I recently had my left hip replaced. I can now walk without any assistance, after 1 week, but still cannot cross my legs to put on my socks or shoes or pants. Has anybody else experienced this?
If you're walking without assistance after one week you're doing great. I'm two months after a half hip replacement and I still can't manage one of my socks! It does get easier, especially after about a month. Don't cross your legs. It's certainly not advised so soon after op. It's hard because it's easy to forget.
Hi Shelley. Was your op anterior, posterior, or lateral. Sorry, but it actually makes a difference. I'm 11 weeks post anterior & remember the glee I felt when I could reach my foot at about 3 weeks. I too was walking unaided after a week. There are aids that can help, like a sock grabber. My husband & I laughed hysterically when he put a compression sock on my leg after my first shower. It's still early days & many milestones to reach in a long recovery. Wishing you the best & keep us hippies posted. Ruth
Hi Shelley,
I'm three weeks post-op also walking with a aid (for the most part) and just asked my Dr. that same question last week (about the socks and tieing shoes). Well, what I actually said was "When will I be able to do the things I couldn't do before?" He said "Like What?" When I answered he sort of chuckled and said give it time give it time.....I asked how much time. He said a few weeks.
To me a "few weeks" means be patient not it will happen soon LOL
I have to be reminded from time to time (and this forum helps) that while I have o visible signs of trauma, that is exactly what my body has been through. So while I feel fine and look fine I do have to hold myself back.
I've made just about every mistake they say not too:
1) didn't do all my exercises at first (I was too tired)
2) when I could walk with a cane went too far (then I knew what hurt/tired was)
Moderation, Moderation but I suppose we each have to learn in our own way on our own timeframe.
Best of luck with the socks - it is right now the hardest thing and I take my TED hose off each night and struggle to get them back on each morning. However, I will not risk a blood clot and believe that each time I put the socks on I am stretching and that is good.
According to the Physio's you aren't supposed to cross your legs until twelve weeks have passed.
you are doing very well to be able to walk without assistance after one week. You must be young and fit.
carry on with the good work.
You are most kind. I am 65, but do 20 minutes a day on my elliptical..including the day after surgery when I came home. And I do stay thin. Thank you very much for responding to me!! Have a wonderful evening, Margaret!
I am too afraid to even try to cross my legs now. I haven't been able to bend down or put my iown pants, shoes or socks on for years, so waiting a while longer is not a problem for me. Thank you for writing to me, Kebra! Best of luck to you in your rehab!!
Hi Margaret,
I can also cross my legs - I had the same restrictions (none) that someone posted earlier today. I was told I am only restricted by pain (trust me I had him repeat it twice). They might have also added inability LOL because I can no more bend my leg to get my sock on.
I had an anterior where NO muscles were cut and am in the U.S. (there do seem to be subtle differences from country to country).
Hi, Ruth! I had anterior and am delighted to wait unaided. I haven't beenable to do so many things for so many years, that I will wait t bend down to tie y laces or put on my own pants. But I am thrilled to walk without my pre-surgical limp!!!! For you, at 11 weeks post-op, or earlier, to be able to bend down and touch your foot is a miracle. I haven't seen my toes up front and personal for years! Cannot wait to get reacquainted!! lol Have a wonderful night and keep up the unbelievable recovery!!
Thaks, Carol. Yes, I have no intention of crossing my legs any time soon. I don't feel that I am in any way, shape or form ready to do so anyway. But the fact that my limp, which I've had for months prior tom y anterior hip replacement, is just about gone!! This, for me, is the most important part of my recovery. 2 months (for you) is early also. My pt says at 3 months I should be good to go for everything. I was just curious about other patients' rcovery schedules.That's why I posted my question. Continue on your wonderful path to recovery and best of luck!!
Thank you Shelley. I am 75 but will not give up. Over the weekend I have driven 125 miles altogether but it does tell on the hip and I was glad to get in earlier on today after a stop start situation my hip did ache with pressing the clutch down.
i will have a rest tomorrow I think. Regards Margaret
No, Margaret, we mjust never EVER give up! Continue pushing, as I feel it is the best way to reach our goals. But push within reason-and always safely. Good luck!!
Mine was also anterior. My advice ( which I haven't followed 😢 is once you are discharged from formal PT keep doing your exercises! I've gotten bored with them & need to make myself do them every couple days. You're still in early stages & it is a long recover time. Listen to your body. It will really tell you what you need to do!
I am in the US also. I cannot believe that you, at 3 weeks out, are ABLE to cross your legs. WOW! I haven't been able to do that for many years so I don't expect to do that soon. But I would like to at some point because asking my husband to put on my pants, shoes and socks is getting stale. haha. Good luck--to all of us here in this wonderful thread!!!!!
Thank you, Ruth!! I am not always the most c ompliant patient either, but maybe this time I'll be a bit better at playing by the rules. Have a wonderful evening and continue doing so well in your recovery!!
Shelley I can cross my legs but perhaps we are talking about a different "cross" I can cross my legs when I am sitting at my desk or watching television. However, to put on pants I have to place then on the floor and put the op leg (foot) in first and then my good (better) leg can help me pull them up
bahahahahaha still quite a sight to see. And I envy that you have someone to help with socks.
Happy Monday and ditto on the wonderful thread !!!
I am 4 1/2 weeks post op and I still can't put on my socks or shoes without assistance. I believe that it's normal from what I've been reading and learning from experience.
Slow and steady I was told so I am all for that..
Take care and keep moving. .
Hi Shelley
Buy a long handled shoe horn - it's marvelous for lassoing knickers!
Keep improving; but take your time. I've learnt this from other great forum members.
Kind regards
Glynis
Thank you Terrie! I won't even try to cross my legs yet. I couldn't anyway :-( Keep up the good work and et me know when you can get dressed all by yourself :-)!!
GM Glynis, I do have that long shoehorrn (from Payless) and it helps me put on sneakers, but tying is another matter, As are socks. Oh well. Rome wasn't built inn a day. Good luck to both of us!!!!!!!!