Crutches v sticks

Hi Cathy,

In Canada we use walkers rather than crutches. I was instructed to switch to a cane at 10 days and I'd say about 6 days later I rarely used it, I was on my own. I keep repeating this but I followed someone else's advice to focus on standing tall and heel-toe. It has worked beautifully for me.

It is individual though and when you try you'll know if you're ready. You have to feel safe.

Sorry but I had a lateral replacement so I can't help with your other issue.

Good luck!

Fiona

Hi Cathy,

I am also in Canada and used the walker for several weeks. My surgeon did not want me weight-bearing for 4 weeks as I have osteoporosis and my other hip was just as bad as my first (having it done in Sept). I moved to a cane and counter surfing quickly after that although I continued with my walker outdoors when going for distance or in crowds. It really depends on your body and your surgeon's recommendations. He understandswhat exactly was done during your surgery - esp in terms of connective tissuescut or otherwise affected . Many people seem to underestimate the value of allowing these tissues to heal fully before exerting them fully. We put in so much time and pain to recover and it just seems reasonable to me to get it right ....

Re the pain when sitting - I have also heard it referred to as sitting on golf balls. I certainly remember it well - it was a few weeks before I could find a comfortable sitting position (usually with my foot propped up on a small stool). I was never so Glas as when I could stop using that wretched slanted cushion and use a regular one under me.

It was always worse if I had sat too long or missed one of my exercise sessions.

Good luck.

L

Hi Cathsterr....Not sure on the crutches thing since so many people are different in recovery and health etc....Day 19 is pretty early still, and yep, get all kinds of weird feelings in the hip, thigh area. Iam 12 weeks post op today so a lot of that is subsiding but can feel it when I try to lay on my side. We can always tell when we have overdone it, the pain strikes...Recovery is such a slow process myself I got very inpatient thinking I should be able to do more than I was. Also still had another bad hip (going in on Friday to get that one done), so that even hindered my progress more. Hang in there...Wishing you well....Barb

Hi Cathy, 

I had a 4 wheeled walker ( where are the crutches people???) too since I live alone and they thought that a walker would minimize the chance of me falling - 

Used walker for a while outside to help me keep my posture straight and walk properly - it is tedious and cumbersome but safe - I had 2 THR's - post-op 1st one my other hips started to go bad really fast - 6 months later 2nd one and then I had 2 new hips healing - so the rollator (wheeled walker) was my reliable friend for a long time - 

it is very individual - not only depending on surgeon and PT but also on your self and how confident you are - your body is learning to walk properly, balanced, and without a limp after <(in my case) walking poorly for years - 

when is your follow up appointment?

oh, yeah the rod sitting - very uncomfortable isn't it - a lot of healing is taking place - I tried to breathe in to the discomfort while sitting on sitz-bones instead of on one bumcheek -

come back here anytime you have a question or concern, okay and let us know how you are getting on otherwise...

keep on pluggin'

big warm hug

renee

 

Hi. I am in UK and my Surgeon want most hippies to be fully weight bearing straight away. I think this is for straight forward THRs. If more complex and/ or you have other conditions then it would be different. 

I used two sticks at all times for first two weeks then dropped to one stick in side the house. Very quickly after that I kept wandering off in the house without my stick and had to go back and get it!  So by three weeks I was definitely walking in the house without sticks. But being very carefull and concentrating on walking properly without limping and heel to toe walking. I found that by the end of the day or when tired I would start limping. More a learned habit than anything else!

By three weeks I was walking carefully outside on the flat with one stick. Got my husband to take me out for a walk every day!

By four weeks I was walking outside with one trecking pole under supervision!

To be honest as soon as I was walking as well without a stick as with it, I then ditched the stick!

I did all my prescribed exercises religiously. I truly believe that made all the difference. The Surgeon did his work now it is up to us to do ours!

By seven weeks I am now happy to do my usual dog walk. 3 miles up and down hills over fields by myself. It does tire me out, but in a good way. 

Listen to your hip, I certainly know if I have overdone it and had a couple of days when I did and then had to rest the next day and ramp up the pain killers for a day. 

I think it also depends on how fit we manage to stay prior to the surgery. That is also a challenge. I did swimming and walking. The surgeon told me to keep walking before the surgery and it wouldn't make my hip any worse to operate on!

Sorry seem to have written an essay, of course this is just my experience and I have been lucky. We are all different!

Yes, also known as sitting on golf ball feeling. I still have it a bit, I believe this too will pass!  It is muscles healing rather than you actually feeling the implant. 

Take care. Sending healing fairy dust your way. ???????

Morning Cathy

I'm in the UK, 9 weeks today posterior approach. As Kris said, my surgeon said I could fully weight bear straight away. I was on one crutch around the house after a few days & then after a couple of weeks I ditched the crutches for trekking poles which are much better. I am now also out walking my dog several miles a day but occasionally I still take my poles depending on where I am going x

Hi

I am 4 weeks today. For the first couple of days I used 2 sticks then changed to just one. I haven't used anything for about 10 days X

When I first led on my operated side it felt like lying on a brick ...it's now fine although a little sore sometimes x

I was on two sticks on day one, fully weight bearing.

Sitting on a golf ball was the feeling I had (see my website), reported by loads of people on this forum, most uncomfortable, still get it when sitting at work 9 months later .

The address for my website is in my personal info here ...

   https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and on the moderator's "useful resources" page at

   https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - ????