Hi. I had THR 5 weeks ago & am now trying to return to a bit of normalcy. The hospital that did my procedure (Raigmore, Inverness) has produced what I think is quite a good pamphlet advising what to do/expect pre-op & post op; but nowhere have I been able to find out when I might be able to wear proper shoes again. For more than a yr pre-op I wore only pull-on boots, as I couldn't easily bend to tie normal shoes. Now my legs are both quite swollen, so that I've been forced to wear the one pr of shoes that I can get on my swollen feet for the last 5 wks. Obviously when the swelling goes down sufficiently to let me get them on I'll be able to wear boots again; but does anyone know when I might be able actually to bend over & tie a pr of shoes??
probably varies with the individual but it took me a year of exercises b4 I could tie my shoes. I was beginnning to think I never could.
It depends on everyone individually.
My surgeon allowed my to bend to put socks and shoes on 7weeks post operation, I find it very stiff in the begging, but now 9weeks post operation and I can do all those things myself .
Take care
Karolina x
Many thanks for giving me some hope! The big question, of course, is when is one allowed to bend past 90 degrees, as is required to tie a shoe. After Yankee Davey's response of a year, I was really beginning to regret having spent > £100. on a fine pair of brown brogues in anticipation of finally being able to wear something other than boots!
Usually you are allowed to bend 90° after 6 weeks if all is good, so don't rush , take your time.
Don't give up on those fine shoes yet. It gets better
I couldn't wear high heels in 4 years. I bought quiet few pairs and never wore them. So this is something for me to look forward
Karolina x
Good to hear from someone else from Scotland!
I think it was about the three month mark before I could do up my own shoes. I had been taking arnica and had no swelling so I was lucky. I am now at the six month mark and have the odd week where I am pain free. Able to garden and play a bit of tennis now. Hope you progress well
It took me about 3 months... but dont worry, you'll get there!
Am in my 15 weeks pre op and i cannot bend too low to even do the zips in my shoes.
cant wait to do them up.
It's summer now just wearing sandals.
One solution to tie shoes is velcro strap shoes. Quite a bit easier to handle than strings. But tying shoes is not the real challenge, putting on socks is.
"Normal" swelling will follow a pattern. It will be reduced in the morning and increase steadily throughout the day the more you are on your feet or with your feet down. The best thing to do is elevate your leg for about 45 minutes two or three times a day.
If the swelling is severe in the morning that you must contact your doctor.
CHEERS
HOPE
Also you must be familiar with DVT symptoms and if you have ANY doubt at all that you may have a DVT then call your doctor or go to emergency room.
Bending is such a pain in the caboose ..I wore lots of slip on shoes no socks powder feet for shoes with powder In a bage to fluff my feet in before slipping on shoes..
Al my cloths were easy slip on off over my head..
u mention u r pre op. When is UR surgery scheduled?
CHEERS
HOPE
Powder replaced my socks & I wore slip on shoes... and all my clothing was easy slip overs ... Just made life so much easier. Mabe not ready for a fashion show but makes a fashion statement...easy on / easy off = no pain.
High heels I haven't warn sice my 30's... I learned they caused my feet to curl/ arthritis..
I wish I could have, especially with all the beautiful shoes UR feet will be happily in soon...
It really depends I'd u surgery was anterior or posterior. Ask UR professional.
Velcro shoes?! I'd rather have to go bare footed!!
(This said with, I hope you realise, a wee bit of humour.)
Velcro shoes? Nay, just shoes with velcro straps instead of laces,
For socks, I made a copy of a giant shoe horn they had in PT. Simple enough to make if you got some tools. I took a piece of 4" pipe 10" long and sawed it lengthwise down the middle, angling it about twenty degrees so that it was tapired like a scoop. The narrow end is only about 1" deep. Drill two holes in the corner of each end and attach a pretty nylon rope and now you have a device to put socks on for people who can't reach their feet. It works by sliding the sock over the shoe horn (or sock horn). You then stick your foot in the open end and pull on the rope. This should get the sock just past the heel, but if you can't even reach that far, yer out of luck. Anyway I am still using this device as I still can't get a sock on left foot unaided. Why these things aren't available at med supply stores here or there is something of a mystery.
I have kidney failure and am on home dialysis and occasionallly have to wear compression stockings. Putting these things on unaided is very trying, but with my device it is quite easy. Anyone who has to wear compression stockings should do them selves a favor and get one of these made. That's wh y I gave the dimensions.
Don't wish to advertise but, in this case, it may be justified. I was very happy to be issued by my hospital with a 'handy grabber' for picking things up; & an extremely handy device for putting on one's socks. Bit expensive, possibly, but almost invaluable if one lacks the access to tools that you obviously had. (Indeed I wish I'd known about the 'Foxy' aid for putting on socks at least a year before my procedure, since my hip made me pay big time every time I changed my socks!)
Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as we cannot allow links to commercial sites. If any user wants the specific link please use the message facility or use Google to search for Foxy sock aid.
I am now 8 wks post op and I can put my socks on and tie shoes if I'm sitting down. If my leg is sore I lift leg behind me to put socks on or off. I was determined to do it myself and just got creative.At 6 weeks you can start stretching out more to be able to do a lot more. Each week gets better.
Hey the sock aid great DIY..
the dialysis sorry to hear. What happened?
The compresion socks my partner wears everday knee high. I had worn them thigh length after THR surgery . Really messed up my thumbs. My Hands r curled and frozen it is easier to put on the pump compression for my revision in fall. My doc was happy to write me a script to rent a portable air compression pump.
be carful about sharing UR DIY talents u might get orders for sock helpers...hehe..
Too funny.. At this point I'll wear anything that keeps me mobile.. Fashion for me went out the window.. I still have pics when I was a fashion gal don't get me wrong. I would luv to go back to my previous life,