I had a THR on the right hip 7 weeks ago. Can anyone tell me how soon I will be able to cut my own toenails?
Sorry to say it could be a while. It took me that long just to put my sneakers on and tie them. Hang in there. Try each day and one day you will be able to do it. Exercise as much as you can.
I am 16 weeks post right anterior surgery and i still have a problem working on my feet, i can reach toes and trim a bit if needed but it is about all, cannot fuss too much.
I used to do my own pedicure before surgeries (had both hips done). So i have decided to start going to pedicure salon a lot more regularly now, every other month or as needed.
Anywhere else I woiuld think this question a joke, but not here. I don't think anyone can tell you - its an individual thing but the more you work at it, the faster it will happen. I got double therapy so it took only a couple months.
I had the same problem but I came up with a solution. Actually I jsut cut my toenails today actually.
My leg is very flexible, in that I can lay on my bed, bend my knee and draw my leg up to my chest. That is how I do it, I lay on my back and draw my leg up to my chest and I can easily reach my toenails and cut them. I do it laying on my back. Hey! Am I the only one who thought of this?
Well that's encouraging. So it doesn't loosen or dislocate the hip to squash it as would be necessary to do this?
Not for mr it dosn't. I had my THR April 30th.
We are supposed to be excerizing our legs, just not crossing them. It is the crossing of the leg that risks dislocation.
My physical therapist who came 3 days a week, always supported my lower leg and did this same exercize on me. Started maybe about 12 days after surgery. It was one of the exercizes he always did, oull the leg up to the chest (with the knee bent obviously)
Got to try it...
I wasn't warned about this. Even so, I took it gradually. If you could reach your toes pre surgery you should be able to reach them after. I got tired of having my wife put my socks on and tie my shoes so I did my ow n exercises but taking it slowly. I'm 68 and most of my restriction was lower back but that loosened up soon enough.
hi olive
you might you think you are ok i would think again you are taking a risk at such only 7 week post op i wouldnt push your luck just yet rather than be sorry ask the physo when they think you can do it or could you get some one to do it for you or a chiropodist's twisting and turning could do more damage im sure they can wait a a month or too you might think you are ready don't put yourself into a set back position its not worth it.
As a matter of fact that is how I put my socks on also.
I lay on my back on the bed and draw my knee up tp my chest. Although it's summer so not much need for socks. I don't care if they are unfashionable and I asked my husband and he doesn't care, I wear crocs. They are lightweight and they sure cusion the foot.
My physical therapist did that exercize on me 3 times a week, bend the knee and draw it up to the chest while I laid in bed. Started around day 12. Perhaps not an exercize you were given in the UK, but in France that is one of them and actually that is one exercize that has never given me even a tiiny bit of pain. I do both feet this way, might as well, I am laying down and in position.
Trust me laying around is one of my favorite "activities" LOL!
Let us know how it went. Do come back & post.
It's how I put my socks on also. In France they don't give you any grabbers so we gotta get creative, LOL!
hi olive
yes we do have the same exersize's but not so quick as to do our toenails just in case the hip joint jumps out i still would be very carefull though i suppose every country is different but the exersize's are the same then on the other hand not every one heals up as quick as other's do im just smileing i can just imagine you with your leg up in air next are you a contorshinist lol.
oh and do you do yoga lol also age can come into it i don't think i could do what you do yet and im in my 8th week but mine isen't right ive loads of pain still taking the pain killers i don't think its worked i can't bend my knee. you are really lucky to be out of pain wish you could come and do mine lol honestly be careful now you have got this far least your surgon should be proud of you.
take care
I think not being able to bend your knee at 8 weeks is something I would go back to my doctor for. No wonder you are advocating caution.
8 weeks and still taking TONS of pain pills? I don't know, I don't know, I know we all heal differently, but I think I wouldn't wait any longer and I would go in to see my surgeon. How old are you if I may ask? We you in good health, good shape before your THR?
hi jodi
sorry
last reply's was for you lol didin't realise sent it to olive think i want my eyes testing now well olive if you read jodie's answer from her to me thats the way she dose it but i still think its early but shes the living proof of what some can do and others can't we must be going wrong some were or our surgon's arn;t as good as other's. please don't take offence any one i think jodi is really doing well.and so are the rest of you wish mine had worked to help you olive .
good luck to you all on your speedy recoverys
keep me posted every one.
Hi
You seemt o have got a lot of different replies.....I'm in the UK and was told to exercise exercise exercise ....For at least 6 week I had to stick to the 90 degree rule {are you in the UK...you'll know what I mean LOL} after that I had to be very careful.I also have scoliosis problems {spinal} so I found I could no longer cut my nails......not because of the hip popping out!!!
So I go to an NHS chiropidist.......sometimes I feel they ther too long so bit by bit I file them {not very well} or go to a private chiropodist in between times
I'm advised even now not to do that "pulling your leg up to your chest" exercise" with that leg anyway.
Good luck......take it easy ...7 weeks is nothing
Love
Eileen
Hi Olive.
7 Weeks is far too early to worry about cutting your toenails.
Ask someone to do it for you.
I cut my toenails around the 11 weeks, I rest my foot on a foot stool whiles sitting down that way i could bend forward and cut my nails.
Am now in my 13th weeks of THR.
Take it easy everyone recovery is different, there's no right time or wrong time in which one can do the things they use to do with ease.
Good Luck!
hi jodi
no i wasent in all that good health but this is not the first one ive had done my first was last october i fell backwards how stupid could that be and broke my hip the surgon didnt do it properly femur head was broke not ligned up correctly and to top it it was loose.
my dr got me another surgon at a different hospital he picked up on the mistake's he did it in may this yr and now can't bend my knee loads a pain my scar is a foot long thats in inches it from top of hip to middle of my knee its killing me also my feet hurt im on a special mattress lost loads a weight as for age im 62
i was in good health up to this started with bad heart trouble 5 yrs ago i had a big op nearly lost my lfe had an anurysum on the tip of the heart it was nearly ready for bursting so never really got over that then had these 2 done and not working.
take care jodie