Have been for my post revision check up today (nearly 13 weeks post op) and apparently everything is on track. All the aches and pains I have been getting are normal for where I'm up to and I have to remember that a revision takes a lot longer to recover from than a primary replacement. I can now go to the gym and get on the treadmill, bike, cross-trainer and have a back to work date for beginning of January (phased return over one month). I'm also going to try getting around more without my stick and trying to put more weight on the operated leg. The consultant is going to keep an eye on me and I have a further x-ray in 3 months' time.
Overall I'm feeling a lot better in myself and actually looking forward to going back to work again (yes, I am a strange person!).
Thanks to everyone for your support especially when I've had my 'down' days and I wish everyone well with their ops and recovery. I'll still keep an eye on the forum in case I can offer anyone any support or advice.
I wish you all the best Iris. I'm glad I've managed to inspire you and I'm sure all will go well for you.
Take care, and let us know how you go on - we're all here to encourage and support you. It's normal to feel nervous but afterwards you will wonder what you were worried about!
Good for you! it is good to keep positive, and nothing wrong with wanting to return to work, I have not worked much this past year and I do miss the people I work with.
So happy for you Stella! You are not strange to want to go back to work, it will feel wonderful to get out of the house again and join the living. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
I'm glad you are feeling better and everything is on track. Revisions can be a long haul, can't they? I also had a follow up meeting with the surgeon today, 7 weeks after a hip revision, and I am VERY happy as he said I could start putting some weight on that side over the next few weeks and build up to full weight bearing. Hip restrictions can be gradually relaxed as well, he said, as long as I don't overdo it too soon. Easier said than done, but like most people I have a built-in warning system called OUCH when I have done too much.
All being well, I will probably go back to work, just for a few hours, the week before Christmas. I then get a couple of weeks off to recover, because I work in a college. I am looking forward to seeing some of the people there - I have even missed some of the students! then the proper staged return will be from January, like you.
I've also had a few down days, and I think being a little more active helps with that, don't you? Take care, and let us know how it all goes.
Brilliant Stella, happy for you. I too am in process of phased return to work and it's brilliant. Taught an MA class yesterday which was goo. Travelled on tube (subway) and stood a lot of the time. Anyway I empathise with pleasure at return to work.
Thats great news Stella.....things are going well for you.
Are you thinking of "getting around more without your stick" outside?
Can I suggest a cheap folding stick to put in your bag.....just in case you do go to far......and then realise you have to get back at least a folding stick in your bag would be a bit of help........hopefully you wont need it
Hi Eileen, Sorry, have been offline for a few days. Yes, I'm getting around much more without my stick now - I have a fold up one and carry it around in my bag just for insurance. I have hardly had to use it since last Thursday. I find if I sit down for too long it takes me a minute or so to get going but once I'm up and about there's no stopping me! Tomorrow I'm going for an assessment at the gym and hope to get on the treadmill, bike andcross-trainer if possible - obviously I shall be very careful. It feels great to be feeling more 'normal' again.
We've had sleet this morning. I'm not looking forward to the real winter weather which will probably start just about the time I go back to work on 5th Jan!!! I've been terrified of ice and snow since I had my original replacements 20 years ago. Luckily work are giving me a special car park pass so I can park close to where my office is. I still use disabled parking spaces (if they're not definitely labelled for blue badge holders only) when I go shopping and I also still have to use a loo with hand grips to get on and off!
Hello Jean - yes, my built-in warning system is Ouch too! If it hurts don't do it for a day or two and then try again. I can very nearly get to my right foot to wash and dry it now but not quite - very frustrating!
Hope your return to work goes OK and then you can relax over Christmas. I'm so glad I've got these extra few weeks to really get my strength back.
Great to hear from you and great to hear that you are coping so well.
It is good to have that stick as insurance isnt it
This is my first winter on crutches and I'm terrified....dreading what might be coming {weather wise} but i suppose I better get used to it since I'll have them for a long long time
I go to the gym {with 2 crutches} I do the bicycle where arms and legs go at the same time....I dont know the exact name of it, I do the treadmill and then a semi recumbant bike then some stretches.
Its a referral from the GP to the gym. I have to go certain times if I want them to keep an eye on me and make sure I'm not over doing it.
I've just come back from zumba today. Last one for the year. Its seated zumba LOL Believe you me its still energetic. My top half really goes,arms body etc.....bottom half not as much.....depends how I feel how much my legs do
I also go to yoga.....do all the standing stretches but when the others lie down on their mats I sit and she adapts the exercises for me.
You've got to keep going havent you as long as you dont overdo it.
As for getting up......I find if I sit too long I get stiff or if I walk too far I get stiff......its managing to hit a happy medium.
Hi Eileen, I've been to the gym today - first time! Usually I just go to the pool and do my exercises but today was the first time on the equipment. I did the treadmill for 5 mins at 3.5km/hr (not very fast!) and then she put me on the cross-trainer - she wanted me to do 5 mins but I nearly died after 2 and a half so she let me off with 3 mins! I am so unfit now! I did lots of other things, mainly to strengthen quads, hamstrings and glutes. I'm sure I shall ache tomorrow - but in a good way. I'm longing to get back to yoga too. My instructor is going off for a hip replacement in January so I think I might wait until she is back to supervise the class - at least she will know what I should and shouldn't be doing (she's already got one new hip and two new knees!). I do a little bit at home anyway but i don't push myself when I'm on my own! Today I didn't get any pain but my muscles sure felt stretched - in a good way. Hoping to go back on Thursday then next week she wants to concentrate on upper body strength and later on go to core (which I shall hate!). Yesterday when I went to the pool I didn't use my stick at all, it stayed in my locker and today I forgot to take it with me anyway. Haha - the cooling down stretches were lying on the floor and when I'd done them I though 'how am I going to get up?' I had to hold onto the instructor and heave myself up!!! I shall have to do them near a wall or rail next time I think.
Take care when you go out - remember to put your crutches down straight and not at an angle or they will slip on a wet surface which is very scary.
Hi Stella, wow! That sounds terrific. I'm inspired to follow your lead but can you tell me how long since your operation? Are these exercises things you can do 10 weeks post op? Any guidance much appreciated.
I'm now just over 13 weeks post op. I waited for my post op check up before starting this regime. The consultant gave me the go ahead last week. I have been going to the pool and doing my exercises in the water since week 7.