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What exercises help recovery & strength after hip replacement?
I'm looking for feedback, suggestions, and support for re-building strength after left total hip replacement.
My surgery (anterior incision) was at Mayo in November, 2019. For the first 3 months after surgery, I followed the physical therapist's recommendations for exercises (range of motion, walking, stationary bike) and added no leg bands or weights to my lower body. I even went snowshoeing and that was great! Let me note that I've been lifting weights for almost 30 years and was physically active until the hip pain became worse over the past few years. Thus, the decision to do the recommended total hip replacement. At the 3 month follow-up on February 20, 2020, the surgeon said there are no restrictions on my physical activity but to take it slow. I've still trying to figure out what "taking it slow" means. I'm lifting light weights (10-15 pounds) on machines (hamstring curls, leg extensions, leg press). I've added these just since returning from that February 20 appointment at Mayo and go to the gym twice a week. I have osteoporosis so weight lifting is important. But here's the thing - I have more pain and discomfort in my surgical leg and lower back than before February 20.
What is everyone else doing for their rehab post surgery at the 3 month mark? How are you have pain? How are you managing?
Blessings to you all.
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Hi jojo58. I'm impressed with your stamina. You're encouraging and yes, i'll get up soon and walk a little in the apartment. The PT is coming tomorrow and no, I don't want the joint to freeze. That would be awful. OK, tty later and hope you make progress.
Good luck to you! I had an awful PT person that they sent to my house. I already knew what I had to do so I told her to hit the road. If you don’t care for who they send request someone else. Mine was like a drill sergeant. I don’t take too much of that. 😊🙏
That sounds good Cindi. It's hard to remember all the exercises they have you do. so when you need to do them on your own, it's good to have the printed instructions.
Stick with it and it will get better! Joe
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1 ReactionIn reply to @heyjoe415
Some of the exercises are done at your kitchen counter. Both hands on the counter, pull one leg up and out from your body to the side and back behind you. You do this on each side (both legs) the exercises gradually get harder. Hold onto the counter and act like you’re sitting, no further down than that. You can sit on your couch, lift one leg up, straight, but only an inch or two to start. Again, with both legs. Shame they should’ve had a copy for you. Standard procedure, so you can do them on your own when they aren’t there. I don’t remember all of them but that’s a few. Make sure you get a copy next time. Also, even with a walker, walk. Walk around the house (indoors) helps build those muscles back. Don’t just do your exercises and sit all day if you do that the stiffer you’ll get and won’t have the range of motion that you should. Good luck to you. I’ve had both mine replaced and a revision on one because the surgeon messed it up. Dislocation is more painful than natural childbirth. So don’t twist your upper body without your legs and feet following. That’s not why mine dislocated, but it can if you do that before fully healed.
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4 ReactionsI’m sorry, it didn’t pick up my whole comment for some reason. It depends on age, what kind of shape your body is in. I was about 48 when I had my first hip replaced. I have arthritis everywhere and it caused the ball in the joint to wear away. It was an inch shorter right before I had surgery. I ride motorcycles, work retail on my feet all day and I was in pretty good shape. 6 weeks light duty, which meant being on a register. No bending over either. I worked the truck before. I wasn’t supposed to be lifting anything either. That’s standard. I couldn’t ride (or wasn’t supposed to) my motorcycle for 3 months
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4 ReactionsGood for you that you got through it. That's encouraging. For some reason my knee area is killing me, I hope not literally but you never know. Right now I have an ice pack on it, managed to get some sleep, my dear husband massaged my leg (not my hip area) a little and that felt good. If he's not too tired I'll ask him to give me a leg massage today -- he's also handicapped, had hip surgery, the surgeon fouled up and he doesn't want to go through the painful aftermath again, which is one reason I decided to go through with this to show my husband it can be done. But it's hard. And of course, I hope it works. The physical therapist is coming again today -- I'll see if he can give me a printout of the exercises. Take care. Thanks for communicating.
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4 Reactions@heyjoe415
Bob & Brad are two physical therapists on Youtube who do a lot of helpful exercises. I think they talk too much but their exercises can be helpful. Here's a YouTube video about exercises after hip replacement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llpkxKPrxE4
JK
He should have the revision surgery. It’s basically replacing what’s already there and putting in new. I have a scar almost to my knee now. Drainage was a little annoying and changing dressings. Pain wise, just the incision and I’m a side sleeper and couldn’t lay on that side. I was glad to get it fixed and I had an excellent revisionist from Boston. Granted you risk a cracked femur and it’s wired in like mine. It doesn’t bother me at all. Longer recovery but we’ll worth it.
thanks. I will definitely ask about knee surgery, that is what I think is impeding my recovery. I hate not being able to sleep on my side...and now that you mention about a cracked femur, my reaction is, what??
The recovery from this operation is painful, pretty bad. So naturally I hope the pain is worth the trouble.
I was referring to your husband. I can’t comment on knee surgery as mine are good. My dad had knee replacement in 70’s and at my constant nagging did his exercises and he is snow 84 and doing great. Knee is the next easiest to hip. It shouldn’t be too bad. As far as pain my dad didn’t complain much. Good luck!