I am almost 5 months postop Partial Hip Replacement…posterior /cemented and I am still limping…can it still get better or am I stuck with it?
HelloI had my first THR in June 2018. I limped for a year! Doctor was very uncooperative. Finally went to a new doctor and had to remove the ball from the first surgery and put a smaller ball in. The first doctor used a ball that was too large and that caused the limp. The second doctor corrected it and I hardly limp but am in pain all the time. I think the first doctor hit a nerve. Have pain from middle of thigh to groin and have done everything to try to correct but no one wants to take responsibity for it and pretentds they do not know. Go to another doctor soon and see what they say. Where are you located?
In San Antonio.
hi it's usually physios who can help with your limp. Are you still doing all your exercises and using a crutch?. I wasn't discharged from using my crutch until my gait was completely correct again. Sometimes people are too keen to lose the crutch, it is a tool to aid recovery. It does take time especially if you were limping and in a bad way before the op. I had op feb 16 and finally stopped using crutch in the August when physio said I could and was discharged with corrected gait in the September. I try to do exercises several times a week now to strengthen the muscles for next time as i hope to outlive my replacement as i was under 50
do check with a physio they are the experts. they'll soon know if it's muscular or a more technical issue that needs orthopedic advice.
take care
Was it posterior?
I didnt have trouble with my hip postop...It was a fall fracture... I thot that walking without the cane I could practice walking n get normal gait without limping.Therapist said I could walk without cane. What is physio? Thank you nomorerun.
Hi Cecilia i would agree with other comments dont be quick to lose the crutch or stick i believe they really help you gain strength and help you to walk evenly. I have never understood the rush to discard either better a bit longer than a permanent limp.Keep walking, keep exercising and keep smiling x
And by the way it took me about 12 months to feel 'normal' again we all heal at different stages so dont worry
Cecilia,
Are you remembering to walk heel to toe? it makes a big difference to your gait, I sometimes limp if I forget. Have you seem the doctor yet regarding the throbbing in your thigh?
Yes I limped for quite a while, especially at the end of a tiring day. Concentrate on walking heel to toe, keep on doing your exercises..... I was told it can take up to a year to fully recover. Many people say that it's better to keep on using crutches or a stick, but I didn't have that option because I had my only physio appointment at 6 weeks and they kept my crutches. I can only assume the hospital was keen to have them back! If you have a difference in leg length perhaps that would also cause you to limp.
At how many months did you not notice the limp? How do they check to see if I have a difference in leg length?
Hi Celcilia, Are you still having pain with your walking and moving about? I wish I could get through that part I'll get an MRI next Wednesday to see if there is anything not right I am 3 1/2 months post op.My neighbor is five months post op from his surgery, has no pain, and barely limps He also is using no assistive device I have lots of questions to ask my doc next week? Can you think of any questions in general for me to ask? Nancy
Why posterior? Why still pain...will it go away? Will limping go away?
Nancy I am about 5 months...n everytime I seem to move forward I then regress n go right back to limping n pain n stiffness.... My surgeon just says well some people just stay like that instead of come in n let's see what is wrong....he's awful!!! I'm sending u my email....by clicking the envelope...tell me if you get it?
Tomorrow I will be going home....so feeling alot of anxiety....I sure hope I return to normal...I know I fell n broke n injured my hip n it's a dangerous surgery....but I feel like on top of everything pain...stiffness....limping that I'll be paying for this surgery with not much independence.
Nancy on Monday I'm having an ultrasound to rule out a clot....because my foot feels so tight n bc of throbbing. Saw dr. but he said I had swollen tendons....n I requested a test.
I'm sorry Cecilia, I can't really remember when I stopped limping a bit. I do know that I used to swing my leg out to the side sometimes without even realising, and my husband used to remind me about it. I think that perhaps we walk more awkwardly when we're in pain, and get into a habit of doing that. Remember it can sometimes take up to a year to be fully recovered, and back to how you used to be. Regarding leg length, I think you would feel it if your legs were different lengths. But you can get measured to check. All the best, Judith
Thankl you Judith!...Today I go home....havent been there since my accident.....I'm very nervous. bc I live alone.
I'm thinking of you at home, hope you are getting on ok. Take it all steadily. Love Judith
Thank you Judith...Today I had an ultrasound. .n no clots.....It was hard coming home bc it was a mess...yard terrible...My kids never looked after it. However had a friend come n clean out refrigerator....And I have a Godsend...my 12 yr old grandson....he put bulbs in my light fixtures outside. replaced shower head. arranged my shower head...took down my outside xmas lights. .helped me arrange my furniture so I had the best chair to sit on close to the tv. Love him to pieces. But I dont know if it's normal to get alot of pain when you start normal activities.
Hi Cecilia, I think it will be hard managing on your own at first, but hopefully you will get into a routine, and things will gradually get easier for you. Perhaps you have a neighbour or friend who could help you if necessary? Your grandson sounds great! It's good that you got an ultrasound, and there were no clots. All the best, Judith