i started physical therPy a month ago after I found out that I have very severe oa in my left hip. I was limping when I started an I had pretty bad pain. I was told to go to therapy because if I need THR I need to strengthen. I seem to be so stiff and the mobility is so much worse. Maybe it's just my condition progressing I just feel stiff everyday. I had to get a cane for stability. I just seem worse off. Maybe you have to hurt before it improves.
Oh now impaired your in so much pain. In the words of my second opinion surgeon( who just
Did my Rthp 8/17) how can you possibly excercise
Or get stronger when you have bone on bone. I feel your agony the chronic pain just got worse and worse, I hope you find some relief. Possibly a 2nd
Opinion or a Sx date. I was at wits end and I can feel the difference 8 days post op this is a good/ healing pain
My GP sent me to a physio therapist, and the physio sent the GP a nasty letter saying get this lady to a surgeon, he was amazed the GP had sent me for physio, although he did recommend getting in local heated swimming pool, and just tread water, only non-weight bearing exercise, it did help get me fitter and healthier for my surgery.
When I finally saw the specilaist he was shocked at just how far my hip joints were gone, found the GP's letter on his file and said this is not good enough, letter did not describe the severity of my condition, and said in no uncertain terms get rid of your GP before his kills you, warned me not to step down on bad hip, ball of hip was wearing hole through my pelvis, and then tried to find me a bed in the hospital then and there.
Booked for surgery 10 days later, even that became complicated by a blood clot, but thats another story.
I do have a memory of two male Dr's must have been just after my surgery, discussing the state of the bone, dust, they apparently tapped it with an instrument, and it just fell apart.
I challenged my specialist Dr with this memory a few weeks later at outpatients, he said you weren't awake, I said to him I must have been awake enough to remember, he didn't deny it just smiled and said your memory and hearing is very good.
Those were my symptoms too before hip replacement. It was so horrible. Keep exercising and building up strength. I should have done that before my surgery. But the good news is that after 3 months post surgery, all of that went away and it's such a relief...!!!
susanbaci thank you so much for that. I just don't want to be making myself worse. I have contacted a surgeon I should be hearing next week. I may get injection into hip. I don't know if that will help. I go to pt twice a week and I've been told how important it is to strengthen. Thanks for replying. All the best to you!
I totally agree with Susan. Every bit of exercise you can do helps - to manage pain and swelling and to strengthen our coe, and adductors in particular. Hydrotherapy was the best for me - being weightless lessens the impact on your hip and the extra resistance held increase the effectiveness of the exercise. And ... being in the water felt good.
Good luck M, don't wait for the surgery. It really is a blessing.
L
Thanks so much L I just wanted to make sure that it's normal to feel so stiff. I feel like I can't walk. I am going to spend time in the pool today. Thanks for your reply. I hope your doing well
I wish i knew the answer to some of your problems. My husband just said to me today, i think you seem worse than before your surgery. (helpful remark) I have copies of the physical therapy i was doing during recovery and i do them, plus use ice and a heating pad alternatley.
ThNks for your reply Cinnie. I keep hearing how important it is to do p/t. I'm using ice and heat maybe it needs to get worse before it gets better!
Hi M1954,
So sorry to hear this - please remember that these are our personal stories and experiences, okay ...
When I found out that I had severe OA and needed THR surgery I went in denial - Did go to physical therapy, hoping I would get stronger - unfortunately it went the other way - probably my own fault - machine exercises were too heavy and too much and rowing killed me - I could not move and pain was horrible after each session - xray showed bone-on-bone and surgery was inevitable -
sooooo .... I am not so sure if exercises are all that good pre-op - maybe upper body and core ...
It will not improve darling --- maybe the injection in your hip will get you some relief, only to come back and maybe worse -
it is tough and scary - I know you will make the decision when you are ready -
we have all been there ...
big warm hug
renee
Thank you so much for your reply. I am so so scared but I know it's inevitable. I am much worse with stiffness than I was a few weeks ago. Everyone says you have to build up the muscles before surgery but I think I may be done with physical therapy. I did contact a surgeon and I am sending my info to him tomorrow for an appt. I'm so glad I have people like you to talk to on this forum. I just hope I haven't done more damage by waiting. All these worries they are wearing me out. I have to keep the faith and trust that I will get through this. There are a lot more people out there with bigger problems than mine. Big warm hugs right back!
All in all, this what I think and I'll tell you as if you were my sister.
The common denominator here is that practically every one of us, once we found out that we needed THR, went into denial. Some of us got the chance to get into better shape before surgery and probably most of us didn't.
Sure it would be better if we all had the chance to do PT prior to having surgery to get stronger so that recovery goes smoother. But the likelihood is that in the grand scheme of things it won't matter much.
Injections only provide temporary relief or no relief at all. There comes a point and forgive me for sounding blunt this morning but you have to get to a place where you face and realize that it's not going to get better and if you're now walking with a cane, you're bone on bone and are stiff all the time and, well, your quality of life just isn't there anymore and, well, my opinion from my experience is -- just don't prolong the agony and begin to BELIEVE...
Move forward and believe it will get better once you have surgery. I was thin but in terrible shape before surgery. My stiffness was unbearable. My legs had no musculature and instead of muscle my legs looked like they contained jelly. I wished I could have gotten stronger before surgery but there was no time. I let my condition get worse by staying in denial that at such a young age - I didn't want or was afraid of surgery.
And you know what? I finally got brave, put my best foot forward - - literally and got the surgery. The results are not perfect because I do have a lot of work to do post op. But you know what? Now I sleep at night with absolutely no pain. My stiffness is gone. I walk like I've never walked in my entire life- miles at a time - not 100 percent pain free but I'm walking and doing quite a bit of it.
And 3 and 1/2 months after surgery I am in the gym using the Exercycle, the Elliptical , weights, et cetera. So now is the time I'll have to get stronger now that surgery is overwith. I have a feeling that I will get into better shape than I did in my 20's. I look forward to working out and I never did in all of my life. I feel free. And I'm not even afraid to get my other hip done.
So get quiet with yourself and BELIEVE and then move forward and book the surgery. Just research a good doctor who does lots of hip replacement surgery, try to find a big and reputable hospital, learn about the different devices surgeons use and what they plan on using in you, ask if your a candidate for blood thinners so you don't get blood clots ... and what is best and have the courage to move forward with no delay and it will be the best decision you ever made and you will have no regrets just like most of us.
We're all so luckly this surgical intervention is available to all of us. And believe me I used to be surgery phobic. Book the surgery and plan on getting stronger after surgery.
Just BELIEVE and don't worry. It will get better. And I tell you like a sister.
Lots of hugs.
Thank you so much I needed that. I should be hearing from the surgeons office soon. Then I'm booking my surgery. I want my life back. You are so right that I have to BELIEVE. I have to stop with the what ifs and get brave. I'll keep you posted❤️
Beautiful post Susan.
Awwwwww...thanks Linda.
Big hugs🌞