Six weeks post and still hurting

Hi Anna,

I'm also 6 weeks post LTHR, I can walk around the house with one crutch

but when I go out I still use two, I saw my GP on Monday and she says I'm doing really

well but I had more done.than a straight forward hip replacement. I also still have a bit

of pain but nothing like it was before, I came home come hospital taking

21tablets a day I'm now down to taking co-codamol three times a day.

I also have days when I'm down and could.cry because I feel that I

should me better but my GP says no and to take my time.

Good luck x

Hi Anna I am 7 weeks Rthr. I think it's confidence and muscle strength. This week have gone to know assistance but still not confident re walking upstairs one after the other and still get muscle jipping. Have called my hip Sophia as she is a constant reminder . One of the other ladies mentioned using a Fit bit re how much walking you do. I have just adopted this and am starting to feel better with progress but still get tired!!! See Consultant first time post op next week x

Hello. I just wanted to tell you I am about 10 weeks out and still walk with a cane( I do need my left hip done too so that's partly the reason) but everyday gets better you may not realize it but just stretch and muscle building exercises that will build your confidence. I feel like I am moving slow but we all heal different. Best of luck. Althea

hi Anna, I'm bit of a veteran here but you are doing great.  We all go at a different pace.  Don't worry you will get there, I was approaching 10 or 12 weeks before I went out without a stick.  Just remember you have had a major op and they have had to get you in all sorts of positions and cut through muscle etc.  It takes time to get over all that let alone all the muscle tone we have lost pre-op.  Just take it steady and do the exercises you will know when you overdo it - the uncomfy bit.  

so sorry you are feeling a wee bit down today - well, it is a roller coaster ride - physically and emotinally - just go with it is the best at this time -

6 weeks post-op might still be too soon to walk unaided - there are many discussions about this topic, of course and different approaches as well - 

One PT told me (post-op 1st THR) to ditch my walker asap and use cane and then unaided - unfortunately I needed THR surgery on other hip 6 months later - Other PT wanted me to use wheeled walker (no crutches for me) for 6 weeks inside - no furniture surfing allowed either - then cane inside and walker outside until I was confident and in balance to walk with cane - this to prevent body to go back to pre-op walking aka limping - 

it takes time - we have to retrain our body to walk properly after a long time of compromising and compensating - so be gentle with your self - it is okay to feel down or cry etc ... try to accept that this is what it is now and you will relax -

how are you getting on otherwise?

big warm hug

renee

We all have bad days - all part of the roller coaster journey as we and our bodies start to really appreciate the different levels of healing we will have to get through. One of the forum members reported that she and her physiotherapist counted 20 groups of muscles and other connective tissues that need to heal from this operation. And then there is the adjustments of other joints and muscles as our gait and posture shifts and everything starts realigning. It really is an impressive process.

So ... no wonder we get down from time to time!

But ...we are so lucky to have the opportunity of this operation available to us. It is pretty miraculous to lose the bone on bone pain - even if the recovery journey is longer than any of us likely contemplated.

Hang in there Anna. Keep going with the exercises and walking and celevate the wins along the way (being able to get in and out bed without help, getting out of a chair without help, no more pain transferring in and out of a car, retiring the royal toilet seat, furniture or counter surfing without realizing it - then deliberately, walking up the stairs without the two-step, etc).

What has been your most exciting moment so far?

Big hugs,

L