Just had hip replacement- any advice please

steel191964

Just to update its been 17 days since my hip replacement and i've started using the static bike..

molteni_man

One year on!
This Sunday will mark an exact year since I had my accident and break of the hip bone with the following morning being the date of the hip replacement because of the severity/ nature of the break. The year has passed quickly!
This morning I had my one year check up including x rays. I'm pleased to say that I have been fully signed off.
So what's the verdict overall after a year for me?
I'm fully back to my riding and feel in a good place with it. I've cycled in the Alps this summer and felt pretty good there although felt that I didn't have the same 'snap' as before. However I'm now really pleased and recent Wattbike readings show some good form with similar power outputs on each leg. Physically I feel great. In terms of general movement I can pretty much do the things I did before although there is certainly less overall movement which I was told there would be. The consultant told me when I asked not to really push the stretching as the joint could still dislocate. I'm happy with the movement I've got back.
I've certainly been very determined to get back to where I was before in terms of my cycling and I'm optimistic that next summer could be the best to come. The eight weeks off work gave me some reflection time too and this sent me back there with an even greater determination too! I have a greater respect now for those with a disability which is permanent too.
For those of you who are out there and read this thread with the same condition do know that at the time it can be difficult to envisage the sort of recovery you will make. I'm certain that getting going and walking helped my recovery as did the positive mindset. Listening to medical advice obviously but also to others who'd had a similar operation helped massively. The use of the swimming pool to walk in a shallow depth was great once the scar had healed and I'd got the go ahead to do this. Similarly using the studio equipped with mirrors really helped to get me walking straight once again.
I received some excellent massage I paid for privately and this certainly helped too.
I hope this helps anyone else out there. Having the accident and x rays exposed the fact that I'm suffering from osteoporosis which is why I think the break was so severe. I was diagnosed as coeliac about six years ago and think I had suffered with this for a long time before so do watch out for this. I'd never broken anything before.
We're now booked in for the Alpe d'Huez area next July and I shall let you know if I beat my PB!
BW and take care.

alistaird

To the OP, thanks for the positive updates. I'm writing this 36 hours after a THR. I'm hoping for a good recovery and getting back on the bike when I can. Cycling help post op last time on my knee 35 years ago. I may update your thread with my recovery if that's okay?

A

molteni_man

Hi Alistair,
Good luck with your recovery. I hope things go smoothly for you.
I found posting on here a good thing for me as it allowed me to reflect and realise the little steps of progress each week.
Do keep us posted as I didn't find loads out there when it first happened and I think it can just be useful for others going through the same thing.
Very best wishes

Mikey23

Yay, thanks for the update! Just coming up to the first anniversary of my encounter with black ice and can report similar progress. My cycling is pretty much back where it was and i have just passed 6k miles for the year including a full on week in Mallorca. As a measure of my progress I have been revisiting many of my more challenging rides. Ticked them all off now except dartmoor climb to princetown! That made me feel good doing stuff that i never thought i would ride again. General mobility is as good as it is going to get. Not quite perfect but very acceptable for a 66 year old.

Good physio advice and indoor training on zwift helped enormously and my training is a lot more structured these days, my legs are stronger, my cardio and core strength are better, cadence is quicker and confidence is nearly there. I quite often forget i have had a THR and only get reminded when wellwishers enquire after me. Thanks to you guys for sharing your experiences. There is a life beyond!

pinno

Mikey23 wrote:

There is a life beyond!

Of course there is but I have worn out my right replacement (it's 19 years old) :roll: Hopefully it's just the Acetabular cup and the prosthesis is still nice and shiny but they won't know until they get in there.

molteni_man

+ 1 for Zwift! Great to hear your update Mikey too : - )

alistaird

1st hydrotherapy session done. Definitely worth it IMHO.

A

pinno

AlistairD wrote:

1st hydrotherapy session done. Definitely worth it IMHO.

A

Quite agree and a bit of gym work later on down the line to accelerate strength.

alistaird

2nd hydrotherapy session today and down to 1 stick around the house. Can't recommend the hydrotherapy highly enough...

A

molteni_man

Good progress Alistair! Out of interest for others what was the point when your scar was healed enough to receive the hydrotherapy? Like you I found this and later on moving and stretching in Water one of the very best parts of recovery.

alistaird

Molteni Man wrote:

Good progress Alistair! Out of interest for others what was the point when your scar was healed enough to receive the hydrotherapy? Like you I found this and later on moving and stretching in Water one of the very best parts of recovery.

I had the op on Wednesday evening and the first hydrotherapy session on the Saturday morning. So about 60 hours post op. I can not swim for 6 weeks post op but apparently a hydro pool is ok. They check the waterproof dressing carefully and so far I haven't had to change it as it is very secure. Less chance of infection if the initial dressing stays in place.

HTH and answer any questions.

A

pinno

Did you get staples? Bloody itchy them,

alistaird

Pinno wrote:

Did you get staples? Bloody itchy them,

Yes. Staples, due out next week, fortunately no itching (yet)...

A

pinno

AlistairD wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Did you get staples? Bloody itchy them,

Yes. Staples, due out next week, fortunately no itching (yet)...

A

It's Friday... would you get seen over the weekend if they did?...
Perhaps sprinkle curry powder on them - better than the itch.

joshuagame94

Using a things such as clip peddles may cause issues so flats would be better so you don’t have to externally roatat hip to unclip. Also main thing is to take things steady and build up progressively.

alistaird

joshuagame94 wrote:

Using a things such as clip peddles may cause issues so flats would be better so you don’t have to externally roatat hip to unclip. Also main thing is to take things steady and build up progressively.

Great idea, thanks especially for the bike which will start on my Turbo Trainer.

A

alistaird

Staples out (not a nice experience...) Another Hydrotherapy session done - an hour in the pool with lots of different exercises, steady progress - one more hydro session before getting in the gym. Idea is to try a bike in the gym in week 5 so that I can learn how to get on the turbo trainer safely at home from week 6.

A

pinno

AlistairD wrote:

Staples out (not a nice experience...) Another Hydrotherapy session done - an hour in the pool with lots of different exercises, steady progress - one more hydro session before getting in the gym. Idea is to try a bike in the gym in week 5 so that I can learn how to get on the turbo trainer safely at home from week 6.

A

Gym bikes are uncomfortable, badly set up, much removed form your own bike's geometry and if it's a spinner, then it has it's own flywheel effect that can be really difficult to control, especially with a weak leg.
Why not invest in a set of rollers or why not try the Turbo Trainer at home on the lowest resistance setting (if it has one).

You can do basic squats at home and a whole load of exercises that do not require the gym or weights. Ask your physio for a 'rubber band' and use it to gently improve lateral strength - your physio can show you how to use it. Buy one - all manner of tensions available. Go light and slowly increase reps.

What's the hurry?!

alistaird

Pinno wrote:

AlistairD wrote:

Staples out (not a nice experience...) Another Hydrotherapy session done - an hour in the pool with lots of different exercises, steady progress - one more hydro session before getting in the gym. Idea is to try a bike in the gym in week 5 so that I can learn how to get on the turbo trainer safely at home from week 6.

A

Gym bikes are uncomfortable, badly set up, much removed form your own bike's geometry and if it's a spinner, then it has it's own flywheel effect that can be really difficult to control, especially with a weak leg.
Why not invest in a set of rollers or why not try the Turbo Trainer at home on the lowest resistance setting (if it has one).

You can do basic squats at home and a whole load of exercises that do not require the gym or weights. Ask your physio for a 'rubber band' and use it to gently improve lateral strength - your physio can show you how to use it. Buy one - all manner of tensions available. Go light and slowly increase reps.

What's the hurry?!

I wasn't clear, the physio will be in the gym under guidance of the physiotherapist the including an easy session on the gym bike if they are happy. Yes I have a turbo @ home but physiotherapist needs to make sure I can get on and off safely. Not planning on any unsupervised gym work....

No hurry, just following advice to the letter.

A

the_cyclist_of_catan

When I was rehabbing my broken leg, I found that I could adjust the gym bike to measurements a bit similar to my own by measuring my own bike first and then carrying a tape measure. The flywheel effect had to be watched quite carefully, though - it's easy to pull something out of its socket if you've had major surgery on the hip.

alistaird

Quick weekly update - long Hydrotherapy session yesterday which really helps with flexibility and working the muscles around the operated area. Now able to walk upstairs 'normally' which is strange and hard after 3 weeks of 'good leg first'...

Next physio session will be starting in the gym....

A

molteni_man

You're doing great Alistair. They tried me out on the bike at the Physio first , but I found the Wattbike at the gym much easier to get on and pedal after a few times on the static bikes.

Mikey23

Yes, remembering shuffling up and down stairs. Im sure it took longer than three weeks here so looks like progress is good!

pinno

Long time no see Mikey.

molteni_man

1 year + 3 weeks update! Out on the Mtb this morning and clipped a road sign at low speed which caused a fall onto the pavement on to my right hip, the replacement one. Broke fall with right arm slightly but fairly full on to the hip. A bit of bruising but no damage! Phew! Seems these hip replacements are pretty strong. Someone told me they're stronger than bone - wonder if this is true ? Probably is in my case due to the osteoporosis I have.
Fall was my fault, completely innocuous due to talking to a friend on a cycle path......... and no I don't keep having offs!

alistaird

Molteni Man wrote:

1 year + 3 weeks update! Out on the Mtb this morning and clipped a road sign at low speed which caused a fall onto the pavement on to my right hip, the replacement one. Broke fall with right arm slightly but fairly full on to the hip. A bit of bruising but no damage! Phew! Seems these hip replacements are pretty strong. Someone told me they're stronger than bone - wonder if this is true ? Probably is in my case due to the osteoporosis I have.
Fall was my fault, completely innocuous due to talking to a friend on a cycle path......... and no I don't keep having offs!

Glad you're ok... Take it easy though as having the same hip done again is not good

A

alistaird

First full physio session (as opposed to hydrotherapy). Tried sitting on the gym bike which was fine (but only light pedalling with no resistance to check knee hip shoulder angle.) Right hip feels stiff which is only to be expected... More leg exercises to do this time with an exercise band to increase the resistance.

Physio suggested that I can do some very gentle cycling on the trainer at home (I'm just waiting for a gel pad for the saddle as you have to sit upright to keep the knee hip shoulder angle greater than 90 degrees.) Fortunately it's my right hip which will make swinging it over the bike easier as the angle will be nearer to 180 degrees for the right hip and much closer to 90 degrees for the left hip. Not sure when I'm going to risk this though - they say the exercise will be very good for the hip and the knee (which also hasn't really been used much for a month...)

A

mac111051

steel191964 wrote:

Thought i would my two pennies worth have had hip problems for years so decided to have a the hip replaced this year.

I had my hip replaced in France on the 5th July so its been 11 days since surgery, one thing i did find out is the surgery in Europe is different from the one performed in the UK , the Europe op is a less intrusive one where no muscles are torn thus the recovery is a lot quicker. No additional furniture is required as dislocation is like 1% risk. The cut equates to about 3 inches .
I'm told i can drive after about 15 days and back on the static bike within 3 weeks also back on the road after 6 weeks , after reading many horror stories on here and other forums i thought i would share my findings that UK citizens that hold a EHIC the european insurance card can get this service. I used a company ''surgeryinfrance;'' but i'm sure there are others . I had to pay a third of the cost but i'm sure its be worth it.

David

Had mine replaced in Belgium after breaking it at the tour of Flanders sportive, Had the operation Monday morning was walking Monday afternoon on a turbo trainerTuesday, climbing staires Wednesday, as David says they do not cut the muscles but open them like curtains, cannot understand how they have done it with such a small cut, the hospital was more like a 5 star hotel and the treatment I recieved was fantastic most of it was paid through my UHIC,

alistaird

mac111051 wrote:

steel191964 wrote:

Thought i would my two pennies worth have had hip problems for years so decided to have a the hip replaced this year.

I had my hip replaced in France on the 5th July so its been 11 days since surgery, one thing i did find out is the surgery in Europe is different from the one performed in the UK , the Europe op is a less intrusive one where no muscles are torn thus the recovery is a lot quicker. No additional furniture is required as dislocation is like 1% risk. The cut equates to about 3 inches .
I'm told i can drive after about 15 days and back on the static bike within 3 weeks also back on the road after 6 weeks , after reading many horror stories on here and other forums i thought i would share my findings that UK citizens that hold a EHIC the european insurance card can get this service. I used a company ''surgeryinfrance;'' but i'm sure there are others . I had to pay a third of the cost but i'm sure its be worth it.

David

Had mine replaced in Belgium after breaking it at the tour of Flanders sportive, Had the operation Monday morning was walking Monday afternoon on a turbo trainerTuesday, climbing staires Wednesday, as David says they do not cut the muscles but open them like curtains, cannot understand how they have done it with such a small cut, the hospital was more like a 5 star hotel and the treatment I recieved was fantastic most of it was paid through my UHIC,

Glad it worked out so well for you two. My scar is about 4 inches long and I believe it was relatively non-invasive. I'm due to see the surgeon again next week so hopefully will have time to have a quick discussion with him about it.

Certainly the recovery has been good - but there is a risk of dislocation hence the requirement to watch the 90 degree bend and also not to cross the operated leg past the vertical - both of which put pressure on the joint as I understand it. Hoping to be driving next week (6 weeks in...)

A