11 weeks post-op. My x-ray was supposed to be in late January, but I had a bad cold and it was postponed until this morning.
The good news:
Everything is sitting exactly where it should be and my little fall a few weeks ago didn't damage anything.
The bad:
There is still a clear fracture line above the op area. The doctor said there is a possibility that area could collapse in the next few months due to necrosis from having no blood supply to the area. If it does, I start this whole business again...
The bleh:
I am no longer to use crutches. I can take a folding stick with me when I go out, but am only to use it if I really need to. So am going to be limping around town without support now trying to get my muscles working again. It's going to make shopping trips bad for a while; I sling a bag across my back to carry stuff home and even though I don't buy much at a time, it can get heavy. Without the crutch for support, it's going to kill my lower back carrying stuff.
Not liking the bad news at all, Belle. When you go on those shopping trips, why not use a wheeled pack or duffel, so you can pull the load behind you. Just because you have to walk without an aid doesn't mean you have to carry extra weight.
Glad your fall didn't make things worse. Hoping the extra walking can get the blood flowing again!
I have had those shopping wheelies before and I don't like them. When you pull them, the handle is a bit too low. I also used to bump my legs with the rotten things, too, while carting them around. I can do an online shop, and do, but we don't like to order fresh food online because in the past we've received stuff, including meat, that's got an expiry date of the next day. So some day to day shopping is necessary...
I'm short, so that was never a problem for me. Perhaps you could find one with a longer handle? Or you could find something that you could push ahead of you? We don't have many online food ordering/delivery around here, and always have to take a car to the food store.
Belle, I hope the blood starts to flow and quickly around that area. Is there anything that be done in the meantime to help with this?
No shopping!! Get it delivered or someone to carry it for you. No way should you be carrying shopping. When walking try to avoid carrying anything, as it will affect your balance. If anything you need a little rucksack to distribute the weight, but carry as little as possible and concentrate on straight back, heel to toe and walking properly if you can. Have you got a good physio?
Not sure what to say here - My first reaction was to sort of ignore the doctor's advice - If I am not confident enough to walk without aids, I would not do that - But maybe I have been on this forum now for a while and opinions and instructions are so different and sometimes in contradiction - so I listen to my body - maybe you can too - try to walk unaided when you are confident and make sure you do that correct - take crutch or whatever aid you need, with you when you go shopping - It sounds that you are dreading this going without crutches (alreadyhad a fall) -
Just do what makes you most comfortable - no use to be afraid, insecure, unbalanced when you can be confident and comfortable - I mean, really, it should be pleasant
My daughter does some shopping too. But I make a trip almost every day for the walk really. I take a very small list but do sometimes add stuff without thinking about getting it home...
Am not in physio. I was planning to go to one near home after I got out of hospital, but they closed down early for the holidays. After they restarted, I discovered how EXPENSIVE they are. Can't afford it...
I do plan to ignore it sometimes; even told him that. On college days I am going to use a stick for the walk to/from train at the college end. It's too far for me without at the moment...
Forgot to add: when I got to the train station near the hospital today and sat down to wait for the train home, a woman started chatting to me. I told her the doctor told me not to use the crutch and she said she'd been in a accident and badly injured her leg last year. She noticed a big difference in how she was treated by drivers when crossing roads between when she used a crutch or stick and when she limped across without an aid. I have also noticed I get a lot fewer blasts from horns with the crutch. If I were just limping across, they'd get impatient and start pushing their cars closer and closer to hurry me up...
So it's not just a good physical support, it's also a good visual cue to people around you that you are not as fit as a fiddle...
And please, there is no shame in using a crutch - it is not a competition -
I was very aware of how I looked behind a rollator (4 wheeled trolley) - like: only old , well very old, people use them etc - but then I felt good and confident while learning to walk - was more independent in the grocery store and used the bench to put groceries on top of it -
Still do after 23 weeks post-op from 2nd THR to places like Ikea
I think you are doing great - facing the journey on public transportation, doing classes and making your way through life -
On the walking front, I have started to use 'walking or hiking sticks'
They mainly provide stability, but are capable of supporting me if needs be. The hand position makes for less strain on the shoulder, and they make the muscles work a bit harder.
Best wishes, and let's hope that the bone does not collapse. I know just what revision feels like
So true, Belle! I was told not to stop using a walking aid until limp and pain are gone, since when you limp, you can twist and hurt other parts of your body as they compensate for what your unhealed parts can't do. Not to mention that you may be hurting the hurt parts even more by stressing them.
Just got back from my first walk to the shop without crutches. I did use the stick, but only for balance. Didn't put any weight on it. Limped, of course, but hopefully that won't last long as the muscles build up.
I'm interested in the hiking stick idea. There are some pretty cool carved ones around. Thanks for the tip.
Not anti-shock. I meant carved wooden ones... could be I could get one adapted to be anti-shock, but won't bother because I might not need it long enough to justify the cost...