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Hip replacement - chronic limp

Posted , 13 users are following.

kirsty74239
kirsty74239

Hi - I've just found this amazing forum and wondered if anyone else can relate to my situation.

i had a total hip replacement and am 8 weeks in recovery. I was using a stick in the 8 months up to my op and was in terrible pain before i finally broke it.

Anyway, I can get around on one crutch mostly but need 2 to go out with. Groin is so tight and painful and limp is like a comedy one. I have no muscle tone but am doing my physio at home. Access to support isnt there anymore of course so i am frustrated, depressed and desperate to know if i am likely to improve? Anyone else had same experiences? I am only 46 with 2 young boys and i feel my life is pointless.

2 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • kirsty74239
    kirsty74239

    Edited

    Thank you everyone for all your kind and very encouraging words. I really appreciate your advice and will take it all on board.

  • jen86183
    jen86183 kirsty74239

    Edited

    Hi Kirsty,

    You really need to walk heal to toe, it does help do much with the limping. Getting a secondhand exercise bike or elliptical walker will help to build muscle, exercise is the best thing for pain.

  • michelle89100
    michelle89100 kirsty74239

    Edited

    Hi Kirsty,

    I'm 42 and had a hip replacement almost 5 months ago. I still limp after a few yards of walking without a stick, but the limp has improved massively since around the 14 week mark, and so I'm hopeful that it will completely disappear over the next few months. I feel that my recovery has been very slow and having read that most people are recovered at 12 weeks (or earlier) was really stressing me out. I did all of the physio etc. until 12 weeks but got so fed up with lack of progress I stopped, and now only occasionally do the exercises to measure progress....which has continued and I can do lots of things now that I couldn't do at say 12 weeks.

    Anyway, all I'm trying to say is that I felt as you describe, but I now know that I will shake off the limp soon. Try not to worry, it'll come good in the end.

    • kirsty74239
      kirsty74239 michelle89100

      Posted

      Thank you so much Michelle, that has given me some much needed hope.

      I had a set back yesterday getting out of the shower, a very loud 'pop' followed by very deep pain. Surgeon told me to go straight to ED and they were waiting for me. Lots of xrays and they said hip looked fine but it was likely i had torn a major muscle in thigh. So i am back to square one. No choice but to rest this in a full leg brace.

      I feel very frustrated but at least hip ok!

      Hope you are well and staying safe & continuing to improve a little more every day xx

    • judith12644
      judith12644 kirsty74239

      Edited

      Oh I'm so sorry Kirsty. Good that you got your hip checked and it's ok.

      Take it steadily, and I hope you soon feel more comfortable,

      best wishes, Judith

    • kirsty74239
      kirsty74239 judith12644

      Posted

      thank you Judith. Having this op has been the most stressful thing i have ever been through. I never expected the groin pain, leg numbness etc.... I just want my old life back where i was pain free & a happy Mummy to my boys. All i seem to do is cry. They are too young to see their Mummy like this. Thank you for your message, means a lot that you are out there. xxx

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