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When can I stop abiding by rules such as no crossing legs?

Posted , 8 users are following.

janette99911
janette99911

Now 5 weeks post op and walking without any aids - not too far though as have arthritic knees and they are playing up more since the THR. I tend to forget the rules and have to pull myself up sharply to stop doing things I should not. Having my after op check on 24th April but today found my self with ankles crossed when I woke up. By the way, I am 80 but have always played lots of sport and muscle tone still quite good.

1 like, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • jan00794
    jan00794 janette99911

    Posted

    I am 62 and had THR on 30th December 2013.   Recovery was very straightforward thankfully.   I was told to absolutely avoid crossing legs knees for the first six weeks but to try to avoid for a further six weeks.   It's now more than three months and I have, almost, got out of the way of crossing my legs.  

    I have no pain walking for pretty long distances and do exercises in the pool very day but I still have real discomfort in bed.   I wake up and it seems agonising just to change position.   Totally disappears when I start moving.   Anyone else had this experience?

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 jan00794

      Posted

      I'm 11wks post op..walking or standing not to bad at all, using 1crutch, but same as you    

      lying in bed gives me pain,especially turning over or lying on my side..Only getting 4-6 hrs sleep most nights.

      If anything it's worse than it was 6wks ago..don't understand why really.

       

    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy Paulus1949

      Posted

      I think its just how it is...two steps forwards and one or two back.....Paulus are you having physio...mine yold me to ditch the crutch as it was causing me more stiffness than without...must say progress has been much better without it!! I do have some lower back pain but presume its about muscles realigning etc.......

      Chris

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 crissy_wissy

      Posted

      Just ditched my 1 crutch,and forcing myself to manage with just a stick..

      quite a nice one it is too..a Patterson medical,very light made of latex,adjustable,and in a nice paisley pattern,available at most chemists.

      ordered my bike turbo trainer for the garage,should be arriving this Friday..

      really hoping it will help me build up the wasted muscles in my left leg.

      big milestone of twelve post op Friday too!!

    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy Paulus1949

      Posted

      Hi again...I only used the stick for a week when physio said do without! Scary at first!  I bought a recumbent exercise bike but couldn't use it as it bent my leg too much...now bought a cross trainer/ bike thing and its great. Also bought a 4/6 inch fitness step and do 2x50 step ups with each leg.....seems to help with loosening up.  My test was...can I carry a cup of coffee up and down stairs without spilling...and now I can! Simple pleasures hey?!!

      Your paisley stick sounds fab!!! You can use it just for effect even when you don't need it!

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 crissy_wissy

      Posted

      I can get down the stairs as normal...but still can't quite put full weight on the new hip going up..the risers on my stairs are around 9ins high though,but I did manage some lower steps when out walking yesterday...

      yes I'm building up a nice collection of sticks..it might become a new hobby ha.

    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy Paulus1949

      Posted

      Ours stairs are about 8"  but I can do the 6" stepper thing no problem.....just gotta keep practicing!! Back to work Monday....eek!!!
  • ann32700
    ann32700 janette99911

    Posted

    Waiting impatiently for my right  THR there have been complications due to other health issues so I still don't have a date for the op. Whilst I'm waiting my left hip has become very painful, in fact I now have a lot more pain there than in my right hip! Dread to think how I will be post op, has anyone else had similar problems?
    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy ann32700

      Posted

      You'll probably need both doing eventually just like me! Had my right done 11 weeks ago....now left is more painful...I think they sort of compensate for each other...you need a good leg though to support the operated leg for the first few months....even though its painful I intend to really build up the muscles in my left leg before I have that done...the wasted muscles are what take time to repair afterwards....and the physio exercises are hard work!!

      Chris

    • ann32700
      ann32700 crissy_wissy

      Posted

      Thanks for that Chris, I must step up my Physio now then and hope for the best .

      Ann

  • julia1968
    julia1968 janette99911

    Posted

    I'm 3 months post op & crossing legs and doing breaststoke, but i'm only 45 x 

    My THR has left leg an inch shorter than other side though which is having repercussions on other side sad

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 julia1968

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that Julia..

      seems like your surgeons messed up IMO..what does he have to say about it??

      It's not a good prospect but In theory I'd say maybe they should re operate,unless you can live with it as it is.

       

  • susan29674
    susan29674 janette99911

    Posted

    Re crossing legs...no one can stop you if you do...but the more you put your new hip under such extremes of movement...the quicker it will wear out and the more likelihood of problems with new hip.....i dont cross my legs at all now but it was hard remembering not to for some time...and crossed ankles not good for circulation generally anyway....id rather use my new hip to do active stuff i couldnt do before op...eg walking ..and sitting comfortably ...which pre op pain meant i could do neither..

    L

  • susan29674
    susan29674 janette99911

    Posted

    Re crossing legs...no one can stop you if you do...but the more you put your new hip under such extremes of movement...the quicker it will wear out and the more likelihood of problems with new hip.....i dont cross my legs at all now but it was hard remembering not to for some time...and crossed ankles not good for circulation generally anyway....id rather use my new hip to do active stuff i couldnt do before op...eg walking ..and sitting comfortably ...which pre op pain meant i could do neither..

    L

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