Is it normal to see a physical therapist after THP

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all,

Just want to ask a question, is it normal to see a physical therapist after having THP.

I had my left hip replaced 2 weeks ago and it's standard practice not to see a physio after you get out of hospital.

I was in hospital for 3 days and saw the physio twice. I was given exercises to do but told that I wouldn't see a physio before the 6 week check up. I also was told that I wouldn't need the bandage changed until the 6 week check up as well!

Now I am lucky that I was seeing a physio before the op and he has kept in contact with me and is seeing me next week for a session!

I also have a daughter who was able to check my wound and there was blood on it so she cleaned it and it's healing great now!

But just want to know what's normal with everyone

2

Here in the USA I had a Therapist come to the house for 8 sessions once released from the hospital. Once the staples were removed I went to outpatient therapy 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

3

If my bandage was not changed for 6 weeks.....with all the oozing I am sure I would have developed an infection. Mine was changed daily for the first 3 weeks

4

I don't recall any physio sessions when I had mine done but it may depend a/ on where you live, I'm in Berkshire UK and b/ how old and mobile you are when you leave hospital

Mike

5

Hi, I didn't get any physio after I left hospital, until my 6 week appointment. I'm really surprised at the bandage situation though. I had clear plastic over my wound, and it was removed by the practice nurse at about 10 days I think. Good luck.

6

Re: bandage - wow! i had to get replaceent bandages to replace the bandage after a shower at home...I had no oozing after I left the hospital...lucky I guess...

re; physio - I was given some exercises in the hospital that i could do in bed...and had an appointment with physio at 3 weeks psot op...it was soon but the exercises were / are helpful

I've had several appointments with physio since...and intend to continue...each time she adds something challenging that takes me a further 'step'...

I think you should call someone to see about physio - it's the main part of healing after thius surgery!

7

I had PT in house for 3 weeks then 4 weeks at PT place . My bandage was taken off at 1 Week out by home nurse . Everyone is different and as you can see reading this discussion each Dr has their own way of doing things. Do your exercises and walk good luck to you . 

8

Hi ,

I have physio after 6 weeks . Hydro therapy for 4 week 3 times a week. First check up in hospital two week after op. I had dissolved stiches and waterproof dressing. Still they check up my

wound and my progress. Im in Australia. Every doctors have

they way doing things.

Good luck Madlađź’—

9

It is standard for most patients as part of the NHS not to see a physio once released form the hospital, unless you are offered one via the GP if you issues or complications.

This is another cutback, because you used to have one included, but no longer.

I would recommend a good, well researched and experienced physio, they give you so much confidence and will show you how to do the exercises properly.

 

10

I was given no referral for a physio either just sent home with a sheet of exersizes. My incision was checked and changed at 6days and again a week later.

11

Hi. I'm in the uk and local health authority give physio 2 weeks after op and then 6 weeks.

12

Here in Queensland, physio see you in the hospital for 2 days, give you print out showing you what to do for exercises, and supervise you through those exercises for those 2 days. Then you are on your own.

Instrctions you are given upon discharge is see your GP at 10 days for removal of dressing, and re-dress if necessary.

I had a heavy shink wrap type clear dressing, very tight but not uncomfortable over the cut, you could see gauze dressing underneath it, when taken off by GP, very pleased, no stitches to be taken out, melting stitches he said, then dressed again in light gauze for another week, just for protection, as still very raw and not healed completly, with follow up appt for 7 days time.

Later as I was having problems with gait, and foot drop, post left hip replacement, which I hadn't had with my right hip replacemnt 15 months previous. GP arranged for me to see physios again at local hospital, big help in getting me using right muscles, I was very strong in some muscles, but others were very weak, and needed particular help in getting right, followed instructions and got myself right in a few months of intensive help.

I also when my cut healed to the GP's satisfaction got back in the local heated pool, and did my exercises as per the hand out from the hospital, thats why the physios found I was very strong in some muscles, this is something I have done for a long time, in the years prior to my surgery to help my systemic arthiritis, and are still doing post surgery, twice a week, has made a huge difference to my general levels of fitness.

13

Lyn im from Adelaide and I was lucky with hospital when my hip replacement was done. After 6 weeks i had hydro therapy in hospital and physio .

Madla

14

Madla - crazy that we are in the same country yet treatment so different.

Even when the GP arranged for me to see physios, had to wait about 6 months before they could see me. When eventually seen by physios they were shocked that I had been classified as non-urgent, even though GP's Dr letter said post hip replacement and needed help.

But that comes as no surprise really to me, made to wait far too long for surgery even after became classified as a cat One, private specialist must have sent copy of MRI to hospital but didn't help. Had a 32 week wait, to see specialist, and only that had been speeded up by my own GP being on holiday, and attended his locum, and he was shocked to discover a MRI on file, commented on results and said you have had a hip replacement, news to me I said in reply, he grabbed the phone and arranged an urgent appt for 2 weeks later. specialist amazed when he saw me, my regular GP's letter, 14 years and trusted GP, gave them no information at all to help classify only comment was I had osteo arthiritis. Specialist furious and said to get rid of GP imediatly, with the added comment, if anything more serious it would be fatal, and this is serious enough. Surgery booked for 10 days later, blood clot in the meantime, all had to be cancelled, and surgery finally performed 6 weeks later. Still remember comment as I woke up from surgery, hip joint dust when we tapped with some instrument, named, challenged Dr one day later with this memory, and he didn't deny, said I was asleep, not as asleep as they thought if I could remember that. The hip that nearly fell aprt inside me, ened up being the perfect hip repalcement, the 2nd one done 15 months later hs been a problem but has made real progress about 18month mark, with no help or suggestions from the hospital, have had to work out for myself that a shoe lift is the only cure for me, you cannot adjust to 3/4 inch longer leg easily.

15

Lyn it is crazy same country and diferent treatment. I 4 years i

was treat for a low back pain but my back was ok after 4 years they find out is my left hip and was diagnosed ias a chronic. I did have 5 physio free every year . My GP sent me fo exray and when he sow it he sent my to specilialst . I had appointment 3 later. They put me on writing list but i was lucky and went for hip replecement very quickly. 4 days in hospital and discharged. After 2 week

first chek up and 6 weeks onother check up when they give my

news my oposite hip need to be done too. I was told by sergeon when my new hip will be 6 months next hip can be done that will be March . After 6 weeks I had hydro therapy in same hospital

for a 4 weeks. Hospital make appointment for my after 6 weeks

that is part of hip replacement. Lyn when I have first app I was

told the surgeon my operated leg is longer and he messure my

leg and agreed with me . It's about 1.3 cm but I was not alowed put insole till after I finished physio. Next app after 6 weeks

Differnt surgeon and he sad my legs are same im just not stand straight. My physio told me put insole in my shoes. I did put

insole . It help me with balance , no pain in low back but my oposite hip got worse and hurt.lots. taking Painkiller. Im back to work

i went back to my normal hours but now only 4 hours not 6 to 7.

Im working in nursing home that mean on feet most of the time.

Luckyly I can go back hydro therapy again that was deal with hospital physio if I have any problem to give a call. Hopefully when my next hip will be done my legs length will be sort out and pain will go.. some time I cry how much my oposite hip hurt.

Good luck with your recovery big hug Madlađź’— ps good luck with

physio.