Limping

hi hippy

im sorry i cant help with this but will be following as im in exactly the same position I had my right hip replaced 6th august im limping pretty badly i walk as much as i can but i cant walk far ive tried walking without a crutch but keep going back to one as im struggling . Im frustrated i know we all mend at different rates but didnt think it would take me so long! Take care Lynne

The key from from personal experience is doing the muscle strengthening exercises and walking strongly with a good gait while using BOTH crutches until you can do it without them. That"s it. Cheers, Richard

can i ask how you would describe your first 4 weeks post op? Did you start walking right away, use walker or crutches, did pain improve at all? Or would you say you mainly rested and tried to heal? I'm 12 days post op and trying to balance resp/repair with the recommendation of moving around "as much as tolerable". I'm afraid that if I don't feel improvements in my pain/limp, I may be over-doing it? Just curious as to your experience. THANKS!

Okay I had my hips done 3 months apart in 2017. After about four months post-op I was doing real well, with each hip. However, I would have a lot of pain, nerve pain down each hip I could not put any support so I was limping and had to use a cane. Some days I would have no pain in both hips other days I'd have pain in both hips. Mostly I would have pain in one or the other hip. I didn't go to the doctor because I wanted to give it at least a year a year and a half before I recognized that it was something serious. One day about 15 months after my last surgery I realized I hadn't had any pain for at least 2 weeks, month-and-a-half later I haven't had any pain in either hip, so I say just give it some time. My hip replacement was anterior and I was left with some big scars and no big deal now I am pain free.

Okay I had my hips done 3 months apart in 2017. After about four months post-op I was doing real well, with each hip. However, I would have a lot of pain, nerve pain down each hip I could not put any support so I was limping and had to use a cane. Some days I would have no pain in both hips other days I'd have pain in both hips. Mostly I would have pain in one or the other hip. I didn't go to the doctor because I wanted to give it at least a year a year and a half before I recognized that it was something serious. One day about 15 months after my last surgery I realized I hadn't had any pain for at least 2 weeks, month-and-a-half later I haven't had any pain in either hip, so I say just give it some time. My hip replacement was anterior and I was left with some big scars and no big deal now I am pain free.

I limped quite bad previous to my rthr for about nearly 18 months,at six weeks i was still limping quite bad when i saw my physio she advised me to continue with one stick and when setting off to walk set off on the non operated leg first as this balances you,also to do as many repetions of the side leg raised as possible,and also up on the road,down and then onto the heels like a rocking motion im 9 weeks this thursday and although not 100% ive seen a massive reduction in my limping and improvement in my balance,also to just walk and concentrate on heel to toe when walking as much as possible, good luck still early days 😉im sure youlle get their 👍

Aquatherapy helped me tremendously

Hi Hippy,

What exercises do you do, using an exercise bike or elliptical will help to strengthen your muscles along with plenty of walking. Pilates/yoga will help with re-alignment. Exercise is the best thing for pain and the bike or elliptical will not cause you pain, they are non weight bearing and will do a lot of good as would pilates.

Limping is generally a lack of strength in the leg muscles, and the only things I have found good for it is lots of walking and exercise.

I have never ever been a 'fitness freak' but for my last operation, I was in much better shape beforehand due to going to the gym regularly. That strengthened my leg muscles, and I am certain has contributed to a wonderful recovery this time. Before my first operations, I was immobile and sedentary, and had the same problems as you, limping my way to work months afterwards.