One crutch

Listen to your body.  Start slowly and if you experience any discomfort just stop.  I used a cane right from the beginning and I was fine. I had the anterioer approach surgery so there is less pain and fewer restrictions.

 

Im 9 weeks and literally only gone down to one crutch outdoors and none indoors in the last 2 days. And iv only done that because i have surgery in 2 weeks and wont be able to use my crutches so i have to be walking.

It is causing me more pain so if you dont have to do it dont. Your body will tell you when to stop xx

Hi Jennifer, 

that is great that you are feeling good today ... good night sleep can do the trick ...

It might be too early to go on one crutch at 8 days post-op, even inside the house - 

there are so many different stories - My physical therapist wanted me to use my rollator until I saw surgeon at 6 weeks appointment (inside) - absoltely no furniture surfing - according to him, it is easy to fall back in limping  mode - the surrounding area around hip is not strong enough to hold your body in balance - not so much damaging the hip joint, but delaying hea;ling of tissues and muscles - you will put your full weight on new hip, which is okay, but again, tissue around it is still so fragile - 

I had posterior approach and 2 THR surgeries ...

big warm hug

renee

Hello Jennifer.

I varied between 1 and 2 crutches dependent on the situation.Personally I think you'll be fine if you feel supported enough with the 1 crutch. I used to come down the stairs "backwards" too - but that wasn't in the operation manual but I felt safe and spoke to a stranger who'd had the op and he did the same thing too!

Just as an aside, I had a pretty hard few weeks after the op. I'm now 6 months + down the line and my life has give-or-take returned to normal. It's really great. The same will happen with you. The only "glitch" I had 3 months ago was that my physio was working me too hard beforeI was ready. I stopped with him (nice guy though), spoke to my surgeon who said the best re-education was to walk, walk, walk, walk. I haven't looked back since and went to see my physio to tell hime why I'd stopped. He thanked me for the info. So talking to people really helps too.Thank God for sites like "patient.info", that's all I say. Good luck Jennifer and you'll have your life back soon.

Cheers,

Simon

Thats great ....I used A walker for about 10 to 12 days in the house but out side I still used it at around 3 weeks I stopped using it all together..I also starting driving again I woupd see my dr. Till the 23rd for my 6 weeks check up....the hardest thing for me was sleeping and the golfball feeling in my hip ..I so happy that the golfball feeling is gone and last night I slept on my non operated side for the first time with no pain I was just worried about dislocation .I survived the night..... Good Luck with ur recovery and listen to ur body it knows best

Am sure it will , as long as you feel comfortable and are walking straight xxx

Hi Jennifer! You are very smart to be cautious. The healing process takes time but we seem to want to rush it. I encourage you to take your time... long term is the important thing. My body told me when I overdid it. I am so happy for you. I am feeling great at 11 weeks!

 

That is great for only day 8, like others have advised just listen to your body. If you start to have pain then maybe two crutches. I had the posterior approach and mine was so bad I was in surgery for hours, and also had a cracked pelvic bone so the first three weeks I was only allowed to put 50% weight on my operated side. So to hear that someone is using one crutch at day 8 is awesome! I am just now attempting to try one crutch or no crutches for a short distance. I do the same and if I start to hurt then I revert back to two crutches...I am almost 4 weeks post op...Wishing you well....Barb

Just take your time.You might do it in percentages.You might d 1 crutch in the morning but switch to 2 mid day.Try that for about 3 days ,and then extend the 1 crutch to midevening.Let the body get used to gradual change.

Hi Jennifer, I'm so pleased to hear you had a good night's sleep, it does make all the difference.

I have 2 sets of crutches (1set from an old knee op a few years ago) & I keep them upstairs. I put them on the landing so that when I go upstairs with the 1 crutch, my others are there for me to pick up so there's no to-ing & to-ing with crutches. Bearing in mind I've only been home since Friday, there has been several times when I've just forgot to pick up another crutch when I've got to the top of the stairs. I did ask my Physio before she discharged me from hospital about using 1 and she said it's entirely up to me - as long as you use it in the opposite hand to your operated leg & concentrate on walking properly there are plenty of things to assist you when walking about the house. If you are OK then carry on but remember to concentrate on your correct walking pattern which is important. Good luck & glad you're having a good day x

I'm sure it's absolutely fine provided you feel comfortable and stable. I was walking with one crutch from the beginning although I used 2 when taking walks outside for the first 2 or 3 weeks.