Four weeks on and still walking with sticks
Posted , 14 users are following.
Hi - I had my first THR 4 weeks ago and did really well coming out of hospital after one day and walking reasonable distances from day 3. I'm not in any pain from my new hip although my old hip (which will probably need replacing at some point ) is a bit sore. However, my problem is that I am still walking with one stick around the house and two when walking distances (1 -2 miles) apart from the exercises I was given in leaflet when I left hospital I've had no PT and no follow up. I'm unsure if I'm doing everything correctly and getting down that I still have sticks. I'm 52 and was active before the operation. Any tips and advise appreciated . Thanks
1 like, 17 replies
shari11576 sharon47797
Posted
Hi Sharon.
I am exactly 4 weeks post op and 55 years old. I also am doing very well but using a cane in house and crutches outside. My physio says there is no rush to get rid of them and encourages me to use them. They help us stop limping as long as we dont put too much pressure on them. I tried for half day without anything and it became painful as I am not ready. Everyone is different! Sounds like you are doing great! Remember it is only 4 weeks since major surgery and replacing a body part. We can't rush recovery! I also take 5 minutes and walk around the hoise with nothing then get my cane again. Introducing it slowly is the way to go I think!
breeze61 shari11576
Posted
Hi Sharon,
You are right, introduce things slowly is the way to go. We are all different and ones physical condition and weight before the op all have an affect on recovery, There's no need to rush or compete, just let the healing take it places.
At 4 weeks I still had quite a bit of tenderness in the hip after sitting down or after a longish walk. Now at nearly 6 weeks that tenderness in the hip is reducing quite noticeably on a daily basis and I will probably be mainly stick free next week, People do say that the 6 week milestone is a noticeable one, when you can drive and generally feel better, and its probably because that's when the tenderness in the hip has had time to heal and settle down a bit.
Tony
sharon47797 shari11576
Posted
Thank you that's put my mind at rest
I definitely don't want to limp again as it was really bad before.
kelly1205 sharon47797
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Hi Sharon, I can appreciate how you are feeling . I am now going on 7 months post op THR and doing fairly well. When I was 4 weeks I had graduated from using the walker to a cane and returned to work only I still had to use the cane for another couple weeks. It really takes a lot of time and patience and that's the hardest part. Hopefully every week you will see some improvement , have to take baby steps for a while, heck after working 12hr shifts I still will have to use my cane in the house due to residual soreness and stiffness. I know this probably doesn't help you, but just try to stay as positive as you can and things will get better.
sharon47797 kelly1205
Posted
Thank you it helps a lot hearing other people's stories. Good luck with the job!
laurie53052 sharon47797
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sharon47797 laurie53052
Posted
jomary sharon47797
Posted
aftercare compared to US. One wonders how many THR s are jeopardised by lack of aftercare-probably leading to more expense later. Our local ops. have been cancelled for all of January and people advised of an extra month wait.at least..
dee62352 jomary
Posted
Well, I am in the U.S. on Medicare, and got 7 Home health care PT sessions right after coming home. No outpatient sessions although I asked for them. I am on my own for keeping up with the exercises. The first three weeks were great. Since then, I have detected no improvement but the pain and swelling are worse. Am at 5 weeks and discouraged that I am regressing. Be glad if you are not in the U.S. "healthcare" system!
judith12644 dee62352
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dee62352 judith12644
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Thank you, Judith. I was off the cane (except for lengthy walking outside) at two weeks so had this idea I was going to soar...but then I hit a plateau at 3 weeks. I am off the pain meds (not because I want to be, but because my surgeon wanted me off them) - except f or over the counter stuff and I find that the pain moves all around. Sometimes my hip, sometimes my thigh, or the knee. The constant headache I've had for a week and the swelling are my most annoying issues right now. Good to hear that the swelling is normal.
linda22256 sharon47797
Posted
Hi I'm about 8 weeks post THR and the same as you I just had the exercises from the hospital ...I'm still doing those. Also I find the new hip is good but the other one hurts a bit and both my thighs above the knee are sort of burning and aching...I presume it's because we are walking differently and using different muscles so hoping this will pass in time. I wouldn't worry about using the crutches it's very early days. I suddenly found myself going from one room to another and realised I had forgotten my crutch!!! About 3/4 weeks....I think you just go with the flow!! I was still using one crutch outside at about 6/7 weeks. Everyone is so different I think you just need to listen to your own body. I find if I do too much walking and that's only taking the dog for a short walk I am very achy the next day. I have some degeneration in my lower spine so that's giving me a bit of grief!! I'm starting to do pelvic floor excercises lying on the bed to strengthen my core muscles which I think will help everything. I think it runs through the forum we have just got to be patient. My elder sister had a replacement 4 years ago and she's fantastic!!! I'm 61. Good luck 😉
hippy28 sharon47797
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I agree with what everyone on this site had said. My physio told me to listen to my own body and do what I'm capable of.
I'm now 1 year post op and most of the time I forget I've had it done. 6 weeks is the magic milestone when you come out of hip precautions and start doing more. I had op done in January last year and was still using sticks in March. Only really as a 'comfort blanket' when I was going out walking for a few miles. I gradually decreased to just one stick and then one day I forgot to take it with me. I think the only reason I continued using when i was out walking is that it was an outward sign to Jo public. It was amazing the difference in their attitude e.g cars would stop for you while you were waiting to cross roads, people would hold doors open for you to go through, I had offers to carry bags etc. So what I'm saying is.... Don't rush to get off your sticks, take your time.
claudia95892 sharon47797
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Rocketman_SG6UK sharon47797
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I used a stick up to around 6 weeks when out and about, or when in unfamiliar buildings ... so you're fine there.
Not having any PT is not good though, PT helps you exercise the right muscles in the best way and in my humble opinion is essential to a good outcome. I'd badger the hospital as some people get 'accidentally dropped off the list'.
Best wishes
Graham