Just over 2 weeks oPost THR and although I've been moving about inside, I hadn't been out and was definitely suffering with cabin fever.
Decided I would tackle the 28 stairs that would enable my escape and I managed without any problem!
Will now start doing this each day to build up my strength! X
Carol, Wow! Good for you.. just 2 weeks post op.. amazing. What kind of approach did you have anterior or posterior? I'm having surgery mid Sept. I live alone & live 30 stairs up to my apt. I am definitely thinking that I will have to go to rehab after the hospital. How did you get up the stairs initially?? Best with your speedy recovery.
Well done Carol. Escaping to freedom
Hi Merilee. I live in UK and it's very dfficult to get anterior surgery. I had minimally invasive posterior., I too, live alone, in an appt, and getting up the stairs initiall was fine. It was a bit easier than before surgery, because the awful pain had gone. Hospital tried to persuade me to go into a care facility, but I refused. I have been able to cope fine. I have family and friends that have called in but I've asked them not to stay too long. You have a few months before your op so stay as active as you can, and prepare your home so that it will be easier for you. Boredom has been my greatest problem! X
Hi Merilee,
Good Luck with your upcoming surgery! I'm about 8 weeks post-op. The 1st week, I slept downstairs so as to not have to deal with the stairs. Your PT will show you how to deal with stairs. This is what they told me, and I still use this method if I'm feeling tired or lazy: use your good leg climbing the stairs and lead with
the operated (bad) leg when going down, making your good leg do all the work! Stairs are still not my favorite thing!
Dear Carol
Excellent progress! You have not mentioned if you are walking without aids but if not do be careful that you are not walking in an unbalanced way due to a lack of muscle strength.
I think I pushed myself too hard by day ten of being weight bearing and decided to go back to one crutch for a few days. The break allowed my muscles to improve dramatically and at twenty days full weight bearing I'm walking normally for at least a mile and without any discomfort. If I've been sitting down for some time it takes me a few seconds to get going but expect this to pass in a few days.
Hope this helps someone.
Cheers
Richard
PS If there is anyone here who lives on the Isle of Wight in the UK how about a meet up? Just message me if you are interested. If you are based in Portsmouth I will be over there for the day on July 30th visiting the old docks.
Hi! I would that I could! I have 30 stairs then a small 1 bedroom on 1 floor. For me to get up those stairs right away probably not going to happen so I plan on rehab til I can get up to my apt. Sounds like you are improving every day. Great work!
Carol, hi once again! I too am having mini/posterior.. I live in Boston ma. & a lot of the Drs. do both. Talking with my surgeon we decided mini/ posterior was better for me... he has done many of both procedures & says that recovery is the same. I'm gonna go to rehab because of stairs. Xoxo
Enjoy your new found freedom and mobility. You're doing great.
Hi Carol, sounds like your doing well and I hope your 1st outing went well, like you I have lots of stairs and am dreading it I have my op tomorrow 11th and will now work towards taking the stairs as soon as I get home. I hope you continue to improve X
Hello Ann. Good luck with your op tomorrow. I'm sure everything will go well for you and you'll be pleased with the results. Being pain free is amazing.
Stairs are a nuisance. They look so daunting but really were no more if a problem than trying to struggle with the pain. Keep me posted on how you're doing x
Thanks Carol, not sure re your age but I'm 62 and overweight and to add to that both hips need doing, the 2nd one will be in 4 to 6 months I so hope I can feel some benefit however slight and resume normal living. If nothing else those stairs will keep you fit.X
Great news Carol, you are doing so well on your own. I think you'll feel so much better now that you can get out!
All the best, Judith
Ps, think I had the same approach as you. Where did you get it done in the end?
Hi Judith. Have a way to go before I actually go anywhere on my own. I make s point of going up and down the stairs to build my strength, as I can't drive yet and cannot think about getting a bus I still feel stranded but.. I will get there.
I had minimally invasive surgery at Benenden Hospital in Kent. Cannot believe how small scar is and didn't have any pain or bruising. Surgeon knew his stuff!!! X
Hi Ann. Hope you're ok. I, too, will need left hip done. Apparently it was worse than the right one but have no pain with it. I think you'll be surprised at how well you will feel once you've had your op. I have been going up and down the stairs daily now to build up my strength. You take care. X
Well it's great that you can do the stairs ok. I think I had my first bus ride on my crutches on day 19, and then I felt a huge sense of freedom. People were very helpful. (I have a bus stop not too far away, and the buses are frequent.) Good luck!
I have been on the bus today too three weeks after operation and people are so helpful.
As you say the sense of freedom is so good. Try it Carol