I had total hip replacement 23rd March afternoon. I went home Saturday lunch time having "passed" all the physio requirements. However now I'm home I'm all at sea. Don't really have a clue what I should be doing. Physio told me they don't give exercises for hips just for knees. I don't therefore have any yardstick. What should I be doing. How much should I push myself. I'm very very sore and although I don't want to I'm taking more pain meds than pre op including oromorph. Consequently I'm feeling irritable and frustrated.
Can anyone help by giving examples of what is acceptable exercise and pain meds wise please?
Right now I cant envisage myself being back to work by 6 to 8 weeks! I'm a nurse albeit management level.
That's a bit tough that you were given no idea what to do once home. Think it's a bit scary for us all that first week at home. The pain is the worst that first week so really important to keep on top of your pain meds so you can keep moving.
I was given a sheet of exercises. All very small movements. Standing holding onto a work surface. Lift op leg up in front slightly (knee bent) 10 reps, out straight behind me gently 10 reps and out to the side (this hurt at first) slightly 10 reps. To do three times a day but not to beat myself up if didnt and not to do them so they hurt a lot. Also justgetting up every hour and pottering from room to room to stop dvt and strengthen leg. Then up and ice packs will be your friend for pain and swelling. Use often, they really help with the pain. I used at night too.
My physio exercises have increased over time (I'm now at 5 weeks) but initially they were just those small movements. Rest as much as you can as it's a big operation.
I can say that from my experience the first week was hard (and I could only take paracetamol and ibuprofen!) and the second week starts to get a lot better. At 5 weeks I am no crutches and the strength is gradually improving. Pain levels low. Only the odd aches when overdoing it.
Make sure you go slow and steady and you will ge amazed week in week how much you will get better.
When I left the hospital, I was given pages of do's and don'ts. I can't imagine how frustrated you must be right now. What do they mean by no exercises after a FHR? Good grief!!
The good news is that you can search on the internet for this information. Just type in something like, 'care after a total hip replacement'.
The main thing for the first few weeks is to rest, keep the leg elevated and apply ice packs throughout the day. Make sure that you take your prescription pain meds. This will help you to sleep at night and will keep you comfortable allowing you to get up for a few minutes each hour (during the day) to exercise those muscles. By exercising, I mean simply getting up and moving around the house. You may not be able to do much, but every little helps. Always apply ice when you are done. You should be starting PT (physical therapy, also known as physio) within the next week. In some areas around the world, they will get you started right away because its important to get your blood circulating and muscles strengthened and working again. The longer you don't use your muscles, the weaker they will become. If for some strange reason that your hospital doesn't help with this, you can also find strengthening exercises online. Search, 'exercises after total hip replacement'. Again, these are very important for a successful recovery.
Please let us know if you have questions while you are recovering. We are all here to help
This is one of the things concerning me. Apparently no physio is offered. Non at all. Either now or in a few weeks. Just been told to walk as much as I can tolerate. Just feels wrong to me.
Ffion, I can't even wrap my mind around it. Not that it really makes a difference, but where do you live? What hospital did you go to?
Have you tried looking on the internet for 'post op total hip replacement care'?
There are links offered on this forum. Just click on 'Hip Replacement'. It should be the first posting you come across.
The main thing to remember for the first week or two is Meds, Elevate your leg and apply ice. Try to get up regularly during the day to keep everything moving. All of these things will help you get through the first couple of weeks. In the meantime, try to research as much as possible in the internet.
Of course, we are right here with you standing by to answer as many questions as you have
I have researched UK NHS and it says progress and recovery will be managed every step of the way by physio and that they will teach me excersises!! I went to Gobowen ortho hospital in Shrewsbury which is meant to be the ONE to go to.
Was on enhanced recovery ;discharged after 1.5 days.
That's wonderful I'm in the US, and there are others on this forum that from other parts of the world, so I was just curious. Most of the hippies on this forum are from different parts of the UK. For the most part (some areas differ) the NHS seems to do a great job with physio after the surgery. From what I've read though, you may want to reach out to them as soon as possible to get an appointment scheduled. The sooner the physio starts, the quicker the recovery.
Don't forget that we are here to help advise whenever you have a question or concern
Hi, I'm in East Lothian Scotland. Had surgery 22 Sept 16 and outpatient appointment 28 Nov. NHS nurse said I'll refer you for physio as you're still limping, you'll get priority as you've had an operation. I received a letter last week for a NHS physio appointment. Needless to say I'd given up waiting and have been seeing my own physio since Jan. NHS physio is an over stretched resource ! 💆
Hi Ffion 1967 I received my left hip replacement on the 2nd February this year and was pretty much told the same thing once I passed the physi exercises at the hospital they didn't give you further physio. I wanted to build up the muscles and get back swimming and cycling again. I am in the U.K. So I self referred myself through the N.H.S. and was lucky enough to see the physio I seen prior to surgery. Good luck and hope this helps
I may well do that. I am 5 days post op now and using one crutch around the house but am concerned because no one has actually said that is what I should or shouldn't be doing.
...I had total hip replacement 23rd March afternoon. I went home Saturday lunch time...
Physio told me they don't give exercises for hips just for knees....
Hi Ffion-
Pardon my opinionated remarks, but this illustrates very amateurish attitudes towards patient care post-op. No physical therapy after joint replacement surgery?!!! I have heard such medico-macho statements, but predominately from the patient's point of view. My observation: you have suffered joint deterioration for years; your body's good parts have been slowly accommodating to your weak side; you are twisted and lopsided. My advice: take a few steps in front of a good physical therapist, they can size you up in no time. They will tell you that you need stretching and resistance exercises, to retrain your body so that it moves properly.
But first, you have to recover from major surgery. They pulled your joint apart, hammered and sawed it for an hour or two, and sewed you back up. It's only natural for you to feel bad for 6 weeks or so. And really tired for another 6 weeks, after every PT session.
Take it easy. Take your medication. Ramp up your PT routines over the course of a couple of months. Around the end of June, take a little trip, reward yourself for getting through the ordeal. Go back to work in July, rested and recovered.
Hi Ffion it's scarey I know where you are coming from you don't want to push it in case you damage your hip. I banged mine a couple of weeks after surgery getting into a car and thought I had damaged it, but was fine. Just listen to your body . Speak to your doctor and say you want to attend physio and they will keep you right.