when could you walk unaided after thr
Posted , 18 users are following.
Hi all im 3 weeks post op thr and find im able to move more each day. Im using 1 crutch to wlk around the house but 2 if the pain is present I attempted to walk a few steps earlier but I had a severe limp and looked like a penguin according to my daughter lol my question is how long before eveyone was walking without crutches and without limping.Ive only been out once since the op to my mother inlaws and it totally wiped me out so havent felt ready to attempt going out again yet .
tracy xxx
3 likes, 23 replies
EttaH tracy196868
Posted
I just had a THR on Wednesday, Oct. 12th. I am astonished at my mobility and reduced level of pain. No catheter, so I was up almost immediately to use bathroom. From that moment on the pain was sooooo much less than pre-surgery. It is truly like night and day. Used a rolling walker and felt great. Only one night in hospital. I use a walker or cane in the house. I was able to take a few steps without either but didn't want to risk pain or dislocation. Here we are 4 days later and the pain is primarily from the incision and muscle soreness- both of which pale in comparison to the bone on bone arthritis pain I had. THAT pain was awful and I wish I had had surgery way before now. Not sure if my circumstances are the norm but I've gone from hobbling and hunched over and moving only when absolutely necessary to feeling line my old self again. In home PT started immediately so I'm optimistic I'll be cane free or at least pain free sooner rather than later. Good luck!!
dave63380 EttaH
Posted
You are doing great Etta, yes this is how you are supposed to feel. Use the walker indoors, and crutches outside even if you think you can do without. Wow you really sound good for 4 days! I am 11 weeks post RTHR and feeling good. For me the first week or even two were uncomfortable. Hard to sleep and hard to move surgery leg. Take it easy and don't overdo it, the pain of bone on bone joint is gone but there is still a lot of healing that needs to happen. Congratulations you're doing great!
EttaH dave63380
Posted
Hi Dave,
I too had surgery on the right hip. My leg hurts some - usually between taking meds. Not sure, but I think it may be the referred pain I had prior to surgery. Not in the hip area but further down the thigh area and lower leg. It had become weak and for the most part I found myself having to lift it in and out of the car or when getting into bed. They gave me a "leg lifter" (long scarf) which I used for the first couple of days, but am doing a little better on my own. I'm trying to stay optimistic about the healing process. Things are great right now, I'm scared there is a down side somewhere in my future since things are so great right now. . I'm now using a regular pillow between my knees for sleeping. The abduction pillow was ok in the hospital but is way to uncomfortable for any decent sleep here at home.
Canada_Hippy tracy196868
Posted
Don't rush it. Your surgeon and physio will tell you to do whatever it takes to NOT limp. Limping throws your body into unnatural weight bearing positions.
You actually are relearning how to walk correctly. Before your surgery you probably were limping in pain and your body got used to walking that way to avoid pain.
Now your job is to walk upright and straight, heel toe. If you are limping even in the slightest, your new walk will be incorrect and start causing back pain.
Take a cane with you and off load some weight or just use it for balance.
john26737 tracy196868
Posted
I ditched the aids ay 4 weeks. I am now 9 weeks and while my gait is improving I still have a slight limp. I am unable to walk up stairs with the operated leg leading. Just don't have the strength in the leg yet.
EttaH tracy196868
Posted
Hey Tracy, so I had my second PT session yesterday. I've been walking exceptionally well considering I'm 6 days out. At start of PT session I had on the hospital grippy socks - took off flip flops ahead of time, as I'm sure therapist would have frowned on them. Therapist mentioned that I needed a good supportive shoe. I showed her a pair of sketchers that I purchased- the bungy, slip on/no tie type. She said that I walked a lot better - less limping- with the shoes on. It's my understanding that we all will need to learn to walk properly again, as we've all gotten used to our limp and coddling the bad leg out of fear of pain.
dave63380 EttaH
Posted
Hi Etta, I'm at 11 weeks RTHR and getting back to being able to walk the dog about a mile a day. Still use cane for security walking dirt type trails. Just a word about shoes. I am also about 2 years post op both knees replaced. Over a year in physical therapy. My therapist or physio as some here call them, sent me to a shoe store specifically for running shoes. My feet were hurting from all the walking I was doing. I was wearing what I thought was a good cross trainer type athletic shoe. Wrong. They measure your foot accurately and I found that first of all I was wearing a full size too small. I got a good running shoe that cost twice what I had ever paid for shoes before and it was the best money ever spent! We have all gone through this major surgery and long recovery to be able to walk pain free. Only makes sense to put the best shoes possible on your feet!
adamjackman tracy196868
Posted