Hello everyone.
Finally after two years after POSTERIOR RIGHT HIP REPLACEMENT, had my left hip replaced
APRIL 20, some 12 days ago. When walking on my rollator/walker, weight bearing is difficult, thereby making me put excess weight on my wrist causing me numbness in the palm of my hand and fingers. I can feel excess pressure on my wrist every time I step and bear weight on operated leg. Does this mean I’m not medicating enough? It’s discouraging me from walking. And if I don’t walk, I’m not going to strengthen the leg for weight bearing. Am I being hard on myself or do I need more meds? Taking 2 Tylenol 650 mg and 50 MG of tramadol every six hours. I would think I should be lessening meds not increasing them after 13 days but I can’t bear the load on my right wrist when walking.
Anyone experiencing this? X-rays were normal when I left the hospital but shouldn’t walking be a little easier?
Appreciate any thoughts.
Hello Susan-
There could be lots of reasons for the pain in your wrist- it's getting used a lot and might just not be strong enough/accustomed enough for providing continual support. It could have some issues of it's own- non threatening and just a question of aging or strength. Have you considered using a wrist band for support? I use them occasionally when working out with weights and find them to be helpful and a pain preventative. Also, icing the wrist or doing hot/cold alternating therapy can bring down swelling in that joint and aid mobility. Doing wrist rotations are a good way to keep the joint flexible and help strengthen it. Best wishes.
Jim
Hi I had same problems with my crutches i was non weight baring for 6 weeks and my hands wrists and shoulders were agony .... couldn't use hands to open packets because numb .... still bit weak after 3 weeks of no crutches.... on posative side hips good .
Do you have a physical therapist? I had both hips replaced & couldn't have gotten stronger without them. Please give yourself time.
I, too, had problems with very uncomfortable hands because of holding zimmer so firmly: for a while I had to keep whole foot off floor, then was toe-touch only for six weeks. There was no other option than to have uncomfortable hands. After six weeks on zimmer, and progressing onto crutches, hands became easier, and, another eight weeks on, hands are recovering. (Mine was hip fracture, so longer timescale. ) I would suggest that you do your best to tolerate the hand discomfort and look forward to crutches!
Good luck!
I'd check in with your doctor if you can. Maybe tramadol doesn't work well for you and you need a med change? I couldn't weight bear very much but even the first day in the hospital the nurses and physcial therapist made sure I was weight bearing enough when I walked and not hold myself up with the walker. It was uncomfortable but by no means unbearable. I do know my PT made it really clear that I should not be holding myself up with the walker and I needed to put as much weight as I could on my leg (apparently, the weight bearing does help the bone heal).
Yes. That’s what I heard too. That it’s best to put as much weight as you can and that will help with healing. It’s not that I feel pain. Just that the leg doesn’t tolerate the weight bearing as much as I would like it to. Muscles must still be weak.
I up’d The Tylenol this afternoon when I did my walking and that helped a bit
Glad your hands are recovering. I’m icing my hands as well to see if that helps!!
Best,
Glad to know your hips are good. Can’t wait to get to that point!!!
Hi Jim.
Loved your suggestions to get a wrist band for support and hot/cold therapy. A really good suggestion.
Best wishes back