Hi, my consultant said he does not need to see me again after 6wks check, said everything is as should be! I feel like I am progressing, as in walking more, sleeping better and a bit on both sides with pillow etc. BUt when walking with no stick ie around house I have very bad rocking type of limp! It is worse than before op!! One stick walking no limp and straight etc. Going back to work in 2wks, didn't want to go back to work with stick!! Any particular excercises to help with limp? Or anyone else had similar. I am 55 and desperate not to limp for the rest of my days! The help and advice n here thought my process has been great! Thank you everyone.
I'm 9 weeks post op and a fit 57 year old I can walk long distances with one stick, sleep on both sides can do almost anything even ride my bike again but still have a bad limp when walking without my stick despite doing the exercises, my consultant said I just have to be patient it will take 3 months from time of surgery for those muscles to repair but it is frustrating I just want to walk normally again and I won't be returning to work untill I am, as I do a manual job. As for what exercise is best to make your muscle around your hip stronger my physio told me the side leg raise is best for this.
Good luck on your recovery and dont rush back to work untill your ready 3 month is about the norm after THR.
I am seven weeks today and the same as you, walk with one crutch around the house and supermarket but I limp without support because the muscle or bone is not yet strong enough. Doctor said I was fine and next appointment is one year, physio seemed to think I was okay and signed me off without any extra exercises. I walk with two crutches when I go on my daily walk as I pay for it later in the day if I try it on one crutch. I am hoping the limping will stop as the bone heals after all, the bone was sawn, drilled and cemented back together. Maybe you are the same and it needs to heal.
I had LTHR two years ago in late 40s. I used a crutch for 5 months to make sure my walk was straight and didn't put lopsided wear and tear on the other hip. It is frustrating as you can walk unaided but worth the "relatively" short extra time with stick/crutch to be able to walk without a limp again. It is not a sign of being old but looking after your joints for the next half of your life. The exercises do work. Keep going!!
hi sharon,i had the same thing-i still limp 4months post op when i get tired.my physio told me its because butt and thigh muscles are still weak,so i googled exercises for those areas after a hip replacement and one of the exercises i was told are great,are what i inelegantly call "bum squeezes"id never been told to do those and have only been doing them a few days,so i cant yet say if they are helping,but worth a try?you have to hold each squeeze for a count of 8.good luck x
When did you start sleeping on your side? at 7 weeks I am a little scared to try it but think I should be able to, the doctor said put a pillow between you legs when you do. I am tired of having an aching back every morning.
I started sleeping on both sides as soon as my consultant said I could at my 6 week follow up appt. For the first week I used a pillow between my legs but now I don't bother, sleeping on my back for 6 week was terrible I hardly slept so it's great when you can turn over onto either side and at last have a good night's sleep.
Hi if you have access to a swimming pool preferably with constant depth then sessions of walking in the water is a great way to improve your gait and build strength evenly the support and resistance of the water is so helpful . Also try walking backwards in the water again great for recovery try and spend about 45 mins 3 or 4 times a week and add in some gentle stretching in the water .
How long did it eventually take for your limp to go completely? I am nearly 9 months post THR & bone graft although still feel I'm in recovery. This has been such a slow recovery I am feeling progress on a slow scale but still have minor limp at times
Not sure when it went, I was back at work, and suddenly I noticed it had gone one day, probably between 7 and 10 months post-op.
Yes, the recovery IS slow, very slow, and sometime we feel as if we are going backwards , as you had a bone graft, it'll probably take a little longer than a 'standard THR'.
Why oh why do the medical profession pretend that this is a "walk in the park", it's not, for most of us it's a hard, slow slog.
Hi, I had my only physio appointment at 6 weeks, and was sent home without my crutches! She told me to concentrate walking heel to toe. I did limp for quite a while afterwards, probably several months, particularly when tired, but it does improve. I remember feeling disappointed, thinking that I would be limping for ever. Just keep walking, and concentrating, and as rocket man said, suddenly you will notice that the limp has gone. Good luck!