I have just wished my physio goodbye but before he left, I needed to ask him a question. Prior to my hip replacement, I would,whilst walking and without warning, fall to the ground. It would appear as if I had no limb. The falls were frequent and without the automatic instinct to save myself. It was explained, that the receptors to the brain that instruct our legs to move and walk, are contained within the synovial fluid of the hip. When suffering from osteoarhritis, some of the synovial fluid is missing and therefore, at times, the brain does not receive the signal, which, in turn, results in a sudden and unexpected fall. So my questions was "now that I have artifical hips with no synovial fluid. What is it that signals my brain to walk"? The answer is "Your brain, to walk, now uses your thigh muscles". To test if these are strong, I was asked to close my eyes and bend at the knee. If you wobble, then they need strengthening. This is why the initial exercises, that focus on the muscles within the thigh, are so very important. Not only do they need to strengthen to hold the prosthesis in place, but also to send receptors to your brain to walk. I was also advised to walk, indoors, barefoot; to ensure that I walk slowly, heel to toe. Because I am now re-training my brain to use my thigh muscles and it needs to learn how to do it correctly.
So keep working on those thigh muscles and me? I'm going for a well deserved nap!
My physio told me about this and I wrote about it a few weeks ago ('proprioception' Not sure if I can do links (or how!) but it's the same message. Our brains have to use new clues for balance and movement and it takes time for those pathways to be established.
Thankyou for this information. Now my poor brain has got something else to think about! I am 17 weeks post op and feel wonderful. I had my Estée Lauder fix last weekend - doesn't it make you feel great! Good to hear you are doing so well. Polly
Very interesting. I have just learned to balance without holding on while going up and down stairs. Two new hips, the first nearly a year old, the second 3 and a half months old.
Good to know. Like you, I would fall for no apparent reason. A couple months ago, I did so on the steps, dislocating my poor pinkie toe! Relieved that was the worst that happened! Glad to know there is a reason and not just me being me! I go in tomorrow! Scared but also relieved that the pain will be from healing and an end in sight, if not a quick recovery.
my poor brain !!! first she had to deal with OA in right hip, then the hip replacement surgery, following severe OA in left hip, had surgery 6 months later ....
Sorry Renee, I am not ignoring you; just busy wrapping Christmas 🎄 presents 🎁.
These can only be performed after two to three months .
Lie on unoperated side with leg bent. Make sure the leg on the hip side is straight with foot pointed forward . Slowly Raise the op leg as high as poss and slowly bring back down . You can feel the muscle at the top of the thigh and over the prosthesis . Do five to start, three times a day and gradually build up. This also helps to rectify limps.
Squats. This has to be done correctly or you will hurt your back.
Stand with feet facing forward and in line with your hips. At first, hold on and sit back on your chair . Coming up through the heels, stand. Repeat. Gradually perform squats with arms crossed against your chest . Always come up with the heels.
Put the opposite hand to the op outstretched against a wall . Standing straight , stretch your op leg behind you.
Isn't it awful Candice and so frightening. I had my first op in January and when just 13 weeks, I fell, without warning and landed onto ceramic tiles and straight on to my new hip! I phoned my GP in floods of tears. Not only had I hurt myself badly but I honestly thought I had displaced my new hip. Fortunately that was not the case. Now I know why and I make sure I strengthen those muscles !
Hi Ian, it was my Consultant who explained the sudden falls and my physio who relayed the info regarding the muscles within the thigh. I did. whilst he was standing in front of me,
Cross my arms over my chest; closed my eyes and bent at the knees . Thankfully, I didn't wobble. Apparently , this is the best way to test how well the thigh muscles are connecting to the brain. But not when you are on your own! Aren't our bodies amazing 😉?