Crossing legs
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi folks
I would appreciate some advice about crossing legs...
In the first 6 weeks after my right THR I was warned very strongly against crossing my legs (I guess to avoid thrombosis and/or dislocation). Now I really do want to be able to cross my right leg over my left.
I have a very dry skin which I have to keep well greased. (I’d been warned not to grease it at all for my operation; when the anaesthetist doing my spinal saw my back he said “yes, you really do have a very dry skin”!) A particular problem is my feet, which crack easily and painfully especially in hot weather.
I can easily sit down and lift my left foot onto my right knee, grease the foot thoroughly, and put on a sock to protect it. Not so with the right foot. It’s hard to lift it that far because the muscles – 4.5 months after my op – are still pretty tight. And I can’t maintain it long enough to deal with my foot even when I do manage to raise it partway. This is about the only movement that I can’t do yet. I’m fine kneeling, swimming, don’t even think about using a stick except when hiking (which I have always done) etc.
My physio is very pleased with my recovery and general flexibility and strength so far (so am I). He has given me an exercise to do to gradually improve the stretch. Basically it involves crossing my right leg over the left, above the knee, and holding it in position for 20 seconds, and repeating. To be done both lying down (much easier) and standing.
My only worry is whether there is any dislocation risk. Am I OK to be crossing my legs at this stage in my recovery? I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Joan
0 likes, 14 replies
donny1 joan23085
Posted
hi joan
i am 2 years down the line from 2 THR s 7 months apart (48 when done)
i know everyone is different but i was told never to cross my legs again dont no why
no pain in either hip now only doing what ive been told if it means no pain then they dont get crossed lol
barbara54201 joan23085
Posted
Hi Joan
I'm 6 weeks into THR after being in denial for 3 years . I was very active before, yoga, windsurfing, walking (with considerable pain) etc. but I haven't crossed my legs in about 20 years since a Chiro said it wasn't good for hips. For about a year before op I couldn't reach my right foot properly as bone on bone.
I intend not to cross my legs even when I get back to yoga. So how to reach foot? My consultant said to reach foot -you need to be inelegant ie reach for foot from between your legs with the knee out to the side right in my case. He said do not reach foot from the outside of leg. I can't quite get there fully yet although it's getting easier to get wet boots on (and i've been stand up paddleboarding on flat water!!).
Not sure if this helps. Also I put cream on my lower rt leg by bending at the knee and reaching behind.
good luck
barbara
AlexandriaGizmo joan23085
Posted
How about putting moisturiser in sock and putting sock on is that a possibility
Guest joan23085
Posted
HI, i have been told by my physio never to cross my legs again, i moisturise my feet, i put moisturiser onto the top of my feet and rub it in with the bottom of my foot, no need to cross kegs
HLMUK joan23085
Posted
Try sitting on third step up and feet on second step, this is how I managed toe nails, moisturiser and socks after 5 weeks or so, social worker friend advised this and it's a sight easier than bending from sitting.
maggie93798 joan23085
Posted
it is possible to buy, cheaply, a long handled gadget into which you put moisturiser etc. This is then slowly released as you rub the area of skin you want to deal with. i got mine from Amazon but a lot of shops that sell medical aids stock them.
Mine was a RHR, warned not to cross right over left but left over right over left is OK.
Advice varies, the best I got was never twist in two directions at the same time.
Anne68156 joan23085
Posted
I was never told not to cross my legs. After two years for one hip and one year for the other I'm able to put my right foot on my left knee and my left foot on my right knee. It did take quite a while for the flexibility to return.
joan23085 Anne68156
Posted
That's what I want to be able to do. A while to wait then!
Joan
barbara54201 Anne68156
Posted
HI anne
l dont think that is crossing your legs. I think that is a good movement as your hip is splayed out. My understanding of crossing legs is sitting with one leg over the other, with one thigh over other thigh
ie like traditional secretary might sit taking a letter..!
Anne68156 barbara54201
Posted
Hi Barbara,
You're right but I still was not told not to cross my legs. However, I don't cross my legs because I think that contributes to spider veins and I already have enough of those!!!
ptolemy joan23085
Posted
I was told that I should never cross my legs. I suppose occasionally may be OK but not when you are sitting around chatting for example.
maryboo joan23085
Posted
I am over a year from my rt hip replacement and I was cautioned not to cross my legs, no matter the time after or the fact it's healed, because of the risk it might dislocate, which in the worse case could mean another operation. and recovery. There is no way ever I want to risk the pain of dislocation and emergency surgery. From Amazon I got a foam lotion applicator for backs that was about $7 US and delivered in 2 days. It is a hard foam so lotions don't soak in. Very handy thing.
linda08893 joan23085
Posted
Hi. You could sit down on a chair/ lounge and place your foot onto a legstool and reach down to apply moisturisor or maybe place your leg out straight in front of you resting it on a coffee table. I just tried both without too much strain on my muscles. Good luck anyway.
maryboo joan23085
Posted
Keep in mind the angle of your leg to your hip. Its all a math issue. I was told not to bend that over 90 degrees, whether sitting, standing, whatever. If you sit and bend to put on your sock on I think that still violates the 90 degree rule. I have seen stories of people who have done amazing things,like dancing, yoga, etc, after a relatively short recovery, but they probably were doing that before the surgery and they are accustomed to that movement.
The choice is yours, how much you want to risk. Anything you read here is good info, but please talk to your surgeon and your physical therapist to see what's possible for you. Tell them what you want to do and let them help you get there.
If you are in a climate that allows this, do what I was able to do, don't wear socks for awhile. Add a pair of shoe inserts for now. Good luck.