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12 weeks post op and still limping

Posted , 25 users are following.

Colleen25
Colleen25

Hi everyone,

Not been on for a while, hoping everyone is recovering well.

I am 12 weeks today post op. Was due to go back to work today, but still not had my 6 week check up. Finally going this wednesday. I have lots of questions and conerns, which i am hoping will be answered.

I wanted to ask though, how people felt after 12 weeks? I still suffer with pain, particulary in my back. I am trying not to use my crutch, but walking with with a gaping limp still, which is affecting my knees, which was the same pre op. My right knee cruntches and swells as the day goes on. Plus i have a compressed nerve still in my non op side, which keeps me awake most nights. Thought by now i would be getting back to normal and ready for work.

Anyone else still suffering at 12 weeks?

3 likes, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • cindy48619
    cindy48619 Colleen25

    Posted

    Hi Colleen,

    I am just responding for support to you. I am only 3 weeks post op. My recovery seems to be going well. I see a physical therapist 5 days a week and I do everything she tells me. It helps to get my muscles stronger every day

     

  • hil123
    hil123 Colleen25

    Posted

    Hi Colleen

    I am 13 weeks now and have a limp . My physio said this was due to me developing a limp before the op so my muscles have a much harder task to get back to full strength . She has given me some very specific exercises to strengthen the weak muscles and they are working . She did tell me that when I get tired that I use the stick so I don't fall back into walking bad habits in limping . Might be worth having a chat to a physio about your specific limp . I have been told it could take me a few more months yet before I am limp free but I am happy to do the extra work .still get aches and pains and a bit of swelling but it's a small price to pay to get a limp free walk .I am going back to work next week , if you had said that to me 3 weeks ago I would never have believed it but getting some good physio advice can do wonders . Hope all goes well for you .

    • Colleen25
      Colleen25 hil123

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. How long have you been off work?

      My consultant told me i dont need physio! Had 2 apps with PT early on after my op and was given some strengthening exercises, which i kept up. Think i may pay privately for PT and see what they say. Sick of the constant pain and terrified of going back to work in pain or having to have more time off.

    • hil123
      hil123 Colleen25

      Posted

      Hi Colleen

      Just got your reply today ( site gremlins are at play ) . I ended up having private physio because I needed to be able to get back to work . I start work Friday which will mean 14 weeks off , I would have back sooner but I have holiday days to use up so I tacked them onto the end of my sick note .I found the private physio sessions invaluable at this point , I have only needed 3 . Hope all goes well and you get to the source of your pain .

    • Colleen25
      Colleen25 hil123

      Posted

      Think i might do the same and find a priviate PT. Going to see a chriopractor thursday for my back and paying for that.

      I should be back to work next week, which will be 14 weeks. I want to go back to start to get back to normal, but reality is i dont feel ready too.

      Got my children ready for nursery this morning and have fell down the stairs carrying my youngest, who isnt walking yet. My hip is currently sporting a swollen egg on it and is hurting. Know its not broken as it moves, but i am shouting out in pain as i try to sit down. Do i get it checked or wait and see how i get on? Just finding it really difficult with the pain and looking after the kids. Fell yesterday too (without child). Thinking this is a warning to slow down and stop pushing myself to much. Frustrating as i just want to get on with it. I am only 31 and feel like i should be so better by now, hearing how others and back on it, back to work and feeling great makes me think why arent i! X

    • hil123
      hil123 Colleen25

      Posted

      Ouchy ! I know it's difficult hearing about others getting on but most of us dont have a young family to care for and that really does make a difference .I was also told

      that the younger you are the stronger your muscles so they really go through a bit of a pounding during the op . Have your swelling checked just to be on the safe side .

      Lots of get betterness

      Hilary

  • Colleen25
    Colleen25

    Posted

    Thank you for all your responses i really appreciate them. I have been today to see my consultant. Had a X Ray and he says it looks brilliant.

    He told me my limp is due to pain in my back not nothing to do with my hip. My spine is still curved. If the pain continues then go to my GP and asked to be referred to a back specialist!

    He said i dont need any physio and just to keep on walking as best i can.

    Not much help to be honest, but hey hoo! Least my hip looks good. Just have to grin and bear it for now and see how i get on.

  • brenda92532
    brenda92532 Colleen25

    Posted

    Hi Colleen

    Im 12 weeks and I'm walking without crutches but like you I have back pain and all my body aches including my opposite knee to the op. I have a limp but put it down to the feeling in my foot on the operated side (left). The doctors say it's plantar fasciitis. I think this is the reason for my muscle tension and the fact that I have curvature of the spine.

    When I went for my 6 week check that's all they told me and would see me in 12 months.  I have been going to my doctors and he is referring me for physio.  I'm retired and don't have the added problem of having to go back to work. I still get frustrated not being able to dance.

    i hope things improve for you and let me know how you get on.

    Brenda

    • Colleen25
      Colleen25 brenda92532

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about your foot Brenda. That doesnt sound nice at all. I do hope you get sorted and back to your dancing.

      Going to try and rest next week when the kids are in nursery and see if it helps with the pain. I know its early days and things take months to heal, but come to realise my new hip will not cure the other problems. Still happy i had it done, but like yourself its frustrating when you still cant do the things you want to do.

      Hey hoo. Onwards and upwards!

    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 Colleen25

      Posted

      Hi Colleen

      It must be difficult having to cope with young children when you are in pain.  Since I had my hip op we haven't had to look after our grandchild, she has been put in nursery.  

      I feel all I seem to do is rest, go shopping and out for coffee.  I keep trying to do things but soon get tired.  I'm told it will take time and I'm not in pain with the hip I think I'm glad I had it done but time will tell.

      Hope everything goes well for you and like you said Hey hoo. Onwards and upwards!

      Brenda

  • barb31596
    barb31596 Colleen25

    Posted

    My L hip replacement is 12 weeks as of this coming Monday. I got a L quad tendonitis ftom my PT  exercises which made it very difficult to make any progress with my hip. 4 weeks ago, I tripped over a curb. I walked on a torn L quad muscle for almost a month, and had it repaired 2 days ago.When the pain medication wears off, I can still feel that pain in my hip joint and it radiates down to my groin. I have had both knees replaced and they were a piece of cake compared to this. I certainly share your frustration; never dreamed I would be having these issues 12 weeks out.
  • barb31596
    barb31596 Colleen25

    Posted

    I am 12 weeks today and it has not been pretty.  I got a quad tendonitis from my PT exercises. That really delayed my progress. I then tripped over a curb and tore my quad muscle which I walked on for a month. That was repaired 5 days ago. My hip was perhaps marginally better before I tripped; but it is not so great now. We are suppose to go to Croatia from the States in 3 week and I hear it is uneven ground and lots of steps. I have had both knees replaced so I cannot help you there. I am still taking pain meds or I would be nowhere. Back pain seems better. I wish you better days ahead.
  • barb31596
    barb31596 Colleen25

    Posted

    Colleen,

    i found very appropriate exercises on Pinterest; just search for exercises post THA. Actually now I am doing water therapy. I just do range of motion in the water and water walk back and forth.

  • belleAUSSydney
    belleAUSSydney Colleen25

    Posted

    I'm four and a half months post-op and I still limp a bit. Still have a bit of pain, too, but it's not anywhere near bad enough to warrant painkillers. I'm limping a lot faster these days and can tell things are really improving. I go for at least a short walk every day, which really helps. I found that ditching the walking aids contributed to a very real improvement within days.
    • Colleen25
      Colleen25 belleAUSSydney

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. I do walk everyday and i am a mum to two young children so constantly on the go! Want to start the gym, but terrified with the pain.

      Trying to leave the crutch at home when ever i can and dont use it in the house at all. Will keep at it and hopefully start to see some improvements. Xx

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