Can't bend down properly

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi everyone

I had a right hip replacement Oct 2017 and a left hip replacement Feb 2018.

All has been going really well except I can't bend down to empty the washing machine or pick stuff up from the floor I still have to use my grabber stick or hold onto something put one leg back and struggle to pick things up.

I also don't think this second hip is recovering as quickly and I find that when I stand up from sitting I waddle like a duck for the first few minutes. I am able to walk up to six miles without pain using two walking sticks, can anybody give me some advice about bending

Thanks

Susan

2

Hey Susan,

I had both hips done in November of 2016. Almost two years ago. I'm now 53.  They were done by posterior approach.   I still suffer from a lot of stiffness.  It's not as easy to bend over to pick things up as it use to be, and I also have startup pain, where it hurts a little the first few steps after getting up from a sitting position.  I think some of it stems from arthritis in the lower back, but also because my muscles stiffened up when I stopped using them before the surgery.  Some of us may never be as limber as we once were.  It takes a lot of work.  I will say that even after almost two years, I'm still noticing improvements.  I don't exercise as much as I should, but strengthening your muscles does help.   Picking things up from the floor did get easier for me, but it's more of a bending at the knees and stooping down thing now, instead of bending over using the back.  I hope your recovery continues, and that your problems resolve.

3

I  had LTHR Sept. 2017. I still can not bend/scooch down without pain. I recently went to a pain clinic because I developed bursitis around the hip. I was told that these movements could cause  big problems, so I use my reachers and grabbers for getting clothes out of the washer and dryer. And, getting things out of the bottom of cupboards.

 

4

Hi Susan,

I don’t have an answer for you but we seem to be going through the same thing. I had my LTHR Feb 28, 2018 & I’m supposed to do the right one next. I’m 50 and I struggle picking things up and I have a slow start from a sitting position.  I walk a lot (app 10k steps) daily due to my work. I have good days & bad days. Along w/bending over to pick things up, it’s also a struggle to get the left leg in the car sometimes. It seems like it’s slowly getting better. I do the exercises for strengthening but after 5 months, I feel I should be further on. If you get a helpful response, pls pass it on. Praying for both of us. Take care. 

5

Hi susan,

Just a thought but do you have one of those kneeling frames for gardening. I am sixteen weeks post op and enjoy gardening but did not know if I could get down to weed. Last week I took the plunge and by using the kneeling frame found it improved hip the movement. I put the operated knee down first and up using good leg first, as they have arms to push up with it makes life easier. They are quite cheap to buy and maybe using 2/3 times per day may help. As I said just a thought.

6

Hi Susan, I'm 7weeks post opp 72 years old and from my own experience and what people are saying about mobility after hip replacement I think that gentle exercise is the key to getting your movement back. Follow the advice of your physiotherapist and listen to your body and forget the no pain no gain philosophy.