Total Hip replacement

Hi Lesley I'm same as you except 7 wks post op but I tried without and I also limped ! I went to see consultant last week and physio and have been told it's because my hip muscles are still too weak and not to even try because limping is very bad for the other side I was even told that I lean when walkIng because of the weakness and been told to go back to 2 crutches! Thought I was going do well too you're still early days, I think it's just best to exercise, go abit slower and we,ll get there eventually! X

We all need to accept that we are all very different so recovery will obviously be different.

My recovery from my total hip replacement in 1997 when I was 55 was pretty pain free and I was walking with just one stick on release from hospital and walking rough tracks without any sticks just days later. I now realise that this is quite unusual but at the time I had nobody to compare my progress with as there was no internet then of course.

My recovery from my hip revision at age 75 which is today is very different even before being thrown onto the floor of the ambulance taking me home which has set me backs couple of weeks or so.

Please just push yourself at a pace you feel comfortable and most important safe with.

Cheers Richard

Hi Lesley, I had mine 6 weeks ago, I'm 38 and thought I would recover like straight away lol...I can walk without crutches but I'm wobble just as you described and it is because the muscel is still too weak. 

i hope this is the case because I dont want to walk like this forever 

Hi Lesley, I am 51 and also at 5 weeks of my recovery. I walk without crutches in the house and 1 crutch outside. When I asked the occupational therapist how long I would need the crutches he explained that we all progress at different rates there is no right or wrong but if it causes you discomfort don't do it! I have taken that as my starting point. I am sure your recovery will progress fine and remember it is only 5 weeks since you had major surgery, we all have to go easy on ourselves.

Hi Lesley,

Welcome to the group. I am 61 years young and 7 weeks post-op from THR anterior.  From about 3 weeks post-op I was told I was leaning and limping out of pure habit.  I had to be very conscious (practice) heel toe, heel toe and standing up straight each time I rose from a seated position,  The limping was so easy to fall back into.  So I really had to watch myself and ask others around me if I was limping.  

I would literally have to tell myself each time I would stand to "stand up straight."  It became a bit of a joke around the house because I would say it out loud.  Finally, my sister and I started singing the one line from the Mel McDaniel "Stand Up" song.   

I am happy to say I neither limp nor lean today.  My PT told me that physical movements out of habit are some of the hardest to break.  I really did have to pay attention to every step I took for weeks, especially if I was in a hurry.  AND as everyone else has mentioned our muscles are still strengthening daily.  

Oh on the walking, PT said my goal was to get to a 30 min walk.  That took a while as I was pushing myself and wearing out.  Once I just did what I could I got there.  I continue taking those evening walks along with 40 minutes on an elliptical glider during the day.  I was released to do the glider at 5 1/2 weeks.

Best of luck.    As you can see, each of us has had a slightly different recovery process.  Regardless we all do see to arrive.

It's a practice that can't be rushed. One of the exercises i did had me walking backwards for 5 steps. Very slowly. I slowed down my walk and concentrated on no swaying or limp. I was not quick to abandon the cane. I did exercises. Walked within my limits. And worked on the stationery biked. At your point only 5 to 10 minutes. Backward and forward. I was in good shape before. But the op knocks the stuffing out of the muscles onnyour op side. Time. Patience. Hard work. Keep it up

Hi Lesley

It sounds like you have developed something called trendelenburg gait.  It's nothing to worry about, it's caused my muscle weakness (hardly a surprise if you've just had a THR).

The advise I was given was to slow down and still using one stick make sure your posture was correct before walking.  So, stand up and then make sure you are standing up straight (you porbably won't be), pull in your stomach muscles and clench your bum then start walking SLOWLY and SMOOTHLY.  You will very quickly find this becomes second nature and you get a nice, pert bum out of it - what more could you want!

Good luck and persevere.

Hi. I'm 6 weeks post op and can't walk without 'waddling' unless I use at least one crutch. I've been at a wedding all day today and tried walking without a crutch. Not a good idea. I've also been standing or sitting on hard chairs all day. Am now exhausted and hip is very sore - so I've left them to it and gone to my hotel room to rest. As others have said the hip muscles take time to heal - and we can't rush it.