I am just wondering what everyone is doing for therapy after surgery. My SIL, who lives in Yorkshire, fell off a horse, snapped her femur and had emergency THR the next day. She was given some restrictions (which she totally ignored) and told to simply "walk", with a cane.
I have had OA for at least ten years, been in pain for five years and unable to walk much in the last six months. My surgery was elective and I was given an extensive regime of graduated exercises to increase my flexibility and strengthen muscles around the joint. I must walk with aids in both hands and use a 3" cushion for sitting at all times. All for the full seven weeks before I have my follow-up.
Nothing was said about walking as therapy although I do walk in our apartment every day and sometimes walk the halls or go down to the garden. I am to start different exercises at different stages in my recovery and do them 2-4 times per day.
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Iv had no hip for about 15 years and OA in my knees and back around the same time even though im only 20 years old
My surgery was elective but i have been having consults for this for theast 3 years as i was told it needed doing.
My surgery was incredibly complex and took 7 hours.
I was told no weight baring for 6-8 weeks and told not to do any physio. Im only allowed to walk with the crutches and thats it. I assume i may be given extensive physio after my 6 week appointment which is next week
Hi JAM - there have been many, many discussions about the wide variations in post-op therapy recommendations. Much seems dependent upon: whether posterior, anterior of lateral surgical approach was used (anterior seems to have fewer restrictions and guidelines re exercise). Other variables include: age and health status of the individual and and nature of their support network.I get the sense that think that those of us with severe osteoporosis are more likely to have a posterior approach and stricter guidelines re weight-bearing which makes sense to me. Re walking - my bet is that 'to walk or not to walk' is not the the issue - but rather what level of weight-bearing and therefore aids are recommended with it. I hope this helps.
L
My SIL keeps asking me how far I have walked today and I tell her not much. When I ask her what exercises she is doing, she says none! She is much more mobile than me but then she she was much more mobile before her surgery. I have been suffering for years with this but am probably physically stronger than her. I guess I should just stop comparing her progress to mine and heed my own advice: "This isn't a competition."
Hi
I was given a booklet with the basic exercises and the usual 6 weeks of restrictions - when I saw Consultant at 6weeks he lifted the restrictions and said I didnt need to do the exercises any more , but just to keep walking . I could do about two miles with stops at that point , went back to work full time and started swimming again . I had posterior approach and revision of resurfacing to total hip so biggish ( and my 3rd ) op . I think its horses for courses as everyone is so different . They only send you to physio in my area if you are not doing as well as expected at 6 weeks . The vast majority of hip replacements following a fall/ fracture are hemi arthroplasty ( half a hip) so the cup isn't replaced usually which makes a difference. Really does depend on age , weight, pre op sctivity levels etc etc . The restrictions usually apply if both parts of the joint ( cup and ball) have been replaced as this increases risk of dislocation . The main reason for THR for OA is to get rid of the pain , whereas the main reason for trauma surgery post fall / fracture is to repair the broken bit . Obviously some people gave OA as well so may use fracture as an opportunity for a total hip . Walking is the best exercise that can be done pist op , although i am enjoying my swimming . Sarah,s was horribly complex surgery so she has a very individualised recovery programme