3 Weeks Post-Op

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Update time from yours truly.  Today was my 3 weeks out day, as well as my 2nd visit to Physio.

Surgical pain is almost completely gone, and I am only really taking my stronger pain relief at night, as sleeping is still tough for more than 3-4 hours.  It is nice having the focus back in my head, and worth the increase in general aches from not being drugged up 24/7.

Walking has gotten more natural feeling. I am using a cane and find myself leaning on it less, as long as I don't over-do it.  Usually I go out 3-4 times a day, which includes 15 steps down, a nice 5-8 minute walk, and then 15 steps back up. A few short trips feels a lot better than making the incredible journey once a day.

Pysio is a definite challenge. I was really shocked at how weak the leg was along with the muscle tone loss, which I was expecting.  I have a flared up hip flexor issue (ow), so no exercises that irritate that, but everything else is ok, if sore from the phsio routines.

My current nemesis is the clam shell exercise. I had a posterior approach, so that works the spot right where the muscle was cut. I'm going to beat it into the ground.. but for now, I have to settle with almost being able to lift my thigh off the pillow.. almost. lol

One thing my therapist shared, that I found wonderful. It's a focused ice massage to use over my hip flexor.  It is a deeper, more focused treatment, where as an ice pack is more generalized.   

Anyway, you just take a dixie cup (small plastic disposable cup) and fill it half full of water and freeze it. Once frozen, you just press it into your trouble area and rub in small circles.  It hurts cuz its cold.. then feels warm.. then will go numb. That's when you stop; about 5 minutes. It's a great relief for those painful spots ice packs cant seem to completely relieve.

This turned out to be a lot longer than I thought, so that is that.  Overall, it's been a pleasant week, and I'm looking forward to the next 7 days.

2

Thanks for that great idea and congrats, so glad you are feeling good....sleep will come, I am having IT band problems restart therapy next week, the clam seems to bother me in the groin area for some reason.

3

Clam???? Ok im 12 weeks. Can do 99 % of things. Gave up physio at 6 wks. My success is due to....patience. .. your muscles were bad before the op and havent withstood a healthy hip in a looooonnngggggg time. That needs to build and heal and so does the cut muscles....no point goung hard at physio...that wont help it heal. But thats me. I just remember heel toe when walking and head held high

4

I am 14 weeks had my last appointment for a year with the surgeon. Because I am having pain with the IT band he wants me to go back to therapy and he feels my thigh muscles are too tight which is keeping from crossing my foot over the knee. He wants me to put my shoes on that way, right now I bend over to put them on but when I pull the heal of the shoe up I have a tendency to push my foot sideways without moving the knee and that is my lifetime restriction.

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You are doing so well and definitely sound like you have turned a corner. It is a long process I am surprised too how long it took to learn to do VERY simple things.

The ice massage is a good idea! I am going to try it. Glad you are recovering well - how much time do you have until you need to go back to work?

I am on day 11 and feeling human again. I felt bored yesterday which is always a very good sign!

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Can you sleep well Sassy? Looking forward to that!

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I actually own a seasonal business, so have until April to get back to working shape. Its a physical job outdoors, so I am really wanting to push my body, if it will let me.

Bored at 11 days eh? Sounds like you're doing great. A couple more days until you start physio?

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I second that! Sleeping the whole night through again will be a treat.

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Hi all hippies i am bored noe 5 wks post op using one stick when i do my 1 walk outside and yesterday i was trying no stick in the house and nearly did it but stil lack confidence

Only seen pt once dont if i am doing enough exercises seems liķe i am doing just basic ones and should be doing more

Also dont like sleeping on my back !!! WHEN can i drive and sleep on my side ???

HOPE YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL

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hi lucite, 

maybe you can start your own discussion/ new thread with the questions and concerns you have at this point? we are here to help you and sometimes the first thread gets lost in many other threads ...

big warm hug

renee

 

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Thanks renee i am not very good with this lark

Dont know how to start the thread !!!

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Lucite,

Go for Renee's idea - get yourself a separate thread going.

I am just now at 6 weeks starting to do more exercises - ask your physio, I expect you will get more soon.

On your back - again, I am just starting to roll over with the aid of pillows - one betweenlegs to keep them apart, and one behind my back to help prop meinto place.  Quite an act !

Driving, My surgeon says not untill I can walk without a crutch AND limp free, which I am happy with.  After all, if I limp, I cannot be fully in control of a car.

Best wishes

Graham

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To start a new thread - No problem, look on the right (the bit of the screen where we normally don't look because there's adverts there), there's a big green button on my screen that says "Start a new discussion".  Click that.

Graham

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I can sleep fine....there is only one problem. ..im an insomniac lol. I get into bed....fall asleep immediately. ..sleep solid for 2 to 3 hrs then...bam wide awake. I sleep on my back and both sides quite comfortably