Total Hip replacement
Posted , 14 users are following.
I am 55 years old. I had a side approach total hip replacement five weeks ago.
I have been exercising religiously.
In the last week I have progressed to one crutch. I have tried walking without this but not very good. I sort of limp from one side to another.
Is this normal?.
How much does everyone walk also. I don't know if I am doing enough or too much? You don't really get told much when you are sent home.
1 like, 26 replies
angel2017 lesley5362
Posted
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
lesley5362 angel2017
Posted
Thanks for replying. It's good to talk to others in the same situation. You get thrown out of hospital with a sheet of exercises one visit to physio and no idea what your supposed to be doing .
I must admit when I am walking with one crutch I am leaning so perhaps I have done this to early.
Maybe I should take a step back and go on to two again until I straighten up a bit .
RichardKen lesley5362
Posted
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
LadyCupcake lesley5362
Posted
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
Fernlady LadyCupcake
Posted
joanne28187 lesley5362
Posted
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.
GoneFishing lesley5362
Posted
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.
Saltspringer48 lesley5362
Posted
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
Chloeparrot lesley5362
Posted
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.
Pippyj lesley5362
Posted
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.
lesley5362 Pippyj
Posted
I hope you are feeling better now. It's hard work isn't it?. I feel so dispondent when I read post saying ' I am walking at two weeks without a stick etc!'.
I really don't know how they do it. Before my op I was at the gym all the time but towards the end because of hip pain I eased off. I do my exercises all the time and I am walking enough I think but I just can't progress onto no sticks!! And if I'm honest I do lean when I'm on one!. I'm totally fed up with it. Physio only see you once then leave you to it .
RichardKen lesley5362
Posted
I think the reason for my quick recovery was down to several factors I can identify.
Very fit, light weight, low BMI (22), very positive attitude and good balance. The fact that I was not a smoker or a drinker may have been helpful factors as well. Perhaps my surgeon was ultra careful as what is significant between the original surgery when I had the quick recovery and my revision two weeks ago is the amount of bruising but this could be age related or to do with my being on blood thinning tablets for the last four years. Obviously I had to stop those tablets prior to the surgery.
Hope that helps put it into some sort of perspective.
Cheers Richard
lesley5362 RichardKen
Posted
Hi Richard.
I don't know about that. I've never smoked, don't drink am extremely fit and have a BMI of 22.
I also have a positive attitude but I am struggling.
I think I'm wanting to run before I can walk litteraly !
Every ones heals at different rates I suppose. I've just gotta go with the flow. X
RichardKen lesley5362
Posted
Dear Lesley
I'm sorry that your recovery is being so frustrating for you. I may simply have been very lucky
Good luck
Richard
Pippyj lesley5362
Posted
Yes, I agree. I saw the physio twice and was just left to do the exercises. I must say though that although I'm exhausted today following yesterday's wedding - and we then hosted a post wedding BBQ this afternoon I'm not in quite as much as I expected. My hip is sore but not overly - but I've used one crutch all day today. No more being clever and trying to use no crutches for at least another week! I also have to remember I'm 70 even though I still think I'm much younger!! Good luck with your progress too.