1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Four weeks on and still walking with sticks

Posted , 14 users are following.

sharon47797
sharon47797

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

17 Replies

Next
  • shari11576
    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
      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
      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
    kelly1205 sharon47797

    Posted

    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
      sharon47797 kelly1205

      Posted

      Thank you it helps a lot hearing other people's stories. Good luck with the job!

  • laurie53052
    laurie53052 sharon47797

    Posted

    Google some THR excersises and start doing them gradually.  I find it odd that you don’t have a follow up, I’ve had a nurse 1x weekly and Physical therapy at home 3x week.  I will do outpatient physical therapy in 2 weeks as I get my 34 staples out on Tuesday and return to work at the end of February 
    • sharon47797
      sharon47797 laurie53052

      Posted

      Thanks it seems this is common at my local hospital. I am about to get some PT through work so I hope this helps. Thanks for replying
  • jomary
    jomary sharon47797

    Posted

    A general comment-this sounds like the worst of NHS in UK

     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
      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
      judith12644 dee62352

      Posted

      Just take it steadily Dee. Do your exercises, walk around, rest when you need to, take your pain meds. Elevate your leg especially in the evenings when it’s swollen, and have an ice pack. You should gradually see some more improvement, it sometimes just takes time.  Good luck.
    • dee62352
      dee62352 judith12644

      Posted

      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
    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
    hippy28 sharon47797

    Posted

    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
    claudia95892 sharon47797

    Posted

    Hi there, I had my first follow up at 8 weeks so I could get the go ahead and start bearing weight. At that follow up I was given the ok to start physio and after 12 sessions if physio, I was still using a cane to help with the bad hip so that I would have a straight gait. IAm oy using that cane now for long walking distances since my bad hip was done 6 months later. Physio gave specific exercises:. Biking for 19 min to warm up, then hip abductors exercises, straight leg raises, side leg raise, marching, squatting with no resistance at first and then weights were added. I also went to aqua therapy and it is one hour of strengthening and stretching exercises 2 times per week. The other exercises I had to do them 3x per day. Ask your surgeon if you have any restrictions and move as much as you can. I also cked internet for exercises post surgery but made sure I got ok from PT and surgeon.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK sharon47797

    Posted

    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

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.