I am 6 weeks from my 2nd hip op. I walk inside without
a crutch, but often have a slight limp when doing this.
I walk outside twice a day, 40 minutes total, with 1 crutch,
no limp.
I practice the balance exercises daily. I do not want to
devel a limp permanently.
Any tips on the transition. When did you get full weightbearing?
When did you dump the aids?
Cathie
I am 6 days in, trying to do my excersices and walkin the length of the house up and down 4 stairs everal times a day, am i doing this right resting in between.
Hi Sue,
If you are using crutches, and not putting weight on
your operated leg you are behaving 'just as the doctor
ordered'. Remember to rest between times, also to lie
flat on the bed for an afternoon rest.
you are doing well,
Cathie
Sounds like you're doing well, I'm at 5 weeks and still need one stick indoors and limp badly without it. Finding this frustrating so I've increased the repetition of my exercises to try to strengthen things. I have a feeling these things take as long as they take and that I need to go with it. Easier said than done though. From other posts I think it's important to keep the stick if you limp. Someone suggested in an recent post walking carrying stick for a wile and hen you feel limp happening revert to stick.
Look forward to seeing what others think.
Good luck
Alan
Cathie, thank you just checking to make sure im doing it right, got a physio appointment on monday.
Hi Cathie,
Same here - 10 weeks post op today from 2nd THR -
My physical therapist told me that I try to walk too fast - still have to take my time, be aware of my posture, stand uo straight and then mindfully start walking ...
yig !!!! but he is right ... I have been waddling for so long ...
I am not sure about this full weigh tbearing thing - I was told right after surgery that hip is 100% full weight bearing and was encouraged to put my weight on operated hip - both times ....and that is what I have been doing ....
still using cane outside and even take my 4wheel walker when I have to walk a distance ( shopping - not regular walk - )
big hug - you are doing good
renee
Hi Renee,
Did you manage from the beginning to put all your weight
on one leg, then all your weight on the other,new,leg/hip?
that is what I understand as fully weightbearing, which stops
you having a limp. I wonder if people gradually get into it,
or if there is a moment when you think'now I can do it'.
With hip no one I always had the awareness that my other
side was fragile, because I did not have the flexibility I should
have had.
If I do get that magic moment I will always remember it.
love Cathie
I found my crutch ferrule, only a hippie would understand
that, was worn on one side, so just now I have walked placing
it flat on the ground, which made me stand straight. Perhaps
this is what I have been doing wrong.
Cathie
Hmm ... I think I did, because I was told to do so ... in the beginning under supervision of PT and holding on to counter top - but when walking, as a reflex I probably protected the new hip a bit and I might still do that -
makes sense, come to think of it .
again, I was told from the beginning that I was full weight bearing (a lot of weight sadly)
what were you told?
hugzies
You are so kind, no wonder everyone loves getting your
posts! Well,balance is essential, so that we don't limp.
To get balance we must be able to stand on one leg, then
the other leg. My latest instruction from surgeon was to put both
hands on counter top and haunch down then back. This is pelvis
strengthening.
I have just realised that i have uneven wear of my ferrule on my
crutch. I am using the other crutch, putting it flat down when I walk,
which straightens up my whole body, and should stop the limp,
keep practising till you get it right is my motto.
love Cathie
How long is it before this magic happens, got my first physio on monday so hopefully by then may be a little more confident.
I find that in the morning I can walk without limping, but as the day wears on my muscles wear out. They get tired. Then I get the stick out. Then I rest, take some pain killers and I can go without the stick again. I use it when I'm out though. Even if just to alert people to the fact that I'm not 100% yet. So in answer to the transition question, I think it is a slow changeover and you can't say exactly 'when'.
I really don't like limping. My big aim is to walk without a limp, and picking the stick up is a reminder to me to keep going with my exercises and rehab. As is this group.
I too, Renee, want to walk too fast. But my physio has said to take shorter steps. I guess this is sensible because it would be less taxing on the muscles. I concentrate on tightening my butt before setting off, staying properly upright and not bent over and doing heel to toe. Sooooo much concentration required!
But I don't think I could walk for 20 mins at a time. I should try, but my back is getting tight and sore, and my knee isn't very impressed either. Hence the goal of not walking with a limp instead of a distance goal.
Keena
Have you looked at the ferrule on your crutch? Is it worn
evenly? My wear was all on one side, I am now putting it
down flat on the ground.
I agree, no limp in the morning - but my knee hurt in the
night after trying my new walk. Do you think concentrating
makes us tense? I do.
Cathie
How long is it since your op? I did not go to a
physio. No-one has yet disclosed their magic moment,
i.e ditch the aids, I am still trying for mine 6 1/2 weeks
post op.
Cathie
My op was last friday , out on monday been walking doing excersises, leg now swollen up pain mostly in the back of my thigh which really hurts. Got a call on wedsday to tell me about physio.
Yes, I think I'm much more tense when concentrating on how to walk, and that's one thing I'm having to relearn. `How to concentrate, tighten and relax. Butt and core muscles tight, legs and arms relaxed. It's certainly not easy, but I'm hoping it will reduce the wear on my body in the long term.
My crutches are evenly worn at the moment, and I'm using them less and less. But I'm not on much pavement.
Cathie, I think my magic moment was yesterday. 8 weeks and 1 day. I'm pretty much off them now. Woohoo!!!!
INSPIRATIONAL! I now have something
to aim for. I have a definite improvement now
I am going for quality not quantity in walking.
Cathie
I have just been to my niece's wedding and had the most fabulous day! It's 1am here now and I spent the whole day with no stick!!! I even did a little dancing. I can hardly believe it!
My granddaughters were flower girls and they looked so sweet and innocent. All my kids were there with my sister and her kids. Such a great family celebration 🎉 It's these moments that make my hip so worthwhile. Nobody noticed me limping or asked annoying questions about my health, and I forgot about the surgery for large parts of the day.
👍👍🍻
oh keena, what a great victory. ...I am so thrilled for you. .
shake those hips, baby ...
take it easy today. ..keep cool
big hug
Renee ❤