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The limp that keeps on limping

Posted , 14 users are following.

toto64676
toto64676

HI Hippies

7 weeks post op today, pain is now minimal at night, for which I am truly grateful.  It is the limping that is a worry, this is not a little skip limp, it is that awful rolling sailors gait.  As soon a I try to walk without crutches it is there.  Leg length difference is a 5mm and I am getting a insole for that from the consultant. 

Physio is starting on 1st March, I have been doing exercises from the sheet every day and walking.  I am now wondering as I have walked this badly for 2 years it is ingrained in my neural pathwaysrolleyes and nothing will alleviate it.  What do other Hippies think, I would be so grateful for your comments as I know a lot of you have been through this.  

6 likes, 27 replies

27 Replies

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  • susan47173
    susan47173 toto64676

    Posted

    Hi I am 6 weeks and have a dreadful waddle however after physio yesterday I feel I might be able to get a grip

    Walking placing one front directly in front of the other forward and backwards the goal is to do it with eyes shut regaining confidence, I 2 limped badly pre op x

  • rose0000
    rose0000 toto64676

    Posted

    I too had this, my physio said all hip replacement patients do. It is muscle weakness almost certainly.

    Clamshell exercise ( you tube an example) is a powerful exercise that will build that precise muscle, butt lifts ( lay back on bed or floor if you can get there safely) and lift your bottom up as high as you can and squeeze - keep feet on floor and as close to your knees as you can. Also bottom

    Clenches are very good, and standing unaided on your operated leg without support of your

  • rose0000
    rose0000 toto64676

    Posted

    Sorry posted too soon.

    Try to cycle on stationary bike to build muscles. If you do this whilst you wait for your appointment religiously, you might find that your limp is almost gone by the time you see them.

    Mine has greatly improved now and I can walk with concentration without a limp at all. It is just muscle strengthening and retraining your body to walk straight.

    It is a LOT of work, I didn't imagine this to be a problem pre op. - and the longer you limped before op the longer it will take to correct. I worried too - but mine is definitely getting better and yours will too, try to do as many as you can every day.

    • rose0000
      rose0000

      Posted

      Also when out try to use a crutch to stay straight. Inside practice walking without but try not to go extended periods really limping, as we risk damaging other joints and muscles, back etc.

      It will get better - and the more you exercise the muscles the quicker the process. You will see an improvement quite quickly with application smile

    • LDW
      LDW rose0000

      Posted

      Hi rose,

      great info on how to help with limping.

      how soon after your op were you able to start doing the specific exercises and the stationary cycling etc?

      im 6 days post op and can't imagine having the energy or strength to sit on a bike lol!

    • rose0000
      rose0000 LDW

      Posted

      It is way to early for you I would think to start cycling - but you can make a start when you feel ready with the bottom clenches, and starting to stand on your operated leg, at first holding on but gently trusting it. Plus the usual physio exercises, and walking more and more on your crutches when you are ready. It is important not to rush the early days, because your muscles will still be knitting back together. These exercises will be good for you to do as much as possible, and put you in good stead x
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK LDW

      Posted

      LDW,

      6 days is far too early to be using an exercise bike - I was allowed at 6 weeks first time around. You must wait until your physios give you the all clear due to the risk of dislocation.  A bike seat does not give a good enough support to the backside, increasing the dislocation risks.

      Biking outside is usually given the OK at 12 weeks.

      Graham

    • LDW
      LDW Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Hi rocketman

      i was being ironic about the bike!

      the way I feel at the moment, a 5 min walk around the house wipes me out.

      reading posts about how people recover by their 6 week check is a bit unfathomable right now. Nonetheless I would be delighted to have that much improvement over the next 5 weeks.  Lack of sleep and nausea from the meds make me a bit sceptical, or perhaps I'm just having a bad day ......

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK LDW

      Posted

      If I may suggest, you could look at one day at a time. My first goal was to stop vomiting. Then to stop itching. And that was even before I got out of bed! 

      With achieving little victories each and every day, you will soon get through the week. 

      Michael

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK LDW

      Posted

      You will suffer bad days, but they are usually followed by good days in my experience.   Looking at my log, at just 6 days, I was barely moving about, so being 'wiped out' after 5 mins is pretty good going.

      It all takes time, and our bodies just don't heal anywhere as fast as our minds think they should.  Then there's the pressure from 'non hippies' who just do not understand the pain we go through, healing and learning to walk properly again.

      Look at my first recovery blog on my website, at day eleven I first went out for a short walk through Tescos with my wife and a trolley for support, and it felt like I had won the lottery.

      Graham

    • LDW
      LDW Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      wow Tesco at day 11.

      will take a look at your website.

      thanks

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK LDW

      Posted

      We only needed some bread and milk, it was more for me to go somewhere flat that I could walk safely.. Try to avoid times when the children are out of school.  Park in the disabled spaces and hang on to that trolley.

      Graham

       

    • belleAUSSydney
      belleAUSSydney Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I went to the GP near my house on day 6 and since then have walked to the local supermarket every day (with two crutches at first and now one). The trolley is great. Put the crutches underneath and use it as a walker.

      Yesterday, I went to a job interview that was more of a hike from the train station than the map suggested, and uphill, too. I wore sneakers under my long dress and got there in good time with little trouble.

      LDW: you need to wait until you are ready to do things. Your body will let you know. Don't push it.

      Rocketman: I know what you mean about the children. Even during school hours there are usually some in my local store. I get very nervous when they're messing around and not paying attention to what's going on nearby. I have my crutch on the non-op side, so usually put my hand over the op site or, if I'm carrying a basket, will hold the basket at that level as a barrier. I have also avoided parties and invites to crowded bars during this time because I don't want to be bumped into by anyone who might be a bit "happy"...

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK belleAUSSydney

      Posted

      Hey, sounds like you are doing very well there, train and an uphill walk to a job interview.  Hope you get the job, you deserve it.

      I am using 'hiking poles' now instead of sticks, the hand position is better, and I just use them for balancing not weightbearing.  Going uphill is still a real struggle for me but the poles are not damaging my shoulder like the sticks were.

      Children are lovely, but they lose sight of the world around them, and can be a real menace to us fragile hippies, just like cyclists who insist on riding on the pavements.

      Best wishes

      Graham

    • belleAUSSydney
      belleAUSSydney Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Didn't get the job. "Over-qualified", which basically means they were scared I'd ask for too much money, then get bored and quit in a few months. Sigh. I wouldn't have applied for it if I didn't want it...

       

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