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Using a stick.....

Posted , 6 users are following.

nicky14342
nicky14342

I had my TKR a year ago (I'll spare you the details) and have a limp due to pain. I had read that if you have a limp for any reason,you should use a walking stick (but obviously address the cause). Does anyone have any thoughts or info about this?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • diana90984
    diana90984 nicky14342

    Posted

    I only use my stick now when I'm out and about for a while as it makes me walk more upright. Most important thing is to make your foot go heel, ball toe which means you have to think about walking at all times. My Physio is quite happy about my using a stick when needed but my husband hates the noise it makes! 

    The other way I think of it is that children have to learn to walk properly, so I'm definitely in my second childhood!

    di

  • britta217
    britta217 nicky14342

    Posted

    nicky -- interesting! just today a therapist noticed that i wasn't walking "normally" (14 weeks post TKR) and that i was compensating by swinging my leg out ever so slightly with each step. she came down on me like a ton of bricks as - and i think she is absolutely right - this would eventually cause damage to my hip ending in a hip replacement. argggghhhh! so when i left her, i concentrated super hard to walk as normally as i can.

    i tell you this as (a) if you have pain (as do i) you compensate by walking around the pain and this causes different issues. (b) once you start walking "wrong" it becomes a habit and it takes a lot to retrain both the brain and body for it become habit to walk "normally"

    now if a stick can help you to walk normally, go for it is my opinion! BUT, again, try and walk as normally as possible. i didn't for a couple of weeks as i was leaning on it for dear life and ended up with with a bruise all over the palm of my hand. that's when i ditched the sticks and decided to walk slower and more consciously which worked well. i would love a collapsible stick as i am trying to wean myself off the medication and sometimes can hardly walk :-(

    good luck!

    • tracey71146
      tracey71146 nicky14342

      Posted

      Hi Nicky

      Diana and Britta right.

      Use the stick to assist you in a good heel to toe walk and try to keep your step / stride the same length as your good leg.

      I was told this by the physio and my Consultant said to use sticks as long as necessary so as not too develop a limp!

      I still use one when walking outside as it makes me feel safer and I can also get e better stretch and straighten when I walk.

  • joansgarden
    joansgarden nicky14342

    Posted

    I was told by my physio several years ago when I had 5 knee surgeries in a row that I could only give up the crutch when I could walk without a limp. Back then I was on 2 crutches (non weight-bearing) for 8 weeks then 2 crutches with weight bearing, then down to 1 crutch. I didn't go to a stick, but I found the one crutch definitely made it easier to walk properly for quite some time.
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