Anyone had a posterior approach ?

Ues i look like a penguin when i walk! I had posterior surgery may 20th. I use a cane when outdoors

Hi

im almost 9 weeks posterior/lateral thr. I was the same at week 6. What they don't tell you is that your glutes are totally gone after surgery and its that which is causing the waddle - the minimus and mediums hold the hip in place and without strength to hold hip they will drop the hip as you walk hence the waddle. You have to start doing sideways hip abduction exercises and clam shells.  Lay on the bed on your good side with both legs straight then lift your bad leg up - it's almost impossible to start with but you must persevere - it's the only way to get rid of the waddle. Also clam shells - lay on side with knees flexed  then raise your bad leg up. I did these three times a day with 3 lots of ten. They were so hard to do. My waddle has just about the now and I still do the exercises as I can do the but can't hold the position for long

good luck xx

Hi Chris, 

I am a wee bit confused - in previous posts you told us that you had the anterior approach - or maybe this is just a general inquiry?

I had 2 THR surgeries 6 months apart, both posterior approach - 

have you seen your surgeon for follow up appointment yet?

Sometimes walking aids are put aside too early - our body is not able to keep us balanced yet and is still finding the pre-surgery walk - It takes time to get it all right, and exhausting ...

I still take my cane with me - just in case I get tired (and i do) - 

big warm hug

renee

Thanks everyone, it all makes sense what you have said. I start hydrotherapy next week and have been given some excercises just like the ones  suggested. My consultant said I was "2weeks behind where I should be" because I was still using a stick - and this really upset me because I am working so hard with rehab. However the physio said I am doing just fine and referred me for hydrotherapy. You just don't know really how you are getting on when you aren't meeting other people who have had the same op at the same time as you -do you ? ... And that's why this forum is so great! 

Chris 

Hi Chris, I went for my 1st Physio yesterday - 3 weeks post -op. Whilst I can walk unaided, I too have a little penguin wobble going on! The Physio told me immediately it was because of glutes & hip flexors being weak. She said one of the best ways to strengthen them (not forgetting I am still only 3 weeks & have swelling) is to practice stepping up on to the bottom step and back down again. Also, small squats (getting out of my chair unaided without hands). I've also got rid of my crutches and bought some trekking poles. I used them for the first time yesterday & boy, can I feel a difference in my bum & thighs! She also explained about walking tall & slowly, concentrating on walking properly (heel to toe) rather than fast as speed will come with time x

Yes l am the same as renee l have had both my hips done 8 weeks apart both posterier approach. It took me a while to even lie on my unoperated side with a cushion or pillow between my legs as that is what they tell you to do. And eventually l could lie on my operated side for a small amount of time at 1st until it got comfortable to sleep. I would say it all depends on how comfortable you are sleeping anyway if you are and can sleep then there is no issue with you doing it. But alway try having a pillow between your legs.

Laura

X

Hi Hippyhopchris.....yes I had the posterior approach and also am 6 weeks post op. I just this morning have been trying to walk around the house unaided. I have been using a cane the past few days and if I go outside I will use the cane. I also have a dreadful waddle, but a lot of mine is because I still have another bad hip. I also had a fractured pelvis that had to be repaired during surgery so I was on weight bearing restrictions for the first few weeks and that has set me back. I still have some pain when trying to lay on my good side and also attempted to lay on my stomach a few nights ago but it didn't work so well. We each are different though, and I think a lot of my pain when I tried to lay on my stomach was from the pelvic fracture part...So what didn't work for me may work well for you. Wishing you the best.....Barb

I had a posterior THR two weeks ago tomorrow.  I really don't know if I have that waddle people talk about!  I don't feel likeI am waddling but maybe I am.  I don't walk tons but live in a condo building with a long hallway and I walk up and down there a few times 3 times a day.  Using my walker.  I try to be aware of how I walk and make sure I stand straight, etc.  And I walk around my apt. But also always use the walker.  I've been told to use the walker until I see my surgeon next Thursday.  Good luck!

Posterior LTHR in Oct 2015, failed revision Jan 2016.

I still needed a stick at 10 weeks when I had the revision, and up to about 7-8 weeks following that revision.

I continued to use hiking poles when exercising for a couple of weeks, and then continued with the stick when commuting to/from London - more for protection and to warn others that I needed a seat and a bit of space.

I was told to sleep on whatever side felt OK, and now I actually find I prefer to be on my back - not something I ever expected as I was not a 'back sleeper' before.

Graham