Re: Re: 6 weeks after hip surgery=reply to Margaret

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/1/2004 9:24:19 AM Central Standard Time, margaret@... writes:

But these other persistent pains are disappointing. I'd be interested to hear from other hippies how many weeks after their surgery they were at last completely pain-free and walking without stick and without limp?

______

Mine's a knee, but although there is no pain at all when I walk, if I sleep with my knee in the same position too long (or sit too long without moving it), it will hurt when I finally do move it. This is exactly the opposite of what it was before surgery......and I'd much rather be able to walk.....which was becomming impossible before. When you consider how the tissues were disrupted during surgery, and the muscles you get to use differently now, and that the joint configuration isn't one your body recognizes, its not any wonder we have some aches and pains.

As for the pain down your other leg, I'm kind of wondering if it isn't coming from your back being in a different position than it was before, and impinging on a nerve.

y

[Guest guest]

Hi Margaret, you're doing just fine!! I also tend to trust my own judgement about what I can and can't do. I hate sleeping with a pillow between my legs, so I don't. I took my first yoga class yesterday, and it was great. I just avoided movements which I thought would be a strain. Isn't it miraculous to be able to walk without pain? I'm 3 months post-op now, and I feel as if my energy level has returned to where it was 2 years ago!! I don't want to bike ride as you do, or roller blade as Stan does,.but I never did those things before my OA hit. I went to a pre-semester faculty meeting last night, and it felt very reassuring to be able to walk without a cane and without a limp, and to have my colleagues notice and comment on it. I teach my first class on Sat.9/11, and I'm looking forward to it, despite my usual pre-semester jitters.

Lets keep up the good work. Onward and upward!~! Charlotte in CTStan <sagebush2020@...> wrote:

MargaretYour recovery seems quite similar to mine. Also, I think that we have similar attitudes.I drove, as you know, for short distances at the 4-week mark, no problem. It only got better after that.I told my French OS that I did, and he thought it was great.I don't know if the French are crazier or more advanced than the rest of the world on THR, but I have been given permission to do almost anything.France performs about one-third of the THR that the US does, so it has had lots of experience. France's success rate is outstanding. Many Brits come to France for their operations. (Oh, oh. Now I'll get messages saying that I'm anti-American because I praised something in another country. I AM NOT ANTI-AMERICAN. If I were, then I would be anti-myself. I love myself. I love myself. My picture's on my

shelf!)DuPuy is the French company that made my "double mobility" prothesis. The company was bought out by & , an American company, so...? So what?Anyhow, if I were in your sandals, I would continue doing exactly what you plan to do. In fact, I did.Break a leg!Staninfr > Today is exactly 6 weeks since my TRHR. Yesterday I went back (by taxi) to the hospital in Jerusalem for my checkup. The doctor was very pleased with my progress - my most recent xray was "excellent", and he's removed practically all the restrictions - the 90% etc. Except he said I mustn't cross my legs, and I should still keep a pillow between my legs when sleeping. He also didn't recommend bike riding yet (which I asked about - in particular stationary bike) - means lifting the leg too

high at this stage. Otherwise - I can walk as much as I like, and swim.....> > My big disappointment was about driving - I'm sorry I asked him! (maybe sometimes it's better not to ask...) He replied "better wait a bit longer - another 6 weeks" [!!] What I didn't tell him (and please keep this secret!!) is, I have already started driving short distances, a few days ago - no problem at all. In fact last Friday I went drove up to the Golan Heights to visit the archaeological museum in Katzrin - about 40 min drive each way. No problem, no feeling of strain - did not tire me at all, and my leg felt fine - not even muscular ache afterwards. And I felt so good being able to get out after 6 weeks solitary house confinement!> > No way am I going to wait another 6 weeks before driving. I live alone, I depend on my car, at least for shopping. I have nobody else to drive me. I *have* walked

to the nearest supermarket a couple of times since my surgery - but it's a very long way downhill (uphill coming back, in the Israeli summer heat) - I only managed to bring a few lightweight items, and was exhausted by the time I struggled back. I don't want to keep asking friends to do shopping for me - they are busy working people, and it's not convenient for them. I've been driving for more than 40 years, I've had this particular car (Renault 19) about 9 years, and I'm very comfortable with it. At this point I feel better driving than I do walking. I trust my own judgement - I wouldn't drive if I didn't feel safe and in full control of the car. **** frustrating!> > This doctor doesn't know me, had never seen me before - he just happened to be the one I was sent to in the outpatient orthopedic clinic. He didn't ask me anything about my home circumstances - just looked at my xray and did a quick examination of my

right leg range of movement (which was fine). I was in and out in a few minutes.> > Otherwise I feel fine. I walk around inside the house mostly without a stick - still a slight limp on the right, but if I concentrate I can walk without a limp. The PT did his last home visit 2 days ago - had me walking up and down the stairs and round the garden - very pleased with my progress! I shall be continuing twice a week at the PT clinic (which is 5 minutes walk from my home.) I walk about an hour every day around the neighbourhood, with a stick - but I find I hardly lean on it any more, it's more for self-confidence and balance, and for managing kerbs and steps. I still get some muscular ache and nerve twinges. And I feel very stiff when I've been sitting at the computer too long... it wears off when I get up and walk around. But I practically haven't used painkillers for the last month. I am beginning

to feel like a nornal person again! > > As for the driving - I am going to use my car for *essential* short-distance trips - like to the supermarket, the swimming pool.... Three months without driving? - no way!!! Reminds me of something I heard once from a French comedy (Moliere? maybe Stan will know) - I forget the details, but there's this elderly rich man who is smoking. drinking, whatever.... His butler says to him "you shouldn't be doing that, monsieur, what would the doctor say?" and the old man replies "then we shan't tell the doctor, shall we!"> > Margaret

[Guest guest]

Thanks Charlotte! The pillow between my legs doesn't bother me too much - though I have also slept without it during the past week. I also managed to turn over and sleep on my operated side - which I couldn't do before because the scar was still too tender.

I am still not completely without pain when I walk - what particularly bothers me is a sharp occasional twinge in my right knee, and nerve-pain down my left (non-operated) leg (which I've been told will also need to have THR at some stage - though I still have some cartilage there at present.) Some days are better than others - but I'm not yet finally out of the woods. I felt great at 3 weeks - such a relief that the old hip-pain had finally gone, and I was able to walk outside with a stick! But these other persistent pains are disappointing. I'd be interested to hear from other hippies how many weeks after their surgery they were at last completely pain-free and walking without stick and without limp?

Margaret

Re: Re: 6 weeks after hip surgery=reply to Margaret

Hi Margaret, you're doing just fine!! I also tend to trust my own judgement about what I can and can't do. I hate sleeping with a pillow between my legs, so I don't. I took my first yoga class yesterday, and it was great. I just avoided movements which I thought would be a strain. Isn't it miraculous to be able to walk without pain? I'm 3 months post-op now, and I feel as if my energy level has returned to where it was 2 years ago!! I don't want to bike ride as you do, or roller blade as Stan does,.but I never did those things before my OA hit. I went to a pre-semester faculty meeting last night, and it felt very reassuring to be able to walk without a cane and without a limp, and to have my colleagues notice and comment on it. I teach my first class on Sat.9/11, and I'm looking forward to it, despite my usual pre-semester jitters.

Lets keep up the good work. Onward and upward!~! Charlotte in CT

[Guest guest]

Hi Carlotte,

I just wanted to wish you luck and have a nice day,

Susiecharlotte clark <charlottie3@...> wrote:

Hi Margaret, you're doing just fine!! I also tend to trust my own judgement about what I can and can't do. I hate sleeping with a pillow between my legs, so I don't. I took my first yoga class yesterday, and it was great. I just avoided movements which I thought would be a strain. Isn't it miraculous to be able to walk without pain? I'm 3 months post-op now, and I feel as if my energy level has returned to where it was 2 years ago!! I don't want to bike ride as you do, or roller blade as Stan does,.but I never did those things before my OA hit. I went to a pre-semester faculty meeting last night, and it felt very reassuring to be able to walk without a cane and without a limp, and to have my colleagues notice and comment on it. I teach my first class on Sat.9/11, and I'm looking forward to it, despite my usual pre-semester jitters.

Lets keep up the good work. Onward and upward!~! Charlotte in CTStan <sagebush2020@...> wrote:

MargaretYour recovery seems quite similar to mine. Also, I think that we have similar attitudes.I drove, as you know, for short distances at the 4-week mark, no problem. It only got better after that.I told my French OS that I did, and he thought it was great.I don't know if the French are crazier or more advanced than the rest of the world on THR, but I have been given permission to do almost anything.France performs about one-third of the THR that the US does, so it has had lots of experience. France's success rate is outstanding. Many Brits come to France for their operations. (Oh, oh. Now I'll get messages saying that I'm anti-American because I praised something in another country. I AM NOT ANTI-AMERICAN. If I were, then I would be anti-myself. I love myself. I love myself. My picture's on my

shelf!)DuPuy is the French company that made my "double mobility" prothesis. The company was bought out by & , an American company, so...? So what?Anyhow, if I were in your sandals, I would continue doing exactly what you plan to do. In fact, I did.Break a leg!Staninfr > Today is exactly 6 weeks since my TRHR. Yesterday I went back (by taxi) to the hospital in Jerusalem for my checkup. The doctor was very pleased with my progress - my most recent xray was "excellent", and he's removed practically all the restrictions - the 90% etc. Except he said I mustn't cross my legs, and I should still keep a pillow between my legs when sleeping. He also didn't recommend bike riding yet (which I asked about - in particular stationary bike) - means lifting the leg too

high at this stage. Otherwise - I can walk as much as I like, and swim.....> > My big disappointment was about driving - I'm sorry I asked him! (maybe sometimes it's better not to ask...) He replied "better wait a bit longer - another 6 weeks" [!!] What I didn't tell him (and please keep this secret!!) is, I have already started driving short distances, a few days ago - no problem at all. In fact last Friday I went drove up to the Golan Heights to visit the archaeological museum in Katzrin - about 40 min drive each way. No problem, no feeling of strain - did not tire me at all, and my leg felt fine - not even muscular ache afterwards. And I felt so good being able to get out after 6 weeks solitary house confinement!> > No way am I going to wait another 6 weeks before driving. I live alone, I depend on my car, at least for shopping. I have nobody else to drive me. I *have* walked

to the nearest supermarket a couple of times since my surgery - but it's a very long way downhill (uphill coming back, in the Israeli summer heat) - I only managed to bring a few lightweight items, and was exhausted by the time I struggled back. I don't want to keep asking friends to do shopping for me - they are busy working people, and it's not convenient for them. I've been driving for more than 40 years, I've had this particular car (Renault 19) about 9 years, and I'm very comfortable with it. At this point I feel better driving than I do walking. I trust my own judgement - I wouldn't drive if I didn't feel safe and in full control of the car. **** frustrating!> > This doctor doesn't know me, had never seen me before - he just happened to be the one I was sent to in the outpatient orthopedic clinic. He didn't ask me anything about my home circumstances - just looked at my xray and did a quick examination of my

right leg range of movement (which was fine). I was in and out in a few minutes.> > Otherwise I feel fine. I walk around inside the house mostly without a stick - still a slight limp on the right, but if I concentrate I can walk without a limp. The PT did his last home visit 2 days ago - had me walking up and down the stairs and round the garden - very pleased with my progress! I shall be continuing twice a week at the PT clinic (which is 5 minutes walk from my home.) I walk about an hour every day around the neighbourhood, with a stick - but I find I hardly lean on it any more, it's more for self-confidence and balance, and for managing kerbs and steps. I still get some muscular ache and nerve twinges. And I feel very stiff when I've been sitting at the computer too long... it wears off when I get up and walk around. But I practically haven't used painkillers for the last month. I am beginning

to feel like a nornal person again! > > As for the driving - I am going to use my car for *essential* short-distance trips - like to the supermarket, the swimming pool.... Three months without driving? - no way!!! Reminds me of something I heard once from a French comedy (Moliere? maybe Stan will know) - I forget the details, but there's this elderly rich man who is smoking. drinking, whatever.... His butler says to him "you shouldn't be doing that, monsieur, what would the doctor say?" and the old man replies "then we shan't tell the doctor, shall we!"> > Margaret