Guest guest Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 I'm not a doctor, for sure...but...the description of the continuing discomfort you're feeling from deep inside across the front of the hip sounds like problems with the iliopsoas. Given the nature of resurfing and hip repair, that one may take a while to work out completely. Most of the best stretches I know for it (and I've been on intense, unfriendly terms with my iliopsoas for years) would also torque the repaired joint in ways you'd rather not torque it just yet. There are some stretches you and do, if it's the iliopsoas, and a good PT should be able find to a useful and productive middle ground. For the rest of the six week report... I seem to recall you were concerned going into your check-up that things weren't all going as well as you'd like. This letter is a good sign. You go, boy.. Alan > > > Hi Guys, > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I try > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > that's encouraging. > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and keep > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > stretching tips? > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get some > yard work done. > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 I'm not a doctor, for sure...but...the description of the continuing discomfort you're feeling from deep inside across the front of the hip sounds like problems with the iliopsoas. Given the nature of resurfing and hip repair, that one may take a while to work out completely. Most of the best stretches I know for it (and I've been on intense, unfriendly terms with my iliopsoas for years) would also torque the repaired joint in ways you'd rather not torque it just yet. There are some stretches you and do, if it's the iliopsoas, and a good PT should be able find to a useful and productive middle ground. For the rest of the six week report... I seem to recall you were concerned going into your check-up that things weren't all going as well as you'd like. This letter is a good sign. You go, boy.. Alan > > > Hi Guys, > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I try > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > that's encouraging. > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and keep > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > stretching tips? > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get some > yard work done. > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 The description of the muscle tightness and the lower back pain is exactly what I, too, have experienced. I'm 4 months post-op now and things are steadily improving. It's frustrating, though, because I want to be able to walk distances and I can't, yet. I have no joint pain at all, but the butt muscles, the psoas muscle, and whatever else is in there are still very tight. The thing is, you can't do too much to stretch them until your joint is healed enough to really tax it. So it's a s-l-o-w process. Just little gains here and there. I'm much, much more flexible now that I was at 6 weeks. I've been seeing a chiropractor/kenesiologist who uses a cold blazer on me. Speeds healing and is particularly helpful in getting that brain/muscle connection going again. Keeping my spine aligned is also extremely helpful. I remember at 6 weeks I was still concentrating on " pushing off " on the foot of my surgical leg, being mindful of doing it correctly or as naturally as I could muster. It DOES come back -- the ability to move without muscle spasms. Gentle exercises at first and then more demanding ones as I'm able. Anyway, I remember when I was 6 weeks post-op and people were writing about being several months post-op and I thought, " I'll never get there. " Patience. Common sense. Remember what you've been through -- pre-op & the surgery itself. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) sungold518@... Re: 6 week report card. I'm not a doctor, for sure...but...the description of the continuing discomfort you're feeling from deep inside across the front of the hip sounds like problems with the iliopsoas. Given the nature of resurfing and hip repair, that one may take a while to work out completely. Most of the best stretches I know for it (and I've been on intense, unfriendly terms with my iliopsoas for years) would also torque the repaired joint in ways you'd rather not torque it just yet. There are some stretches you and do, if it's the iliopsoas, and a good PT should be able find to a useful and productive middle ground. For the rest of the six week report... I seem to recall you were concerned going into your check-up that things weren't all going as well as you'd like. This letter is a good sign. You go, boy.. Alan > > > Hi Guys, > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I try > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > that's encouraging. > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and keep > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > stretching tips? > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get some > yard work done. > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 The description of the muscle tightness and the lower back pain is exactly what I, too, have experienced. I'm 4 months post-op now and things are steadily improving. It's frustrating, though, because I want to be able to walk distances and I can't, yet. I have no joint pain at all, but the butt muscles, the psoas muscle, and whatever else is in there are still very tight. The thing is, you can't do too much to stretch them until your joint is healed enough to really tax it. So it's a s-l-o-w process. Just little gains here and there. I'm much, much more flexible now that I was at 6 weeks. I've been seeing a chiropractor/kenesiologist who uses a cold blazer on me. Speeds healing and is particularly helpful in getting that brain/muscle connection going again. Keeping my spine aligned is also extremely helpful. I remember at 6 weeks I was still concentrating on " pushing off " on the foot of my surgical leg, being mindful of doing it correctly or as naturally as I could muster. It DOES come back -- the ability to move without muscle spasms. Gentle exercises at first and then more demanding ones as I'm able. Anyway, I remember when I was 6 weeks post-op and people were writing about being several months post-op and I thought, " I'll never get there. " Patience. Common sense. Remember what you've been through -- pre-op & the surgery itself. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) sungold518@... Re: 6 week report card. I'm not a doctor, for sure...but...the description of the continuing discomfort you're feeling from deep inside across the front of the hip sounds like problems with the iliopsoas. Given the nature of resurfing and hip repair, that one may take a while to work out completely. Most of the best stretches I know for it (and I've been on intense, unfriendly terms with my iliopsoas for years) would also torque the repaired joint in ways you'd rather not torque it just yet. There are some stretches you and do, if it's the iliopsoas, and a good PT should be able find to a useful and productive middle ground. For the rest of the six week report... I seem to recall you were concerned going into your check-up that things weren't all going as well as you'd like. This letter is a good sign. You go, boy.. Alan > > > Hi Guys, > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I try > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > that's encouraging. > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and keep > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > stretching tips? > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get some > yard work done. > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 sungold518@... > [Original Message] > > To: surfacehippy surfacehippy > > Date: 5/29/2004 10:29:39 AM > Subject: RE: Re: 6 week report card. > > > The description of the muscle tightness and the lower back pain is exactly what I, too, have experienced. I'm 4 months post-op now and things are steadily improving. It's frustrating, though, because I want to be able to walk distances and I can't, yet. I have no joint pain at all, but the butt muscles, the psoas muscle, and whatever else is in there are still very tight. The thing is, you can't do too much to stretch them until your joint is healed enough to really tax it. So it's a s-l-o-w process. Just little gains here and there. I'm much, much more flexible now that I was at 6 weeks. I've been seeing a chiropractor/kenesiologist who uses a cold lazer on me. Speeds healing and is particularly helpful in getting that brain/muscle connection going again. Keeping my spine aligned is also extremely helpful. I remember at 6 weeks I was still concentrating on " pushing off " on the foot of my surgical leg, being mindful of doing it correctly or as naturally as I could muster. It DOES come back -- the ability to move without muscle spasms. Gentle exercises at first and then more demanding ones as I'm able. Anyway, I remember when I was 6 weeks post-op and people were writing about being several months post-op and I thought, " I'll never get there. " Patience. Common sense. Remember what you've been through -- pre-op & the surgery itself. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) > > sungold518@... > > > > Re: 6 week report card. > > > > > I'm not a doctor, for sure...but...the description of the continuing > discomfort you're feeling from deep inside across the front of the > hip sounds like problems with the iliopsoas. Given the nature of > resurfing and hip repair, that one may take a while to work out > completely. Most of the best stretches I know for it (and I've been > on intense, unfriendly terms with my iliopsoas for years) would also > torque the repaired joint in ways you'd rather not torque it just > yet. There are some stretches you and do, if it's the iliopsoas, and > a good PT should be able find to a useful and productive middle > ground. > > For the rest of the six week report... I seem to recall you were > concerned going into your check-up that things weren't all going as > well as you'd like. This letter is a good sign. > > You go, boy.. > > Alan > > > > > > > Hi Guys, > > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I > try > > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > > that's encouraging. > > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and > keep > > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > > stretching tips? > > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get > some > > yard work done. > > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 Truthfully, if you told me pre-op that at 6 weeks I'd be at 80% for strength, and 60% flexibility I'd have accepted it. But now that I'm here and I feel the potential it's a patience issue. Gee, there's a new one.... My PT did some tests and feels that it's not so much the Psoas as the short guys closer to the front of the device. Either way, the flexion contracture behaves the same. My wife is going make me walk around furniture stores today, that will not only be a good way to exercise my hip, but my patience as well. At least there will be plenty of places to sit if I get tired. I sure feel better in the mornings than in the evenings. Joyce, how's your flexion? If you are standing on your non-op leg, how high can you bring your knee up without using your hands to pull? How about on your back? How far past 90 degrees can you get by pulling up? And to all hippies, how difficult/scary was the process of moving your operated hip over your body (while on your back), to where you can pull the knee down and do the lower back stretch. (The one where you lay on your back and keep your shoulders flat while crossing the leg over your body and twisting so that the knee is pulled to the floor.) That is the position they use to dislocate your hip in the procedure. I feel creepy as heck when I try it at all. > > > > > > Hi Guys, > > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I > try > > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > > that's encouraging. > > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and > keep > > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > > stretching tips? > > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get > some > > yard work done. > > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 At just over 5 weeks post LBR op I having been following your reports with great interest. I " did " the furniture shops with a friend on Friday - most enjoyable - and " did " the electical and gadget shops ( not so enjoyable) yesterday with my partner - about 2 hours of walking. I was exhausted, but not too achy and actually slept well last night - 6 hours without getting up! I took both my crutches with me as I find I still need them for support, when I am out, physically and mentally. AND , the biggest bonus is that when people see you on crutches they make way for you, put you at the head of a queue etc!!! I think that this week my surgeon will allow me to be off this wretched uncomfortable raised chair - and hopefully I can manage to bend my long legs comfortably into my little car and DRIVE! Those aches in what I call the " bum bones " - how do you know if they are aches from stretching muscles and ligaments or whatever else is in there, appropriately, or if you are doing too much? I have a small series of exercises to do at home and start hydrotherapy this week I hope. Also has anyone had knee pain after the op? The area of my left knee is still sore, it wont bend properly and feels as if there is a fluid build up behind it and at the top of my calf muscle. I had the cartilage removed 25 years ago (hockey injury) and have never had trouble since. My left ankle is still a little puffy too -guess that will go down eventually. Also the numbness is gradually going from nerve damage around the wound - the nerves grow back 1 mm a day I was told! Lots of growing to be done! Is there anything I shouldn't be doing???? Thankyou everyone for your interesting reports and for this terrific support group. Reading it has certainly alleviated many of my little worries and it is great to read of the wonderful progress people have made. Cheers Kay Joyce Graves sungold518@...> wrote: The description of the muscle tightness and the lower back pain is exactly what I, too, have experienced. I'm 4 months post-op now and things are steadily improving. It's frustrating, though, because I want to be able to walk distances and I can't, yet. I have no joint pain at all, but the butt muscles, the psoas muscle, and whatever else is in there are still very tight. The thing is, you can't do too much to stretch them until your joint is healed enough to really tax it. So it's a s-l-o-w process. Just little gains here and there. I'm much, much more flexible now that I was at 6 weeks. I've been seeing a chiropractor/kenesiologist who uses a cold blazer on me. Speeds healing and is particularly helpful in getting that brain/muscle connection going again. Keeping my spine aligned is also extremely helpful. I remember at 6 weeks I was still concentrating on " pushing off " on the foot of my surgical leg, being mindful of doing it correctly or as naturally as I could muster. It DOES come back -- the ability to move without muscle spasms. Gentle exercises at first and then more demanding ones as I'm able. Anyway, I remember when I was 6 weeks post-op and people were writing about being several months post-op and I thought, " I'll never get there. " Patience. Common sense. Remember what you've been through -- pre-op & the surgery itself. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04) sungold518@... Re: 6 week report card. I'm not a doctor, for sure...but...the description of the continuing discomfort you're feeling from deep inside across the front of the hip sounds like problems with the iliopsoas. Given the nature of resurfing and hip repair, that one may take a while to work out completely. Most of the best stretches I know for it (and I've been on intense, unfriendly terms with my iliopsoas for years) would also torque the repaired joint in ways you'd rather not torque it just yet. There are some stretches you and do, if it's the iliopsoas, and a good PT should be able find to a useful and productive middle ground. For the rest of the six week report... I seem to recall you were concerned going into your check-up that things weren't all going as well as you'd like. This letter is a good sign. You go, boy.. Alan > > > Hi Guys, > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I try > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > that's encouraging. > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and keep > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > stretching tips? > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get some > yard work done. > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 Kay, Not exactly sure how to answer your question about the pain in your " bum bones " except that the pain (I refer to as surgical) takes a while to completely go away, it's very gradual and from time to time it feels as if it's getting worse. For me, I felt it more from sitting for too long. Between 5 & 6 weeks I was given the all clear to start walking without the cane. If I was hurting more than the day before, I'd take a day off from the walking or I wouldn't walk as far. If the pain is different rather than being more intense, I'd follow-up with your OS. I had knee pain also. When I mentioned it to the OS at my six week follow-up, he told me that they had to twist the knee pretty hard to dislocate the hip from the socket. I thought that it was due to the atrophy in the muscles of my operated leg. It has since gone away. I don't recall feeling anything like a fluid build up. best of luck with your recovery, Fred Dr. Gross, C2K 1/21/04 > > > > > > Hi Guys, > > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I > try > > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > > that's encouraging. > > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and > keep > > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > > stretching tips? > > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get > some > > yard work done. > > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 Sounds like you're doing great. About your stiff back - it's probably true for many of us, but the same overuse that wore out my hips also messed up my back, mainly with compression related problems. And your back goes through a lot of adjustments and compensations post op while you're learning to walk again without a limp. I get regular chiropractic care, but I also use inversion therapy and swear by it. I first used a devise at my gym called a back revolution and was impressed enough that I bought one off the internet. Several sites sell it. It's not cheap, but it's paid for itself many times over. It's been particularly helpful during rehab. You're doing great, keep a positive mental attitude. It only gets better and the milestones keep coming. Dave > > > Hi Guys, > I've been trying to be good and not write all the time, but 6 > weeks is a " big " watermark, so I'm checking in. I figure I'm about > 80% on the strength, but only 60 percent on flexibility (using the > non-op leg for comparison.) I still struggle with flexion, and can > barely achieve 90 degrees on my own. PT says don't sweat it. I'm > Doing the bike at the gym, and weights (upper body only). I walk on > and off all day at work so I'm not really worrying about getting > enough walking in. I don't really have pain when I walk...but I do > feel discomfort across the front of my hip, way deep inside as I try > to walk without any compensating limp. It's going away slowly, so > that's encouraging. > I'm getting tight in my lower back, and really miss doing > my " cross over " stretches where I cross my leg over my body and keep > my shoulders on the floor. But I'm doing what I can. Any lower back > stretching tips? > All in all I'm doing ok. I seem to be a grow-plateau type > healer. But I still feel like it will be a long time till I can tie > a shoe in front of me. I'm looking forward to 3 days off to get some > yard work done. > C+ Amstutz 4-15-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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