Full hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

​I  ​​am on my third week and doing my exercises but one is giving

me trouble that is lying on my back and trying to lift my leg 6 inches

​of the floor its like being a puppet and your wire been cut everything

​else working I am walking around the house without my sticks and

​use one when I go for walks     just wondering if anybody else has

​had the same problem 

                                      ​Thanks

2

Hi Alex, 

I had this reaction when trying to do teh adductor exercises to the side when in bed. My husband was keeping me company while I did them one day and just nudged my leg lightly with one finger and that was enough to get it going. Amazing!

Don't know if this will work for you, but I think that connections need to be re-established sometimes (the operation was pretty rough generally and some connective tissues were actually cut or affected by the incredible levels of swelling. Glad to hear that you are doing well otherwise. 

Cheers.

L

3

​Thanks Linda for your reply Iwill give it a try when my better half

is up and about

                                thanks Alex

 

4

HI Alex,

you will get stronger as time goes by. Soon you will be lifting your leg with little effort. Continue your exercises everyone is different and as you get stronger and more heeling occurs you'll be dancing with ur better half before you know it.

TC&GB

5

It is all so confusing when it comes to this exercise lark. Whilst I totally understand about the benefits of the exercises I am confused as to what week one should start doing them from.

Unfortunately my hip replacement was done due to a very very hard fall, broke my hip. Also, had a couple of horrible spasms which has left me with a bit of leg ache.

I am going for PT, 3rd one this Thursday but it isn't pleasant as leg is sore still. Physio thinks I also have soft tissue damage from the hard fall which will make my recovery longer.

Cannot lift left leg yet if I am lying flat!

6

Hi Alex, 

There is a similar discussion going at this time - 

Doing straight leg raises while lying on your back is not advisable to do so soon after THR - remember that muscles and tendons (and more layers) were cut , svered, so to speak and then repaired - this needs time to heal before you can strengthen them --- hence the feeling of wire being cut !!

what exercises were you given by PT when you were in the hospital? 

Sounds like you are doing really good otherwise - 

big warm hug

renee

7

I was given a sheet in hospital post op by the PT.

It had 3 exercises to do twice daily building to three times daily.

1 stand upright behind an armchair. Hold the back of chair. Swing op leg behind you as arc gently hold at your maximum comfortable limit for 5secs. Build to do 10 secs eventually.

2. In same stand position. Swing op leg out in gentle arc away (my left leg so to the left). Same time and repetition.

3. Sit upright on bed. Elevate op leg so foot raises from mattress. Same repetions.

Sucess rate has improved dramatcally at week 5 now for me with 1&2. However i struggle with 3. Can manage 4/5 reps and height of 2inches at first but then each on less.

Just going gently. Stopping if hurts. Try again later. 😊 o and a walk or two now can manage 20 mins n gentle inclines on two crutches. Just using one indoors.

8

I was given a sheet in hospital post op by the PT.

It had 3 exercises to do twice daily building to three times daily.

1 stand upright behind an armchair. Hold the back of chair. Swing op leg behind you as arc gently hold at your maximum comfortable limit for 5secs. Build to do 10 secs eventually.

2. In same stand position. Swing op leg out in gentle arc away (my left leg so to the left). Same time and repetition.

3. Sit upright on bed. Elevate op leg so foot raises from mattress. Same repetions.

Sucess rate has improved dramatcally at week 5 now for me with 1&2. However i struggle with 3. Can manage 4/5 reps and height of 2inches at first but then each on less.

Just going gently. Stopping if hurts. Try again later. 😊 o and a walk or two now can manage 20 mins n gentle inclines on two crutches. Just using one indoors.

9

Hi Alex, I had exactly the same thing couldn't lift it a mm, I got my hubby to lift it slightly up and down.  My problem was the groin area ( and still is truth be told) so I told my body bit by bit to relax and concentrated on that area and then pow I managed to lift it, with a little pain, but not hold that comes later.  Funny things our bodies! 

10

This sounds more sensible.  I have a printout from the PT as well (with pictures!!!).  I have decided that I am not going to do the exercise where you are lying flat on your back and have to try and raise your operated leg, I just cannot do it right now and I am not prepared to put more strain on it.  My hubby helped me with that one yesterday but it was a strain. The top of my left leg is still very sore.  The other exercises are not too bad but will do them gently.  I can get in and out of bed on my own but leg is very stiff/sore in the mornings, once I move it feels a bit better.  Thanks to everyone for the information and tips. 

11

Hi Alex,

I am also a '3rd weeker' and I am doing my exercises to the letter, but there is no way I could do a straight leg lift yet. That is a tough exercise even with a good leg and for me the groin pain is still a bit much. If you can manage it, go for it, but if it is really hurting it might be worth building up a bit more strength first. Good luck and wishing you a swift recovery.

12

Try using a towel or yoga strap around the bottom of your foot and use the ends to lift your leg. Be careful to pull UP rather than IN.

Another variation is to roll up a towel, place it under your knee and then straighten your leg, tensing your quad. This is one of my PT exercises and it is working well.

13

Leg that feels like a ton weight is attached and won't move .... sure.

It will go eventually, three weeks is real early in the recovery y'know.

I have been there twice now, and had it more the first time around.

I found abduction very hard both times too.

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃

14

​Hi hope thanks for your reply your right its just me being impatient

​I put what linda told me into action now the lump of meat is moving

​thanks again folks  Alex

 

15

​I am splitting the exercises between the hospital booklet I was give

​and youtube exercise and soon live up to that my grand kids think

Iwill turn into the bionic man beteen my right knee job and my left

​hip follow up  hug back Alex

 

16

Well done Angela great stuff  your doing the it the right way unlike  me bags of patience take care Alex

17

​Hi Suzie thanks for taking the time to reply Ihave now done the same thing as yourself with my partner and its starting to  work

​thanks again

 

18

​Hi Bertie hows ya doing  thanks for taking time to send your regards

​if your having the same  problem try what Idid got my partner to help

​by taking some of the weight it was as if my leg had to be shown what to do  ok bud take good care and all the best Alex

 

19

​Hi Monty good of you to reply just like the rest of the nice people

​on here I am glad to say the piece of meat is now working as my leg once again thanks take care ALEX

 

20

Good to hear your doing better. One important thing to remember is to eat well and drink protein shakes. My dr. told me we need extra calories to heel about 28-3200 per day. Eat good foods add supplements you normally take vitamins and sunshine. Walking is important to keep blood flow and oxygen to the area for good circulation and heeling. Just don't over do .All us hippies are all pulling for ya!