I'm another idiot!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

i am eight months+ post RTHR and have been doing great - until yesterday. I was out walking when for no reason it seemed I fell over. I tried to stop myself but couldn't. I fell onto a slightly uneven concrete pavement smack onto both hands and knees. 

I couldn't get up but a lovely man and his wife stopped their car and helped me even brought me home - which when you consider I live in London is a miracle in itself. Both knees are cut and still weeping fluid and blood. I have been to the hospital and all is ok with hip - it's just the rest of me that's in a bad way!! Covered in bruises and will have internal bruising around hip ( how do they know that??). 

Been told to rest for few days which will be easy as I'm very shaken up and weepy. The moral of the tale is don't get complacent (like I did) it's good to push yourself but be careful too. A careful balance. 

Catrin

2

Dear Catrin

What an awful thing to happen. Of course you will be shaken and weepy but just rest and recover and talk to your hippie friends on here.

It's everyones dread - falling over and undoing the work of the last few months but it sounds as if you were lucky and just bruised. I know how much bruises hurt as I have a massive one post surgery behind my knee. Think they must have walloped it with the hammer ...so take care, feet up, have a really good cry (much better than holding it all in) and rest and recuperate. It could have been worse.

Take care

Kate x

3

so sorry to hear about your fall and its a sobering thought that you need to be so careful even months later, Glad your hip was ok though, I only had my op 8 days ago so havent ventured outside yet, Before the op I thought by now I would be doing more but realise now just how big an op it is

4

Dear Catrin 

You poor thing, hope you get plenty of rest and people to support you.  You're very brave sharing this with us all and reminding us that we need to be careful, even after several months.   

Hugs jo xxx

5

So sorry to hear about what must have been a very frightening and painful experience. I hope you get better very quickly.

I was told that exercises to improve balance were important and I stand on each leg in turn for 30 seconds x 5 rotations, a bit scary the first time you take all the weight on the operated leg but you get used to it. Ask your doctor/physio if that sort of exercise would be helpful.

6

Could you tell me how long ago your op was? The exercise sounds good but I don't want to do them too soon

Thx

Kate x

7

Do you mean five ankle rotations? My 5 week exercise

from the surgeon yesterday was ' both hands on level surface,

above waist height, legs open then bend down, haunching'

this is pre ditching my crutch.

Cathie

8

My op was on 28 July and my physio recommended the exercises on 1 October when I was 9 weeks post op

9

No,  standing upright, hands behind back then stand on one leg for 30 seconds then the other leg. Physio said good idea for all of us as we get older not just hippies.

10

Thank you x

11

Hi racingcat,

I must be thick, what part is the rotation?

do you rotate your body? I will try 'hands behind back'

at the moment I  wobble a bit when on my new hip

Cathie

12

Perhaps rotation poor choice of words, I meant to say do the exercise 5 times on each leg

13

Thanks for sharing that racing cat. I went to my physio last Monday, just under 4 weeks post op and she suggested the same exercise. I am fully weight bearing so this obviously wouldnt be for everyone. She advised me to face someing to hold on to, worktop etc, just in case and to balance on one leg at a time (dont hook your bent leg behind the other) and to just hover your hands above the worktop holding  on if you need to steady youself until you are confident you can stand on each leg without support.

Im still quite unsteady at the moment but hope this improves over the next few weeks

Linnet x

14

Hi Catrin

You are not an idiot, I am so sorry about your fall but really glad to hear your hip is ok. Bruises and grazes arent very nice but they will health. It sounds as if this has knocked your confidence and its totally understandable that you are weepy. Dont hold it in - have a good cry. Post as many times as you need to as all the lovely hippies are here to support you,

Be kind to yourself, a little bit of rest and indulgence goes a long way. 

Try to do a few gentle exercises once you are feeling better and you will soon be back to your best.

The balance exercises racing cat suggested are a great idea I am already starting to do mine.

Take care

Gentle hug

Linnet x

15

So sorry for you, take care and I'm glad your hip is okay. I'm 6 months post-op and the other day I felt like I was going to fall, the operated hip seemed to give out, is that what happened to you....

16

GOT IT! Thank you I will do that. On this forum

2 years ago there was lady called Ros, who's career was

to analise why some hip ops were unsuccessful. She concluded

that balance was the most important body exercise post op.

it doesn't mean you shouldn't do the other exercises, but balance

is often forgotten. 

Cathie

17

Oh catrin I am so sorry,

Just when you were doing so well too.

I think you should follow the advice others here have given about the standing on one leg exercise.

That seems to be very important and surgeon and physio both came up with that one.

You must be feeling very shaken up so I am sending hugs,

Shirley

18

dear catrin , 

I am so sorry too - it is such a traumatic experience to find your self on the ground - how incredibly nice of that couple to help you and take you home - 

make sure the cuts are clean okay and watch for infection - 

thank you for the balance exercises - I did them just now and Oh Boy, do I need to practise ...

love and healing rays send

renee

p.s.Maybe it is those darn planets again 

19

Hi Loral, no I don't think so i just tripped over my own (very small) feet......

20

Thanks for your good wishes everyone. Seen the nurse at GP and she has dressed it for me. A quiet weekend beckons