Where should I be 10 days post THR

Posted , 18 users are following.

Hi could anyone tell me where I should be at 10 days after op... everything went really well, had a super path THR in Warwick but not sure when I should be trying to walk with one crutch? Any help much appreciated. Doing usual bed exercises still but still struggle with stairs. 

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  • Posted

    Sounds as if you are progressing well. We are all different in so many ways that it would not really be realistic to tell you where you should be at ten days.

    Take it as fast as you are comfortably with without overdoing it. Obviously you need to avoid falling down! I suggest that you concentrate on a good balanced walking gait, speed and distance comes with time.

    Good luck

    Richard

    • Posted

      Thank you for replying... think I maybe worrying because I'm not sure how far I should progress or even how to start walking without crutches. I've tried to lose a crutch but I sort of hopped/limped along haha but thank you for your advice smile

    • Posted

      Well I can tell you how recovery was for me but should stress that what one person can do is not that helpful but who knows.

      Okay to make this as relevant as possible I need to tell you a bit about me at the time of my total hip operation back in 1997 when I was. 55.

      My surgery was uncomplicated and I was fit and light weight. Did not smoke, only had an occasional drink and had a good quality diet and had a very positive attitude.

      I came out of hospital with two walking sticks only because the staff insisted, but honestly I only needed one. I put that aside as soon as I got home and the other within days and did not have crutches.

      I did not have any physio and no exercises but I simply walked and walked. The walks were on rural tracks often very rocky and steep both up and down.

      I was walking a mile or so almost as soon as I was home and doing trips where I was on my feet for a couple of hours at a time though I do recall I found these trips quite tiring.

      I returned to driving a low slung car with manual transmission by six weeks and full time office and manual work within about three weeks as I was self employed.

      I would repeat that what is fine for one person will not be sensible for another. You must go at a pace that is right for you.

      Good luck

      Richard

  • Posted

    Hello! 10 days after the op I was still on morphine. I kept on thinking "I should be walking!" Looking back I can only say to myself "you should have been resting! I did rest, most of the time.

    I did my physio exercises 3 times a day if I could manage it (often only once or twice), and I walked around very slowly on 2 crutches when I felt like it. Someone told me to rest and then move for 10 mins every hour whilst awake for first 2 weeks. Some people walk on 1 or no crutches after 2 weeks (where are they??) I didn't.

    Do you have a physio? I really trust my physio and I do what she tells me to do with regards to 2 crutches, 1 crutches, 0 crutches. I trust her on the exercises more than I trust my surgeon. Without my physio I'd still be baffled over what I was "supposed" to be doing, I couldn't work it out on my own at all. For example she's told me that I can be on 1 crutch around the house now and outside for short distances, otherwise 2. I'm now 4.5 weeks. She also told me that because of my lack of muscles supporting the hip, I will be on 1 crutch at least until the 6 week mark if not beyond. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her!

    I hope that's helpful. If you don't / can't have physio for any reason there are amazing people on this forum who are so kind and so helpful.

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for all that and glad that you are now doing so well. I travelled a long way to have my THR to Nuffield Warwick and I live on Anglesey because was offered a super path THR was is less invasive. Was only in hospital 1 day. However now I'm home I'm left to my own devices and no physio... so sort of guessing what I should be doing and want to try with one crutch but don't know how I'd know when I'm ready. You sound like you have a good helper which is so good for confidence!

    • Posted

      I hadn't heard of a super path THR. I just watched a video on it after reading your post. It does look amazing, but I know also that they will have chosen the fastest recoverers to be on the video!

      If I can say only one thing, I say listen to your body. Listen to you. There is absolutely no rush to recovery. Enjoy the time.

      I've become more mindful since not being able to rush all the time, that's such a blessing.

      Good luck and keep posting!

      Xx 🌞 Xx

    • Posted

      Thank you and  I know what you mean, it does change the way you think after the op!

      😏X

  • Posted

    I am just one week post THR (anterior right hip).  I did not think I was getting any PT (guessing this is what you call phisio) but they came to my house the day after I got home (surgery on a Monday home on the Wednesday).  I was shocked to learn I was doing too much.  I was putting myself at risk of a blood clot by not elevating the majority of the time the first week.  The most important thing I do is toe pumps (25 per hour, every waking hour).  I also have exercises I do three times a day, walk for a bit every hour (I am using a walker for stability) and rest when necessary.  

    Be good to yourself - go slower than you suspect.  Just because we can do certain things at this point does not mean we should be doing them.  Our bodies are healing on the inside in ways that we cannot imagine.

    Best of luck

  • Posted

    Sounds like your doing great!! I agree that my Physical Therapist has been great. I'm 4 and 1/2 weeks out and have very little pain. I'm on a cane but walk 30 mins each day without the cane(also some around the house). My gait isn't great yet. I walk a little like Walter Brennen from the old Westerns. By the end of the day I have some pain in my groin, but haven't taken any pain meds in 2.5 weeks. The PT is strengthening my muscles and increasing my ROM.

    • Posted

      thank you for that, it's good to know where everyone is at so I know I'm not lagging! smile

  • Posted

    So pleased you are doing so well. My experience at 10 days was that I was sleeping a lot, still on 2 crutches but the pain was improving.

    I was presented with a walking stick at 4week point physio. I used this around the house until I just "forgot" to use it.

    It was as if I instinctively knew that I could manage without it as opposed to a conscious decision. For myself I think this was a confidence thing.

    Your body with tell you what to do and when to do it as opposed to putting time scales on progress.

    The physio I had was insistant that we should not measure our progress against someone elses. We are all individuals and will heal at different rates.

    After my initial euphoria at getting rid of the pain I have tended to over do it causing some discomfort where I had none previously. I have had to ease off a little from my exercising to get back to where I was a couple of weeks ago.

    I hope you continue your recovery well at a pace that is right for you.

    Regards :-)

    • Posted

      P.S I still have to use a stick or crutches, depending on distance, due to back problems and to try and improve my gait. I have limped for years but was given advice by physio on how to improve this for the first time a view weeks ago.

    • Posted

      thank you for that advice, that was what I was wondering whether my body would naturely be able to walk unaided rather than me pushing myself!  Glad you,re doing well! I also have been limping for years due to knees and hips smile
  • Posted

    Dear angle in 10 days I was not even try the stair & walk by walker now am 19 monthes post op enjoing my pain free life

    Pleas talk to your pt you will know where you should be my dear

    Big hug

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