Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hi, Sylvia. Much of what you asked depends upon your doc's instructions. I could bear full weight on my leg as soon as I was up and walking. I was up and walking with 2 crutches on the day after surgery. I went up and downstairs on crutches, even walked outside the hospital for a bit of air. No, you cannot bend your operated leg more that 90 degrees for 6 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. Lots of funny stories about how we all learned to cope with that. The funniest stories are about learning to put on and take off the sock & shoe. And there was some hilarious stuff about how to get into a pair of undies. We most all learned to do the " ballet bend, " which is while bending over, extend the operated leg straight out behind you. Anyway, it's all manageable. Definitely keep up as much muscle tone as you can in arms and legs. I was told to take an iron supplement for several weeks pre-op. Cut your toenails!! Get a shower chair or use a walker while shower post-op. Get a bunch of good books. Plan to take nice walks on crutches, concentrating on using your joint and muscles in a " natural " way. I took the time, pre-op, to raise my sofa up on blocks so that I wouldn't have to struggle up or down. Other than that -- I just looked forward to getting it over and done. Traveling requires some foresight, a few tips on that. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) Scheduled for July 6 This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How long? How long did you have to use crutches? Thanks fo sharing... Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hi, Sylvia. Much of what you asked depends upon your doc's instructions. I could bear full weight on my leg as soon as I was up and walking. I was up and walking with 2 crutches on the day after surgery. I went up and downstairs on crutches, even walked outside the hospital for a bit of air. No, you cannot bend your operated leg more that 90 degrees for 6 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. Lots of funny stories about how we all learned to cope with that. The funniest stories are about learning to put on and take off the sock & shoe. And there was some hilarious stuff about how to get into a pair of undies. We most all learned to do the " ballet bend, " which is while bending over, extend the operated leg straight out behind you. Anyway, it's all manageable. Definitely keep up as much muscle tone as you can in arms and legs. I was told to take an iron supplement for several weeks pre-op. Cut your toenails!! Get a shower chair or use a walker while shower post-op. Get a bunch of good books. Plan to take nice walks on crutches, concentrating on using your joint and muscles in a " natural " way. I took the time, pre-op, to raise my sofa up on blocks so that I wouldn't have to struggle up or down. Other than that -- I just looked forward to getting it over and done. Traveling requires some foresight, a few tips on that. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) Scheduled for July 6 This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How long? How long did you have to use crutches? Thanks fo sharing... Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Sylvia: Congratulations! Just recover at your own pace and don't ever feel competitive ever about it. I rented a hospital bed for a month. It was a great decision to do so. Reimbursement from your insurance company could be possible if your doctor fills out the right form ahead of time. I also rented what's called a " hip chair. " It's like a grown-up's high chair (without the tray), with a place for your feet. It was great for soaking feet when they were taking breaks from TEDs, getting hair washed in the kitchen sink, sitting at a table to work on computer, etc. I for one did not want to deal with soft, low couches or chairs for a while. I think the straight high chair helped me to regain good posture, as well. I think it just cost a total of $250 for the bed and the chair, both of which I had delivered while I was in the hospital, so they were waiting for me when I got back to New York from Baltimore. Salud, salute, to your health Maureen rhip, jacobs, 10.31.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hi Sylvia, Good luck with operation etc.............. Crutches depends on the doctor and if everything is straight forward.......... some of us have crutches because of bone grafts.........so time is variable with these........ 6 weeks is about the longest........... As for other muscle/lower back pain........... well that will all depend on how much permanent spinal damage you have managed in the years leading up to your operation and how fit and agile you intend to become again after the operation.............. My own experience was one of those worst case senarios due to enforced inactivity for a long period before the resurface and a lot of spinal damage. It has taken about 18 months of consistant work to regain acceptable body fitness and tone and enough flexibility to start dropping out the pain killers etc........... The little vertebra will never be like shiny new again but get enough muscles around them and they don't moan and grizzle all the time.............. Age plays a role here too - I was 53 when I got my new hip........ I am very sure it helps to be even younger.......... But the long and short of it is that it will be, for the most, part your own personal journey........... From what I have seen it is important to be as fit as possible going in, then give the body a chance to heal and rest at the start (yes we know how hard that has been) and then go from there............. Who knows you may be able to go rock climbing with Jude..............smile. Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > Thanks fo sharing... > Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hi Sylvia, Good luck with operation etc.............. Crutches depends on the doctor and if everything is straight forward.......... some of us have crutches because of bone grafts.........so time is variable with these........ 6 weeks is about the longest........... As for other muscle/lower back pain........... well that will all depend on how much permanent spinal damage you have managed in the years leading up to your operation and how fit and agile you intend to become again after the operation.............. My own experience was one of those worst case senarios due to enforced inactivity for a long period before the resurface and a lot of spinal damage. It has taken about 18 months of consistant work to regain acceptable body fitness and tone and enough flexibility to start dropping out the pain killers etc........... The little vertebra will never be like shiny new again but get enough muscles around them and they don't moan and grizzle all the time.............. Age plays a role here too - I was 53 when I got my new hip........ I am very sure it helps to be even younger.......... But the long and short of it is that it will be, for the most, part your own personal journey........... From what I have seen it is important to be as fit as possible going in, then give the body a chance to heal and rest at the start (yes we know how hard that has been) and then go from there............. Who knows you may be able to go rock climbing with Jude..............smile. Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > Thanks fo sharing... > Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I'm so glad the ballet bend is part of my vocabulary. As a dancer, I use it not only in class, but it's how I've always picked stuff up from the floor, esp. as my LH got bad. Arabesque is a useful position. I always knew it. > Hi, Sylvia. Much of what you asked depends upon your doc's instructions. I could bear full weight on my leg as soon as I was up and walking. I was up and walking with 2 crutches on the day after surgery. I went up and downstairs on crutches, even walked outside the hospital for a bit of air. No, you cannot bend your operated leg more that 90 degrees for 6 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. Lots of funny stories about how we all learned to cope with that. The funniest stories are about learning to put on and take off the sock & shoe. And there was some hilarious stuff about how to get into a pair of undies. We most all learned to do the " ballet bend, " which is while bending over, extend the operated leg straight out behind you. Anyway, it's all manageable. Definitely keep up as much muscle tone as you can in arms and legs. I was told to take an iron supplement for several weeks pre-op. Cut your toenails!! Get a shower chair or use a walker while shower post-op. Get a bunch of good books. Plan to take nice walks on crutches, concentrating on using your joint and muscles in a " natural " way. I took the time, pre-op, to raise my sofa up on blocks so that I wouldn't have to struggle up or down. Other than that -- I just looked forward to getting it over and done. Traveling requires some foresight, a few tips on that. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) > > Scheduled for July 6 > > > > > > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > Thanks fo sharing... > Sylvia > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I'm so glad the ballet bend is part of my vocabulary. As a dancer, I use it not only in class, but it's how I've always picked stuff up from the floor, esp. as my LH got bad. Arabesque is a useful position. I always knew it. > Hi, Sylvia. Much of what you asked depends upon your doc's instructions. I could bear full weight on my leg as soon as I was up and walking. I was up and walking with 2 crutches on the day after surgery. I went up and downstairs on crutches, even walked outside the hospital for a bit of air. No, you cannot bend your operated leg more that 90 degrees for 6 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. Lots of funny stories about how we all learned to cope with that. The funniest stories are about learning to put on and take off the sock & shoe. And there was some hilarious stuff about how to get into a pair of undies. We most all learned to do the " ballet bend, " which is while bending over, extend the operated leg straight out behind you. Anyway, it's all manageable. Definitely keep up as much muscle tone as you can in arms and legs. I was told to take an iron supplement for several weeks pre-op. Cut your toenails!! Get a shower chair or use a walker while shower post-op. Get a bunch of good books. Plan to take nice walks on crutches, concentrating on using your joint and muscles in a " natural " way. I took the time, pre-op, to raise my sofa up on blocks so that I wouldn't have to struggle up or down. Other than that -- I just looked forward to getting it over and done. Traveling requires some foresight, a few tips on that. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) > > Scheduled for July 6 > > > > > > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > Thanks fo sharing... > Sylvia > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Welcome to the group Sylvia. Are you getting one or two hips replaced? You're pretty far along in the process to only now be finding this group, but you've done your homework well. Dr. Amstutz has many patients here who will commend your decision. I'm one of them. To add to the others' suggestions, here's mine: 1. Keep up your exercise and get your buttocks, upper hamstrings, and abductors as strong as possible. You'll be crutching around for 5 weeks more or less so you need decent arm strength. And work your abdominals and cardio, too. All pre-op exercise really pays off. 2. Get some earplugs and a FM/CD player with headset for your hospital stay. Let's just say the 6th floor-patient floor - of LA Orthopedic is noisy. (inside joke) 3. The food at LA Orthopedic has been described as airline fare prepared by Brits. And that's on a good day. You'll probably want your visitors to bring in supplemental food from the outside. I brought in power bars, trail mix, and Gatorade. 4. Bilateral Steve will tell you to purchase a raised toilet with handles, especially if you're getting a bilateral. He got his on eBay. They give you one without handles during your stay to take home. It's okay, but one with handles makes it easier. 5. Buy a pair of TED hose beforehand, or make sure the nurses give you a second pair in addition to the one you're typically issued. You'll be wearing them for a few weeks post-op and a second pair allows for an easier washing schedule. 6. Get a full body pillow or make one up yourself ahead of time. I rolled a couple of pillows into a blanket and taped it into a tight round tube shape about 2 feet in diameter. You'll be using it to keep your legs apart when you start sleeping on your side again. The hospital will provide the particular post-op do's and don'ts, including sleeping positions. (I hope you can sleep on your back.) 7. Many of us spend lots of time the first couple of weeks after surgery in a recliner, or sofa, but you need to be able to get up and down without bending your knee closer than 90 degrees to your upper body, which most of us can handle. However, a few have purchased a tall recliner or rented one to make it easier. At least one person even rented a hospital bed. 8. If you live alone, you'll need some occasional in-home help for the first 2 or 3 weeks. You'll also need to get a ride to a local lab, hospital or testing center to have your blood tested (Coumadin level) a few times during the first three weeks post-op. 9. Buy a rubber exercise band for rehab. It's handy for several rehab strengthening exercises. Your recovery timetable depends on a few factors: how fit you are, how fast or slow you heal, if you've had any additional work during surgery, your age, etc. Some of us recover slower, some much faster. Some of us experienced post-op depression and some have physical challenges during recovery, while some seem to breeze through it all with only minor annoyances. If you're reasonably fit, estimate 5 weeks on crutches more or less, going to a single crutch the last week or so. Some of use resumed driving in fewer than 3 weeks; some took 6 or longer. Some of us experienced post-op depression and some had physical challenges. You can review earlier posts for a sample of all the post-op issues. There's a turtle's group of those with slower recoveries. You're leg movement needs to be restricted for 6 weeks– you can't twist on your leg, you can't let it cross the body's centerline, and you can't bend it more than 90 degrees. You're provided a grabber and an aide to help put on your socks in addition to crutches and a raised toilet seat. Recovery from back pain caused by compensating for hip pain depends on how long it's been misused. Mine took about 5 weeks to disappear and I used inversion therapy. Be forewarned, this is major invasive surgery and recovery is not a cakewalk (except for ). But in the end, it's a very small price to pay to get your active life back. Keep your spirits up and best to you. Dave > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > Thanks fo sharing... > Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Welcome to the group Sylvia. Are you getting one or two hips replaced? You're pretty far along in the process to only now be finding this group, but you've done your homework well. Dr. Amstutz has many patients here who will commend your decision. I'm one of them. To add to the others' suggestions, here's mine: 1. Keep up your exercise and get your buttocks, upper hamstrings, and abductors as strong as possible. You'll be crutching around for 5 weeks more or less so you need decent arm strength. And work your abdominals and cardio, too. All pre-op exercise really pays off. 2. Get some earplugs and a FM/CD player with headset for your hospital stay. Let's just say the 6th floor-patient floor - of LA Orthopedic is noisy. (inside joke) 3. The food at LA Orthopedic has been described as airline fare prepared by Brits. And that's on a good day. You'll probably want your visitors to bring in supplemental food from the outside. I brought in power bars, trail mix, and Gatorade. 4. Bilateral Steve will tell you to purchase a raised toilet with handles, especially if you're getting a bilateral. He got his on eBay. They give you one without handles during your stay to take home. It's okay, but one with handles makes it easier. 5. Buy a pair of TED hose beforehand, or make sure the nurses give you a second pair in addition to the one you're typically issued. You'll be wearing them for a few weeks post-op and a second pair allows for an easier washing schedule. 6. Get a full body pillow or make one up yourself ahead of time. I rolled a couple of pillows into a blanket and taped it into a tight round tube shape about 2 feet in diameter. You'll be using it to keep your legs apart when you start sleeping on your side again. The hospital will provide the particular post-op do's and don'ts, including sleeping positions. (I hope you can sleep on your back.) 7. Many of us spend lots of time the first couple of weeks after surgery in a recliner, or sofa, but you need to be able to get up and down without bending your knee closer than 90 degrees to your upper body, which most of us can handle. However, a few have purchased a tall recliner or rented one to make it easier. At least one person even rented a hospital bed. 8. If you live alone, you'll need some occasional in-home help for the first 2 or 3 weeks. You'll also need to get a ride to a local lab, hospital or testing center to have your blood tested (Coumadin level) a few times during the first three weeks post-op. 9. Buy a rubber exercise band for rehab. It's handy for several rehab strengthening exercises. Your recovery timetable depends on a few factors: how fit you are, how fast or slow you heal, if you've had any additional work during surgery, your age, etc. Some of us recover slower, some much faster. Some of us experienced post-op depression and some have physical challenges during recovery, while some seem to breeze through it all with only minor annoyances. If you're reasonably fit, estimate 5 weeks on crutches more or less, going to a single crutch the last week or so. Some of use resumed driving in fewer than 3 weeks; some took 6 or longer. Some of us experienced post-op depression and some had physical challenges. You can review earlier posts for a sample of all the post-op issues. There's a turtle's group of those with slower recoveries. You're leg movement needs to be restricted for 6 weeks– you can't twist on your leg, you can't let it cross the body's centerline, and you can't bend it more than 90 degrees. You're provided a grabber and an aide to help put on your socks in addition to crutches and a raised toilet seat. Recovery from back pain caused by compensating for hip pain depends on how long it's been misused. Mine took about 5 weeks to disappear and I used inversion therapy. Be forewarned, this is major invasive surgery and recovery is not a cakewalk (except for ). But in the end, it's a very small price to pay to get your active life back. Keep your spirits up and best to you. Dave > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > Thanks fo sharing... > Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hi Sylvia, Congratulations, you are in for a wonderful new life. +JRI sent me a pre-op packet with lots of info. +I am renting the recliner that helps up stand up and find it helpful. +I have bladder challenges MTB (mature tiny bladder) so I have a portable potti so I have it by my bed at night. The kegel/gluts exercise is slowly helping. +I was in pretty poor shape goning in, but I am having no trouble with crutches, in-and-outof-bed, etc. +I have to remind my family and friends that I am NOT a sick person. +This is nineth day and I am finding that reading the posts always gives me helpful information. +I don't know whether or not my recovery is slow or fast just that it is working for me. Friday I'll have the staples taken out. At three weeks I'll start poll therapy and stationary bike. +I had a delightful time on the sixth floor especially with Eddie. The food worked for me, but I didn't have an appetite. You'll be sent home with helpful items and more instructions. +I had bars in the shower put in, and an adjustible height shower head so I can easily sit and wash. That first shower was wonderful. +I asked for copies of all films (pre and post) and took them home. When I find out how to minify them I'm making wallet size so I can show everyone my hips. Good Luck, Pamela bilat C+ 5/10/2004 Schmalzried Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hi Sylvia, Congratulations, you are in for a wonderful new life. +JRI sent me a pre-op packet with lots of info. +I am renting the recliner that helps up stand up and find it helpful. +I have bladder challenges MTB (mature tiny bladder) so I have a portable potti so I have it by my bed at night. The kegel/gluts exercise is slowly helping. +I was in pretty poor shape goning in, but I am having no trouble with crutches, in-and-outof-bed, etc. +I have to remind my family and friends that I am NOT a sick person. +This is nineth day and I am finding that reading the posts always gives me helpful information. +I don't know whether or not my recovery is slow or fast just that it is working for me. Friday I'll have the staples taken out. At three weeks I'll start poll therapy and stationary bike. +I had a delightful time on the sixth floor especially with Eddie. The food worked for me, but I didn't have an appetite. You'll be sent home with helpful items and more instructions. +I had bars in the shower put in, and an adjustible height shower head so I can easily sit and wash. That first shower was wonderful. +I asked for copies of all films (pre and post) and took them home. When I find out how to minify them I'm making wallet size so I can show everyone my hips. Good Luck, Pamela bilat C+ 5/10/2004 Schmalzried Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 > +I had a delightful time on the sixth floor especially with Eddie. Eddie is absolutely terrific. Picture a cross between Eddie and a Marine DI - the perfect blend for a physical therapist! Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 > +I had a delightful time on the sixth floor especially with Eddie. Eddie is absolutely terrific. Picture a cross between Eddie and a Marine DI - the perfect blend for a physical therapist! Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 I'm with you ...it's how I do things NOW, so for a bit post- op...okay!!! But only till I get the okay to go further! Not to be graphic, boys and girls...but bein' a girl and goin' to the bathroom w/ an OA hip is quite the positioning...either it's out straight (and if others are around...hmmmm? they wonder...or it's tucked under best possible...ANYway, neither here nor there...but let's just say it's yet ANOTHER lil' happiness to look forward to - peein' like a NORMAL person!!!! ) In surfacehpy , Nisbett wrote: > I'm so glad the ballet bend is part of my vocabulary. As a dancer, I use > it not only in class, but it's how I've always picked stuff up from the > floor, esp. as my LH got bad. Arabesque is a useful position. I always > knew it. > > > > > > > Hi, Sylvia. Much of what you asked depends upon your doc's instructions. I could bear full weight on my leg as soon as I was up and walking. I was up and walking with 2 crutches on the day after surgery. I went up and downstairs on crutches, even walked outside the hospital for a bit of air. No, you cannot bend your operated leg more that 90 degrees for 6 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. Lots of funny stories about how we all learned to cope with that. The funniest stories are about learning to put on and take off the sock & shoe. And there was some hilarious stuff about how to get into a pair of undies. We most all learned to do the " ballet bend, " which is while bending over, extend the operated leg straight out behind you. Anyway, it's all manageable. Definitely keep up as much muscle tone as you can in arms and legs. I was told to take an iron supplement for several weeks pre-op. Cut your toenails!! Get a shower chair or use a walker while shower post-op. Get a bunch of good books. Plan to take nice walks on crutches, concentrating on using your joint and muscles in a " natural " way. I took the time, pre-op, to raise my sofa up on blocks so that I wouldn't have to struggle up or down. Other than that -- I just looked forward to getting it over and done. Traveling requires some foresight, a few tips on that. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) > > > > Scheduled for July 6 > > > > > > > > > > > > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > > Thanks fo sharing... > > Sylvia > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 I'm with you ...it's how I do things NOW, so for a bit post- op...okay!!! But only till I get the okay to go further! Not to be graphic, boys and girls...but bein' a girl and goin' to the bathroom w/ an OA hip is quite the positioning...either it's out straight (and if others are around...hmmmm? they wonder...or it's tucked under best possible...ANYway, neither here nor there...but let's just say it's yet ANOTHER lil' happiness to look forward to - peein' like a NORMAL person!!!! ) In surfacehpy , Nisbett wrote: > I'm so glad the ballet bend is part of my vocabulary. As a dancer, I use > it not only in class, but it's how I've always picked stuff up from the > floor, esp. as my LH got bad. Arabesque is a useful position. I always > knew it. > > > > > > > Hi, Sylvia. Much of what you asked depends upon your doc's instructions. I could bear full weight on my leg as soon as I was up and walking. I was up and walking with 2 crutches on the day after surgery. I went up and downstairs on crutches, even walked outside the hospital for a bit of air. No, you cannot bend your operated leg more that 90 degrees for 6 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. Lots of funny stories about how we all learned to cope with that. The funniest stories are about learning to put on and take off the sock & shoe. And there was some hilarious stuff about how to get into a pair of undies. We most all learned to do the " ballet bend, " which is while bending over, extend the operated leg straight out behind you. Anyway, it's all manageable. Definitely keep up as much muscle tone as you can in arms and legs. I was told to take an iron supplement for several weeks pre-op. Cut your toenails!! Get a shower chair or use a walker while shower post-op. Get a bunch of good books. Plan to take nice walks on crutches, concentrating on using your joint and muscles in a " natural " way. I took the time, pre-op, to raise my sofa up on blocks so that I wouldn't have to struggle up or down. Other than that -- I just looked forward to getting it over and done. Traveling requires some foresight, a few tips on that. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) > > > > Scheduled for July 6 > > > > > > > > > > > > This is my first venture onto the site - actually I was looking > > for " Denny and Steve " (Amstutz & Schmaalzried). I've read all the > > books; seen several doctors and am now scheduled for July 6 MoM > > resurface with Dr. Amstutz (JRI)..can't wait (to get it over with). > > > > Any pre-op tips? I'm trying to do all the exercizing I can. I'm > > curious about " real life experiences " post op. Even though the hip > > feels better, do you still have the other muscle/lower back pain? > > How long? Can you really not bend over to pick something up? How > > long? How long did you have to use crutches? > > Thanks fo sharing... > > Sylvia > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Post-op Coumadin testing is for JRI patients who use Dr. Rothbart as their MD during resurfacing. He administers most of their pre-op exams and has some responsibility for post-op care. According to him, it takes about 10-14 days of daily testing to get precise coumadin levels. He has only 3 days of results from the hospital stay, and if he sees significant fluctuations during those 3 days, he'll request additional tests during the next 2 weeks until there's consistency in the results. He can and does make a best guess at dosages if you don't get additional tests, but encourages you to get them if at all possible. JRI patients typically take coumadin for 3 weeks then switch to baby aspirin. TED hose is also part of the DVT preventative measures. For those of you who haven't seen the posts on DVT, Coumadin is one of the many preventative measures for DVT, or life threatening blood clots that are a concern after major operations. It's the blood anti-coagulant of choice for JRI surgeons (Dr. Rothbart is quick to correct me when I call it a blood thinner). From what I read from non- JRI surfacehippys, their docs prescribe one of the coumadin alternatives, and don't require follow up blood testing. Dave > Dave: Curious: I never had to have blood checked after leaving the hospital. > Hmmmmm. Seem to recall having just one shot of blood thinner for the long > car ride home from Baltimore to NY. Took a baby aspirin a day, that's all, > prescribed for six weeks post-op. > > Maureen > rhip, jacobs, 10.31.02 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.