Hip, Hooray !
I would like to tell you about my new hip.
My surgery took place on July 24th -- five
weeks ago today. The surgery was
necessary because, as so many of us
find as we age, my right hip had badly
deteriorated due to osteoarthritis. In the
months prior to surgery, I worked very
hard to ensure that the muscles that act
on my hip and legs were very strong. It is
important to do this if joint replacement
surgery is in your future, as the recovery
will be both easier and swifter, if your muscles
are strong. Keeping your muscles strong also
means there is less pressure on the joint itself, which means you will retain better function and movement – and for longer than would be the case if you did not exercise and strength train. That I was able to continue to work (in fitness) until the day before I went into the hospital. is a testament to the benefits of exercise, and, especially, strength training.
The surgery itself went pretty smoothly: a bone graft was done on my hip bone, and my new ceramic hip socket and stem were put into place. When the pain killer that was given to me along with the spinal that I had for the surgery wore off, I found that while my leg and hip were very swollen, stiff and sore, I was not experiencing pain. People define pain differently, but I think of pain as something like a bad toothache. It is overwhelming and impossible to think of much else. I was given a pill for pain for only the first night, and for the rest of my hospital stay Tylenol 3 was sufficient – even that was unnecessary for the last two days of my stay.
The incision was done laterally, which means that I have a scar about 5 inches long on my right side. The cut was made right in the middle of the gluteus medius muscle, which made hip abduction difficult at first. I began physiotherapy the day following surgery, and by the end of Day One, I was able to go the bathroom unassisted using a walker. By Day 3 I was able to use crutches. I cannot stress enough the importance of doing the exercises the physiotherapists recommend to you, but not overdoing it. In order to regain muscle function and flexibility, you must do the exercises, even if some of them are uncomfortable at first (not serious pain, just a little discomfort). The physiotherapists who treated me were excellent, very knowledgeable, and I looked forward to their visits. An occupational therapist also visited me and showed me such things as how to deal with getting dressed, getting in and out of the bathtub, a car, and how to climb up and down stairs. My only complaint is that the hospital food was dreadful, and not very nutritious. Happily, friends brought me fresh fruit and yogurt, which helped to supplement the poor diet that was provided.
On my return home, I made appointments to see a physiotherapist once weekly to be further instructed as to what exercises I could - and could not - do. A friend stayed with me for more than three weeks --such help is needed, and advisable, in the early days. I felt like a Toddler Queen, with everyone bringing me cards, flowers, fruit, etc., and applauding my slightest achievement: getting dressed by myself, putting my shoes on, going to the bathroom by myself.
Each day I did some walking outside on crutches, and by the beginning of the third week, I could walk using just one crutch indoors. Soon I could walk using only a cane indoors, and then began to walk unsupported most of the time at home. By the beginning of the fourth week, I was able to walk outdoors using just a cane, and now can walk tapping it only every 3rd or 4th step. Also at the beginning of the 4th week I resumed weight training and aquatic therapy in the pool, with the approval of my surgeon and the physiotherapist. The surgeon told me that just two restrictions remained on my movements, and those for two more weeks (as of Thursday, September 3rd, just one day short of six weeks post-op, I can do whatever I wish. The restrictions are that I cannot bridge (from a horizontal position, raise my lower back and butt up, or adduct my right hip to the extent that my right leg would cross the midline of my body). Such restrictions vary depending on the type and location of incision, so they would not necessarily be the same for others as they were for me.
Now, at five weeks, I am able to use the stationary bike for 20 minutes, do squats against the wall, use the leg press, the hamstring curl and the quad extension machines, and can stand on one leg - the affected one - for 40 seconds. Next week, I plan to continue to work out in the weight room to regain muscle strength and function, to do pool workouts, and to stretch. I may even try riding my bicycle before the week is out – Yippee !
So, in summary, hip replacement is not without its challenges, but is it worth it? Absolutely !
If you have been told that you need it, GO for it – the sooner, the better - but first, build those muscles. If you are a bit on the heavy side, lose some weight. That will mean less pressure on your joints to begin with, and a faster recovery from surgery afterwards.
If any of you have a hip replacement in your future, and have questions, I invite you to e-mail me any questions that you may have.
