THR, now knee pain

Posted , 4 users are following.

I had a hip reconstruction at the end of january ie a replacement plus extra metal and bone grafts. As part of my recovery I have been walking more - not lots but as much as i can. Im still using a stick for distance and walk with a limp when not using the house. 

Over the last week both of my knees have started to hurt and i am worried that i might have replaced one problem with another (or two). 

Has anyone has this problem? will it ease once my knees get used to walking? Should I wear support bandages on my knees? I would appreciate any help and advice.

thank you 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Dear Carol

    Have you considered,using walking poles to help you to establish a good walking gait?

    Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Morning Richard, ,thanks for this. I do actually use waking poles when I walk for a mile or two and they help my gait, definitely. Not sure whether the knee pain will go. I was partial weight bearing for 6 weeks and had to take walking steady to start with. Im just wondering whether the walking is affecting my knees. Thanks again
    • Posted

      Dear Carol

      I'm glad that you find walking poles helpful. I wonder if it might be useful to have your back checked by a good chiropractor as many pain problems can be traced to a back issue. Please avoid a McTimoney qualified chiropractor as they have a more limited skill set.

      Good luck

      Richard

  • Posted

    Morning Carol

    Is your knee straightening and locking when you walk? I find that a bit of swelling and walking with crutches encourages you to walk with the knee stightly bent.

    Have you asked a physio about it?

    Mike

    • Posted

      yes michael, thinking about it, my knees are straightening and locking. im not seeing my physio until september now, but i might ring her.

      Thank you 

  • Posted

    hi carol, 

    the knees are important to keep your body in balance - has anyine watched you walking? the way you walk is important - tedious practice though and easy to fall back to the default way of walking, aka walking pre-surgery -

    there are great youtube videos on how to walk after hip replacement surgery if you don't have a physical therapist ... 

    important is to keep your body/posture straight and relaxed until you feel balanced - then take one step, heel to toe and finish step, then next etc, 

    It is so easy to walk faster and thus sloppier (I do that ) - flat footed and limping - this put a tremendous pressure on your knees -

    Try to get an earlier appointment with your PT than September - 

    keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on, okay - so many are having similar issues -

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • Posted

      Relied to myself nistead of you Renee! Thanks for your help. I am walking very badly without a stick and only for short distances. I can walk good distances with poles or my stick. I will see if I can get an earlier PT appt.

      Thanks again xx

  • Posted

    Thanks Renee,

    I am walking badly without my stick so am using it a bit more to relieve my knees. I will see if i can get an earlier PT appointment. So frustrating.

    Thanks again x

    • Posted

      Dear Carol

      After five weeks of enforced not weight bearing because of a suspected pelvis crack after surgery I was walking quite well without aids after a week or so of getting the all clear. However I felt that I had not built up quite enough muscle strength and have gone back to just one crutch and feel much better for it.

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Thanks Richard,

      Im using my walking stick again pretty much all the time to give my poor knees a break. Maybe I need to take two steps back before I move forward again. I just hate the thought of having knee problems when I thought I would eventually be able to walk well. So, fingers crossed. 

       

    • Posted

      Dear Carol

      We all want to vet on with our lives as quickly as possible but I think the trick is to listen to your body and to be prepared to adjust to match what is good for you.

      I feel that my taking a step backwards was the right thing for me to do. I've just returned from a brisk walk of about a mile and still feel fine using one crutch to help my muscles a tiny bit.

      All the best

      Richard

    • Posted

      Dear Richard,

      Thanks for your support. i do love this site. i will keep using my walking stick for now and maybe gradually wean myself off as my knees feel they can cope! 

      Thanks again and good luck with your progress

      Carol x

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