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Dressing off - how much walking week 3?

Posted , 11 users are following.

jane83133
jane83133

Hi all, I had my dressing off big surprise was I had no clips or staples just internal stitches and glue - the scar is amazing already! 

I’m at the end of week 2 and am getting around on crutches easily and doing my excercises, i’ve been out a couple of times - my question is how much walking around should I be doing? Is it as much as I can manage it should I limit myself? As i’m Younger I feel I couple probably push myself more maybe? 

Xx

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • christine78455
    christine78455 jane83133

    Posted

    It depeds what you can manage. At 2 weeks I walked 1.3 miles back from the shop as just missed a bus. Try a bit at first and gradually build it up.  Make sure you lie down for half an hour each afternoon too.  
  • tony_88888
    tony_88888 jane83133

    Posted

    Favourite old answer.

    Listen to your body. You do not say how young you are but I am only 70 (posterior approach, un-cemented ceramic on polyethylene) and by week 3 had started to walk around without crutches although it's a good idea to take one with you if you venture out (just in case). You need to give your body time to heal (not sure of what type of procedure/prosthetics as this also makes a difference). 

    However, you are doing well and walking exercise is just about the best thing you can do. I found that going shopping with my wife to the supermarkets was good as I could use the trolley as a wheeled Zimmer frame. LOL.

    Exercises plus walking will have you back to normal in no time. Just listen to your body and if you feel groin or muscle pain, back off a little. In 3 weeks you should be seeing your surgeon and he/she can give you a full run down on how you are progressing.

    Well done and good luck.

  • michael11283
    michael11283 jane83133

    Posted

    Jane

    Tony is right, listen to your body. being young you may progress faster than some of us oldies but everyone is different and the important thing is to get back to normal not to do it quicker than everyone else.

    Mike

  • rachel1511
    rachel1511 jane83133

    Posted

    Thank you all too. I’m 44 and am just going into week 3 post LTHR posterior approach, ceramic on ceramic. Trying to walk as much as possible too but finding that sometimes I get a clicking sensation (no associated pain though) which can be disconcerting and holds me back a little. Anxious to push myself to get driving and back to normality (and work) but also mindful of not wanting to disclocate. Wondering when I will able to put my socks on and bend down and basically stop adhering to the hip restrictions but guess we’re all different and I can’t run before I can walk! Just want to say thank you for everyone’s comments as I’ve found this forum really helpful. Even though I have a medical background I have no orthopaedic experience and nothing can prepare you for being on the other side!

    Best wishes to all, Rachel. 

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen rachel1511

      Posted

      Dear Rachael

      Walking is very unlikely to result in dislocation of your hip unless you trip and twist it. As for how much walking I would suggest until you feel you have done enough and easy to forget when you are on a roll that you need to be able to get back home!

      Cheers Richard

    • tony_88888
      tony_88888 rachel1511

      Posted

      Rachel,

      Clicking is common with ceramic on ceramic. Don't worry too much about it as it's too easy to become paranoid over such issues. There is lots of information on the web about ceramic on ceramic.Bonus is that it is the least wearing of the replacements and should last the longest.

      As a posterior person myself, it was just over 4 weeks when I was able to put on socks without using my grab stick and long shoe horn. It felt like a great achievement at the time. It wasn't very graceful but I listened to my body and slowly bent forwards as much as I could and put my arms between my knees rather than from the outside. I was still concerned about dislocation at this stage but at my 6 week review the surgeon just laughed and said there were no problems now.

      You only have a few weeks to your review and you will find that the surgeon will push and pull your leg around to check out it's movements with scant regard for the 90 deg rule. After this it is full ahead with the recovery program.

      Re the driving, I was driving at 4 weeks but this varies for everyone. It's when your surgeon gives the all clear that is the best time. I had telephoned mine and asked his permission and he said as long as I could put pressure on the leg (for braking) it was OK. As yours is the left leg, if you have an automatic there will not be an issue but if it is manual, you really need to ask your surgeon if for no other reason than to cover yourself with regards to insurance.

      Well done and good luck. You will be running marathons soon.

      tony

  • caren1027
    caren1027 jane83133

    Posted

    My home pt told me to use a cane but gradually put more pressure and weight on my left leg..which was the operated one. I find its working well. Walking is the best thing you can do to get strength back but rest in between. I  find the more I  walk around the stronger it gets.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK jane83133

    Posted

    How much should you be doing, as much as you are comfortable with, don't try to push it just because someone else says they can do 25 miles !

    At three weeks I was doing around 1.2 to 1.5 miles outside, see my blog on my website.  The website address is in my personal info here ...

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

    and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

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

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃 🤸    ¯\_(?)_/¯

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy jane83133

    Posted

    I had asked for dissolvable stitches from the surgeon when he asked, but did need to have the sutures at the end cut off after ten days and the dressing was removed. The wound then bled while I was in bed and made a real mess, so I had another plaster put on. It eventually fell off by itself. 

    I should walk as much as you can as long as it does not cause discomfort. I walked around the house a lot too, which being a Victorian cottage it has lots of steps everywhere which I think really helped me get fitter. I was hopeless with crutches so never used them once I got out of hospital, I am sure I should have. I used a stick outside and furniture surfed inside the house. I did make the mistake of going out the day after I came out of hospital and went on a car journey for lunch. I think I overdid it though. I will never learn.

  • erin1956
    erin1956 jane83133

    Posted

    jane:

    I've had 2 THRs in the last 12 months. I have been told that less is more in the early recovery phase (1st month). I had the anterior approach and I also felt very good in the 2 week time period. But, beware that internal healing around the joint capsule is occurring as well as your muscles. The anterior approach does not involve cutting muscles but a lot of stretching of the muscles to find a path to the joint. One day I will feel fantastic and the next day my muscles will hurt in places they didn't the day before. Its just your body saying take it easy. No need to push yourself more than the PT wants you to do. You will have a fantastic recovery.

  • erin1956
    erin1956 jane83133

    Posted

    jane

    Also, on this last THR I had done 5 weeks ago, I had some seepage from my wound. They used a staple -like suture which developed a leak on the lower end. I think it was because I was too active. After that, the doc said you must lay low to let this heal. If the wound continues to seep, the threat of an infection is real and would  require them opening up the wound to cleanse which would be a set-back and not a fun thing. You'll be very well very soon but give your body time to heal properly. That happens early on in this type of surgery.

    Take care,

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