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.
3 likes, 55 replies
RichardKen angel2017
Posted
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
angel2017 RichardKen
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
RichardKen angel2017
Posted
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
Lucindagl angel2017
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.
angel2017 Lucindagl
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!
Lucindagl angel2017
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
angel2017 Lucindagl
Posted
Thank you and I know what you mean, it does change the way you think after the op!
😏X
GoneFishing angel2017
Posted
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
angel2017 GoneFishing
Posted
Guest angel2017
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.
angel2017 Guest
Posted
thank you for that, it's good to know where everyone is at so I know I'm not lagging!
chrizzy angel2017
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 :-)
chrizzy
Posted
angel2017 chrizzy
Posted
Tutuye angel2017
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
angel2017 Tutuye
Posted
thank you and glad you're doing well!