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I aim to walk without a limp

Posted , 9 users are following.

shirley17649
shirley17649

Hello everyone,

Still limp when I walk without my stick. Four months post op now.

Any suggestions or advice on walking without the limp?

Shirley

 

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

  • alan23497
    alan23497 shirley17649

    Posted

    Shirley

    I had my op in mid October & still start to limp after a short while without my stick. I found using a cross trainer has helped, others have said exercise bikes have been successful. I think any sort of supported exercise allows you to build strength on the weaker side without over compensating on the better side.

    When you think back to 8 weeks ago it's amazing how for we've improved!

    If anyone has any good tips I'd love to hear them.

    Good luck

    Alan

  • catrin46108
    catrin46108 shirley17649

    Posted

    Shirley are you still seeing a physio? When I was at about 8 weeks both the physio and arthroplasty nurse recommended me using a static bike to loose my limp. It was gone within a week. It's a matter of balance and muscle strengthening. 
  • colinTN17
    colinTN17 shirley17649

    Posted

    I had the same problem without a crutch but can walk perfectly straight with it. If that's true for you then it is your top inside thigh and buttock muscles that are not strong enough. Do the exercises and do as much walking with your crutches as you can.

    The other possibility is that the surgeon has had to trim off more bone and left you with a slightly shorter op leg in which case an insole may help.

    Good luck

  • shirley17649
    shirley17649

    Posted

    Thankyou colin, catrin and alan,

    Will try the things you suggest. Maybe join a gym soon.

    Shirley

     

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 shirley17649

      Posted

      You really don't need to join a gym all the exercises you need can be done at home and walking can be done anywhere only make sure you have a decent pair of trainers and waterproofs. I go out in all weathers and it has improved my gait no end.
    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 colinTN17

      Posted

      Thanks colin,

      ​I guess you are right because i did not walk as often over Xmas when the family were home and there was a lot going on. Also I have missed my trips to the baths and that makes a difference.

      ​Ah well, hope you are  "getting there" as they say. Onwards and upwards.

      Shirley

       

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 shirley17649

      Posted

      That's funny whenever any family or friends ask me about the hip I always say "getting there" and I suppose I am really as far as my L hip is concerned. Only the R one and 2 knees to go now wink
    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 colinTN17

      Posted

      Wow,colin, I admire your positive attitude. I don't think people realise how much guts it takes to go in for surgery,  do they?

      You will be an Oracle on this website before long.

      Shirley

       

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 shirley17649

      Posted

      Think I'll leave that accolade to Graham alias Rocketman. 

      Yes it does take guts but for most of us it's a necessity so guts doesn't really come into the equation. 

      When I first saw the surgeon last year after the X-ray he said " I have som good news and bad news---the bad news is the L hip needs sorting straight away. And the good news is the other one won't need doing till next year" mad

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colinTN17

      Posted

      Thanks Colin, 

      I can hardly believe that a few months ago I knew so little, and now look at me!  You are up there with the best though, with great advice and posts. Keep it coming.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Cheers Graham. U 2.

      trouble is the same questions seem to come up all the time. Is there a way we can refer newcomers to old replies that cover their enquiry..

      oh btw am just about to ask one that hasn't been asked b4

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colinTN17

      Posted

      That's exactly why I wanted to set up a website, and the cost is minimal.

      Gives me something else to do whilst I get better

    • renee01952
      renee01952 colinTN17

      Posted

      Hi Colin, 

      I am on this forum for about 9 months - had 2 THR surgeries and have read many, many posts - 

      I don't know how you found this forum - I, for instance, had pain in groin 3 weeks post-op R THR - 

      Search engine lead me to "groin pain after THR " of this forum and I have never left since ... 

      You already found out that there are a varity of hipsters here - The ones who are still on the fence, the scared new, pre-ops, and the post-ops -

      All are valuable in their experience and happy to share their experiences with others - 

      Long story, I know, but please, no referring newbies to old threads/replies -

      If you don't feel like responding, just don't ---- it is okay -

      Graham, your blog is great and very helpful - but I think that sometimes we want to have a more personal contact - 

      it is a lonely road and so wonderful to know that we are not alone ...

      big warm hug

      renee

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK shirley17649

    Posted

    I am 25 weeks and still cannot walk unaided without a limp. Surgeon swears from looking at x-ray that it has nothing to do with the prostheses. So am seeing a physiatrist to try to figure this out. Had a sacroiliac joint steroid injection a month ago and it seems a little bit better. Having an MRI to look at my lumbar spine on Thursday.

    Shirley, can you support your full body weight on the surgical leg? That is what is needed for walking correctly. Put both your hands on a table supporting yourself, then lift up the non-surgical leg, then let go with your hands to see if your surgical leg can support you. I have not been able to do so since my THR, although I think I am finally get a bit better at it - leg holds out for a bit longer before giving away.

    The physiatrist said to try walking more without my crutch or walker. I walk perfectly with them, but not without. I am trying very hard to walk totally correctly when using them, putting weight equally on both sides, going heel to toe as I put my feet down. 

    Time will tell.

    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi Annie

      Yes, I can stand on the operated leg unaided for several minutes.

      I wonder if using the operated leg on climbing stairs a few times a day might help. I tend to go up one steps at a time.

      Shirley

       

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 AnnieK

      Posted

      Don't listen to the physi you have a limp for 2 possible reasons

      1 your inner top thigh muscles are too weak solution --- walk as far as you feel able and ad straight as you can with a crutch and keep doing the leg exercises.

      2. The op leg has become slightly shorter after surgery

      Solution ---- get an insole

      Hope this helps and good luck Annie

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK colinTN17

      Posted

      Thanks for your comments, Colin! I had 22 physical therapy sessions, and have been assured by my PT, my surgeon and the physiatrist (also a doctor) that I have plenty of strength in my leg muscles.

      There can be many reasons for a limp, and, It isn't always muscles that are the problem. Another reason can be torn gluteal tendons. One of the members of this forum, a woman named Linda who is more than a year out of her THR and still can't walk unaided, is having surgery on hers, which were apparently torn during the surgery. Surgery is required in the worst cases of this. Other times it heals on its own in time.

      A physiatrist is a doctor of physical medicine, dealing with spine, pain and soft tissue issues. Sometimes things that are wrong with your spine or other pelvic joints can cause limps.

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK shirley17649

      Posted

      The fact that you can stand on the leg unaided without it collapsing under you is a very good thing! Stair climbing was part of my PT, and I climb stairs often, as I have to go down to do laundry. When you do stairs, do you always lead with your non-surgical leg? It might be helpful to try leading with your surgical leg as often as you can, without overdoing it, of course, or at least alternating, to get more strength.
    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 AnnieK

      Posted

      Yes sorry I should have said muscles or tendons are too week.

      could your surgeon see from the X-ray and MRI if you had a problem with your spine.

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK colinTN17

      Posted

      I will be having the MRI of the spine, and that will tell the tale if there is something wrong there. Not sure what the next step will be, if that is ok, but I plan on asking for MRI of my gluteal tendons if things still aren't improving. I had a Dexa-scan of my lumbar spine recently and I am in the first stage of osteoporosis there. Have had a regular x-ray of my lumbar spine already, and it showed only mild degeneration. The MRI will give a picture in much more detail.
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