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Walking with one crutchone c

Posted , 11 users are following.

melody39324
melody39324

I had a THR on my left hip 11 days ago. Had a resurfacing on th right hip 10 years ago. I’m 70 but pretty fit apart from the hip.

i used 2 crutches when first discharged from hospital but quickly found it okay on one. I’m doing my exercises and also trying to walk a short distance outside each day. I’ve seen posts advising you to stick with two crutches but I feel I’m walking okay, with no limp, and wasn’t using the left crutch. It means I can carry a cup of tea or whatever in that hand.

3 likes, 30 replies

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  • kenbooth
    kenbooth melody39324

    Posted

    I’m glad your doing well melody.  I have been going to PT and have not seen many crutches for hips!  I’m wondering the US might have different thoughts about recovery than possibly Europe?  Even the medications seem somewhat different.  I’m not saying one is better than the other just curious?
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure melody39324

    Posted

    Hi Melody,

     Your doing great. Soon you will be caring a cup of tea ?? in one hand and the tea a pot in the other.

    Everyone is different while the healing process changes from week to week. Your the best judge with what your body is capable of doing. Listen to your body and once you get thru more and more progress will come and time will be your friend.

    In physical therapy my therapist was very open to whatever I was capable of , if it strong enough to use 1 or 2 crutches , holding on to walker or counter top just to be sure I was stable and would not fall. 

    Stay strong and good healing wishes sent your way.👍

  • judith12644
    judith12644 melody39324

    Posted

    Hi Melody, I was lucky, Ihad a very easy recovery. Before I left hospital on day 2, I was told by one of the physios that I could go down to one crutch as soon as I felt ready. I was okay from day 4.  As you say, it’s so much easier being able to carry stuff in your other hand. (I remember doing all sorts of things  whilst on my single crutch, including mowing the lawn!) I did use 2 when I was walking outside, just in case I got bumped. All the best, Judith 
  • melody39324
    melody39324

    Posted

    Thanks everyone.

    I’m basing what I do on what I was advised after my resurfacing, but I’m aware this is a different operation. My resurfacing was done in Belgium as I was living abroad at that time. I had a lot of physio advice after the op there.

    I’m now back in the U.K. and on the NHS. The operation and hospital were brilliant but I wasn’t given much guidance about when to go down to one crutch. I just felt after a few days home that I walked better with just one. 

    I am paying a lot of attention to walking properly with the heel,toe stuff. I’ve decided to stick to two crutches out of doors until I see the physio on Wednesday and will ask him/her what they advise. Will post here what I am told.

    Before my op I did a fair bit in the gym and aqua fit to try to get my muscles into shape and I really feel it has paid off.

    My only issue now is that it gets so itchy in the damn surgical stockings. Can’t wait to be able to ditch them!

    • breeze61
      breeze61 melody39324

      Posted

      Hi melody.. May I ask if you had your resurf with a Mr De Brett and I assume it has gone well for you. I was looking into getting it done with him but had no Insurance .
    • melody39324
      melody39324 breeze61

      Posted

      With Dr Koen de Smet in Ghent. Fantastic. It gave me my life back. I had to pay myself but, luckily, had an endowment that matured and was able to cover it. I’d totally recommend him.
    • breeze61
      breeze61 melody39324

      Posted

      Hi melody, Thanks for replying, Koen de Smet was  the man I meant but was a bit lazy in finding emails to him some 20 years ago. My daughter has developed a problem, avn, and she is private so might be useful for her. I gather that the Birmingham resurface hasn't been having the metal particle problems.

      Good luck with your new THR ,they are so much better nowadays with their enhanced plastics and bigger balls as you well know.

  • breeze61
    breeze61 melody39324

    Posted

    Hi melody. We are all different and in my case i was fearful of pushing the stem into my femir so did a lot of resting in the first weeks with just the recommended exercises and with two sticks. I then upped the walking quite a bit from the 4th week and was off sticks by the start of week 6. Im now at week 11 and can walk 5 miles and cycle for an hour. I know that in most cases the inplants are rock solid but i still had this fear of pushing the stem into my femir. Good luck.

    • melody39324
      melody39324 breeze61

      Posted

      I didn’t know it was possible to push the stem into your femur! I was told I could be fully weight-bearing the day after the op so have only been limited by what Wasn’t painful.
    • breeze61
      breeze61 melody39324

      Posted

      I've read about it quite recently but it is very rare and I suppose it depends how strong your femur is. I even asked the consultant about it and he laughed but we all have our fears, no matter how illogical.

  • melody39324
    melody39324

    Posted

    Thought I’d post an update as I had my first physio appointment today. He seemed reasonably pleased with my progress but ticked me off for being on one crutch! He has told me to use two for the next fortnight as otherwise there is a danger of getting into the habit of leaning slightly to one side when I walk. So those who said to use two to help your gist are absolutely correct. 
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure melody39324

      Posted

      Good progress and more to come! Food and calories help heal to.. 
    • melody39324
      melody39324 hope4cure

      Posted

      I have too good an appetite at the moment. Few things to look forward to each day so making something tasty in the evening has become a highlight! I’ve promised myself that I will go on a mega exercise and weight reduction programme as soon as ai get the okay at my 6 week checkup. Meanwhike, bring on the munchies ...
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