Limping week 6,

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I'm limping 6 weeks post op. I'm doing the exercises and walking with a stick, but without it I limp. I feel my leg and groin are very weak, is this normal ? And how can I improve my walking, should I be doing more than the recommended walking and exercises. Am I expecting too much too soon. Many thanks

2

I'm10 weeks post op and my groin is still weak....but MUCH stronger than it was at 6 weeks.

3

Hi there I'm 6weeks post op as well and feel exactly the same as you I walk great with my crutches

pretty straight as well not like the ape walk I had before op,but with one crutch I feel uncomfy

rocks in bum/thigh limp and hurt.

I go for my check up with consultant next week

and will mention this,have you seen your doc yet

Wishing you well and hugs

4

Hi Sue

Yes it's normal to have weak muscles. At 6 weeks it is still early days yet.  Many people are still limping at this stage, conversely some people are walking without limping.  Recovery is very individual, so don't worry what other people are doing, just look back and see how far you have come.

My physio recommended the following method of strengthening the muscles and consequently the limp:

1. As you get up, clench your buttocks really, really hard (pretend you have a £50 note stuck between your cheeks and someone is trying to pull it out).

2. Before you take a step, suck in your tummy (still keeping your bum clenched).

3. Walk slowly, still clenching and sucking in, you should find that it will help with the limp.  However, remember it will take a while for these steps to become second nature (if its any consolation I'm at 9 week po and if I forget to clench or suck I can still limp).

Keep practising and good luck.

Let me know how you get on,

5

Hi Sue,

First - what surgical approach was used (anterior/front entry incision, posterior side and back entry or lateral strictly on the side? Each of these has its own recovery path.

Patients who have the anterior often recover more quickly. But the symptoms you describe all seem pretty normal for 6 weeks. As has been said a few times in this forum, 20+ sets of muscles and other connective tissues need to heal after this surgery. So even if your incision is doing well, there is a lot going on underneath to heal the bone around the implant and the muscles, etc around the bones and implant. And ... as your posture and gait starts changing, the other joints and muscles need to start realigning to accomodate all this ( the old ' the hip bone is connected to the .. &#39.

I found myself hurrying to walk faster and without aids (over-achiever) but my physiotherapist slowed me right down for two reasons. One - when hurrying, or leaving off the cane, we are more likely to limp and add to bad muscle memory we might already have from earlier pain. And the longer we have it, the harder it is to eliminate it. She also wanted me to slow down, walk as if I had a string coming put of the top of my head - pulled tight so I walked 'tall' and walk deliberately moving through the heel then toe. You can truly eliminate the limp when you concentrate and do all of this until it becomes natural. This also speeds up the process of all the other joints realigning.

Finally - at about 6 weeks, I was allowed back in the pool where exercise gets easier (weightless) and more effective (added resistance). Notes: don't get into the pool if your incision is not completely healed and no breast stroke - too hard on the hip.

Don't despair - this will get much easier soon.Good luck.

Linda

6

Hi Chloeparrot just been reading your post it's

now 5.45am been up since 3am just carnt sleep

Great advice to help with limp I'm going to try

really hard to remember to do this ,I'm yet to

see pyhsio so all advice is great.

I'm 6 weeks post and yesterday was told by

hospital they don't do pys for post op hip patients can't believe it .

I see consultant on Tuesday so will talk to him about it.will let you know how get on once again thank you. Lots of hugs Anna xxxx🐇

7

Hi Linda great physio advice as I'm still struggling to get a physio aptment.

I go on you tube and see people walking without aids at 3/4/5 weeks I know we are all different so tend to think I'm not doing so well,once again many thanks lots of hugs🐹

8

Thanks Linda this is helpful and makes me feel better. I just feel as though I should be doing better but knowing this is normal helps.

sue

9

Hi Chloe, thanks for the advise, I shall be trying this ASAP. You've made me feel better to know that I'm not being lazy and it is quite normal.

sue

10

Hi, I had my THR August 1, 2016. It's a lot more than I expected. I hate to walk, it hurts. I can't sleep on my back but have no choice.  But good news, I had some victory this week. My physical therapist stretched and massaged my shorter, "good" leg, saying that the muscles were constricted. Now I notice my legs feel almost normal and the limp is greatly diminished. It's given me hope.

Good luck to you. Hang in there, easy does it, everyone heals differently it seems.

.

11

At 9 months, I still limp .... not all the time, just when tired after a day of commuting (2 hours each way) to work.   

It gets better ...... ever so slowly, only this week I started to see small improvements in my walking.

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃

12

Gosh, that must have been a huge relief and boost to your spirits! Great news. Congratulations.

L

13

Hi Sue,  I was about 8 weeks before i could start walking with a cane.  At my 9 week checkup, my Dr., said to continue using it until my 12th week even if i felt like I could do so.  He said that would just help me strengthen the muscles and nerves.  It sounds like you are doing great.  God bless.

 

14

Yes, thanks, Linda. Progress happens at different rates with things here. I was really relieved about improvement with the limping. I also found it helpful to take a shower in the early morning before family leaves for work. I feel more "normal" than if I wait until home care comes later in the day. Now if I could just figure out how to get more than 3 hours sleep at a time.  But I know it will come.

Good healing to you!

-Janet

15

Thank you Connie, I'm still doing the exercises and clenching my bum and  pulling in my stomach. It helps and I feel a bit better but am still limping, hopefully not as bad. Sleeping on my side now such a relief.