How much longer must I waddle like a penguin?

It will get better with time, there is an exercise that helps your gait to return to normal:  stand on one foot with your arms stretched out and count to 50, then reverse with the other leg and again count to 50.  What this does is rebalance your pelvic which has been disrupted by the new implant and surgery...try that.  I did it and still do it periodically.

I'll try that new exercise - thank you for that 

This might sound silly but are your legs the same length? Iv got 4cm difference in my legs and if i walk flat footed i look like a penguin so obvs i only walk on my tippy toes. I dont know if this helps

I didn't think of that I'll maybe try and put an insole in shoe on my operated side and see if it helps. Thank you 

Have you tried cane. I was using cane by 6 weeks. Don't forget your thigh muscles hav to strengthen and that will improve walking. What does physio say about your walking

After my right hip implant, i had 1 inch difference in my legs and was limping badly.  I tried everything on the market including Dr.Scholl gel heels, doubling them etc..impossible to use with flipflops.  Fortunately, I needed to get my left hip done also, i made sure the surgeon knew about the length discrepancy and be careful to make both legs the same length.  Which he did.  So in my case, that problem got solved, but I feel for those of you with uneven legs because I remember the frustration of figuring how to find a solution with shoes - for me it was hard, I am in California where flipflops are a must..most of the year.

Hi Dalmation, 

It is so frustrating, isn't it?  Have you checked out youtube and "how to walk properly" clip? 

For me , it is a slow process which I am still practicing  - also with my physical therapist -

balance is important, as well as moving your shoulders/arms - 

I am still walking with a cane though or take it with me ... just in case - I know that I waddle when I walk too fast and sloppy - after 2 THR surgeries 

I am getting there, sloooowly but surely --- 

you will too darling -

big warm hug

renee

Hi Dalmatian penguin

I put up a post about this a couple of weeks ago and the out come was that we all go through this phase. I'm 7 weeks today and am still waddling but nowhere like it was 2 weeks ago.

I use an elbow crutch outdoors and make sure I force myself to walk straight   .When indoors I also force myself to walk straight without the crutch and this seems to work in strengthening my inner top of the thigh muscles that are causing the waddling. Give it a go and see if you can pinpoint the weakness in your walking

Hi I was told to use both crutches for 12 weeks, I'm none weight bearing for all this time but apparently it should be the same for everyone to encourage walking evenly on both legs.

My surgeon also told me that leg length discrepancy is the very last thing they consider when operating but usually the leg difference reduces!