It's great reading about everyone's transition from two to one crutch. I had my first physio visit yesterday and have been told I must use both crutches until advised otherwise by the surgeon at my six week check up. Has anyone else been given this advice? I'm a bit confused as everyone else seems to be throwing their crutches in the air and jogging round the block! I know I'm a little behind in my recovery as my mobility was even more limited due to blister, which I'm happy to report is 99% healed. Just wondering why I'm still on both crutches.
Dear Kevin - your Dr may be a little concerned for some reason, I hate it when they do their oyster act, the patient doesn't need to know, that really gets up my nose, and just annoys me to the max. I am one of those who does need to know, and then I can deal with my own fears, you sound as though you are of the same mind, although it seems odd. Ring the specilaist's secretary and ask her, why, there may be a reason the Dr did not make clear. Write down your questions so you miss none, that gives them a jolt when you arrive with a page of questions. Kevin how old are you, and do you have brittle bones or otherwise, that could be a reason. Do you know if you had a cemented prothesis, that could also make a difference. I know its hard early on but listen to your own body, sit quiety and concentrate on your leg, is it sore, aching, swollen, it will tell you if you are overdoing it, and just the extreme tiredness and depression that most of us seem to suffer after THR. Good luck dear man, it will get better, having been ther twice over, and probably looking foward to having the left one re-done, not happy, but resigned that it can be improved upon. Ask away any questions, we are a group of listening hippies before and after, so if experience counts for anything, we have plenty of that.
Thank you Lyn, I'm doing really well and the physio was happy with my mobility, given me plenty of strengthening exercises to do. I'm 56, my hip was damaged due to Perthes disease. I have a bad pelvic tilt, which will need physio now to correct. I was given the go ahead to sleep on my side, which was bliss last night, still had to put a pillow between my legs.
I really think you have to trust in your physio now. In some ways they know even more about how our muscles and tendons work than the Dr's do, especially a good one. You may have read some of my previous posting, that for years I went to a physio for my bad right hip, caused by accident, and it never came right, even with the best of treatments. I was refered back to Dr's and only after my hip replacement did they find a small piece of dead bone right in the cup and ball of my hip joint, all of the exercies I had learnt over 35 years of physio, never been able to get my big toe on right side past heel, my hip just refused to rotate, it just locked solid, first time I stood up after RTHR, thats the first thing I tried out, I had to know, and nearly fightened the life out of the physio's in the hospital, when I was standing there on zimmer frame and stretching my RTHR leg out behind me and whooping and yelling my delight, as you are only too aware your natural walking ability is reliant on your hip and leg swinging through full range of motion. Stengthenin exercies, very important, I know, I got a little lazy at one stage in my healing of 2nd hip and paid the price and had to work twice as hard getting back to if I had done my exercises as instructed.
Take it easy, use as many crutches/sticks as you need to keep safe.
I am 4 weeks, and was progressing well, and have only just gone down to one stick when outside. For the last week or so I kept the second one in hand just to be sure I was okay, and to get up steep slopes.
Inside i have just started going without a stick as and when I feel up to it.
You are on both, because you need them - it's safer that way. You will know when you can dispose of one, or both.
Best wishes
Graham
Hi kevin,
annoying, isn't it ...
At 3 weeks post-op from 2nd THR I walked to my Physical Therapist and said:
Look, no hands !!! He got really angry with me and told me that I needed to use aids until at least 6 weeks post-op when surgeon has seen me - my follow up appointmment was at the 8 weeks mark ... but i did listen though ... I found out that walking unaided too soon caused me to limp badly and have pains in knees, shin, groin, bum ..
so darling, stop comparing your self to others - listen to your PT -
one step at a time, as they say ...
I am referring to the THR surgery on youtube ... If you have not seen it yet and are up to it , please have a look - it is awesome what was done to us -
I had so much respect for my body after I watched it -
big warm hug
renee
Over the months I think we've seen more problems
with over enthusiastic hippies than with cautious ones.
do you agree?
Cathie to Renee
Hi Kevin
I only use one indoors, if I was going out my physio said def two. I defineitly er on the side of caution. (I to scared to make a faux pas lol )
Hope you doing well
Thanks everyone, I feel reassured I know I'm improving and getting stronger each day, so I will just have to be patient. I need to enjoy chilling and relaxing in between my exercises. I am looking forward to being discharged by the district nurses hopefully on Monday and my dressings being removed( from the blooming alien blister). My operation scar has healed beautifully. It's great to get all these supportive messages. One question how do people manage in the shower when you need the aid of crutches. I've not been allowed yet due to having both dressings on and needing to keep them dry.
I had waterproof dressings - able to shower OK from day 2.
Graham
I think it may be all down to why you got the op. Im only 19 and waiting for my op. I was given a 5 month waiting period but i know that because of my condition my operation is more complex and therefore i think my recovery will either be more difficult or easier i am unsure yet. But each person is different and some may heal quicker than others. I would follow the physios advice and take ir slower. That way nothing can go wrong