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Hip replacement surgery set; worried about rehab schedule

Posted by Mamie @mamie, Sep 25, 2019

Hi. I'm hoping someone here might have advice. After getting totally confused and recently even made fearful by doctors, I have decided to go for hip replacement. Kinda brief background: Had AVN in hip after doing splits on icy concrete. Problem not discovered for a few years when I had pain down side of leg (NEVER in or at my hip). Told hip joint had collapsed and leg shortened.

Have had to walk with cane. Getting increased pains in back and same side knee because they are the new pivot points. Two docs said they would NOT do THA because I have no pain; two said joint was too stiff for their approach. One said that I may go through operation and not see any improvement and what was the big deal if I had to rely on a cane and have back or knee pain. He said it would be nothing compared to if I got a dislocation or infection. I said aren't those chances "supposedly" small. He said yes but if I got either, I would wish I had never had a replacement. That made me wonder why anyone ever gets a replacement.

However, then I found a doc who seems assured that I will see better quality of life because of better ROM (no/little rotation in that hip now) and that while problems can happen, precautions are taken and chances are small.

So I scheduled the surgery in early October. Just saw the PT schedule for it and found that I will be in the hospital overnight, then go home which is 45 minutes away. Then the next day I start PT sessions back at the hospital 45 minutes away. The PT is to be 2x a week for 6 weeks before re-evaluation.

I've read elsewhere that the tissue first needs time to heal. Would anyone mind sharing their experiences regarding how much PT is reasonable after posteriolateral approach THA?

Thank you.

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 28, 2019
In reply to @glasgow46 "I live in Canada, and was sent home with a book of exercises for first six..." + (show)
@glasgow46

I live in Canada, and was sent home with a book of exercises for first six weeks to do at home, Gehenna had checkup with surgeon and saw a physio for 5 min! He gave me second set of exercises, and no further follow up. I and a year post TKR, and doing more walking and recumbent bike, but still get very sore with stairs and housework. My other knee is very arthritic, kneecap displaced and bone on bone, but surgeon said” come back in a year. As long as you aren’t using cane or walker you are doing fine” So on I chug!I hear what you are saying about your other knee, the same is happening with me. I can’t get a brace that works over the kneecap etc, so just keep doing what I. An. I am envious of you folks who have physio. I may have to seek one out

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Hi @glasgow46 - I am definitely a big fan of physical therapy. If you are getting sore with stairs and housework AND have a 2nd bad knee, you might benefit from some sessions just to get tips on how to maneuver. You said you might seek one out. Are there therapists in your area?

REPLY
glasgow46 | @glasgow46 | Sep 28, 2019

There are some physios, I’ll just have to find one that is good with TKR. Stairs are a slow and sometimes precarious situation, as my unoperated knee gives out. I was an RN for many years, understanding my patients more and more!

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