My Right Total Hip Replacement.

[oscarsmum]

Paignton,

When I did PT post PAO nothing was working to start with, had to do loads of side leg lifts to get glutes going, squeezing the glutes, squats etc then used the therabands gradually going through each colour before eventually ending up on bike treadmill stairs etc but that was a lot further along. Don't give up, your muscles havent worked properly for so long its going to take a long time. Is hydro helping at all? What Rayray suggests about a major injury programme sounds a really good idea-they must have extra rehab for those patients that are too badly injured to benefit from regular PT sessions so its worth asking.
Good luck
Kate x

[Paignton]

Kate, hydro helps me immensely and I feel like I have done something when I get out of the water :-) I have to somehow persuade them on Wednesday to let me have another six sessions. If I can't then I shall have to go to my GP for a refferal back there!

[oscarsmum]

Good luck, hope you get more sessions. Will keep fingers crossed for you xx

[Paignton]

The physio from hydro has given me a further six weeks in the water, but with more demanding exercises. He will devise a programme for me and it shall all be in my notes and waiting for me next Wednesday morning.

I also told him about how I am feeling with land physio and even he was gobsmacked at how little they are pushing me. He has shown me two little tips to help me along with two extra exercises to try and I have to let him know how I am getting on with those.

xx

[Rayray]

That sounds much more positive. I hope it all works soon for you. I went a bit crazy yesterday and decided to go on a rather long walk - boy did I pay for it today. Two steps forward and one back!

[Paignton]

That is the problem Rayray! You try to do what we are told to and it always ends up setting us back!

x

[Slowman]

Paignton,

I read you need to build up your glute in your operated leg. I'd recommend getting an exercise bike or even a real one. As soon as I can I will be getting back on a bike. I had a BHR 10 days ago, so I am on a similar trajectory as yourself and many others. Though from the sound of it things were quite bad for you before your THR which doesn't help. I have been fortunate in so far as I have still been quite active since first diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right hip back in 1994. I had a high femoral osteotomy in 1995 which bought me some time which ran out in about 2004 so I started planning for a BHR. The bad news was that I would need a revision of the high femoral osteotomy to get my femur back to its original shape - I wanted this because my right leg was shorter and had various movement restrictions. So in 2005 I had the revision and the plan was to try and go 5 years to rebuild the blood supply. Thngs went well and I got 6 years.

With a high femoral osteotomy they sever the femur completely and reattach it in a new alignment with a plate and screws. I was on crutches around 6 months both times and I was no stranger to pain. Anyway, before I could even walk I was cycling both times both on my windtrainer and just on bicycle paths. I enjoyed the real thing the most as it gave me a sense of independence at least until I got back to the car and got the crutches out.

Anyway I'm not suggesting that you get on a bike and go for a ride (maybe later) but I really think a stationary bike trainer might be very helpful. Cycling has helped me in both recoveries. Each time I came back to competing in triathlon and mountain biking but at the beginning it was very hard and there was a lot of pain and I started from the same place as everyone. The cycling movement itself wasn't painful the pain was all that nasty orthopaedic pain around the bone incisions. Cycling is good for building and strengthening glutes, quads, VMO (inside above knee), calves and even the muscle that sits over the shin. It is all non-impact so doesn't hurt your joints. At first your good leg will be doing most of the work but the movement is still good for the operated leg and it still gets the opportunity to contribute as it can.

After 6 months on crutches and 4 totally non weight bearing the muscle atrophy was significant. I needed a pillow under my glute so I wasn't listing at 45 degrees LOL. By around 12 months post op I had the muscle girth (around the quad) to within 1cm of my good leg. So for me cycling exercise worked very effectively. It might help you get those gains you want.

[Paignton]

Slowman this is my whole point! I am sure that physio should be pushing me to be using this stuff in the gym when I go for my sessions! I have to go and see my physio this week. and am going to ask him if I can try on the exercise bikes. I know from the past two years of trying to build up all these muscles that more needs to be done :-(

[Slowman]

Paington feel free to take the initiative yourself! I'd get the orthopod's opinion which I'm pretty sure (s)he'd have no problem with and then go ahead with it. Let the PT know so that they can factor this into any exercise regime they prescribe though I don't expect it would change much. Be sensible and if you find pain increasing in some place make a note and back it off a little and talk with your health carers.

Things to look out for, if your leg is longer after having the THR you need to allow the process of tendons and muscles to stretch and get used to the change. My leg was longer after the revision osteotomy. I had a set back on my last recovery where I built up my quads perhaps too quickly while the tendons were still stretching and I started to pul my patella off track. The PT said that the patella was impinging on the fat pad underneath it. The orthopod seemed to think it was referred pain - not really sure it was as taping of the knee relieved this completely at first and then only partly later. This put me back on crutches for a week or so. After that and taking it a little more cautiously I never had any more set backs.

[Paignton]

Slowman unfortunately for me it is not that easy to just take the initiative myself! I would love to, but due to underlying problems from the failed FAI in 2009 and problems now from this THR I need to see and speak to more than my OS! My permanent nerve damage has trebled in pain and looks like I may have further/more in my foot and ankle. I see my Pain Consultant in two weeks and shall see what he has to say as well, and then will also be guided by him.

If I had not been forced into having the FAI then I feel that things would be nowhere near as bad as what they are now!