hi all. I’m 6 weeks post OP been doing well ( for me) walking with 2 crutches and doing abt 2 miles a day including inside and outside walks. felt right to swop to 1 crutch inside the other day ( had tried before but leg didn’t feel strong enough) . anyway first day seemed to go well slight soreness to groin but otherwise ok. woke this morning and feels stiff even using 2 crutches outside felt stiffer and took me longer to walk the distance I’d been doing . is this how some experience walking with 1 crutch or is my body saying it’s too early?
. yesterday I’d say I wasnt limping with 1 crutch but today feels like a bigger effort to lift my leg to walk. I dont 3ant to go back to 2 inside if this is how it goes but practice makes better.
thanks for any advice given .
You are doing great - it seems to be about the sixth week when things start to get normal - but odd aches and pains will appear and disappear for maybe a year or so. Nothing serious, but it takes that long for the muscles and nerves to settle down. I am now six months PO and do a two mile round trip each day without my stick, but each morning I wake with muscle ache from the previous walk. Keep on exercising and walking and each day you will find life gets easier and back to normal.
HI Julie
Recovery from THR can be very long and frustrating I have learned.
What has been frustrating for me is that one day you can feel very good and that recovery is going well, then the next day things can be so different and can feel more pain and discomfort doing the things you found much easier yesterday.
I can only advise you to remember this and to just keep doing what you are doing. I am nearly 2 years post op and still feeling this however I think everyone recovers at their own pace so don’t feel because others are recovering much quicker than you that there is something wrong.
A neighbor recently informed me he felt it took him 5 years to make a full recovery from THR so this was music to my ears and took away concerns I had that something was wrong. Your body has gone through some very serious transition which can take a long time to heal so stay positive, keep doing your walking and if you feel you need crutches I’d advise that you use them.
good luck!
Craig
i went with one crutch around 4-5 weeks & totally without crutches in the house by 6 weeks, I would say go with what seems right for you, even now at 11 weeks I can tell if I have done too much the next day!
In the US I do not recall anyone using crutches following hip replacement. I used a walker for a short time, then went to one walking stick which is what physical therapy recommended. I also purchased walking poles which I used outside but, again, I only used one. I believe that insurance will only pay for a walker, or crutches, or a walking stick and most people opt for a walker.
It seems UK seems to like crutches and we are normally given a pair when we leave hospital. A walker seems more popular in the US. We then both revert to a walking stick afterwards.
thx very much for your encouraging reply.
thx . yes I’ve gone back to 2 crutches inside and I’m back to how I was .so think 1 atm inside is too early. I agree tho this isn’t a quick fix OP but one which take as long as it takes to get me as best as it can 
thx for your reply
thx . I’ve gone back to 2 atm and feel much better. I’m at the hospital next week so see what that say as well: )
hi I’m in the UK and day of OP and next was using a Zimmer ( walker) but then got transferred to crutches on day 2. discharged day 4. this I think is standard walking aids here in the UK. most only stay with a walker if they csnt manage the crutches. As we dont need insurance it’s not an issue . but thx for your reply.
From reading this forum since my hip replacement late in February this year, I’d be very wary of using one crutch, ever. It seems to be associated with limping. You keep well balanced using two. I stopped using crutches indoors after about one month and threw them away completely after two months. I’ve carried a folding walking stick since, but have not actually ever used it.
HTH
Joan
Hi, a lot of physios advise against 1 crutch as its easy to walk crooked or with a limp. Having said that, its easier inside if we can have a hand free. If using 1 crutch make sure its on the opposite side to yr operated leg. Take yr time and walk heel first, nice and steady, no limp. you will get there, Ive had both done and both were different in their recovery. In fact, I could go backwards better unaided first. Haha.
Best of luck.
thx. the advice I got from my consultant was to by 6 weeks to either be using 2 crutches or 1 . I know re limping etc and need not to be but the only way you find out is to try something. I’ll see what the hospital says when I see them next week. thx for your reply
hi. thx. I’ve been using 1 crutch pre op since Jan and know abt using it in the opposite side yo OP side which I’ve done since Jan. without realising it I naturally walk heel toe so thsts not a problem .
as for you walking backwards it reminded me of my daughter when she first started on her pointe shoes for ballet - they teach them to go backwards first lol.
anyway thx for you reply
Hi. I had ankle surgery last December was down to one crutch after two months around the house had a fall and broke my femur. Three screws in my femur now, and its been nearly four months post surgery. I can walk quite okay around the house now but outside I use a walking stick. At the beginning it was 6 wks on zimmer frame with only partial weight bearing,then another 8 wks with a walking frame with wheels and now with the walking stick outside. I’m exhausted from realising how far Ive come!! Dont know the distances I walk,as its usually around shopping centres and too and from the bus stop,but I could be gone from three to four hours at a time. And yes my muscles are sore,so I usually dont go out again for another two days. I saw my specialist recently and he was very impressed with my progress and I dont need to go back now until in the new year. So, yes take it easy and don’t rush,it isin’t a competition.
Not that I know it all, but after two hip replacements and a knee you need to get rid of your crutch/ walking stick as soon as you can. What post op exercises, physio, and or hydrotherapy should get you moving better, otherwise the body becomes dependant and it is easy to not let go and walk independantly one step at a time.
hi. thx since posting this question 2 weeks ago I’ve improved a lot thx. just shows how exercises and time help
Yes, as Bussy says, if you use the crutch or stick too long - firstly you won’t exercise the muscles you will need for unaided walking - secondly you will get used to the stick and it will become a habit in the same way that a smoker needs something in his hand when he hasn’t got a cigarette. Certainly as you progress you will feel odd aches and pains as everything comes into use after a long rest - even now after six months my muscles tell me that I have been on a long walk. I cheer myself thinking that without a stick I will look “cool” on the beach but as I am 76 I don’t think there will be much chance of that.
thx . agree re dependency. I’ve just taken a few steps unaided and surprised myself tbh.
as for being "cool on the beach " lol being able to get to the sea side will be amazing
pleased your recovery has been gd