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walking with a limp

Posted , 16 users are following.

lisa17089
lisa17089

Hi

Can anyone tell me if still walking with a limp after THR is normal. I'm 7 weeks post op and stopped using my crutches about 3 weeks ago.pain isn't too bad apart from getting in and out of car and a bit of pain in the night when im bed. I had a bit of a limp before my op obviously due to my hip problem? But I thought that would go.is this normal? And will it go eventually?

Lisa

2 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • DawnHU5-UK
    DawnHU5-UK lisa17089

    Posted

    Hi Lisa, yes it will, is the short answer! Most likely you won't even notice the day you start walking normally again. In my case it was a case of "oh wow, my limp has gone!" 7 weeks is still early. I was without crutches at that point but still lurching around. I recall it wasn't much longer after that before I was striding out with no limp and no pain.

    Dawn

  • bini31328
    bini31328 lisa17089

    Posted

    It can be 'normal' after THR - possibly due to unequal leg lebgth and other factors - Also you will have developed a walking method thst minimises pain so need to retrain / walk straight - i had a bad limp non painful following the left THR two years ago but that was due to the old R sided op failing - now its been fixed my legs feel normal/ equal length and Im walking straighter but have  to keep reminding myself to walk proper! It is a listed side effect / complication of the op usually. It may just settle down , it can be a permanent thing - using a stick when you are tired / on your feet a lot can minimise it and biulding up the muscle can really help - thats my goal right now as had xevere muscle wastage both sides , walked like quasimodo with a dragging limp and hated catching sight of myself in shop windows - Im walking much more normally at 4 weeks post op with one crutch than I was for the previous two years so yes it can improve - exercise under a physio is the key - hope yours improves xxxx
    • lori50016
      lori50016 bini31328

      Posted

      How did they fix your leg length? I am 7mm shorter on left side and am in a considerable amount of pain
    • bini31328
      bini31328 lori50016

      Posted

      After the op 2 years ago I had a 2 cm difference - i was told 2 inches is seen as significant! But i remember at 6 weeks post op it still felt odd so i bought gel shoe raises for the shorter side , during this op the surgeon tried to rectify it - i think it depends on the prothesis and how much they hammer in the spike bit that goes down your femur basically , plus careful checking of leg length during surgery - sometimes your leg length is so shortened by the arthritis ( my femoral head looked like a 50p piece ) , and loss of joint space that leg length can be very different pre op - its one of the things they try and rectify during surgery and i must say hes done a good job of it this time - but i am having to deliberately learn towalk oroperly again as i had a number of coping mechanisms that meant i lurched a bit - using a stick can really help and the comment from someone else re shoes is relevant - my old ones were severely worn down on the outside edge due to the way i was walking  - hope all this helps hon ! 
    • lori50016
      lori50016 bini31328

      Posted

      Thank you, I will try the gel inserts. My husband accused me of being drunk lol because I would stumble periodically not know the leg was short. Well I want it fixed but not sure if I should choose a different doc. The problem with mine is the doc drilled to far in the hip making my left hip shorter than my right or at least that is what the chiropractor said. I'm getting another opinion 😊
    • bini31328
      bini31328 lori50016

      Posted

      Yes , definitely worth getting a second opinion - although its not always the surgeons fault to be fair - after my first op 8 yrs ago i was great for about 6 years then as the other hip got worn away i started falling over - used to joke i fell over more often than my patients did ( i help manage a nursing home !) was falling about  once a month - luckily i didnt damage anything else and the falls were all stone cold sober ( you can imagine my friends comments!) - at that stage i paid for some private physio which really helped and serioysly reviewed all my shoes - i got rid of everything that wasnt a proper flat , which was upsetting at the time as im short and was always a heel person ! the physio used stretching bands which was painful but did make a difference - i live in an area that has few flat, straight pavements so was always tripping up or my hip would just give way as i walked down a kerb - havent had a fall since that physio and feel much more balanced now after this latest op so hopefully my falling over days are over ! 
    • lori50016
      lori50016 bini31328

      Posted

      Sounds like things will definitely be better for you. I have been fighting this and upset but I guess i just better get over it and deal with the fact of having to wear shoes all the time with a lift. I've stepped on a few partners shoes dancing also which of course caused me great pain for the next week and probably pain for them too. 😜 I have always loved to dance too☺️
    • bini31328
      bini31328 lori50016

      Posted

      Dancing is essential - i have danced throuhout the last 8 years / 3 Surgeries , usually fuelled by g and t although i must admit ive paid for it the nxt day ! 😐😐 hopefully your second opinion willcome up with some other options for you - let me know how you get on xx
    • annie.conway
      annie.conway lori50016

      Posted

      My bad leg was longer than the other, now it feels shorter, although both legs were operated on at the same time.
  • morriewynn
    morriewynn lisa17089

    Posted

    Hi Lisa

    I don't know if this applies to you.

    Prior to my LTHR I had a considerable limp and could only walk with an elbow crutch . On week one

    My physio told me that I needed to re train my brain to forget the limp. He showed me how to walk with even gait and how to dig the heel in first. I went for regular walks outside ,on crutches,to practice. By Six weeks I could walk indoors unaided with no limp and no pain. However up until nine weeks, when walking outside, and so that I could stand upright and walk correctly, I still used my crutches.

    I am now eleven weeks post op and my op hip is incredibly strong. In fact it is now supporting my right hip that is due to be replaced in approx five months.

    I'm sure all will be just dandy and I wish you well in your recovery.

    I'm sure all will be just dandy.

    Take it slowly but surely.

    Morrie👠

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK morriewynn

      Posted

      Absolutely Morrie, we have to re-learn how to walk properly, also if your shoes are old and worn, they will hamper your recovery - so get some new ones!  I was amazed how much difference that small change made to my walking.

      Graham - 🚀💃

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