Is it me,am I imagining this or what

Bones, joints and muscles
1

4 months after TRHR and back in work which involves a lot of walking and use of stairs

People seem to notice the way I walk and are not holding back in bringing this to my attention.

Now I find myself staying in the background and trying not to get noticeed I do have knock knee more so in my right leg which is also the one I had the hip replacement done.

Do I need to keep up my exercises (i stopped these a few weeks back)

I did read about heel to toe walking and attempt it as often as possible but i don't really understand what it is about HELP.

I walk with my feet straight and not turned in or out 

Why is it so noticable to others the way i walk i dont think i am limping but some have asked me occasionally about my limp but maybe i am stiff from sitting and i may limp a little at first moving.

I know i am lucky to have got rid of the pain i did have but this is affecting me mentally 

I would really appreciate any advice from the lovely folk on this forum 

Or am i just being a baby and need to wise up ???????

 

2

Hi I am only 4 weeks post op but I was told by my physio to do exercises for life as a daily routine x

3

It sounds to me as though those around you are being insensitive.  Probably best to let them know that you are still recovering from a hip replacement, and muscles that affect your gait need to readjust so that you are able to walk properly, and this takes time.

It's a pity that people cannot be more civilised!

4

Thank you Susie maybe i am too sensittive 

5

Vanessa thanks for your help 

6

I think it is quite rude of others to make you feel uncomfortable, and be drawing attention to your walking good or otherwise personally. Did they mention it out of concern do you think?

You did just have a full hip replacement not long ago!!!! A lot of people have no idea how major this operation is. Jeez what do they expect... I completely understand why you would feel uncomfortable.

Secondly you may very well need some help correcting your gait, I know I do, and this can take a long time. You might also be doing too much too soon, I start to limp badly when I have over done it. Possibly this is the case if you are now working. Could you cut back a little? So you can rest? Appreciate you need your job, but it is early days to be working long hours and lots of walking.

Are you able to see a physio? They can really help with this. So sorry you have had to go through this - I am mad on your behalf!!

7

Rose it is pobably out of concern, but now i am getting paranoid about it,

also do you have any info on different execises i could do. i only know the basic 3,,,, leg swing to the side. leg swing forward and back and butt clenches

Also what is this heel to toe about ???

any help would be appreciated

 

8

I have an app called pocket physio very good give you hip exercise xx

9

Again Vanessa thank you i am currently installing this app and will use it as my bible 

10

Glad I can be of help I find it useful xx did you actually have much hands on physio they should have given you a lot more exercises than you have x

11

I think someone said there are 'youtube' videos about the 'heel-to-toe' walking.

worth a look.  To be honest, I'd tell your colleages to try going in for hip surgery, see how they'd like having their bones sawed in two, and have bits screwed and hammered inside them.

Graham

12

I do not think so.  If other are making you feel uncomfortable abouot your gait, they are being boorish and insensitive.  They should be supporting and helping you, and not drawing your attention to the recent operation and the effects that it has had on the gait.

As my Mother used to say:  "Rise above it...."

13

Hi Andolino

How awful for you to go through all that pain and surgery and then have people comment. I wouldn't like it at all. But maybe they could help you understand where you're going wrong.

I have concentrated on getting my gait going properly. My physio put me on to it. As well as the exercises she gets me to stand up straight, tighten the butt muscles and walk making sure I land on my heel and push off on my toe. She also said to take short steps.

I've been doing this for a few months now and am surprised at how much easier it is to walk feeling strong and tall and healthy. I practiced at first using my crutch and stick but then the muscles built up so I could go without any support. My feet naturally turn out and the physio said it's best to let them do that. If I don't the knees knock together and it puts stress on my back.

There's lots of videos on YouTube but I think the best one is Heel to Toe walking explained by Rehab and Revive.

It's really really worth changing the walking habits because you'll get the best out of the hip if you walk properly. Does what I've said help? Have I understood yoir question properly? Keep asking me questions. I'm very interested to help. And maybe you could ask one of your Kinder Co workers what they're noticing.

Kikeena

14

Hi

I felt exactly the same as you. I have found swimming has really helped me strengthen my muscles and has definitely improved the way I walk.

Have a chat with you GP and ask for some physio.

Other people don't understand quite what we go through having a THR so try not to take it personally.- just come on here and have a rant instead!

All the best

Sarah x

15

If you go on the web, there are several sites that show physio exercises for post op hip patients.  But, be careful, and do not do anything that that feels wrong or stressful.   

You really need to get in touch with your GP about physio.  Again, be careful with the therapist, and do not let them make you do anything that causes too much pain.  Don't let them do anything to you that creates pain, either.  If it hurts, tell them to stop in no uncertain terms

16

You can access the actual operation on line.  Let them see it at lunch time - they wont eat lunch!  They should buy you lunch!

17

Heel to toe walking.... I used to be a model, for a short time, and you had to walk toe to heel.  It took rather a long time to get out of that habit....!

18

PT can help you with this but PT is slow and hard work. But it teaches and shows you how to correct. Perhaps your other hip is not sound. I doubt I will ever walk normal again. I have numbness all the time, muscle cramping from sitting, and pain near incision that is like a knot that tightens. The neurologist thinks I am lucky I do not have drop foot and functional weakness. I am learning to accept and push forward. Very hard to do. As for people: HOW DARE THEY? Tell them you hurt yourself sky diving without a parachute and you should be okay in a few days. Or you rescued a puppy from the train tracks but the train clipped you. .. Or you could tell them to stop it.

19

Curious - why would you have "drop foot" and functional weakness?  This is very worrying, as I would associated "drop foot" with a storke victim!  Why "functional weakness?  These have never come up before on the forum as a result of the surgery.

I am beginning to wonder if it is worth it, if these two factors are an additional risk.

20

You probably do limp slightly especially for the initial few steps. Keep up your exercises there are some videos of toe heel walking on u tube, it does help. I think people are just concerned, I work with a bunch of medics and they tell me when I limp to help. My husband works in the theatre complex where he had his replacement. All the surgeons kept on at him till he stopped limping!