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Hip replacement

Posted , 13 users are following.

janice01857
janice01857

Hi  im 11weeks in from left THR and still unable to walk in great distance with out my stick, I'm ok in the house with out it but do limp quite a bit , I do all my excesices that phiso and surgeon gave me but still need my stick to stop limping, I'm really worried that I'm never going to walk with out limping or with out the stick. Is anyone having this problem? 

0 likes, 50 replies

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  • judiwoo
    judiwoo janice01857

    Posted

    I think 11 weeks is still early days I was told by my surgeon that sometimes it takes months not weeks to feel okay.  I'm nearly 4 weeks post op now and doing ok.  I use one crutch in the house and if I'm not going far but still a bit iffy about going too far without 2 but I'm not worried as I know we all heal at different rates x
    • janice01857
      janice01857 judiwoo

      Posted

      Yes that's very true,  good luck to you and your recovery 
  • frognrose
    frognrose janice01857

    Posted

    Hi Janice,until this weekend I suffered various aches and pains when walking plus worries that my knee mighr give way and a feeling that the other hip was failing and a girdle of sore muscles in lower back, this 5 months postop. So what has changed?

    On friday I received a set of " pacer poles " that I had odered on the internet. Pacer poles were designed by a physiotherapist useing them correctly means that your posture is straightened and balanced suddenly I am able to walk better, breathe correctly and work gently on my fitness by walking more.What ever your level of fitness they will help you to walk correctly.I have had to buya small rucksack as you need to use both hands so purse phone etc now go in rucksack. I cannot praise them more highly they have really made a difference to my mobility. look them up on internet you may be able to find a tutor near by who can show you how to use etc. these are not the same as nordic poles or hiking poles they have a special handrest which aids the weight and power distribution through the sticks. good luck.

    • janice01857
      janice01857 frognrose

      Posted

      I will defo have a look for those, I have got a set of Nordic poles which I found so helpful b4 my op. Good luck to you happy walking 
  • marg6910_-_NI
    marg6910_-_NI janice01857

    Posted

    Hi Janice

    Sorry to hear your woes - but don't forget that 11 weeks is NOTHING in the great scheme of things.

    I originally had 2 crutches (Only used 1 at home). Then down to 1 outside. Then did away with both crutches & bought a folding walking stick. Then I didn't need it inside - and then at 20 wks I did away with it completely. It was only used as a prop and to let others know to keep clear! Mind you, it still sits adjacent to the front door - just in case.

    Honestly, you really don't need to worry about the limp just yet. I still feel 'odd' when I first rise from a chair - but once I get going there's no stopping me. Haha!! By the way I don't know your age - but if I can do it at 73 then there's hope for everyone.

    Best wishes

    Marg

    • janice01857
      janice01857 marg6910_-_NI

      Posted

      Hi Marg good for you, that's very encouraging, it's just that old thing of wanting to run before you can walk!!!!!!! I'm 58 so yes I can do it to, positive thinking  best wishes to you
  • carmen56984
    carmen56984 janice01857

    Posted

    Hi Janice.

    Am 16 weeks post op and i still take one stick out with me when going for walks as i feel more comfortable.

    One problem am having is when i sit down when i getting up i have to stand for a few second before i can take a step.

    When i look at the length of my legs the op one looks a bit longer :-(  have a look or get the doctor to cheack it out for you, ask your doctor if that's what causes you to limp. am not limping, but some people does limp.

    Keep us posted.

    • janice01857
      janice01857 carmen56984

      Posted

      Hi Carmen, I did wonder if that was the problem, but on seeing my surgeon and my X-ray there is no difference in leg length. I think maybe to see if going to see a phiso would help, as only got a sheet with excersices on maybe I need the phisio to work on my hip   Good luck to you
  • juliette39133
    juliette39133 janice01857

    Posted

    I wonder if it's the muscles because before the op you were probably limping and the body gets out of sync. Ask physio and keep on keeping on. 
    • janice01857
      janice01857 juliette39133

      Posted

      Thanks juliette will do, I think I'm at that stage as well where you think things should be moving on a bit quicker! But hey they are as I have now managed to get to my toenails and cut them something I couldn't do a couple of weeks ago Whahey!!!! 
  • joy47826
    joy47826 janice01857

    Posted

    I totally agree, 11 weeks is so FRESH from this major traumatic surgery....do your work and your body will do it's healing as it will. Everyone is different in their healing on these replacements....

    I've had too many issues (side effects) from the anterior....no crutches ever, walker a very few days and no cane to speak of.....but I have major nerve damage from the surgery.....

    It's affected my knee and worse OA settled in, also my foot/ankle.....

    Hang in and be patient.

    • janice01857
      janice01857 joy47826

      Posted

      Thank you Joy, what is anterior? Is it the position of surgery, sorry to hear you have nerve damage is this something that will get better, I do hope so all the best to you 
    • joy47826
      joy47826 janice01857

      Posted

      The Anterior approach is from the front of the thigh vs the Posterior from the rear. Anterior around for about 15 yrs or so, Posterior was the very first type of hip replacement surgery....

      Some docs are now doing Anterior and many are not.It takes a very special operating table which is quite expensive..

      Canada I understand is doing them a little...

      Allegedly faster recovery, less invasive as muscles are NOT cut but stretched to do the work, which is really traumatic...learning all this after the fact,,,I was told it was less invasive but NEVER told femoral nerve damage could happen. I'm not a happy replacement camper....

    • janice01857
      janice01857 joy47826

      Posted

      Where abouts in the world are you Joy ? I don't think I was given a choice, or I can't remember being asked, I'm sorry for your problem Joy, I do hope it gets sorted for you. Keep strong 
    • joy47826
      joy47826 janice01857

      Posted

      Janice, I'm in Southern Calif...I guess MOST here are from the UK....

      The surgeon I had specializes in the anterior work, he was trained by a top anterior guy here who was trained by a top anterior surgeon in France....that's what I've read about his experience....

      Thanks I've been so disappointed and have done so much work including acupuncture which I do weekly mostly for knee which has been affected....lots of PT and chiro ART release work for IT band damage also.

      Sounds all so terrible as so many complications from this surgery. And I was doing pretty good 5 months post op, no help at home ever and even drove a short distance at about 10 days.

      But no GROIN pain which is the main reason I did this. I'm keepin strong but I've aged so from all this. I'm 76 and good thing totally retired.

    • janice01857
      janice01857 joy47826

      Posted

      I'm in England, spoken to a lady in Canada and France, it's good to b able to share good and bad problems, and advice from other hippies, do keep well and strong Joy, As my dear dad always says keep a stout heart smile
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