Hi, everybody!
I am 45 yo and I had THR -for both hips- 7 weeks ago. I can walk without crutches when at home but like a baby who learns to walk, I can drive for short periods of time. I cannot cut my toe nails and put my socks. I was told that I would be able to walk without crutches after 6 -8 weeks, but I really do not see how this could happen so soon. I go to physiotherapy 5 days/week.
I would be happy to hear about your experiences because sometimes I get tired when I do not see the progress I expect! Thank you!
HI, I had a bilateral hip replacement last September, and am now 68 years old.
I would definitely recommend that you walk as often as possible and lose the crutches. I found that I was walking unevenly with the crutches and stopped using them after about 4 weeks. Set yourself targets. I walked 5 miles after 6 weeks and 10 miles after 12 weeks. With targets you have something to aim for which will encourage you to keep going and push that bit harder. After 4 months I started going to pilates classes twice a week which I find have been really beneficial for improving flexibilty which you lose after the op.
Just keep going, if you push yourself a bit you will be amazed how much you can achieve.
Charles
Thank you so much for your answer, Charles!
HI
I had left hip THR 6 weeks ago aged 56 years UK
i can walk around house with one crutch but outside despite being able to walk for over an hour I need two.
The physio told me i still need to use 2 because my muscles are still week despite following exercise regime .
I am frustrated like you because still need my hand grabber etc to dress and pick up things from floor.
I cant see myself going back to work at 12 weeks unless things dramatically improve which they probably will.
USE CRUTCHES AROUND HOUSE UNTIL YOU CAN MOVE CONFIDENTLY
Good luck
ANNIE
gosh how brave to do two in one go !
take every day as it comes , dont overdo things read your body , slow and steady .
Those muscles have had a huge trauma and time and the right exercises will get them stronger . I was told up to 18 months before they are back to normal ., My first two hip ops were done at 43 and 45 i was back to normal at around 4/6 months .
As ive had a revision in 2016 in which got a affection then a two phase op with anti biotic pick line and 4 dislocations in the last year! I have a long long way to go which is hard .
I have been seeing a lady who does mycfacail therepy massage which helps your muscles get blood flow back , and rebuild faster . ( its a muscle memory thing) it re stretches those muscles which have retracted .
anyway good luck
congratulations on your new shinny hips both hips. it is quite amazing to hear your walking so well and … crutches is needed to keep balance no falls. in time your bones will become secured to the implants and strong again walking until without any aides just seems like amazing progress as healing continues on your journey . generally the first 6 -8weeks, which is short term healing as the bone grows onto implants securing them for many years to come. next is long long term healing takes a few months to a year for the muscles to become strong and responsive without thinking or pain. something the doctors never mention is that it also takes the brain time to rewire connections to the new prosthesis . walking practice good heel toe steps, is the best thing for getting your mojo back. soon life without hip pain is a new normal and your on your way to all the adjustments needed, till one day its like magic how i forgot about my new hips as I passed thru the end of my healing journey.
sending healing blessings on your journey to healing .
Some of the little things take longer than big things, I think. I am 6 months post-op, right hip, aged 74.
Driving is now easy, as is walking. I gave up the crutches around 8 weeks, suddenly not needing them at all (I always used two). I don’t think twice now about carrying heavy loads of shopping. I’ve been swimming every day recently. This week I’ve twice been out hiking over rough rocky ground for half a day, big achievement, using hiking poles as I always have done. I’m planning to return to tennis next month and skiing next year. My surgeon said six months minimum for tennis and a full year for skiing.
I still work part-time, long days involving long commutes into and out of London. I went back at 4 months post-op. I think that I would have found work itself OK but getting on and off crowded commuter trains very difficult before that. My system definitely felt the shock of returning to work and the associated travel for the first three days and then it just felt like normal again (only without the pain and hip giving way which I had before).
All in all things are great with my hip!
But I still find cutting my right toenails quite hard (I can do them now, just) - and tying right shoe-laces and greasing up the dry skin on my right foot and putting on my right sock. My right leg is still not as flexible as my left. It’s very slowly improving but some of these little things can be harder than a day’s work…
Joan
Wow, what a great community I found here! Thank you so much for writing your experiences! It’s very important to talk to someone who knows what THR means! I am sorry that I didn’t know about this before surgery.
I was born with hip dysplasia , I was always an active person and the decision to have THR was not easy at all. I know it is a long journey but you know how it is, sometimes you get tired and frustrated! Thank you again!
I had hip dysplasia as well , and was also very active just wore them out by the time i was 42 …sucks but at least that pain i had before the op went .
give your self time …i know i hate people saying that but it is true
Hi Dana
I’m now just over 3 months post LHR. Like you, I was told to expect to be able to walk without a crutch at 6 weeks. Around the house was no problem at all but outside was a different story. .. Starting off, short walks outside were challenging and wobbly. However, things improved steadily and I’d say after about a further 2 weeks I was confident about walking outside. As others have said, it takes time for the body and muscles (and mind) to strengthen and heal. A positive mindset will help. With regular exercise, you will notice gradual improvements and soon be back to previous levels of fitness without the horrible pain / inconvenience of wonky hips. I got back on my bike and took up swimming after 8 weeks. As I do all sorts of leg movements underwater, the swimming particularly has improved flexibility greatly - that may not be practical for you. Treat yourself to a pedicure or trip to the chiropodist. Having 2 hips done together is less common (but not unusual). Fair dues to you and best wishes with continuing recovery.
I like swimming a lot, but I was told to wait 3 months for this or any other sport.
“Give yourself time” - when it comes from someone who knows from inside, it’s different! Thank you!
I thought I could go swimming after 6 weeks. Too late!
Maybe you don’t swim breaststroke. Or my hips were more affected.
No I don’t swim breast stroke, but assumed I could walk up and down the pool as people kept talking about hydrotherapy virtually immediately. I actually started with backstroke.
Dana,
You had both hips replaced seven weeks ago and you are walking without crutches, driving and you think you should have progressed more than you have? I hope you do not regret rushing your recovery as bones have to heal after such a big operation. You are not in a race, there are no medals for the quickest recovery. I still have difficulty cutting my toe nails after eighteen months and I exercise a lot. Take it easy, allow the body to heal along with your exercises.
Thank you for your answer! It is very important I found this site because I can talk about real experiences, not statistics!
Goodness, what an incredible network I found here! Much thanks to you such a great amount for composing your encounters! It’s critical to converse with somebody who recognizes what THR implies! I am heartbroken that I didn’t think about this before a medical procedure.