6week consultancy-penguin walk
Posted , 10 users are following.
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
sarah1996 colinTN17
Posted
colinTN17 sarah1996
Posted
sarah1996 colinTN17
Posted
shirley17649 colinTN17
Posted
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 colinTN17
Posted
That is very useful - many thanks from a 5 week post-op hippie.
I look forward to your subsequent information posts.
Regards
Graham
Gaby21 colinTN17
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diane80279 colinTN17
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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 colinTN17
Posted
thank you for sharing - I am looking forward to posts to come -
big warm hug
renee
Stephie52 colinTN17
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Steph
cathie38426 colinTN17
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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 cathie38426
Posted
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 colinTN17
Posted
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
sarah1996 cathie38426
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Rocketman_SG6UK cathie38426
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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 cathie38426
Posted
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 Kikeena
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Rocketman_SG6UK Kikeena
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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 sarah1996
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envious, Then we try to imitate you
Cathie
sarah1996 cathie38426
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cathie38426 sarah1996
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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 cathie38426
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sarah1996 cathie38426
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Kikeena Rocketman_SG6UK
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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 Kikeena
Posted
Best Wishes
Graham