Green Light for my Right hip replacement 6 months after Left

No but I walked worse than a penguin for over 3 years as my right hip was completely collapsed so I walked with a stick some & walker sorta just dragged the right leg had a THR a month ago but when I try to walk unaided that leg still bends behind the right leg kinda dragging & my right had become 3 inches shorter so left knee stayed bent up for 3 years now the muscles don't want to straighten out Dr says I need that knee replaced now so I guess I will always need some type of aid & walk like a penguin just glad I can walk some

Dear Ann

This really is a question for your surgeon but unless there is something unusual then I do not see why you should not be able to walk on your new hip without any difficulties unless you are very unlucky.   That's my opinion based on a twenty year old replacement and a revision last year and from reading the experiences of many others on this forum.   best wishes, Richard

Hi Ann. I am 4 days post op on my left hip. It seems the swelling is increasing not decreasing. Is that normal? I thought it would decrease after surgery. Also, what do you think is the most effective way to ice. IE, only on the incision? All over? separate areas? In your case, all of my friends that have had both hips replaced do not limp and they limped before surgery.  Good Luck.

Hi there, I walked like a penguin for 21 years but walked since I had one good hip, which was replaced at the age of 31. My right hip was also in bad shape and I had lost total mobility and my leg was half the muscle mass since I could not bend it or move it to the side more than 10 degrees. I was in pain but could bear it with planning my activities and using a cane for long walks. I could also bike and drive. This allowed me to take care of my young family. Well, after 21 years of bearing most of my weight in my hood, left, replaced hip, it came loose and my right hip could not handle the demands. I had to have a resection and 8 weeks of no weight bearing. My right hip had to work extra hard and it locked after it would crack with every move I made. The pain was horrible. The leg was weak, I had almost no glutes it hip abductors and very small quads. My leg dragged. My right hip was replaced in July and it has been 7 months of physio, gym, swimming and working. I have sensory nerve damage but no mobility nerve damage do little by little I have been working on those muscles, gaining flexibility and strength, learning how to walk properly and I no longer walk like a penguin, which really shocks my friends and acquaintances. More importantly I am pain free. Sometimes I have to use my walking stick, specially on uneven ground or when I over do it. I believe that when there is a will there is a way. So my goal is to make those glutes get stronger and yes they do complain. I let the rest and push forward. Now I can lift both my legs off the ground. I can walk, I can squat, I can dance and if I have to use my cane. I know that my family is happy that I am doing better. The rest of the world, well I have learnt to not give any of my time to worry about it.

Hi Ann. Yes. Well if I could. I had pain in both hips for the last few years. Waiting to age more so that my implant would last plus I kept putting it off out of fear. 

Had my first replacement in 2016, easy and recovered quick. Had my other side done and I’m 13 wks post op. But due to problems after this surgery, pinched nerve and pain on the side of hip down to knee I’m still not walking with pain. May be the IT band causing the pain on side.  If I didn’t have these issues I would be walking fine without aids and pain. 

Wishing you a quick and total recovery.