Question re Post FAI Surgery Recovery

[Rayray]

Janet and Sam,

Following your open hip dislocation how long did it take for your operated hip to feel less stiff and painful?

I am the most inpatient person in the world and just wonder when it will start to ease up. I am walking on one crutch but struggling without although the stick helps slightly. I try and walk crutch free in the house but this is often too difficult and use one crutch all the time outside. I am only one week post weight bearing and so I know I am expecting too much. I just want to understand when it is likely to be much easier - it is impossible to gauge how you are doing when you are on your own. I really don?t want to walk back into Mr N?s office still using a crutch or stick.

Am I looking at another two, three, four or more weeks?

[Janet]

Firstly, I'd like to say that it sounds like you're doing fantastically well! I'd be interested to hear how your gym experience goes too - I was never encouraged to do that, so it would be good to see if really helps you.

As for the pain and stiffness, I think it gradually wore off by about 10 weeks post-op. I say this because I went back to work at 11 weeks, but remember thinking I felt I could have managed at 10 weeks. However, as you try new exercises and increase your walking distances and speed, it seemed to set the pain off again, although I think it's more muscular, which feels good in a way, as you know you're really working the muscles! I actually went to my 3 month post-op appointment using one crutch, because the tendonitis was really painful. I never used a stick, as it was never suggested to me.

At my 6-week check, I was told to try to do everything as I normally would (or used to!), as this was the best way to get the muscles working again, and keep everything moving nicely. I think that the hydrotherapy you'll be having will really help with the stiffness and increase your range of motion.

So, all in all, I think that by going to the gym and having hydro, the stiffness might improve over the next couple of weeks, and the pain should have eased off a lot by 8-10 weeks. Just a warning again though - I know you're impatient, but don't overdo it, as Sam and I have both had problems and ended up on crutches again. I'm not sure whether it was due to overdoing it in my case (sounds like it was in Sam's case!!), but you don't want to end up in this situation.

You will get there Rayray - maybe just a few more weeks, and you'll be improving all the time!
Janet x

[oscarsmum]

Rayray,

Have you been advised what to do in the gym and what you can and cant do?
Just curious,

I think you are doing amazingly well too,

Kate xx

[Rayray]

Thanks Janet for your advice - it is really helpful.

I have been told to stick to just three machines in the gym:

treadmill - walking on steepest gradient

stepper

cross trainer

absolutely no rowing machines, cycling or anything else. Swimming is okay although I only do breast stroke and so will avoid this for a while.

I have seen a step change today with more mobility and my walk is less of a lurch. Walked much quicker outside (with one crutch) too so very pleased. Can still feel my left hip but it is certainly not as imflammed as it was so maybe it will be okay.

[Spam1]

Hey Rayray!

Sounds like your doing fab! yes, NO breast stroke - you can do breast stroke arms but front crawls legs, but you musn't do breast stroke legs unless you want to kill your hip ..

I'm still very stiff, but think thats due to my overdoing it and latest swelling lol. However, I have noticed that I can walk it off, and it does loossen up a lot. I've stopped using the crutches today, after my two weeks of complete rest, and it is feeling a lot better. So now going to dust off the cross trainer from the garage and start gently exercising it.

Before my screw removal, I had lost most of the stiffness from sitting at about 10ish weeks, but its difficult to say as I then had the screw issue etc.

Thing I am finding difficult is that as I am trying to push my right hip (gently!) with ROM and building muscles, I am annoying my lefty, its trying to get a balance I guess. So used to limping on right for the past two and a half years, its a bit weird to now have to walk normally and I am actually having to concentrate hard to keep my gait even.

xx

[Rayray]

Welcome back Sam we missed you!

I have found the treadmill (which I have hired at home) good for a more even gait and Mr N did say a cross trainer is really good too so yes you will have to dust it off. You sound better and more positive ? long may it continue!!

My first hydro is this afternoon. Not sure I need it now as everything is coming along nicely although the hip joint itself is still pretty stiff.

[Janet]

How was the hydro session Rayray? Did your hip feel less stiff afterwards? I'd keep going, even if your hip is feeling good, as it can only help, and it sounds nice too!

[Rayray]

The hydro nearly killed me! I went home and could hardly stay awake and was in bed by nine!! Lots of pain yesterday and still sore today. Still feel tired, exhausted and frustrated - oh to reach my toes but it is just not happening. I know I am inpatient but this is the one movement which seems really slow although I know it is in the joint itself so inevitably will be slow. Grrrrrhhhhhh!!

Leftie has really started playing up on the treadmill now and it has put me in a bad mood today. Flaming hips!

[Spam1]

Rayray, I will join you in the crappy left hip department, the cross trainer is not loving me. Righty is doing ok with it but lefty aint happy. grrrrrr, shame we can't just walk on one leg so not to aggravate the unoperated one.

Hydro will be fab for increasing your flexibility. Bear in mind I couldn't put my socks on or touch my toes at 12 weeks post op, just slowly flex it a bit more each day and it will come. I am now ok to do it, although it was delayed by the screw issues and the secondary bleed thing too, so I would have thought a couple weeks and you will be painting those toe nails fine.
xx

[Rayray]

Yes I have to admit Sam that when I tried the cross trainer at the Gym the pain was so intense in leftie I lasted three minutes. Trouble is Mark Norton has said to put it out of my mind that the left hip may need surgery as it could be better since the right was done. I am desperately trying to be positive and when it hurts I think maybe this is just hurting because it hasn't had any exercise for so long. I then get low thinking I may have to go through all this again after all. I will be positive though and hope this is just a blip.

Thanks for the reassurance on the range of movement. I really hurt myself when doing hydro (float under my right foot and brining the knee up and down) trying to improve the range of movement and thought it was just me!