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Advice needed on use of crutches?

Posted , 11 users are following.

Schumacher13
Schumacher13

Hi, could you lovely people advise me how long you used your crutches for?

I am 6 weeks post op and I am happily on the mend!

I never used my crutches around the house on my return from hospital, mainly because I only have a little house, I think I would have been more at risk of using them indoors!!

whenever I have been out since I have used my  crutches, but using them less and less now.

however I have found when doing a shop at the local supermarket by the time I get to the checkout, I feel exhausted and in pain again?

I don't know if I should still be using them?

I have another week to go before I have my post op consultation with the hospital, obviously I will ask their advice when I go?

but I just wondered if you could share with me when you felt ready to part with the crutches?

Thanks

Pauline.

 

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • joan51826
    joan51826 Schumacher13

    Posted

    Hi I am 5 months post op and stopped using my crutches about 4 weeks after the operation. I used the shopping trolley but got very tired and at first made the mistake of doing too much shopping so by the time I got to the checkout I felt sick. I then decided to just do a litlle shopping until I felt able. I have bought myself a folding stick and have just been to Menorca. I didnt use it because of my silly pride but think I should have. I am waiting to have my other knee done and am in considerable pain with this. Just let your body tell you and dont feel a failure if you seem to go backwards (not literally)  now and again.
    • Schumacher13
      Schumacher13 joan51826

      Posted

      Thank you Joan, it was good to hear I am not the only one struggling at the supermarket!! Best wishes and thanks for replying.

      Pauline.

  • jennifer86104
    jennifer86104 Schumacher13

    Posted

    Hi there, I gave up the crutches at about 6 weeks or so. I find the trolley helps at the supermarket too. Like you though I get very tired. I am able to last a bit longer now (10 weeks tomorrow) but still am glad to get back in the car. I find standing at the checkout is the worst. I suppose we must pace ourselves. I find it very frustrating as in my head I want to do things but my leg won't let me! If anything, I think I've found it more painful the last few weeks but I think that's because I've been doing more. I found the crutch a bit of a nuisance when out shopping but I wouldn't worry about using it if you find it useful. Both my consultant and physio were quite happy for me to give it up though. Do what feels right for you but, in my experience, don't overdo things. Jen x
    • Schumacher13
      Schumacher13 jennifer86104

      Posted

      Thanks Jen, I think we do do too much too soon, we just want to hurry up and get back to normal!! Nice to hear from you!

      Pauline.

  • yviemx
    yviemx Schumacher13

    Posted

    I'm in IT so just sit down at work so no comparison to you Pauline.  My biggest incentive was wanting to go out for the evening and managed it at 5 weeks but I did take the sticks. 
  • debbie02705
    debbie02705 Schumacher13

    Posted

    about the same as others for me too ,but does depend on how you feel ,i found that it came natual to use them less and less , 8 weeks post op and cant really remember when i gave them up all together , you could just the one, you may find that useing them will wear you out ,good luck smile 
  • johnros
    johnros Schumacher13

    Posted

    Hi Schu,

    i just had my first physio today at 16 days after and I mentioned to my physio that I did not use the crutches indoors now.

    he watched me walking up and down with and without crutches and then told me that I was developing a slight limp without them. His advice was use one around the flat and two when I go out for the next couple of weeks and hopefully that will correct it.

    it may be that you have developed a similar trait without noticing and that is why you are getting sore and tired.

    as far as when to stop using crutches is concerned, I don't know the answer myself but I'm guessing it's different for everyone according to their healing rate.

    • Schumacher13
      Schumacher13 johnros

      Posted

      Hi johnros, 

      nice to hear from you! Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

      Since I posted the question I have come on in leaps and bounds!! I feel ready to send the crutches back now!! I am just over 7 weeks post op now

      and feel so much better! I am making myself go for a little walk each day and gradually increasing how far I walk.

      Still getting some pain but nothing like I was a few weeks ago! If someone had said I would be feeling like this a few weeks ago I wouldn't have believed them!!!

      Still got a long way to go yet but relieved there is light at the end of the tunnel!

      Pauline.

    • johnros
      johnros Schumacher13

      Posted

      Hi Schu,

      when I came back from physio, I got my brother to drop me off at my local shop (it's about quarter of a mile from home) It took me 25 minutes to walk home on my crutches and I was sore for about an hour after but icing it helped and I got to feel a sense of achievement too.

      next target, walk there and back.

    • Tucks
      Tucks johnros

      Posted

      Well done you everything you do new is another milestone, that's a good distance to go on crutches. Take care
    • Tucks
      Tucks Schumacher13

      Posted

      That's exactly how I feel. No longer using any walking aids and going a little further each day. Can't believe how much I've changed over the lastweeks. Can start to live again I reckon take care from tucks
  • debbie02705
    debbie02705 Schumacher13

    Posted

    amazing how you get back to near normal , i now hace very little pain in my firsy knee ,i remember thinking that it will never happen .smile
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