Cycling-focussed recovery "plan" after hip surgery

[Eugene Brown]

After I bought a plot at JUMA, I had three screws inserted through the head of my femur to fix a break. The physio has given me the "standard" stretch/flex exercises, together with some strength exercises that will leave me walking normally again in about 6 weeks time.

 

While my iron horses sit and stare at me for those 6 weeks, can anyone recommend any specific routines/exercises to get me back on the bike ASAP?

 

The biggest challenge is going to be the fear of blikseming off again and re-injury to the hip, but that is something different I would just like to make sure the chassis is ready-to-ride in as short a time as possible

[Sepia]

This is almost exactly what happened to me 2 yrs ago except I had a plate fitted as well but septicemia set in under the plate and I had to have it removed after 6 months. This did not stop me cycling to Cape Town during this period so it is not all bad.

Good luck with the recovery.

[V12man]

Best advice is to stay off the bike while recovering - despite the screws, the bone is not yet strong - so let it heal - just follow the physio's program exactly.

 

If you want to stay aerobically fit - then try to find a hand cycling ergometer.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=hand+cycling+ergometer&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfifGqoJvNAhUKK8AKHRZuAQQQsAQIKw&biw=1536&bih=836 for some ideas on what it looks like

 

Then you can use this to keep up some level of cardiac fitness - it is a workout - unfortunately I don't have a source, but they are reasonably available in SA.

[MTB0007]

Hi

I too bought a plot during the 1st Juma

I shattered my femoral neck and needed a total hip replacement

Best advice I got and will pass on..

Don't rush your recovery don't push the break until physio gives you the OK. . As for fear of falling .. it passes

I ride occasionally now ..only thing I don't do are races,

But once healed you will be back and strong .. just don't try rush the recovery. .

[Eugene Brown]

Hey guys thanks for the advice. I'm not putting any weight on the hip until week 3, allowing the bone a good chance of knitting around the screws. Week 4 is xrays to determine progress of bone fission, will make a call after that about loading the hip.

I caught fkn pneumonia in the hospital, so am also busy with an inspirational spirometer to try and rebuild lung capacity and function.

Thanks for your advice, and slowly slowly catch the monkey seems the best "plan"

[Ryan physio]

There is unfortunately no quick fix.

 

"Rome wasn't build in a day but it was destroyed in one" Very easy to harm yourself by pushing to hard. 

 

After physio make sure you go for an isokinetic test to make sure that the strength is equal and you have no measurable difference between they two limbs.

 

Ask you physio about proprioceptive exercises once you are allowed to weight bear.

 

Lastly, much research has been done with regards to return to sport post surgical patients. There is strong evidence to say that confidence is one of the biggest predictors of how you will do long term.

 

Good luck with the recovery

[lechatnoir]

Ditto all the above, but you can also try a stationary bike or turbo trainer when you're ready.

 

Don't discount a theraband for strengthening - works a treat.

 

Good luck and heal up nicely

[KarlvN]

Had a chat with a trauma nurse last weekend (completely by fluke) after my crash at Hoogekraal. I broke both wrists, shattering the left radius bone, and sustaining rather bad concussion. She said it will all heal, but will take time. Recovery is not achieved in theater, but at home. It ALL depends on how well, or not, you look after yourself. I am at week 5 now, and the right wrist is at 90%, and the left probably somewhere at 30%.

 

Do not go against your doctor's advise, now matter how much you want to. I know, I am there myself. It is just not worth it in the long run. Your break sounds as bad as mine. Take it easy buddy, or you could end up setting yourself back a year or more, according to my doctor, whom I implicitly trust.

[Thomo]

I got the same advice - don't rush things now to regret it later.

Frustrating but probably best.

Any Hubbers with experience of tibial plateau breaks/fractures.?