Painfully limp after hip replacement
Posted , 14 users are following.
I previously asked you lovely helpful people about my problem ditching my crutches and the general consensus seemed to be that I will know when it is time. I feel as though I am barely putting any weight on the one crutch I am using (although I do use 2 when I go out, as people seem more willing to give me a wide berth) and I decided today to just go for it. I managed about 20 steps (around the dining room table), but had a sharp pain every few steps in the hip and groin area. is this normal ? should I stop try again for a few days or keep trying each day ? I have no pain at all any other time. I am 4 weeks and 2 days post op and desperate to get back to normal as soon as possible but don't know if I am doing too much or too little. I do my exercises 4 times a day without a problem and even feel I could do more advanced exercises. I don't have any more physio for 5 weeks.
0 likes, 16 replies
nicole66881 joblizz
Posted
hello I would still use ur crutches until ur dr says otherwise. I'm only 2 weeks post op but cant do anything no physio no bend etc. I had my 2nd revision dec 3rd and then while having a bath on jan 23rd I dislocated my left hip severely enough that it was stuck behind my pelvis and socket and 2 hospitals couldnt get it back in. and then had to get cut open again. so now we are have to take every precaution to not dislocate again or I will end up in a wheel chair. so pls becareful and if ur still having pain see ur dr and take ur precautions seriously even if u feel u dont need ur crutches or cane etc. wait till ur dr says otherwise
RichardKen joblizz
Posted
You have already been given good advise from people who have successfully got their lives back but have chosen to ignore it. What's more to say!! Cheers, Richard
joblizz RichardKen
Posted
Well I am sorry for asking a similar question Richard, but as I tried to speak to my physio yesterday and couldn't, I thought I would try to clarify here with people who have experience. I had asked previously about feeling ready to try walking and people frequently mentioned walking with a limp, but nobody mentioned pain when limping. I would not ignore advice but just wanted to clarify if I should keep trying a few steps each day or wait until after my 6 week appointment even if I feel like I can do it. Oh, and I am doing my exercises 4 times a day.
RichardKen joblizz
Posted
A thought about exercising, you should be doing it frequently each day if you want to speed your recovery. Good luck. Richard
joan23196 joblizz
Posted
You're still early in recovery and although it is normal to be impatient to return to full fitness, your body may not be ready to cooperate just yet. It seems you are doing the right things and following advice i.e. walking with crutch/es and doing your exercises. For each of my hip replacements (one on each side done a couple of years apart), my Doctor encouraged me to walk without a crutch after 6 weeks. I followed his advice but it took a couple more weeks to feel comfortable and at ease walking distances. Your muscles haven't recovered yet so keep using them - in the way you have been advised by medics - to strengthen them. Take your time and use crutch/es until you are comfortable without them. `It may seem like time is passing slowly but you are likely to enjoy steady progress from now on. Best of Luck.
Ellenthevegan joblizz
Posted
I think if you are not ready don't push yourself. I would get a walker to transition.
Nomorerun joblizz
Posted
Hi
physios are the experts in when you can walk without crutches with a gait which won't put uneven wear and tear on your joints. Not sure even the best orthopaedic surgeons are trained in that area.
You should get good advice at your appointment.
RichardKen joblizz
Posted
A couple of years after gull recovery from a hip revision I got up after a perfectly normal night and could hardly stand on the leg that had had the hip revision. It continued for days as you describe if I have understood you correctly. It was solved by a visit to a chiropractor who found that my back was displaced. Forty minutes later I walked out of her consulting room without any pain and was fine for several months. The situation returned several months later and I returned to my chiropractor and again she sorted me out. Hope this helps you and others. Cheers, Richard
judith12644 joblizz
Posted
Hi, I think if you are having a sharp pain every few steps, then leave it a bit longer. Even though I was lucky, and had a pretty easy recovery, I actually used a crutch up until 6 weeks. (Mainly because I think that I was told to.) I think just take it steadily, try a few more steps in a few days time maybe?
It sounds as though you are doing all the right things, exercising, walking each day with your crutches...
Good luck, Judith
margaret14429 joblizz
Posted
i think you are right to start walking around your house carefully while being sensible outside. Do what feels comfortable . dont make the mistake of ditching your stick too soon. i am surprised at the 5 week gap now for physio. go onto Youtube and look up hip rehabilitation exercises . you should be able to find a week by week programme BUT check out the site first ( and that it is run by chartered physios) and read the reviews . Here in UK there is a great NHS site with videos and a weekly programme. Don't overdo tge exercises - they are advisory, but we are all different. Good luck, you are well on your way and will be walking naturally and back driving soon .
Hippy1 margaret14429
Posted
I am 8 week post op and haven't been offered any physio! I don't see my consultant for another week yet. If I don't use my stick I have a really bad limp which is too painful too persevere on. So I am carrying on using my stick. I suspect I have one leg longer than the other now. I am frustrated that I am not been seen at 6 weeks as I thought that was the target? I've done exercises and built up my walking.
ptolemy Hippy1
Posted
I only had physio the day after my op when I was in hospital when they checked if I could walk upstairs. Then after four weeks I saw the physio to be signed off. My consultant did not see anyone for six months and that was to sign them off.
Hippy1 ptolemy
Posted
Wow, it seems to vary so much from one area to another. I think it's a shame the aftercare varies so much. I am sure they would prevent more dislocations and improve outcomes for people with physio support a few weeks after the op.
joblizz
Posted
Thank you everyone for your help, advice and support. I am feeling a lot more positive about it all now : ) I have picked up far more information on this site that I have from the professionals. It's been a learning curve so far and I am looking forward to seeing what the next few weeks bring.
KeithMcC joblizz
Posted
Jo
There is so much difference in people's experiences and you can take from discussions from non medical people like us as you will and what is the best approach . Most people say to take it easy and if in discomfort to stop what you are doing . Psychology has a lot to do with recovery too and we tend to focus more on any niggle and blame the surgery which we all needed. I took a differing approach and ploughed on regardless whether I was sore or not and was walking miles from the first week . It doesn't get any easier and the best way to strengthen up is to get exercising and pushing yourself .