THR & scoliosis

I really do think that it is a big mistake to use only one stick or crutch and cannot understand why any doctor or physio should suggest it.

After hip replacement surgery your muscles have a lot of regaining lost strength to do and during this process pair of elbow crutches will allow this to happen by taking some of the strain. Also it stops you walking with a limp and helps to train you to walk correctly.

IMO your fastest and best recovery comes from using both crutches until such time that you are walking strongly and with a good gait.

Walking correctly will safeguard your back and walking badly will put it at risk and will very likely result in pains in other parts of your body. Please see a good chiropractor if you are not sure if your back is out of true.

Cheers Richard

Hello gidgygirl

I had a lengthy recovery after a replacement hip and in the latter part of recovery was told to use one crutch.  It left me feeling lopsided after a short time and I went back to 2 crutches until I was strong enough to walk unaided.  I started to walk around inside the house unaided then ventured to the letter box unaided, then short walk on footpath etc until I was finally okay. It took around a month. You know yourself when to ditch the crutches but like RichardKen also said, I personally think it is a big mistake to use only one crutch.

I'm in about same boat with you. Surgery left thr jan 17. Hip dysplasia and long term difference in leg length. Secondary scoliosis from leg difference as kid. They added 2 cm to left side and per X-ray things are even. I was 6 weeks on 50% weight bearing and at this point rarely use cane. Walk with slight limp. Back is a mess. Hip rarely hurts at this point but back does. Depending on the day and which way my back is leaning, my bad leg can feel  longer, shorter or even.   Also, I am so tight. Between the stretching of the leg and restriction I am in knots. Now that I am off restriction starting to do some stretches.  Hoping this will help with back, it did help a lot with hip pain.  Pt tells me it will take about 6 months for back to settle down. In end back may adjust and everything will be great or scoliosis could get worse. He says only time will tell. 

If you are having back pain from muscles on same side as replacement that maybe just due to weakness and more support could help.  You are using your back muscles to support hip/lift hip. Also, if you can not stand on new hip without leaning you still have weakness.  It's a balencing act to use hip muscle enough to strengthen them but not so much you start cheating. If you notice you are using back muscles it time to grab more support. 

Hoping thing straighten out soon. 

Are you wearing the same shoes you wore before the surgery?  If so, try some new ones.  You won't believe how much of a difference new shoes make in regards to low back pain. 

I'm 65 and have been going to a chiropractor since I was 17, construction related heavy lifting and such. But a good chiro has always been able to keep me in the game. Always been very athletic.

Medical doctors call it "scoliosis" I call it a spine out of alignment.

Too many of them still refuse to give chiropractic any credit at all. But I've had much better luck with a good chiro, than most medical doctors.

I had right hip "resurfacing" 10 years ago, no problems whatsoever and was back to 100% within 4-5 months. Heavy skiing, mountain biking, heavy lifting, no problems. Only used crutches for about two weeks.

However, December last year I had a left total hip, and having LOTS of problems. Still using a cane and can only walk short distances on flat ground, stairs are miserable, uphill out of the question, can't stand on my left leg. I have constant numbness and tingling in both legs now, weird twitch and spasms in left leg on the new hip side.

Without a cane I'm very unstable and have fallen several times.

My back feels like I'm compensating for weak leg and gluts. However, my left leg actually feels weaker now than before the surgery. I hae very poor circulation in both legs now. 

Found a good chiro and he got my "scoliosis" straightened out, but after a few days using the cane, I'm crooked again.

I'm listening to the suggestion of using two short crutches and I'm going to try that. 

Not much luck with PT, can't do the exercises when both my legs feel so weak and wobbly. However have had VERY good experience with my new E-bike, and swimming.

What's really frustrating is I tell my surgeon what I just told you and he just looks a me and shrugs and doesn't offer any suggestions. I think he's concerned I might blame him for doing something wrong. I may have nerve damage and I'm going to dig into that deeper.

I was very concerned about have a different prosthetic on both sides, he said I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Not so. 

The left leg, TH, feels weird and functions differently, femur sticks out about an inch further than on my left with the resurfacing, and the new hip is the side I'm having the most problems with, and I think it's now causing me problems with the right side. 

Suggestion; I don't know how bad your back is but if your back is out of wack it's going to affect everything else.

Find a good chiropractor. If you never been with a good one you will feel better and walk straighter as soon as you get off the table.

Tony, if surgeon has not been helpful would see good general doctor. Given both legs are now a problem potentially pinched nerve in back or maybe medical problem. Did your chiropractor have any thoughts?  Your symptoms sound scary to me.