Still needing to use walking sticks 12 weeks after operation
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello,
After 12 weeks I find myself still needing to use my sticks for any walk outdoors (longer than a few hundred yards) A groin pain appeared after about 7 weeks (just after a stream of steady improvement) and this pain persists in a niggly fashion, along with outer thigh pain (ITB injury from previously I think) It does mean that without sticks I need to limp and, with the sticks, I walk straight. Obviously taking pressure off an area works. Otherwise, I have enjoyed steady and gradual improvement in flexibility, comfort and fitness. I wonder if anyone else has had anything similar.? I would love to be outside without my sticks
1 like, 7 replies
Pippyj Guest
Posted
I'm in the exactly the same position. I'm just 12 weeks post THR and can't walk far without at least one stick. I also get a shooting pain from knee to groin at times unless I walk with a completely straight foot. I too would appreciate helpful info. I'm a relatively fit 71 year old who was far more active pre surgery.
christine45355 Guest
Posted
I am way behind you in weeks being only on week 4 post thr. But after a swift recovery until week 3 and worrying I was going to give up my crutches too quickly, I seem to have ground to a halt!! I can navigate the house with one crutch, but if I walk for any distance ( I can easily walk 1.5 miles with 2 crutches and I am pretty fast doing it) I have an extremely wobbly gait with one crutch and can barely walk at all with no crutches! I was very fit pre op, and follow my physio stuff to the letter. I am only 56 so fairly young. I also have a fairly constant ache / pain in the groin and down my bum. How quickly did you discard your crutches? Someone I know is a week behind me and walks with no aids!! Should I be worried? I know everyone is different and the operations vary also!!
Chris
sylvie123 christine45355
Posted
Hi Christina
I'm now at week 12 and back at work from week 6 and generally rushing around caring for my 90 year old mother and all the other things I did until all this happened. Some times i forget I've got a new hip. I'm sorry my experience is so different to what I have been reading.
However I would say at week 4 I would still have been on 2 crutches outside and one around the house. The reason being that I was given strict instructions by my consultant to stay on crutches (didn't say 1 or 2) until week 6. I saw physios 3 times and on the 2nd and 3rd occasion they wanted me off the crutches but I told them the consultant said otherwise. They were not happy. A nurse friend told me not to discard them too quickly or I would only limp so her words and the consultants made me relax and not see getting rid of crutches as a competition. By week 5 or 6 I was naturally using them less and less.
Another reason i feel they helped me is that I am naturally lopsided with associated scoliosis of the spine. My operated leg has always been longer. Fortunately the consultant has not increased my difference but my shorter leg was suffering from overload in those early weeks and I felt the crutch at least on that side helped my suffering leg and knee.
I also had pains at this stage - thigh, groin, knee and down leg if I did too much. You are right we are all different but when i look back Isee a series of stages and periods when i felt i wasn't getting anywhere but then it just happened.. I would relax about the crutches, you must still need them and carry on trying to strengthen your leg. Another two weeks could make all the difference. I assume you go back for a 6 weeks check up. All the best.
Guest christine45355
Posted
I never had crutches in the first place actually. On walking sticks from day 2 ish onwards. So, sounds like our positions were/are different. By week 4 post THR, I certainly made sure I had sticks and as I say I still need them outside at week 12. So, hoping someone else might be able to offer advice. I am more like Pippyj - fit before op - and a bit younger - 54.
judith12644 christine45355
Posted
julie40975 Guest
Posted
Hi Monica
I am 7 months ha post op and the groin pain started with me around 4 months it seems to be very common. I started physio about 6 weeks ago and she said it's tendonitis. However I go back to hospital for my review in a couple of weeks do will be asking a few questions. Don't worry about using the sticks keep doing so until you feel ready to reduce. There are no hard and fast rules and people who discard them after weeks are very very lucky but it's not the norm. I don't use any now but had to go to London for work and took my fold up one just in case. So glad I did as I needed that support on the way back. Do what's right for you. If you don't you could end up with a permanent limp. I am now back in low heels 👠 never thought I would. No pain apart from this pesky groin pain but I know that will get better in time when the muscles get stronger it can take up to a year.
So keep walking you are doing brilliantly and go at your own pace!
Best wishes julie
Guest julie40975
Posted
thank you for such a kind, thoughtfut and supportive reply. There are a few niggles around which make the sticks essential right now. But I will try to stay positive for the future.