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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? 

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  • pjayne549
    pjayne549 janice01857

    Posted

    Hello Janice

    I am about 15 weeks (left hip replaced on 25th April).  I was delayed with recovery as back in hospital 2 weeks later with a pulmonary embolism, BUT want to put your mind at rest.  3 weeks ago I could not stand on the operated leg, walk without one stick without looking like a duck, or sit comfortably for long periods.  Then it seemed to happen all of a sudden!  Obviously it didn't but I can now walk unaided and never use the sticks/crutches.  Sit at my computer and work away like a good'un, hang out the laundry, walk around, dance and even went to a wedding where I stood for ages, then sat for ages, then danced the night away!

    So patience - we are all different, but if you keep trying to balance on that leg, and keep trying to work the outside bum muscle you will get there - honestly xx

    • janice01857
      janice01857 pjayne549

      Posted

      Ahh bless ya for that P Jayne that really has given me encouragement, every morning I get up hoping I would walk normal, but it hasn't happened yet, I've got a stepper I was going to have a go on to see if that would help to strengthen my muscle, do you think it would help? Was going to phone phisio don't want to do more harm than good. 
    • pjayne549
      pjayne549 janice01857

      Posted

      A stepper might be a bit early - but try and do the Harry Worth (do you remember him - he used to stand in a doorway and put one arm and leg out to the side)  I hold my leg straight out sideways for as long as I can while standing on my good leg (use something to balance if you need to) this helps strengthen the muscle they cut during the op.  I can now go up stairs with both legs, but that is very recent, hence I think it may be early to use a stepper.  By all accounts a static bike is good - but I don't have one so no experience of that.  Walking long distances with the stick is also brilliant exercise!
    • janice01857
      janice01857 pjayne549

      Posted

      Oh my word yes I remember Harry Worth(showing our age now ha ha) That is one of the exercises I do, also lying on my side and raising my operated leg and holding as long as I can it's a killer. How often to you do you exercises? I think I will give the stepper a miss. 
  • Deljo
    Deljo janice01857

    Posted

    I'm 4 months out after THR and still limp due to the surgical leg being about an inch longer than the other. I was warned this could happen. I still need a cane since I had a bad back due to disc problems. However I really don't care about the cane, but the leg length is a pain that is not going to change. I need to adjust my thinking and be glad the hip pain is gone.
    • patricis
      patricis Deljo

      Posted

      Deljo, there are so many issues that can crop up i.e leg length, nerve damage, etc. from reading this site, but th leg lengh issue has me worried, I have beenin pain and limping for past 5 years and would love to have my life back, but I, like you am already bracing myself for this one, as it seems to be "too common"...
    • janice01857
      janice01857 Deljo

      Posted

      Hi deljo that's what I was worried about leg length, but my legs are both the same according to my X-ray, so think it's a time thing with me (hopefully)!!! Did you get told about a wedge to put in your shoe? This may help with your walking, I know what you mean about being pain free in your hip, It's wonderful   All the best to you
  • Jackie_k
    Jackie_k janice01857

    Posted

    Hi Janice, I too am 11 weeks post op and I still use I stick when walking outside, I have quite a bit of pain down my outer thigh but I'm sure this is where my bone is growing into the press fit that was fitted so I'm guessing time will be the healer, I also have some amount of groin pain but I was told my surgeon had to pull down the muscles from my groin in order to make my legs the same length so again, time, I do find if my leg is hurting I tend to start limping again, this is when my stick comes out as I find it keeps me walking straight, on the plus side, I went back to work today ( I'm a hairdresser) and found standing for 4 hours ok actually, hang on in there, I was told that press fits ( as opposed to cemented hips) take a bit longer to heal and the 20 week mark seems to be a huge turning point xxx
    • janice01857
      janice01857 Jackie_k

      Posted

      Hi jackie what is a press fit? There seems to be so many different types of hip replacements, I do get a small amount of groin pain but nothing like the pain before surgery, so am thinking positive about walking normally again SOON X. Are you in the Uk? 
  • Jackie_k
    Jackie_k janice01857

    Posted

    Ahhh, yes, time off, google and this hip forum have taught me lots! Lol, press fit stems are where the stem is covered in a material that allows your own bone to grow into it, some people don't have this, they have their hips cemented in, they tend to use press fits in younger patients, they become very stable but over a longer time than cemented because obviously it takes time for the bone to grow in and around the implant, lots of people on here will be able to explain it a bit better than me but hope this helps, yes I am in the UK, had mine in Banbury, Oxfordshire x
    • janice01857
      janice01857 Jackie_k

      Posted

      I'm 58 I thought I was quite young to have THR but being on here I seem to be one of the older ones. The Drs try yo get you to hang on for as long as you can before having surgery but they are not the ones in pain 

    • joy47826
      joy47826 janice01857

      Posted

      Yes, hang on as long as one can. I was 72 and my neighbor was 82 she had posterior and 3 weeks in a rehab center...she still can't bend over to tie shoes too good. We are both 4 yrs older.

      My recollection is that these replacements were an OLD persons' surgery, but more and more and more younger people are doing them......

      I'm not sure WHY this is the case these days...my folks and relatives lived into 90's and no replacements back in their days and plenty of arthritis.

      I think it's the medical world offering quick fixes too often to many.

      Prolotherapy can be a good alternative to help restore and regenerate bones. No surgery.

      I've had a lower back issue since I was 18 and lived with it and got thru my life and can't imagine back surgery.

    • janice01857
      janice01857 joy47826

      Posted

      Is Prolotherapy the same as steroid injection or quarterzone injection? 
    • joy47826
      joy47826 janice01857

      Posted

      No Prolo is totally different....it can actually regenerate growth of the joints as it builds up ligaments and tendons.

      Google Prolotherapy and pain there is a lot of info out there on Prolo, insurance does NOT cover it unless a MD can work out codes for insurance purposes.

      I think it comes from Germany or France about 100 yrs ago but has been thrown under the bus for all the surgeries done today. It's coming back as so many have failed surgeries and still in pain from surgery and replacements.

      Steroid use can be dangerous and should be limited....they may or may not work for a short time.

      I'll do a Prolo info post when I can.Prolo could save one from surgery

    • janice01857
      janice01857 joy47826

      Posted

      Thanks Joy will have a look as I have probs with my feet had bunions removed and my big toe fused which had left me with a plantar plate problem may be this might help 
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK janice01857

      Posted

      Hi Janice

      Are you in the UK....I find that they try to get you to hang on as long as possible.

      I think that if you are in really bad pain earlier they should let you have a THR and a decent quality of life.

      I was 64 when I had my first one

      Love

      Eileen

    • janice01857
      janice01857 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Yes are you in uk? Eileen, I waited over a year but couldn't stand the pain anymore so did get thr on the NHS but in a private hospital which was brilliant am now 11weeks post op and doing ok I'm 58 
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK janice01857

      Posted

      Hi Janice

      Yes I'm in the UK...In the North East to be more exact

      Love

      Eileen

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