Can’t do abduction exercise

Bones, joints and muscles
1

HI
I am 2 weeks post op from having a TLHR and cant do the abduction exercise when lying down i can move leg outwards but cant move it at all to come back inwards and have to move it with my hands just wondered if im trying too much too fast would appreciate any feed back
regards
teresa

2

Hi there

Personally I don’t think you are trying to do too much too fast. I’m presuming the abduction exercise is part of a series that was provided to you by the physiotherapy team prior to or just after your surgery.

I know that after my THR (posterior) last November, I had a booklet with at least 12 different exercises to do both in the prone position and standing up. Some were advised to be repeated 3 times daily and others just once a day. It was emphasised that I should stick religiously to the regime if I wanted the best and quickest recovery.

If you had the posterior approach then the muscles around your hip joint will have undergone significant trauma and will take time and exercise to return to full working order.

From memory, I too struggled with the abduction exercise both in the prone and standing positions. The particular muscle or combination of muscles that allow you to do that are probably the worst affected by the surgery so will take more time to recover.

My advice is to keep at it even if you have to manually move your leg in the early stages.

3

it too me over three weeks to complete this because my leg was so heavy and the muscles were weak. It takes time. Do not panic about it. I wish you the best recovery.

4

hi teresa
i had same problem give it time i am now seven weeks, walking almost normally and driving again. your strengthen will come back in your legs just keep doing as much of the exercises as you can. the first three weeks are the hardest. all the best
Dawron

5

I had problems with that after my first THR, it was the friction of the bedclothes - I used a ‘sliding sheet’ or plastic bag to help me get it moving.

6

thanks for advice i will keep at it i did have the posterior approach so will maybe get husband to help bring it back for me as i can manage to do the exercises when standing ok
regards
teresa

7

thank you i was having a little panic so appreciate your feedback
regards
teresa

8

thankyou its good to get feedback to get the confidence to know what to expect all the best for your recovery
regards
teresa

9

thankyou i will give that a go thanks for the feedback
regards
teresa

10

Don’t worry. It’s much too early to expect to do the abduction. It’s incredibly difficult at first. I am 10 weeks post op tomorrow and have recovered amazingly quickly but I found abduction almost impossible at first. It’s important to do your exercises religiously but don’t push your body further than it wants to go. Take it steady. You’ll get there. I could walk without sticks after 2 weeks, just over 1.5k after 3 weeks and driving after 5-6 weeks. I can now do most everyday things including tying my own shoe laces and cutting toe nails. I still have a little soreness very deep inside and my muscles haven’t got back to full strength yet but I think it’s a long job and we all just have to be patient. All the very best and I hope you get on as well as I have.

11

thank you so much for your feedback i will just listen to my body and do what i can with the exercises im walking a bit more without crutches just not overly confident walking too far without the one so just trying to boost my confidence im glad your recovery is going well good luck with all your future ventures
regards
teresa