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odd problem

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pam00470
pam00470

this might sound weird-then,i am weird-but since ive had my hip replacement(end of january) ,ive been kicking my own ankles when walking--to the point of taking the skin off.anyone know why?im trying to walk as normally as possible.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Gasparilla
    Gasparilla pam00470

    Posted

    hi Pam,

    This sounds as if you have a gait issue. Have you done physical therapy? If not, that might help to identify what is causing the problem.

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK pam00470

    Posted

    I agree with Gasparilla - sounds like a gait issue, possibly a foot turning in. 

    It needs someone to look at how you are walking, it is almost impossible to self-diagnose gait problems.

    Best wishes

    Graham

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Watching how you are walking in a tall mirror or in shop windows worked for me. Cheers Richard
  • jen86183
    jen86183 pam00470

    Posted

    When you had your six week appointments with the physio and consultant did no one watch you walk across a room or has this happened since. The physio asked me to walk down the room with the crutch and back without. Sometimes when we are conscious of something and try not to do it, we do it more. I do think as RichardKen said watch yourself walk, if you do walk inwards you can then start to correct it. Oddly enough on Wednesday the doctor I saw on behalf of the consultant said do not walk pigeon toed, I thought that was a strange thing to say so, maybe this is not uncommon.
  • gidgygirl
    gidgygirl pam00470

    Posted

    Hi Pam, 

    I, too, noticed that I have a different walk after THR. I almost cross one foot in front of the other when walking, and I know I didn't do this before. Plus I have a Trendelenburg gait, which apparently means that my hip & butt muscles on the surgical side are weak and cannot support the weight of my entire body when I walk. I have been going to PT since January and my hip & butt muscles are in better shape than they've ever been, so I'm thinking it might be a neurological problem. Your PT should be able to analyze your gait & start you on some exercises to strengthen or stretch the muscles that are causing the kicking. It takes persistence & a long time of daily exercise, but if you keep with it, you will train your body to do what you need it to do. I had both a PTHR and a groin tendoctomy so I think my body is trying to figure out what to do with all these physical & physiological changes. You have to point them in the right direction.

    • pam00470
      pam00470 gidgygirl

      Posted

      thank you all for your helpful replies,i thought youd laugh-such a daft problem!my surgeon and my physio have both watched me walk,the physio helped me loads,i was concerned i couldnt walk without crutches without limping,and he said i needed to take a longer stride with my right(operated)leg-well,both,but i was cutting short the step on my right one-it really helped and gave me confidence,no one mentioned anything else-i think maybe the kicking wasnt happening then(i was about 7 weeks then)-its not all the time,but ive started to notice it more recently,especially when i was out in trainer socks and skinned both ankles! i will definately get someone to watch me walk.thanks again everyone x
  • miriamal49
    miriamal49 pam00470

    Posted

    You might be putting to much attention as how you walk. After my surgery I started wearing sketchers go walk. It helped me balance myself to a conference walk. I’m not advertising for sketchers. You might find something else. But the ease of putting my feet in s shoe that I didn’t have trouble bending down or getting help. Try not to think to much in your walk. Maybe a couple of minutes in a treadmill helps.
    • pam00470
      pam00470 miriamal49

      Posted

      thanks miriam,thank goodness it seems to have eased off a bit,now!i tend more to concentrate on walking upright and straight,and leave my legs to it!no wonder they were doing their own thing!x

       

  • miriamal49
    miriamal49 pam00470

    Posted

    I’m glad it’s getting better. Subconsciously you tend to be more careful than usual because you don’t want to lose balance and fall. But if you get comfortable slide in shoes it will help you get confident in you’re walk. 
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