The limp that keeps on limping

Iv had a limp all my life as i have 5cm in leg length difference. Eventually you stop noticing unless you have a bad day then you do.

Insoles do help though. Iv got one in my shoe but it isnt the correct size because they couldnt make one big enough to put inside my shoes hahaha

I have purchased 'walking poles' from a camping shop  for £10 each - they help enormously with the rolling gait.

I don't use them to lean on, although I can if I get tired or go up slopes, I just use them to balance when walking.  I think it's the balancing muscles that are weak and need strengthening, and my private physio says I need to concentrate on the bum-clenching muscle exercises.

Graham

Hi Toto, 

The way it was explained to me is that while we were struggling with bad hip and walking, our brain made it "easy" on us - walking hunched over, with limp, shuffling, etc. 

We do have to retrain our brain to walk properly again - 

first find your balance - stand up straight, shoulders relaxed-see if you can push your leg forward with butt muscle and not front thigh muscle (is my challenge) - make sure you lift your foot, heel to toe step .- when you use a cane , try to not lean on it too much - -it is tedious and tiring - I still have sore and stiff muscles, but losing my limph gradually - - except when I go too long and walk too fast - oh, and then the arms need to be involved as well - 

well, this is how I do it - no miracles here, but one step at a time -

big warm hug

renee

 

It took me a few months to lose the limp.... it was significantly better after surgery, but had to retrain muscles -- going to physical therapy was a great help -- now I have not limp at all! Trust that your neural pathways will be reprogrammed, just keep doing the exercises, and think "walk tall"

 

I think it is a case of having to "re-educate" your muscles.  I think your physio should be able to help you with this, but judging from some of the other posts I have read, do not let the physio force you into doing exercises, etc., that hurt or over stress you.  I am still pre op, so not really in a strong place to give you much in the way of advice, other than the above.  Main thing, I think is re-edcation, as youhae been used to walking in a certain way due to the OA, and thaat will need to be changed with time.

4 and 11 weeks post op from two THRs. And yes, I have the rolling gait. Not always but it is strong when I am tired. PT says it's muscle weakness and has me doing clenches as well as standing on one leg lifting the other one for a quick 3 count. Amazingly hard. But improving. Hang in--this is not a race, I'm learning. (slow learner)

5mm does not seem that much when you think that Sarah has 5cm. I think personally myself l jave walked with a limp for years because people have asked me on many ocassiions if l have a sore leg leg when l got up to walk l put it down to stiffness as l got over 35...but thinking back now it could have been the 1st stages of my OA in my hips.

If it's 5mm l would not bother myself as its not a huge diffrence and would rather be walking abt with a tiny limp than pain. Poor sarah is 5cm and she is just 20 years old. You could be worse just try and not let it ruin my life

Laura