Outpatient therapy?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am 4 weeks 4 days post op from my hip replacement. This week has been good (besides the night.) I'm still having pt 2x.a week but only have 2 more next week and my dr. Suggested Outpatient when that ends. I am wondering if Outpatient is always needed? I will have a lapse in health insurance and hate to pay out of pocket for something I can do on my own at home . I am 38 years old fairly active mom of three kiddos and walking with a cane whenever outside the house. (Although I feel I am ok without) I am very good about doing my exercises although I loathe them...lol I do see myself getting stronger. Any advice is so greatly appreciated.

2

I had my first hip done at 33 and only had at home PT for a couple weeks. I am 48 now and am six weeks post op from my left hip replacement. They showed me pt in the hospital and sent me home with a DVD- that's it. I do the things they showed me- some are torture- but I wish I had something more structured.

3

Dear Tara, 

Seems like you are doing really good at 4 + weeks post-op ..

What is your PT doing when he/she comes to your house? My PT came 2x in the first week post-op - then 1x and now he stopped coming as it is really useless - it is more a talking session than anything -  I still have sessions covered and will use them to go to his gym - start using the stationary bike and some machines to get stronger and also for my upper body (Sigh) -

I am not sure what I would do if sessions were not covered by insurance, though -- ... 

so it is up to you ... 

I don't think that it is really needed but ptobably helpful - 

big warm hug ... you are doing good !!!!

renee

 

4

Hi Tara,

Good to hear you are making progress. I am roughly the same stage, five weeks last Thursday. I went for my THR op privately as NHS is in a mess where I live in North Wales. I have had one physio session so far and have another one booked.I did piles of physio exercise sessions after my broken femur on the NHS and none of it worked. So I am more inclined to do stuff on my own to save time and money. There are loads of exercises you can follow on the internet and you sound like a self-disciplined person so go for that route is my advice.

 

5

I would see how you go at home with instructions/DVD if poss/ and your stamina and determination. I persuaded my GP to send me for extra physio at 3 months as I was not satisfied with progress. Helped a lot, last session on Wednesday. The physio gave me extra instruction sheets and told me there was a lot of info and further instructions on line.

6

I think wait and see is a good approach. You can always pick it up privately if you feel you need it, but at the moment it's hard to know if you need it or not.