total hip replacement

I was told to use walking aids up until my first meeting with my surgeon, seven weeks post-op. I was also taught how to go up and down stairs using crutches. Perhaps tou can find a video online about walking the stairs.

Use the Crutches as long as you feel you need them. It's surprising how much your body tells you, if you listen to it.  

I was worried that I couldn't walk without trying to take a lot of my weight on my arms (I find elbow crutches the best) Then suddenly I realized I wasn't doing it hardly at all. 

hi Alison,

welcome to our hippies forum. .

not sure how to answer your questions. ..you're about one week post-op. ..

how do you feel. ..is your pain under control? do you sleep well. ..are you full weight bearing?

We all heal at a different rate,so there no set rules or time frame. .

..

Please let us know how you're getting on ...

big warm hug

Renee 🐰

Hi Alison.. How wonderful that you are on the "other side". I had a posterior approach on March 22 of this year. The first week I only got out of bed to have physical therapy or use the bathroom. I was tired so I slept alot. It wasn't until I the third week that I started going up and down the stair, using the cane and railing. I started getting out andabout the third week. Small car trips, small trips to the grocery. I started driving the end of week three. Almost back to normal by week four but i still had all of the restrictions. I was able to do more excercise and walks but I got tired after about 4 hours. I still do after 7 weeks.  Alison, the most important thing that I can suggest is listen to your body. We don't need to be hero's. I don't want to go back to the hospital so I listen to everything my physical therapist and doctor tell me. Take care and let us know how you do - Cindy

First time around, I was still using a stick 9cane) at 10 weeks.  Second time around I am still using it when using public transport as I commute into London.

For a roughidea on recovery, see my blogs on my website - address in my personal information at 

  https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

or in the moderators thread at 

  https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃

Good morning Alison 

as I think others have said , there is no normal - it depends on so many individual factors plus age , weight , previous fitness, amount of muscke wastage . Plus personal confidence etc so I dont think any guide would help other than to make some people feel they are not doing well . Everyones different and each recivery is unique . I can share my own experience, i left hospital on one crutch , moved to a cane at week 4 and now walking unaided at 10 weeks ( although i keep my foldable cane in my bag in case) swimming at 7 -8 weeks , back at work at 6 weeks . Some people still beed 2 crutches for weeks and weeks so both ends of the scale are normal. If you are up and about , doing your exercises etc then youre doing well. Have you been for an outdoor walk yet ? The general advice us about inceasing the frequency of walks rather than pushing yourself to go a distance  - i started with strolls around our village pond but dud more each day . I would suggest waiting a few weeks for stairs if you dont need to at home . Usual advice is go up / down one step at a time with non operated leg first going up and using operated leg first going down - hope you continue to make a goid recovery hon , xxx

well i am 60 years of age next year and about 9 and 1/2 stone. i wasnt very fit before as my hip has restricted my movement and fitness for the last 40 years as i had a major road accident when i was 19 but was considered too young for a hip replacement at that time.  So now nearing 60 i thought i might be old enough...haha.

friends and family think i might be the bionic woman after this. ;-)

i have always had a limp since my accident.

so i will continue to do what i am doing, excersises, a bit of walking, i went walking up and down the cul-de-sac yesterday x twice, but not sure i feel quite ready for a walk around the shops yet. (but then hubby is doing the shopping so i dont have to).

 

Everyone is different alison, it's like saying,how long is a piece of string. It's different for everyone, some get through things quicker than others some get through slower, but we all get there in the end andthat's the important bit.  Well done on getting through the main bit.

thanks Lyn.  there also seems to be a difference between when you can drive again, my surgeon said 6 weeks minimum, but some say they are driving in 3 weeks, not sure if that is for a partial hip rather than a full hip, but like you said it seems your body tells you what you can and cant do.

Hi Alison. I'm just a little further along than you. At this point, I would only do what your Dr. Tells you too. Everyone's surgery is different, so are our healing times. I can only put 50% of my weight on the operated leg so this really limits me. I am following my Dr.s orders to the T! Best of luck to you!

Hi Alison, I don't know what type of THR you had but there is a HUGE difference in recovery between a posterior approach and the anterior approach. Anterior has a much much quicker recovery.  Posterior  takes alot longer. that could be the reason why.  Anyway I had to decide that I was  not going to care one bit what anyone else did or said. My body is much to important and I am going to do what is best for me.