Hi BBM
I have decided to go through with bilateral THR. It’s a quality of life decision for me as I have had issues for years. In my research on the procedure and why to expect, I have discovered a forum dedicated to people that are getting or are recovering from joint replacement. The advice given on that forum for recovery is along the lines of RICE + pain killers. They advise refusing PT if it’s prescribed and to ice the bejeezus out of the hips. A common advice given is “Hips actually don’t need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don’t give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots.” (This is actually told to every new member of the forum). This runs counter to everything I have read and experienced from SS and BBM.
My question is, am I missing something? I understand the procedure will involve a major insult to the bones and that there is a period of time where the bone will need to start to remodel and grow into the implant. I also understand that, while the muscles are not cut (with the approach that will be used for me) that they are stretched out of the way and the capsule around the joint is cut, etc. I expect to be in pain but I also expect to use the stress recovery adaptation cycle, slowly and humbly, to recover hopefully starting somewhere between 3-6 weeks post op with an empty bar. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t do that?
The surgeon basically told me there are no restrictions post op, save a couple of positions not to put yourself in for a few weeks (like hip fully extended and rotated) he also said I would be able to do pretty much whatever I want after healed except become a professional marathoner.
Thank you,
Brian
The advice given on that forum for recovery is along the lines of RICE + pain killers. They advise refusing PT if it’s prescribed and to ice the bejeezus out of the hips. A common advice given is “Hips actually don’t need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don’t give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots.” (This is actually told to every new member of the forum). This runs counter to everything I have read and experienced from SS and BBM.
That is fascinating.
No, you are not missing anything. You have (likely) correctly identified that the other forum appears to be an excellent source of priming and nocebo, and you should move and start training when able after surgery.
Good to hear, thank you. So what is safe and what is stupid for me to do and when? My initial thoughts are that the first few days will be mostly bed / chair ridden with assisted (cane / crutches / walker if needed) walking, moving towards un assisted walking as soon as possible. Once I can walk without aids, is it then ok to begin squatting to a box unloaded? I’m just brainstorming, but I imagine doing unloaded squats to my current box height 18.5”. If I can manage that in controlled manner, then lowering the box an inch and a half for the next session and repeating this until I can squat to depth at which point I can add the bar? I’m guessing the biggest concerns immediately following surgery are dislocation due to the integrity of the capsule, and movement of the implant because the bone has not integrated itself. Is dislocation less of an issue in a stronger person? It seems like the surrounding muscle helps stabilize the joint, so the stronger the surrounding muscle the less likely it would be? I don’t want to do anything that will interfere with integration of the bone, are there things I should avoid and if so for how long?
Thank you,
Brian