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6week consultancy-penguin walk

Posted , 10 users are following.

colinTN17
colinTN17

This afternoon I had my 6week appointment with my surgeon and have asked a lot of the questions that have appeared on this Forum. Over the next couple of days I will post some of the answers which may surprise some hip hoppers.

I had been under the impression that it was best to dispense with the crutches ASAP. According to my consultant we should use crutches or a stick for another 6 weeks when walking out so as to get used to walking upright rather than penguin walking in the hope that it will improve. The muscles get used to walking that way and it doesn't encourage them to strengthen the muscles that encourage upright straight walking. It is ok to walk round the house without the crutches though.

More to follow

 

2 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 colinTN17

    Posted

    From my point of view, i had ops on my knee and was on crutches for the full 6 weeks was fab, gott another op on same knee, physio took crutches of me after a week. Worst thing ever my knee healed very badly i was about 12 then. Im 19 know and waiting for my thr but think i might do the whole 6 weeks on crutches when iv had my op because apparently i just dont heal. I broke my collar bone and that never healed either so now they want to op on that to. I think everyone should take their recovery slowly for safety. But thats just me 😂😂
  • shirley17649
    shirley17649 colinTN17

    Posted

    Yes colin,

    I learned that the hard way when I broke my neck of femur and thought it would improve in time. The fact is: once you get the limp in your brain it is hard to get rid of it.

    Best thing is to keep crutch or stick until your body is strong enough to do without them.

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK colinTN17

    Posted

    I had come to suspect this, but had not had any confirmation.

    That is very useful - many thanks from a 5 week post-op hippie.

    I look forward to your subsequent information posts.

    Regards

    Graham

  • Gaby21
    Gaby21 colinTN17

    Posted

    My Physio told me the same today. I'm back on mine when out. Offloads the pressure too
  • diane80279
    diane80279 colinTN17

    Posted

    I was told that use the crutches and then use the cane.  Use the cane for the full 3 months to help with the limping.  I still use the cane if I have to walk a distance because my leg is now 5/8" longer and hurts my back.  It needs operation also, as does other hip.  I don't know about this getting old bit, but it isn't all that great. 

    Someone said their leg was longer at 3 month and that by 6 months it was the same length.  I sure hope so.  I go back and see dr. in jan about other hip.  Merry Christmas to everyone and speedy recovery.  Be well

    Diane

  • renee01952
    renee01952 colinTN17

    Posted

    Hi Colin , 

    thank you for sharing - I am looking forward to posts to come -

    big warm hug

    renee

  • Stephie52
    Stephie52 colinTN17

    Posted

    Thanks Colin, this is very useful. I am a 5 week hippie but cannot get to see surgeon for my 6 week post op check until the middle of February, so I am very interested to see what you have to say over the next couple of days.

    Steph

  • cathie38426
    cathie38426 colinTN17

    Posted

    Hi Colin,

    I am afraid it only needs one hippy to post 'I threw

    my crutches away the first week, or I had no limp'

    and we all get a false idea of what goes on.. In some

    ways with my first hip I had no guide except my husband's

    hip op, and he was very slow..I had no inclination to rush.

     This time with the forum I have read of

    miracle recoverers and gymnastic achievements that have

    left me speechless.. I do not doubt their veracity, but they

    are not average. Even my consultant has raised the bar by

    saying 'Now you have two new hips, off you go'.. Truth is

    I've still had a major op from which to recover.

    Now my goal is not to have a limp, no matter how long I

    take my crutch for a walk, and to have a rest each afternoon.

    I am nearly nine weeks post op.

    Cathie

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 cathie38426

      Posted

      Yes you'r right Cathie. I have even seen a you tube posting of a hippie in the US literally running up and down stairs 3 weeks after a front incision THR which does give completely the wrong impression.

      My surgeon said to carry on using  a stick or elbow crutch for as long as it takes to get rid of the penguin trot

    • cathie38426
      cathie38426 colinTN17

      Posted

      Re THE LIMP if you watch people go from car to

      supermarket and see the limpy walks...YOU DON'T

      want to be like that! I find walking fast in the house, no crutch,

      and I don't limp, but walk taking care, I do.

      Cathie

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK cathie38426

      Posted

      Cathie,

      how right - just ignore the 'fast healers', they are very lucky, but not the norm.

      Do not rush, it does no good at all.  I started going around the house without sticks, limping and lurching because I thought I should be 'stickless' at 4 weeks.  This is a wonderful way to learn bad habits.

      Now at 5 weeks I have now restarted with one stick, and suddenly I am walking so much better, and I can feel my leg getting stronger already.

      Graham

    • Kikeena
      Kikeena cathie38426

      Posted

      This has been my aim too Cathie. To walk without a limp. I'm realising that so much of the power of walking comes from the glutes. That's why we have to do the butt clenches. And I've noticed that athletes often have larger bums.

      My physio got me to place my hands on her glutes as she walked so I could feel them tighten. I felt mighty strange walking through the waiting room with my hands on her butt!!! But I really learned the lesson. And do my exercises. Mostly anyway!

    • Gaby21
      Gaby21 Kikeena

      Posted

      Mine is sore😋Saggy bum for years!! Don't think I've used them in forever!!😩
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Kikeena

      Posted

      I think we all forget (I certainly did), that the aim of the game is to walk limp-free, and not stick-free.

      Use the stick, it helps the posture, and the muscles will strengthen and the limp will disappear, then in time you can dispense with the stick.

      Graham

    • cathie38426
      cathie38426 sarah1996

      Posted

      Sorri if I upset you, if you are a quickie we are all

      envious, Then we try to imitate you

      Cathie

    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 cathie38426

      Posted

      I havent had my op yet but have had a limp all my life due to 4cm leg length. Was severly bullied about it so im quick to be offended haha
    • cathie38426
      cathie38426 sarah1996

      Posted

      Sorri again, I thought it was your quick recovery you

      referred to. I live in a part of the world where everyone is

      old, and many people won't risk an op.in later life. And many, sadly

      do still limp after their op.. I think knee problems. Apologise to

      them and to you.. I was just trying to encourage post op hippies

      But did it in a very thoughtless way.

      you hopefully will not limp after your op.. When is it?

      love and empathy fro Cathie to Sarah

    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 cathie38426

      Posted

      Haha its fine. Im only 19 so its a big thing for me. Im on the list but as im priority im just waiting for someone to cancel so iv no idea yet
    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 cathie38426

      Posted

      Haha its fine. Im only 19 so its a big thing for me. Im on the list but as im priority im just waiting for someone to cancel so iv no idea yet
    • Kikeena
      Kikeena Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I like the way you express the aim Graham. I also think we want a date, whereas the reality is its a process. The transition is slow.

      I've been working hard on walking heel to toe and strengthening my glutes and am pretty well limp and stick free now. I limp a little just after I've been sitting for a while but otherwise all good. I'm pleased and proud. Working on physical goals has not been something I have ever done before.

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Kikeena

      Posted

      Yes, you are right, we seem obsessed with a particular date or time, whereas perhaps we should be aiming for an outcome, even if it is slow.

      Best Wishes

      Graham

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