u/Correct-Truck-5061

Hey all!

43M and I am 8 weeks post-op LTHR direct lateral approach.

As I said in my previous update, Doc was pleased with X-rays at 6 week appt. And wasn't too concerned about my limp, said it should resolve. I still use my cane for longer walks but around the house I don't, but still a limp. If you haven't read any of my previous posts, my surgeon doesn't recommend any formal PT initially, said to focus on walking to allow implant and bone to heal for the first 3 months. After that, if there are still issues we can look at PT.

With that being said, I've tried to incorporate some elliptical training (Doc said ok with no resistance) and I also used a recumbent bike yesterday both for a short amount of time. Here are my questions/ concerns to see if anyone else has any tips to help recovery..

I noticed when using the recumbent bike that my left leg still tends to rotate outwards, with my knee facing out slightly instead of straight ahead. I knew this happened prior to surgery but seems like my muscles are still doing it even though the joint is fixed now...not sure how to correct or if I even can

As I incorporate more normal movement, I'm still using the golfer bend to grab stuff off the floor. When did you start to squat all the way down to pick stuff up? Tips for doing this gradually or was it just something that I'll just do once my leg feels less stiff?

Speaking of the floor, when did you get on the floor? Any specific way you did it at first?

Stretches? Touching the floor?

Bending down to tie your shoes? Did you put your leg on something? Or sit and then bend down to your foot?

I'm still apprehensive to try all those things since some movements are still pretty uncomfortable. Not painful necessarily but uncomfortable. My hip flexor and thigh just feel really tight still. The elliptical and bike seemed to help "loosen them up a bit" since it's a different ROM than just walking.

Just looking for tips or advice on how you introduced some of these movements back into your life after surgery. Maybe this is something you worked on in PT but like I said, not an option for me for another 4 weeks or so.

Appreciate any info, as this group has been super helpful throughout this whole process! Thanks!

Had my 6 week follow-up with my surgeon a couple days ago and he was happy with my overall progress. He had me walk with and without the cane and said that my limp should resolve and that it's not uncommon to still have it at this stage given the approach. He also said that after a month, if I feel like I'm not where I want to be movement wise, I can call and he will refer to PT then. Again, he doesn't recommend any formal PT for the first 3 months while bone and implant heal. At 3 months when it's around 60% then we can look at strengthening the muscles but his first goal is proper healing with no setbacks, so I've just been walking. I know on this forum that seems like blasphemy but I kind of see his reasoning. Don't overdo it in PT and have a setback, focus on proper healing and then take all the time you want to strengthen after. The muscles will still be there.

He's happy with the x-rays and then I was able to unload all of my questions 😂

I can start upper body workouts now but nothing too strenuous, again main focus is on healing.

Same for elliptical and Peloton rides. Ok to do but don't go crazy. (I think I still will wait for peloton lol)

I asked about dislocation and he said that while not impossible, he feels like it would take a lot to get it out. He shared that his personal dislocation rate is about 0.1%. He does thousands of these and he has seen about 4 cases in his last 4500-5000. That made me feel more confident but I'm still going to move intentionally and not push it at least until the 3 month mark.

He said the stiffness, tightness, and ROM limitations I have should resolve over time as things loosen up, so that's good to hear. Again he said after 3 months if still limited we can address those through PT.

So all in all it seems like I'm on track, which was good to hear. I still walk around 8k steps a day with an afternoon walk of around 20 mins or so and then an evening walk around 45 mins, still with my cane but at a light to moderate pace according to my Fitbit 😆

For those of you with the direct lateral approach (modified Hardinge approach) was this similar to where you were at this point in recovery? Any advice or tips for my next phase?

I am coming up on 6 weeks and I was just thinking to myself how much my icing has decreased and I'm not sure that's a good thing or not. I basically ice for most of the evening after my evening walk. I walk for about 45 mins or so outside and then come in and Ice til I make dinner and then I'll continue to ice it on and off til bed. During the beginning of my recovery I felt like I was icing all the time. Should I be icing more? I don't have much swelling and I only really have soreness and tightness at the end of the day.

Let me know your thoughts, thanks!