Limping

Hi I'm only 4 weeks and I've tried a few steps but do not feel comfortable enough to walk without any support, I had a bad limp before and hope it will improve over time. 6 weeks is still early I'm sure another couple weeks u will see and feel a difference. Have you had your 6 week check up yet x

It varies, depending on how bad things were before surgery and whether or not soft tissue gets damaged during or after surgery. It's possible that it is still too early for you and limp will go in time. I've read that most people can walk fine without aids between 8 - 12 weeks.

How long did you have a limp pre-surgery? Did you use walking aids before surgery, if so, how long? If it was a long time, it is possible your muscles are very weak and will need more building up. 

I didn't have a limp pre-op, but now I do, long after it should have gone. Am working with a new doctor to figure out exactly which muscles/tendons in my hip/leg are damaged and how badly, although it seems things are improving just a little bit now after 7 months. I've done lots of online research to study the anatomy of which muscles do which jobs to keep the hip even on both sides while walking. Your doctor should know this, and be able to help you figure it out. Good luck!

Hi I'm 10 wks po now and am walking around with 1 stick - have tried walking around the house this week without any stick - but I've still got a limp!!!! I'm really hoping it will go in the next few weeks!!!!  

Had my check up, everything fine, got the usual reply to any questions - time and patience 😬

Hi there

I am just over 10 weeks post op and I am walking in the house with no

sticks but still use one when I am out but it's only for reassurance and it has really only been the last few days that my husband said you are

walking with just about no limp with me it was gaining confidence in the

new hip that was a problem and I have some back pain which with

exercises has greatly improved as before my op I walked bent over with 2 sticks so just be patient it will all sort itself out 6 weeks is still very early in your recovery as all the muscles have to streghten again every week

you will move better and before you know it you will be walking

completely normal and wonder what you were worrying about

Take care and Good luck with your recovery

I had my op on 7th October last year and I'm still walking like a penguin. Apparently I got "lost in the system" so I didn't get referred to Physio.

started going a couple of weeks ago and got different exercises to do so hopefully things will improve.

need the other hip done as well so maybe that is stopping me walking normally.

Thanks everyone, I walked for 2 years with a limp before the op and not yet had the 6 week check.  I am doing the exercises but not seen a physio.  I guess I will just have to be patient for a while longer 

I am an unusual case - having had revision at 10 weeks.

I started walking without sticks around the house at about 7-8 weeks after the first operation.  This week I am able to walk without sticks - at 14 weeks post first op, 4 weeks post second op.

It happened very suddenly, overnight in fact, I just found that I was stable and almost limp free in the morning.  

I was walking 2-3 miles outside with one stick, but now I have now started walking outside without a stick, I have had to restart at 0.5 miles per day.  It is much more exhausting than it was with a stick - i expect this will pass once I get going again and the muscles improve.

Graham

We're all different and healing can take longer in some than in others. It took me a long time and I got too used to my walking stick! I'm 18 month Post Op and can walk ok now but still need my stick at times because my leg (or hip) aches! Saying that, I can bend which I couldn't before peserverance is needed and paracetamol when necessary in my case You are fairly recent post op, I do hope you continue to improve and see a good outcome in the not too distant future!

I am now 5 months after surgery.  Still sometimes have a limp.

As someone previously mentioend, it depends on how severe the condoitions were pre-op.  In my case, I was bad.  so I knew my total recovery may take longer.

The key to recovery is dependent on a few things.  Muscle strength is probably the most important.  Retraining your leg parts to work again is necessary.  This is by repetition of exercise.  Stretching is also very important.  NOTE - only begin a regimented stretching routing after 10-12 weeks and get the Doc's OK to start.   You can cause damage by stretching to much too early--  any sooner than 10 weeks,  in my opinion,   is too early .

The third thing to consider is that in most cases after surgery the leg length is shorter.  This can be changed over time.  Stretching and strengthening muscles will help in lengthening the leg back to where it should be.  However, it may not ever get back to the equal length of the other leg.  Lot depends on the surgery .  In most cases the muscles,and tendons are tightened up after sue=rgery so need to be lengthened by the stretching.  Soemtimes it is necessary to get fitted shoes with soles that are different heights.

Hope this may help someewhat. 

 

Are you having any physio? Essential to build up the muscles and tissues again.