Life post op does this mean i can never fall again

Posted , 9 users are following.

While having my first post op with my doc he said i cant fall ever again in life fall and this is alarming because i am clumsy...like my first broken bone was at 8 yrs old so being only 29 i know i have atleast a few more good falls in me so now i am terrified to do anything. Before the car accident that fracture my hip..i was a very adventurous person...and the reason why i was pushing myself so hard during my recovery was so i could possibly somewhat return to that type of lifestyle. Is it true i probably wont be able to none of that again?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    I have fallen since my op, and survived unscathed apart from a couple of bruises. The worry is of course about possible dislocation. That is the additional risk over anyone without a hip replacement, fractures are a risk for everyone.

    it is an individual risk assessment, which you must do based on your attitudes Andy medical advice.

    however as a youngster I expect that you will virtually forget about your THR and find yourself doing some adventurous things again.

  • Posted

    You have my sympathy! I'm a fall queen too!

    I've put off my hip replacement for a few months / year to try and sort myself out in terms of my fall ability - been there since my teens. I've had enough and want to take control of the cause. Tips - well I have ms in remission so that doesn't help - but see if you can do Polatis and work on your inner core that can stop some of them, and always visit an osteopath every once in a while to check you are in perfect alignment. My husband has suggested I get lessons on how to fall as I am such a banana!! But I think worrying about falling will make you worse, so if you empower yourself with tools e.g. As above you will be better! You are aware you do it so that's great - half of the cure I'm sure. And you're not alone!!!!

    • Posted

      Actually that isn't a stupid idea about learning how to fall. It's my salvation - I do know how to fall! I have for decades of judo behind me. And it isn't hard to learn. It's the first thing they teach. Two simple rules, but of course it takes practice. Relax totally. Babies and young children bounce. They don't know any fear. So they automatically relax instead of tense. Tension when you fall is what causes the worst damage. Protect your vulnerable parts - the head in particular. 

    • Posted

      Yes!! And sadly I had a mega fall end Aug! Back from hol - hip not working - no idea it was coz needed new hip - had bottle of champers at BBQ - tidied house after guests left - had bath after 8 yr old who had sprayed water everywhere on shiny bathroom floor - and kerplonk! Defective hip didn't support fall. Fell on tiled concrete floor - split head open. But - champers made me fall relaxed so no concussion - so amazing that, and spine perfect from osteopath. Had silly me used my arms to break my fall (went backwards) I would have been OK in my head!

      But I think your qu is cool - exactly what I'm worrying about - how much forgiveness does your hip have if u r a fall banana! E.g. They say don't cross ur legs after - what if u forget - does ur hip tell u? Do different types of hip offer different forgiveness? It's all v well if u have a great hip replacement but if u r a clumsy clot like me, it's a worry!

    • Posted

      As I said, I fell two weeks post op. And the hip is fine. If it is any consoltaion - and this comes from my own private physio who is well experienced and qualified - she said that modern research on the modren hip replacements is tearing up the accepted truths. It's becoming clear that the "banned list" of things, which includes falling, is not really a big factor in terms of hip dislocation these days. If the surgery is good, then the biggest factor is just dumb bad luck - some people can dislocate doing nothing whilst others can bounce around like a ball and not dislocate. If you think about it that way, then it is what it is. No point in worrying!

      ?And DON'T use your arms to break a fall unless you want to add broken arms to your list! Curl when you fall, tuck your head in and your arms protect your head! Your arms aren't strong enough to take your full body weight in a jarring action like a fall. That's why they aren't legs!

  • Posted

    I had a full on fall two weeks post op. The knees got hurt. The hip was fine! Life is a risk. Don't be stupid, but beyond that, you must exercise good judgement. I have a dodgy ankle, so I expect they'll be another fall or two to go!

  • Posted

    Hi how long since your op and have you had repair or full hip replacement, I'm also told the same thing after hip fracture, there are reasons which are different from hip replacement.

  • Posted

     I think after twelve weeks stuff has really healed.  If we fall,we fall but I think our new hips might be the last things we break. Absolutely no medical knowledge... but hopeful.
  • Posted

    It's very unrealistic to think that we can prevent all falls, since sometimes no matter how careful we are, it happens through no fault of our own. The further away from surgery that you are, the better your chances are of having a fall and not doing damage. I've read about many people who have fallen post-op, usually with no damage to new hip prostheses. Sometimes there is soft tissue damage. 

    I haven't had a fall since my THR in July of 2015. I've since had a compression fracture of a vertebra that just happened - no fall. I had another hip surgery 7 weeks ago to repair gluteal tendons. I have been ultra careful. Of course, the older we are the more dangerous falls are, and we should always try to prevent them. But you are very young, and can probably recovery nicely from a fall if you are far enough out from surgery.

  • Posted

    hi brittni,

    oh boy ... why are they saying things like this ?  duh !!!!!  

    what other things do you think you might not be able to do anymore ?

    you got the anterior approach and already have less restrictions now than the ones, like me, who had posterior approach ... 

    I remember a forum member who went back to teaching karate and others who are playing all kinds of sports again - 

    so get yourself ready to live your life to the fullest darling ..

    big warm hug

    renee

     

  • Posted

    HELlo ;-)

    I had my hip replacement done at the age of 21.

    I was thinking the same before having the operation that after the op I might not be able to do things that other people do .

    But don't worry you will have the times when you forget that you had your hip replacement done.

    Like me , after about 4 months after the op , I was pain free and I was enjoying my life and was doing a lot of things except running on hard surfaces, it happens now sometime tho after running after my 2 year old son.

    Yes I Also gave birth one year after hip replacement I was worried that it might be a problem but I didn't have any problems at all.

    Only now 3 years after my hip operation I had to resign from The job because it was too physical - which included walking for 8-10 hours and pushing heavy yorks up to 250kg on the lorries. When i felt pain for the first time then I realised I have to be more sensitive with what I'm doing, because yes for almost 3 years I forget that I had my hip replacement done.

    Good luck ;-)

    • Posted

      Thats another thing...i do walk for 8-10 hours for my place of employment...i work for the post office...so i walk and lift all day every day..i mean once i go back to work that is...right now im only like 11days post op

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.