Average time to be walking without crutches

Bones, joints and muscles
1

What's the average time to be walking without crutches after hip op.and back to sitting job

2

Hi Joan it obviously varies from person to person but I ditched my crutches after about 3 weeks and then used a cane. I am 4 months post op and returned to office job after 10 weeks. My advice on both matters would be listen to your body.

3

Hi, after going from 2 to 1 crutch I stopped using it after about 6weeks (was only for outside) and back at work at week 10 which is in an office. I did a phase return which helped.

Everyone is different though, just listen to your body x

4

Hi Joan,

I went back to my desk job last week, 8 weeks post op.   I am managing fine but if I sit for too long, when I get up my joints are stiff.  I mentioned to the physiotherapist and she advised to have a short walk around every hour,  I tried this and it really helps.  I am still carrying on with my exercises at home too, which I think helps too.   Best wishes.  

5

Hi Joan

I don't think there is such a thing, 

For example with my R-THR (first one) I was still using crutches at 8 weeks and had difficulty working (also sit down job) till 12 weeks, with my second L-THR I was using a cane after 3 days (yes days), driving at 3 weeks and working (albeit part time) at 4 weeks.

What a contrast!

Why the difference - my first hip was very badly damaged and the op took about 3.5 hours (average op time is 45 minutes) and I had a very difficult recovery.  The second op was a lot quicker at about 1.5 hours and my recovery time was a fraction of the first one (thankfully).

Be wary of comparing yourself with other people as we all heal at different rates. 

Good luck

6

There is no average time joan, we all recover differently. When I tried walking without any support I could feel not a pain but, an uncomfortable feeling in the bone the implant had been drilled into. It was about 12 weeks before I gave up the stick completely when on my daily walk, before that, it would hurt in the bone and groin by the time I had finished my walk. Take it easy and don't try to rush.

7

There might be an average, but I bet the data points are all over the place. You just have to listen to your own body.

I left the hospital 24 hours after my revision THR with a walker. Tried using the walker for 1 day and hated it, so I was using a cane by day 3. I do a 2,000 step walk 3 times a day. At the end of each walk there's a bit of soreness. I'm now day 10 post-op, and figure I'll need the cane for another 2 weeks at least.

I'm retired, but I sit during the day with no problems. The big thing is, you MUST get up every 45 minutes to an hour and walk around a bit. Also, you need to elevate your leg and ice your op site at least twice a day. Not sure how that would fit into a work schedule.

8

I think I am probably totally abnormal but I never used crutches after leaving hospital as I was total rubbish with them, I just used a cane outside and furniture surfed in the house. I think we are told we should not do this.

As I am able to work from home I went back to working in short bursts pretty well as soon as I got home. 

9

It varies enormously ... after my first operation, it took me about 70 days to go without sticks outdoors.

After my recent revision, I was walking up and down stairs without aids at 14 days (good hand holds), and walking confidently outdoors at 20 days. 

Best wishes

Graham

10

Everyone ‘s recovery is so different. My hip op was very straight forward, I was lucky. I went down to 1 crutch after about 4 days (But I continued to use 2 outside.)  Then at 6 weeks I had my only physio appointment, where they showed me how to walk nicely, and sent me home without my crutches! Felt very weird. Good luck with your recovery, Judith 

11

Hello, Joan.  I broke my hip so hadn't had any problems up until that moment.  I am in my mid 60's, but was in great shape do to physical work.  I used my walker at home for six days, then quit and never used a cane or crutch.  I'm sure there is different recovery times partly because of reasons for the surgery.  I feel very fortunate, am one and half years out, and life is completely back to normal.   Am going to be more careful on a ladder, though.  :-)