I am 48 year old and 4 weeks post OP after a thr and as a young patient (the only time I am described as young these days …lol) and was told that I should get back to normal fairly quickly. I am getting around well with just one crutch, but can’t seem to get my operated leg moving without. I feel I am putting such a small amount of weight on the crutch that I shouldn’t need it, but something is stopping me. Has anyone else had this experience?
I do now have a leg length discrepancy (3/4") which should be corrected once I have my other hip replaced : 0
hi
I have had 2 new hips within 9 months. I had a pre-existing leg lengtg discrepancy which was made much worse by hip#1 . If I were you, I would not ditch the stick. My recovery from #1 was quite quick but the leg length remained an issue even though i was advised to wear a lift in my shoe. The physios also told me not to ditch the stick. I exercised hard and did a lot to try to strengthen the hip. i had problems particularly walking down steps. The issue affected my knee quite badly.At just under 4 months, whilst doing nothing more than walking along (though having just walked down a lot of steps on the Embankment,) I sustained a fracture of my greater trochanter. No one is sure but the docs thought it was probably a result of the leg length issue. It set me back hugely.
You need to listen to your own body... age is important but your body will be quite out of kilter!
Hi. I broke the neck of my femur last March and had 3 screws inserted. Had to use a walking frame for 3 mths and a walking stick for nearly 4. Took a while to let go of the walking stick ,as being out in public walking around shopping etc I really had a fear of falling, although I managed to walk around my house without anything. I saw a reflection of myself in a shop window and thought who's that old lady and it was me!!! No more WS. I was still a little wobbly walking with a limp but after a few weeks it was barely noticeable. Not quite the same story as you, but are you able to walk around the house without your crutch??? Just lead with the bad legl and take a few steps outside to build up your confidence. It might just be the mind and body connection letting you down. Good Luck.
I am 2 months post op. I went from a crutch to a cane. My plan was like yours; to go from crutch to unaided walking. When I got up the courage to ditch the crutch at week 6, I had a terrible limp. My husband brought home a cane which I used for a few weeks. I am now using a walking stick. My gait is almost back to normal. I am walking around the house unaided, but bring the stick when I go out. From what I am told, 75% of re-injuries happen after we start walking unaided. My advice is to use whatever you feel comfortable walking with for as long as it takes. 4 weeks is early days in recovery.
Speaking from my own experience and that of others here you will make quicker and better progress by using BOTH crutches until you are walking well with a good strong gait even when going up a slope. once you are doing that you can throw throw them to one side.
Using just one crutch risks harming one's back which would be very bad obviously, your decision. Cheers, Richard
Hi I was told to keep 2crutches as long as possible , even up to my 12 wk follow up appt to avoid developing a limp. In reality i went down to one after about 8 weeks and ditched that a week later. That method has worked very well for me. Your body just tells you when its ready. Good Luck John
Ouch ! sorry to hear that. Thanks for the advice.
Hi Linda I can't even do it at home and was starting to feel a little despondent. I will try not to over think it and give it a go each day.
Hi Joblizz,
Have a little bit of the same situation, although I am not using a stick or crutch any more. I am 52, and am 23 months post THR-r. I was told that my operates leg is 6 mm, maybe an inch longer. Surgeon agreed after a year that indeed all is not quite right and referred me for a revision consult. New surgeon did standing x-rays, not the traditional ones, and am out almost 2 inches, not .6.
Since so much was being put back on me, try harder, do your physio exercises (I was, religiously) , I actually did add in a private physio, twice a month, which helped immeasurably, it was still not right. Pain at post, can't do stairs without pain, or walk far or fast...
Am waiting for call back to discuss more surgery particulars. Keep investigating. We all deserve to be able to move.
Hi Melaruse I have been told they should be able to rectify it when replacing the other one. Fingers crossed. Let us know how you get on.
My take on this is I would find a better surgeon because more than one cm difference is just plain poor ability. He would be the last person I would have do any more work on me period! Good luck. Richard
My surgeon did say that because I had a hip problem from birth, my hips have effectively been sitting lower than they should, so once they are in the correct position, they may be longer. At 5ft2" I joked that being taller would be great. I wasn't expecting quite as much extra height to be honest and I am really hoping they match. my surgeon has very good reviews and I will discuss this with him at my follow up appointment in 3 weeks.
yoo should find that the 2nd hip will even you up. It certainly did in my case and i am now about 2cm taller than i was.
i had a protrusio hip ( one that was sort of embedded) as a result of years of extra pressure on it as my other leg was shorter so that when that hip was replaced it made the leg longer again...
If he told you he would sort it out with the second hip, there is no reason to suppose that he wont
Thank you Damaris. That's reassuring : ) I will be sure to let people know at the end of the year