- I was fit as a fiddle, but then I tripped over an eager dog, landed on something hard, and ended up with a hip fracture, says Solveig Mongstad from her comfy chair at home in the western part of Norway.
She has always been active, with long walks and morning exercises every day. Being physically active made the rehabilitation process much shorter for the 91-year-old.
- I was walking in the hallways right after the operation and have been exercising every single day since then.
Cycling Twice a Day
In her living room, there’s a bike, and on the TV, a Motiview film from Nøtterøy in Norway is playing.
- The doctors said cycling was very good after a hip fracture, so that’s what I’ve been doing. I cycle twice a day, 15 minutes each time. And I can feel it has done me good.
The fact that a film from Nøtterøy is playing on the screen is no coincidence. Solveig lived there when she was young.
The films are great. It's nice to see places I’ve been before. Many places have changed a lot since I was last there, but I still recognize them, says Solveig, adding that it's much easier to complete a cycling session when there’s something enjoyable to watch.
Aiming to Run Up the Stairs Again
Solveig set several goals during her rehabilitation after the hip fracture. The first was to get rid of the walker. Then, it was to manage to walk up the stairs. Both goals were achieved only 3-4 months after the hip fracture.
- Now I’m aiming to be able to run up the stairs again soon. I want to get back to where I was before the hip fracture. I’m sure I can achieve that with the training I’m doing, says Solveig confidently.