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Icy hazard

Posted , 9 users are following.

jools2512
jools2512

Such a shock yesterday evening when I took my dog out! I have only started walking without a stick this week, partly because it is such a nuisance at work, and because I feel it's time to move on. So I was looking forward to taking my dog out as I'm also working on increasing my activity. All the pavements are tarmac where we live, they were all twinkly and sparkly. Oh dear, I could hardly stay upright even with good soled shoes. It made me extremely anxious that I would fall, something I wouldn't even have worried about last winter. And the effort of trying to stay upright was a real challenge for the muscles in the side of my hip and front of the thigh. To top it all, the dog got her foot stuck in a drain and I had to pull her out! Needless to say we went for our walk today in daylight when the ice had melted a bit and I could see better. Life as a hippie is clearly challenging in ways more than just having the op!

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • ann47958
    ann47958 jools2512

    Posted

    Oh jools it really is a challenge I'm terrified I might fall in this weather even tho have managed well with everything else so far. I suppose we will just have to remember to be careful. Glad you made it safely.

    • jools2512
      jools2512 ann47958

      Posted

      Hi Anne,

      ?I fell pretty well on carpet a few weeks ago and the hip tolerated it really well. My knee and shin that had only just settled from being extremely sore with severe bruising from the op didn't come out so well though! But I think that was a balance issue and rushing. But falling outside I know would be horrible. I expect as time goes on confidence and strength get better we will get more perspective on risks

  • m05
    m05 jools2512

    Posted

    Don't take the risk ! Your legs will have a lot of re learning to do . How long since you had your op? I am of the opinion that once I am fixed I am going to have re - learn to walk again fully expect to be using a stick on and off for months after surgery.

    Take care !

    Cheers Martin

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 m05

      Posted

      I am one of those clumsy people who seem to fall over/trip on uneven pavements almost every time I go into town. People would come rushing over to me because of the terrible “splat” way I fell.  It was never a little stumble. Always a full splat. I’m now getting very fearful of going out shopping again. Why I trip I have no idea. My shoes seem to find every tiny uneven paving slab and down I go. I’ve often gone back to have a look at the spot with the intention of getting compensation from a negligent council. But when I’ve looked there’s only about a millimetre of unevenness. I give up. 
    • jools2512
      jools2512 m05

      Posted

      I'm 11 weeks today, posterior LTHR. My leg was significantly weaker than my good one, and has a lot of catching up still to do. Like many on here I deteriorated very quickly in the last year. I can't believe now what I was like, so it's no wonder I still have a way to go. My physio has been so good, explaining that of course, you aren't going to be brilliant straight away and giving me good exercises to try. But, yes, I underestimated how slippy it would be, and I keep thinking I'm 'normal' now as I can do so many more things that I probably hadn't been able to do for so long before. It's like claiming your life back!

    • jools2512
      jools2512 sarah22500

      Posted

      Hi Sarah,

      ?It's a funny thing you know. I never considered things before, but I have noticed my balance is a bit off. I don't know if it's because I'm not in the funny crooked state I had become used to and am now more upright than before. Maybe you have your splat falls for the same sort of reason?  I asked my physio to check my balance the other day, and it is related to the weakness apparently. So it's just a case of exercise, exercise and more exercise rolleyes? Now, if you ask my family how many times I drop things........

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 jools2512

      Posted

      My bad balance is the bane of my life. I can’t close my eyes and stay still unless I first hold onto something. I’ve done that walk thing along a straight line heels touching toes and hospital doctor said “erm...ok let’s try something else”.  i DO have a condition called small fibre Peripheral Neuropathy with nerve damage from my upper calves down  to my toes. It feels like Im wearing tight socks. It’s very common in diabetics but I’m not fortunately. So maybe this affects my balance a lot. I don’t know. 
  • maree32074
    maree32074 jools2512

    Posted

    Hi Jools

    I love walking our dog too and pick the times during the day when I know there will minimal people walking their dogs. The reason being some people walk their dogs off the lead (even though it is illegal where I live) and it is hard to hold the lead on your own dog and I am frightened of a fall.  People also bring their dogs over for a social chat and sometimes it ends up a bit of a fight and this is hard too.  I read your experience and got goose bumps. Glad it worked out for you. Yes, life for a hippie is always thinking ahead for obstacles and then dealing with them when something unforeseen turns up.

    • jools2512
      jools2512 maree32074

      Posted

      Hi Maree,

      ?My dog is too daft to be off the lead (and a bit too old now, and I think can't hear / see you to come back!) Other peoples' dogs are a real unknown aren't they? We have a few trusted routes, and we see the same people mostly, but sometimes have to cross the road as I know either she or they might not be nice. So today I had the challenge of picking up poop. Thank goodness I could use the 'golfers' bend!

  • judith12644
    judith12644 jools2512

    Posted

    Stay safe Jules, and all you other hippies out there, especially in this icy weather! (I almost fell down the stairs when I was a couple of months post op. It’s easily done.)
  • mary25429
    mary25429 jools2512

    Posted

    I bought an awesome pair of boots from Schuler shoes, easy in and out, with good soles BUT I had my first walk yesterday and it was still scary. I am almost thinking of using cross country ski poles when I go out on icey terrain. It is not worth falling and wrecking a hip replacement. I am staying in a lot this winter. 
  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie jools2512

    Posted

    The first time it snowed post op and it was only light. I had already told my boss that I would be working from hime. I was just over 4 months post op. He was very good and said fime. Even now two years on I would do the same. You shouldnt be walking the dog if your muscles are not strong enough yet. You need to start off straight upright and walk heel toe to.learn to re walk and get out of bad habits you were in pre op. X
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