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How do you know when you are ready?

Posted , 12 users are following.

kel40
kel40

Hi everybody! Its 2wks today since i had my thr,i have up until now been walking with 2 crutches having the occasional try with only 1 with no pain or problems.

How do i know when its time to try with just one crutch all the time?

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Detty
    Detty kel40

    Posted

    Hi Kel

    That's great you having no pain and walking with one crutch 😊 If it feels right then carry on but don't overdo it remember you've had a big op so still need to rest. How's it all going? Im 5 weeks in only one more week to go till my 6 week check then hopefully I can and start driving and swimming again 😊

    Hope you well

    Xx

    • kathleenberch
      kathleenberch Detty

      Posted

      Hi Detty. Glad to hear you don't have hardly any pain! When I was revision from my op, I would take a few tentative steps unassisted(I always held my cane, just in case, but never touched the ground with it ) then rest shortly, then again, then raised the number of steps I was doing alone, again resting inbetween. It was a home system of trying to strengthen my leg.....it seemed to help alot!!! Good luck and speedy, strong recovery.😊

  • kathleenberch
    kathleenberch kel40

    Posted

    Hi kel40! Oops my comment was supposed to be for you!😊

  • steve86482
    steve86482 kel40

    Posted

    Sounds like it is time if no pain or problems. Soon,no crutch at all
  • jomary
    jomary kel40

    Posted

    I suggest 2 outdoors and 1 indoors or none indoors. You may not need two outdoors but it warns other people that you have a problem and considerate parents may warn youngsters not to crash into you. Give it a few more  days then go down to one outdoors and a stick indoors then down to a stick out doors. Eventually for hiking walking use 2 poles for a long time
  • john56733
    john56733 kel40

    Posted

    Kel,

    I'm 4 weeks as of yesterday and I have been without any assistant walking since day 7.  But everyone is different so you need to try a few steps at home and see how you.  If you can handle a few steps then next time try to do a few more steps.  Your body will tell you.

  • judith12644
    judith12644 kel40

    Posted

    Hi Kel, I was on on 1 crutch from about day 5, but I always used 2 outside, the hospital suggested that, just in case you get knocked. Good luck.
  • susan_106
    susan_106 kel40

    Posted

    Hi Kel

    I used 2 sticks outside for a few weeks but one stick in the house after two weeks and no sticks n the house after 5 weeks.

    At 14 weeks I sometimes use a stick if I get a bit achy

    Suz x

  • Msky
    Msky kel40

    Posted

    Maybe you should phase it.Start with 20% of day being without the crutches x 2 days ,then 30% x 2 days.It gives you a chance to assess the change,and if does well then proceed by another slight increase.Think that's a safe way to proceed.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 kel40

    Posted

    Hi Kel, 

    Sounds like you are doing great !!!  

     I was advised to use walking aid for at least 4 weeks post-op to avoid sudden twist or fall ...

    Your hip implant is not totally secure in socket ,so each time you get up, turn in bed, or go up or down stairs, you put your weight down on it. then rotate ..

    Healing is still taking place, tendons, muscles etc. and fragile -

    I got very cocky after 2nd THR and started walking without rollator way too soon .. we think we can and are in balance, but we are not there yet ...

    I also was told (and they were right) that I will develop a limp ... our body automatically reverts back to it -

    Proceed with caution, I would say - do you have a physical therapist who can advise you?

    big warm hug

    renee

    • kel40
      kel40 renee01952

      Posted

      Hi.no i have no physio who can help renee,i wasn't refered to one once discharged unfortunatly.i have been to my g.p to ask for a referall but he said it would be 12wks so i am now on my surgeons secretarys case trying to get a referall!

    • renee01952
      renee01952 kel40

      Posted

      oh, I forgot about that .... darn it ..

      I know that you are eager to move forward ... so was I, as I told you .. 

      Perhaps you need to find out for your self - I mean this in a kind and respectful way,Kel ... people told me things to not do, I did them anyway, and learned ....

      just be mindful where you are going ...

    • beth2509
      beth2509 renee01952

      Posted

      Second vote for the "you find your own way". Everyone is different. And some of us have other stuff in the mix that means different strokes. I think I realised I could manage in the house without a stick when I had to go looking for it! I had put it down, walked off without it without realising, and had no idea where I last left it! 

      I have to be safe outside because of an ankle problem, so mostly on crutches until that is sorted. But the hip - now that would be jogging around given half a chance! Even the physios don't tell you when it is time. You'll know. Trust yourself. And if you don't feel confident, then don't do it until you can. Although you might try trading down to a sick or even two sticks from crutches. Start off around the house. If you  are in the UK,  you should have been given two sticks to trade down to. 

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