Re: Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion

[Guest guest]

Yes, hang in there. You WILL be able to cut your toenails and tie your shoes. I've had both hips replaced and can do both easily.

SallySee what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Yes, I do believe the return of the range of motion is a gradual thing, sometines you don't even realize it's happening. I had my right hip replaced in January and the left in July and around October I remember standing on a stool fixing some blinds at my livingroom window. I was struck in awe at what I was doing. First of all, even though it was a very low step stool, I was actually able to get up on it. Prior to the surgeries I even had my bathtub replaced with a walkin shower because I could not get my legs far enough apart to get over the edge of the bathtub. And, yes, the range of motion keeps increasing.....at 6 months out I could do even more.

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[Guest guest]

Yes -- life is VERY GOOD post surgery -- I keep posting this in case there are any lurking chickens like I was who are still weighing the options. My life had become a circumscribed misery prior to surgery. I am SO grateful that I am around when medicine had advanced to being able to "cure" me -- whenever I felt a "woe is me" pity party descending, I would just remember how lucky I was that my medical difficulties were completely cured by a relatively easy operation -- rather than having a diagnosis of a chronic or potential fatal illness with debilitating treatments.The ONLY justification I can tell myself regarding my delay is that I probably wouldn't have found my particular OS -- and therefore my recovery might have been more difficult because of the restrictions.The toes I can wait for -- great justification for a professional pedicure -- it is getting back to putting on my sandals with the back straps so that I can liberate my feet from the ECCO Clogs I have been wearing continuously -- I think those should be given a Viking burial at this point LOL -- but they served their purpose -- easy to get on and off, very good cushioning and stability/support -- I would imagine any of the high end backless shoes with thick rubber soles would serve the purpose. Since I don't wear them with socks, there wasn't any issue of their slipping off -- none of the PT people or staff ever indicated that I needed to thrust my feet into shoes with laces or backs.On Apr 12, 2007, at 8:51 AM, annainva wrote:Helen, how fortunate for you to have had a surgeon who does theanterior approach. You will get back to your toes soon ;)Nice to go walking around and enjoying the day again, isn't it ?>> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?> > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?> > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?> > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree > restriction.> > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in terms of > the thigh muscles.> > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked, > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the > walk down and back the length of the promenade > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.> > Thanks.> > Helen>

[Guest guest]

I put up with the pain for 2 years before having my hip done on Jan 30....I now walk as much as 2,3, and 5 miles and actually stop and laugh it feels so good....before surgery I would have to stop and rest every 100 yards or so....the surgery is amazing

Ed

Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion

Helen, how fortunate for you to have had a surgeon who does the

anterior approach. You will get back to your toes soon

Nice to go walking around and enjoying the day again, isn't it ?

>

> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?

>

> Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and

> although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to

> reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?

>

> Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?

>

> FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree

> restriction.

>

> Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal

> meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in terms of

> the thigh muscles.

>

> Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked,

> window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain

> free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony

> walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the

> walk down and back the length of the promenade

>

> Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and

> wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain

> because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.

>

> Thanks.

>

> Helen

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Helen, I have the same problem I can't cut my toe nails or tie my shoes the little things do mean a lot when you can't do them! Just thank god for the things you can do now post op. and try not to worry about the things you can't! Remember you are not alone hang in there. Alfordf348@... wrote: I put up with the pain for 2 years before having my hip done on Jan 30....I now walk as much as 2,3, and 5 miles and actually stop and laugh it feels so good....before surgery I would have to stop and rest every 100 yards or so....the surgery is amazing Ed Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion Helen, how

fortunate for you to have had a surgeon who does theanterior approach. You will get back to your toes soon ;)Nice to go walking around and enjoying the day again, isn't it ?>> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?> > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?> > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?> > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree > restriction.> > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in

terms of > the thigh muscles.> > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked, > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the > walk down and back the length of the promenade > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.> > Thanks.> > Helen> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

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[Guest guest]

Hi all,Thanks for the responses.As I wrote, well golly gee, my hardship is having to get a pedicure tomorrow -- ain't life a beeyutch LOL.Are there specific exercises that are helpful to regaining range of motion -- My OS and PT are more in the walking is the best exercise.Does the range of motion just gradually return -- At 5 weeks my thigh is SO much less stiff than even last week.HelenOn Apr 12, 2007, at 10:33 AM, alonzo windsor wrote:Hi Helen, I have the same problem I can't cut my  toe nails or tie my shoes the little things do mean a lot when you can't do them! Just thank god for the things you can do now post op. and try not to worry about the things you can't! Remember you are not alone hang in there.                                                                               Alfordf348aol wrote:I put up with the pain for 2 years before having ! my hip done on Jan 30....I now walk as much as 2,3, and 5 miles and actually stop and laugh it feels so good....before surgery I would have to stop and rest every 100 yards or so....the surgery is amazingEd   Re: Hip and Regaining Range of MotionHelen, how fortunate for you to have had a surgeon who does theanterior approach. You will get back to your toes soon ;)Nice to go walking around and enjoying the day again, isn't it ?>> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?> > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?> > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?> > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree > restriction.> > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in terms of > the thigh muscles.> > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked, > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the > walk down and back the length of the promenade > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.> > Thanks.> > Helen>AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and always stay connected to friends.

[Guest guest]

Hey Ed, Did you have the anterior approach type of surgery?

Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion

Helen, how fortunate for you to have had a surgeon who does theanterior approach. You will get back to your toes soon ;)Nice to go walking around and enjoying the day again, isn't it ?>> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?> > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?> > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?> > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree > restriction.> > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in terms of > the thigh muscles.> > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked, > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the > walk down and back the length of the promenade > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.> > Thanks.> > Helen>

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[Guest guest]

no to anterior....i have a scar about 8'' on the side

Re: Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion

Hey Ed, Did you have the anterior approach type of surgery?

Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion

Helen, how fortunate for you to have had a surgeon who does the

anterior approach. You will get back to your toes soon

Nice to go walking around and enjoying the day again, isn't it ?

>

> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?

>

> Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and

> although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to

> reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?

>

> Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?

>

> FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree

> restriction.

>

> Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal

> meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in terms of

> the thigh muscles.

>

> Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked,

> window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain

> free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony

> walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the

> walk down and back the length of the promenade

>

> Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and

> wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain

> because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.

>

> Thanks.

>

> Helen

>

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[Guest guest]

Hmm -- I am not quite getting that stretch -- I am getting knees bent -- then I assume I kind of reach forward with the arms forward and the fanny out rather than flopping with the head to the ground I am not picturing the straightening out with legs bend -- Is it raising your torso? Astounding the "adjustments" I made rather than deal with the surgery -- I stopped wearing any shoes that I couldn't slip into because I couldn't reach to fasten them (just one of many "adjustments"). I stopped going to lunch with people at work because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with them and I didn't want to feel like an invalid by explaining my hip problem -- the list of all these small (and larger "adjustments") is extensive.On Apr 12, 2007, at 12:34 PM, arianne377 wrote:Helen, like you, I put off surgery for far too long. I waited 6 years, in pain every day. I had stopped the ability to reach my toenails for 3 of those years. I had my first hip done last August, and the second one done in January. I have just about reached the point where I can finally reach my toenails. Like you also, my thigh muscles are still very tight. My PT gave me a stretch to do that I hope I can explain to you:Keeping knees bent, bend over, keeping arms in front of you. Stick your fanny out. Then, slowly straighten up, keeping your knees bent, your fanny sticking out, then sort of tuck your fanny in. Knees are kept bent the whole while. If I didn't explain it well enough, post, and I will try to explain it more precisely. BTW, I am not quite 8 weeks out.Arianne>> Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?> > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?> > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?> > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree > restriction.> > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, minimal > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in terms of > the thigh muscles.> > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked, > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the > walk down and back the length of the promenade > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.> > Thanks.> > Helen>

[Guest guest]

Well you made me laugh, but I am not sure it works. lol.

It seems that straitening up after bending knees, and then keeping knees bent, does not work.

Can you draw pictures. hehe Terry

Re: Hip and Regaining Range of Motion

Reach down rather than forward. Put arms down between your legs rather than out in front

of you. Keep knees bent. lower torso, jutting fanny outward. Now, straighten up, keeping

knees bent and tuck fanny in.

Does this explain it better?

Arianne

> > >

> > > Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?

> > >

> > > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and

> > > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to

> > > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?

> > >

> > > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?

> > >

> > > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree

> > > restriction.

> > >

> > > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free,

> > minimal

> > > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in

> > terms of

> > > the thigh muscles.

> > >

> > > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked,

> > > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain

> > > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony

> > > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the

> > > walk down and back the length of the promenade

> > >

> > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and

> > > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain

> > > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.

> > >

> > > Thanks.

> > >

> > > Helen

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Arianne is has bee a long time ! Im still here with you guys i have been working crazy hrs. Alarianne377 <arianne377@...> wrote: Reach down rather than forward. Put arms down between your legs rather than out in front of you. Keep knees bent. lower torso, jutting fanny outward. Now, straighten up, keeping knees bent and tuck fanny

in.Does this explain it better?Arianne> > >> > > Any input into when I will regain my full range of motion back?> > >> > > Prior to surgery I had lost the ability to reach my toenails and> > > although there is no longer the horrendous pain I still am unable to> > > reach that far -- Does it come back gradually as muscles stretch?> > >> > > Are there particular PT exercises that are helpful?> > >> > > FWIW, I had the anterior approach so I don't have the 90 degree> > >

restriction.> > >> > > Today is my 5 week anniversary -- I am pretty much pain free, > > minimal> > > meds, no cane/walker although the leg still feels "stiff" in > > terms of> > > the thigh muscles.> > >> > > Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful jaunt to The Grove where I walked,> > > window shopped, had a marvelous lunch, drove around town -- all pain> > > free -- as compared to pre-surgery when I would have been in agony> > > walking and even sitting and would probably have just avoided the> > > walk down and back the length of the promenade > > >> > > Anyone reading this -- I was in denial and fear prior to surgery and> > > wish I could get back the months when my life was ruled by the pain> > > because I didn't want to face up to my fear of surgery.> > >>

> > Thanks.> > >> > > Helen> > >> >> >> >>

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