Had thr in July Walked fine for a mo or so and , now when i walk without a walker, I walk like someone drunk! Has anyone else had this problem?
After surgery you will usually walk with a walker for about a few weeks than level up to a cane then level up without any assistive device.
walking like a drunken sailor means that your muscle is weak and you should walk with a cane opposite side of your operated leg until you gain strength to walk without it.
takes tI'm don't rus it unless you can go further. Your body will let you know what you can do and cannot do.
Desi Bravo NYC US
Hi Shirley,
I am 12 weeks post op and still walk like that if I am tired or when I first stand up. I am quite frustrated that I still have to use a cane as much as I do, so I totally understand how you feel. I find doing my physio helps. I find it hard to pace myself, which only makes things worse. I dont think you have to worry, it still is early days. I know I thought I would be fully recovered by 12 weeks, but apparently not. Try to stay positive and thank goodness for this site. Lorraine from Vancouver.
Sounds like we are in the same boat...I think I'm about l6 weeks and still need a cane if I'm walking on a bumpy surface (like my lawn) or after a few hours on my feet (after a 2 hour shift of retail).
I faithfully do my l6 exercies twice daily and I KNOW this has helped me get to the point I am today.
Easier said than done "to take it slow" but I know by experience (in other words my mistakes) that you can't overdue it and don't feel quilty if you have days doing not much....I think by spring/early summer we should all be some permanent progress!
Patricia from Toronto
You will have permanent progresses.
Have faith, dont give up.
Thanks so much for your reply. I think this is wierd because at first i could walk fairly well and now i cant I have tried a cane but dont do well with one, HOWEVER I CAN DO PRETTY GOOD WITH A WALKER. By the way, I am in Dallas, Texas.
Hi im from NYC QUEENS
I felt the same way. Takes time. I see wouldnt let go my cane until i think my 10 - 12 weeks post op.
I know the feeling. Still walking that way after 15 months. I'm just unlucky though
Hi
I know that feeling s well......I'm almost 10 months post op and dtill walk like that without crutch or stick.
But doing an exercise to strengthen my muscle (four weeks post op) I fractured my greater trochanter bone which I'm told now will not heal so have to use crutches.
In the house i dont and I waddle like a duck!!!!
Love
Eileen UK
Ha, yes, Shirley.
My legs and feet have a mind of their own!
Thanks Eileen. what is a trochanter bone? I walk without a walker inhouse but with walker outsude. Do fairly well with walker, Drs. cant seem to tell me why i do this-- they tell me to go to a neuro surgeon!!
Thanks for the reply.
Hi Shirley
I had never heard of it before but its up at the femur....where the replacement is done.
Its because I have osteoporosis that it fractured so easily.
But it will not heal this time so its 2 crutches for the rest of my life......scooter outside if I have to go far or it is hilly
Love
Eileen UK
trochanter is your outter part of the femur.
Its a difference when you're home walking normal to outside walking with a walker. I was doing that as well but stopped by the therapist and made me walk with a cane instead. It takes practice and determination.
Remember, the streets has potholes, high and low sidewalks lawn is never flat and those are factors that throw off your balance. Your walker balances your gait the way you walk. But you should do without the walker and start with your cane. Practice at home with the cane before anything.
Hi Beachbum
After 10 months post THR I'm still on 2 crutches and the fracture isnt going to heal...I cant use the walker I used to use.......With the fracture I need a lot of support on one side so 2 crutches is easier...the walker ...I can only go so far and leaning on it so much on one side really hurts.
I'm in the North East of England and a lot of my practicing is done in the
Metro Centre......large shopping mall.......completely flat, and warm at this time of year in the UK
I practice posture and getting my foot in the right position. I walk outside as well of course...have to.
Now winter is here I'm going to have to be careful about walking outside with crutches....OK its been almost 10 months now but not through the winter so thats something else to face.....I refuse to sit in a corner
I'm very lucky, can drive and got my own car so dont have to rely on my husband for a lift everywhere I go
Love
Eileen UK
At least you can drive.
that fracture hindered your recovery but it will heal. Its gonna take a loing time to heal but you need to be still in order for it to heal faster.
walking is good. Hope that centre is any good. I was going to therapy in a shopping mall which is where the therapist was located. But i saw i was going nowhere with their therapy so i decided to leave and go to another therapist. The one i changed to is great and im healing much faster. I also take fish oil with omega3 and magnesium and hydro whey protein. You would need a lot of calcium at lease vitamin D and E for your bone unless you're taking something else thats works for you.
Thanks God that i am doing good. I thought of all the negative but its natural to think how we do after surgery. Right after surgery i was sent to my room because i stood at the hospital for two days. The day after surgery my oxygen level dropped and here we go crash cart they came from everywhere as my wife told me because i really had no knowledge what happened. Thanks God i am alive and doing what i suppose to do in order to live a normal life. 
I also have osteoprosis and prefviously brtoke my leg twice - i take a drug called alendronate once aweek and havent broken anything since i started it it. Hope u get better.
Love,
Your Texas friend, Shirley
Hi Beachbum
I've been trying to answer your message for about 10 hours now LOL
This site has been playing up again.
Yes Its a blessing that I can drive.
The only thing that puzzles me is what makes you say the fracture will heal when 2 consultants over the past 10 months have said it wont??? Do you know something I dont
It would be nice if we had therapy in a shopping mall LOL
Still its a good place to walk especially in the winter. I will definitely get stronger but never be able to do without the crutches or at least one.
If I can walk further with less pain or discomfort I will be happy and accept that. This is what I'm aiming for when i go in there ...to be able to walk a bit further each time.
My GP has prescripbed calcium and vit d 3 and then a once a week tablet.....Risondrate {sp??}
Praise God you are so much better.......you nearly "had it" by the sound of things.
The worse that happened to me both times was low blood pressure where I fainted for a few seconds when I got out of bed the same day as the op. Had nurses beside me so I was caught
Love
Eileen UK
Hi Shirley
Yes after I first fractured this hip they put me on alendronic acid....think its the same thing. It didnt agree with me so they changed it to risendronate....the next one up but the same family......once a week as well.
The fracture isnt going to heal but I'll fight it and learn to walk much further with my crutches than I can at the minute
The consultant advises caution and to use one crutch if I can manage it but not to try without any outside.......dont forget you have osteoporosis and if you fall and have another fracture?????? So like I say he advises caution
Love
Eileen UK