd

[hernanu]

I think you're good, Todd. If everything else is fine, then you're progressing the way you're supposed to. If you're close, then soon you'll be doing it and then eventually you'll forget this.

Let it flow naturally, each of us has different flexibility, and depending on how long you dealt with OA, maybe more muscle issues to overcome afterwards. Are you doing outpatient PT? It really helped my OA.

[ScubaDuck]

Todd-

That has been my biggest issue also.  It probably took me about 10 weeks before I could struggle to put on my sock.  I have just been able to barely reach the laces on my shoes recently.  Granted I was not very flexible prior to surgery.  I just need to keep stretching those muscles because they shortened a lot over the years of OA.

Best wishes.

Dan

[maxx6789]

Sounds like you are somewhere close to average!! I was able to put on my sock on just less than 3 weeks and it was one of my happier post-op recovery moments. Like someone else said ... don't "force" it, it will just happen (soon).

[John C]

The basic impression that I got from my doc was to give it six weeks of just healing, with minimal exercises. After that, you can start working gradually on flexibility issues, but he did not want any serious stretching in search of flexibility goals during that initial six week healing period.
I do not expect that you will have any problem tying your shoes etc, when the time is right.

[Todd15]

Thanks everyone for the great support, Happy Holidays!!!