I have noticed that many of you are referring to your physio and wondered if this was arranged by the NHS? Hubby was given a piece of paper with exercises and no plans or arrangements to see any follow up physio.
Pauline I was the same only given a sheet and advised what to do. After my 12 week check up, because muscle not built up properly now needing physio. I would say carry oncwith exercises and hopefully you will not require physio.
Same here in Glos, Pauline! However, when I went for my 6 week check it was a physio that checked me over - not specialist!! Think it depends where you live and how well you progress. My husband had problems so was referred at about 6 months.
hi Pauline
only time I saw physio was in hospital when I was shown how to walk up and down stairs. and in my leaflet were exercises which I was told to follow a few times a day. I think you get left out on a limb for 6 weeks until you see the specialist I mean how do they know how your getting on
I notice you all seem to have had a check up at 6 weeks. I am in Scotland and never saw anyone until 12 week xray.
I had one appt with physio 30 mins about 3 weeks ago. But she only watched me walk to her office and said I was doing fine. I've had exercises in a book to do but although I have tried I can't do them due to the pain in my in operated leg, so I can't stand on it for long however I walk about a lot for short distances and have no pain , stiffness or problems with my right leg. Although this forum is interesting everyone has different circumstances and every surgeon has difference ideas based on experience and I still think we should go with what feels right for us as individuals along with what our surgeon has advised. Any concerns contact your surgeon.
Here in Devon, a physio came to see me to show me how to walk up and down stairs correctly and to see how I was getting on walking up and down the Ward. Then at the 6 week checkup we had a group session first, by the physio who told us what we could do now and what we couldn't ever do. Then she saw us individually and checked the wound and looked for swelling in the legs and asked what painkillers I was still taking and checked to see if I was limping at all. Being as I wasn't limping without the crutches, she pronounced me fit and I could give my crutches back and arrange for the toilet seat raiser to be taken back. She then discharged me from the hospital and said she would send a letter to my GP.
I too only saw a physio for the first post op check. I was amazed/astounded! OK I was walkign el and distance, but mentioned I had cramp, even waking up in excrutiating pain in middle of night AND it's not as if one coudl leap out of bed to "fix"... Answer: Oh that'll go away. NOT happy I arranged my own private physio.. my muscles were in knots. How can one repair quickly when in that condition... The trauma the muscles go thru during the op, you def need deep tissue massage post op. BUT thisyou will not get on NHS. Do we ask too much? It just seems short sighted to spend that much on a THR only to slow recvery due to lack of hands on physio. I can afford private physio others can not. Plus the idea is to keep the ageing population mobile for as long as possible.. physio is an important part in that!
He's not able to do much exercise as he has a very swollen knee and can't bend it - think it will be slow progress until we resolve this so think he may very well require some physio.
Hi Pauline,it sounds as though I was fortunate in Surrey,my op was at Spire Gatwick but they gave me a six week(NHS)x 1hr session at East Surrey hospital with some great Physio guys and the sessions were full..I progressed pretty fast and was discharged from Physio after four weeks..it is an important part of recovery,I also had a sheet of exercises which I diligently worked through as per instructions...maybe worth enquiring about Physio just in case there was an oversight..wishing him a speedy,painless recovery.. :-)
He's not being seen until 12 weeks, wish he was being seen by a physio though a 6 as that would be useful. Hope your hubby eventually came right, you expect to be well over it at 6 months.
Yes I agree and all areas seem to differ in the length of time before a check up.
Not everyone Marie. Seems to be a bit of mixed bag as to when folk are seen depending on areas. But wouldn't a check up at six weeks be useful.
You're right Christine, you have to listen to your own body and everyone's capabilities are different. It is interesting though how the check up times varies depending on area.
Sounds very efficient Barbara - makes sense to be seen by a physio after 6 weeks. You don't say if you had any problems with the decision so hopefully all good.
I think the roll of the physio is under estimated considering, as you say, the trauma the muscles go through. We think we will be getting one to make sure his recovery is on the right track, especially as he still can't bend his knee owing to an effusion that started a few days after the op.
Hello Barbara, I'm interested to know what you were told you should never ever do - I tend to do just about anything I did before my op, although I never did anything particuarly athletic! Maureen
I'm in the U.S. so maybe things work different. I know how much our health insurance covers definately would affect the attention we receive. I had a therapist come to my house twice a week for a couple of weeks before I was left on my own to do the excercises. The exercises hurt like hell so I don't know if I'd have given it my all if she hadn't been watching. I also wouldn't have known if I were really doing them properly.
Hi Pauline. I was given a letter with telephone numbers on and told if I hadn't heard from hospitals after a week then to phone, which I did and they hadn't got any referral letter and suggested I phone my GP. They adnt received letter about physio either. Anyway my doctor called me back and said as long as I was doing exercises and improving (which I am) then no need to go as they will rob ably just go through what you are doing and send you off. Then two days later I got a call from the local physio hospital saying they had referral letter and to make appointment, which I have done. It's not fr a couple of weeks but thought no harm in going. Admin has a lot to answer for! Hope you get sorted. X
Hi Pauline,
I was seen by a Physio in hospital after my operation to ensure I could do all the exercises etc. I asked her to refer me for more physio which she did. I had an appointment 3 weeks later. I then asked that physio to refer me for hydrotherapy which again she did.
As you've missed that boat perhaps ask your doctor?
Jennifer, uk