Hip replacement advice

Bones, joints and muscles
1

i had a posterior left hip replacement on January 13 th still a little painful some days worse than others . My question is how soon can you walk inside your home with just 1 crutch?

Thanks in advance.

2

Hi Mary

I’m 10 days ahead of you.  I went down to 1 stick pretty much straight from Hospital, I don’t use a stick outside unless like today it’s snowing!  BUT I do walk taller and don’t rock when I use my stick, so going to make an effort to use it more. 

I’m allowed to swim - not that I can get to a pool, and cycle twice a day now as well. 

How is your scar? I’m amazed at the healing, it’s still tender but has healed really well. 

Xx

3

Were you posterior approach? My scar is healing fine had to keep just one part of it covered until last Sunday and it has stopped weeping , just got a nice fine line and yes still very tender .

4

Dear Mary

I found that I made the best progress by using two crutches until I was walking strongly and with a good gait with no hint of a limp. It also looked after my back! Doing your exercises is very important for a good and quick recovery to full mobility.

Good luck, Richard

5

Thanks RichardKen, am fastidious about the exercises but worried because I can't get out to walk as there is too much snow and ice , everyone says walking is the best exercise.

6

Hi Mary

Yes posterior - scar is v long but never weeped. I was glued and then steri strips and they took steri strips off at 2 weeks and then left uncovered since. I rub rosehip oil in 3/4 times a day. 

Having a bad day today - I think I’m

Overdoing it -  it’s hard not to when you’ve got a business to run and kids to get to school etc!  My husband is away for 2 days so I might have 2 days of Netflix binging and rest without feeling guilty! 

7

Everyone is different.  I was walking with crutches immediately and without after a couple of weeks.  Don’t rush it

8

Thanks Ducksoup

9

Thanks Carolyn, hope you get your well earned rest today .

10

Richard knows the score, and is a great source of knowledge here. We're all so different in our recovery. Some days are worse than others,sad some are better.biggrin

Just keep exercising wherever you can do so safely without falling over. Use a stick as long as you need it, don't try to throw it away for vanity reasons.

Best wishes

Graham

11

I never bothered with crutches after leaving hospital, as I did not seem to get them to coordinate with my walking. I don’t understand how people sail along with crutches as I was such a failure. I do use a stick outside though. 

12

Thanks Graham for your generous words! As you say we are all very different so it is a matter of going at ones own pace, keeping pushing on steadily, stopping if you have pain and listen to what your body is telling you. If you overdo it then just take some time out and regroup.

Cheers Richard

13

Thanks Rocketman, am doing everything by the book just want to get right .

14

l broke 3toes and bone across my foot last November so had 8 weeks practice with the crutches , ( lucky me ! ) 

15

Hi Mary,

I found the crutch very hard tp use in my home so I used a cane and was much better.

16

Hi Shari, I am glad I am not the only one who had trouble using crutches. Everyone I see always seems so good with them.

17

Thanks Shari

18

Hi Mary, as the others have said, we’re all different. I used 1 crutch from about day 4 I think, but I always used 2 outside. I think it’s harder having  a THR in the winter, mine was in July, so it was easy walking around outside. Keep up with your exercises, all the best, Judith 

19

Thanks Judith

20

Thanks Judith