I am 6 and a half weeks post op (posterior uncemented ceramic) and am just wondering when I should try and walk unaided?
I am using one stick at the moment but I am still leaning on my stick for support.
My worry is I had a limp for 3 years before having the op done, and I want to try my best to get rid of it.
If I try without my stick the I wobble side to side and have to go really slowly. Will it just be that one day I will wake up and be able to walk unaided or should I be practicing even if I have a limp.
Hi Jacqui I'm just short of 6 weeks post op and have been trying over the past couple of weeks to walk without a walking stick, with some success. I also limped pre op (though only for a couple of years) and don't want to get back into old habits.
I find that to walk smoothly, without limping or lurching, I have to walk slowly and clench my bum really hard. The bum clenching idea came from my pt. A bit odd I initially thought, but it does seem to work.
Also, don't try to do too much too soon. A little and often seems to be the answer, just try to do a little more each time.
If nothing else, think what a lovely firm bottom you're going to have afterwards!
Haha yes that's certainly a bonus 😊 I've seen some videos on YouTube of people walking unaided at 3 weeks and it was getting me down. I was thinking, what can't i do this? What's wrong with me? I suppose I shouldn't compare, but it's so difficult not to
Yes I know it's difficult not to compare yourself with other people who seem to be doing so much better than you.
I suspect we all do it,
Seriously, try standing on your own without your stick and clench those buttocks and see how you feel. It might take quite a few tries before you manage to stand upright and not sway like a drunken sailor - I know I did, nearly made myself sea sick! But I perservered and managed it, then I started walking.
Great idea - I had forgotten about these RM! Thanks - this really makes sense to me as it helps manage weight balance which helps with limping.
Just go slowly Jacqui - one day you will find yourself walking well although as all else with this journey, there will be days when you feel a bit of a relapse in this regard (tired or overdid it).
Okie dokie, I will try this every time I get up before I use my stick.
Can I just check with you.... I'm walking 10mins every hour round the house and garden, and doing my exercises X 4 a day. Does this seem enough at this stage? I also walk for 25 mins in a single walk every other day.
i really should try driving soon....maybe this weekend 😊
It is a rainy dull day here, but oh my we needed the rain. Sometimes I think the THR journey is the same - some days we just need a quiet (rainy) day for our body to say: oh yes that feels good.
Hi Jacqui -- I'm at 5 weeks and I'm still using a cane and even a 4-wheeled walker outside. Without them, I start limping and I'm really trying to avoid that.
When I do walk, I make sure I clench my glutes with every step -- If you're pushing off on the left leg, really clench the glutes (butt) of the left leg. Then as the left leg touches the ground and you start to push off on the right leg, really clench the right glutes. I'm finding that is really helping me not limp and it's really strengthening all those muscles. Might look a little strange so I do it lots at home or I have these long hallways in my building and I practice it there.
I've been doing some reading about that trendelenburg gait -- it's what I think I do when I try walking unaided and it is all about weak glutes and weak abductor muscles.
When I had my staples removed at two weeks post-op, I used my cane to go to the appointment. At the time, my surgeon advised me to use the 2-wheel walker indoors because it helps you to return to a normal gait. I find this to be so true.
I'm now 5 weeks post-op and can manage without an assistive device in the house,although I do grab the walker sometimes just for the exercise. Five days ago, I returned to the pool - not swimming - walking in the shallow end and treading water in the deep end. Also, drove the short distance to the pool myself this morning, which was a big step forward.
A friend kindly loaned me her 4-wheel walker for walking outdoors or at the mall; without it, I'm not be able to walk too far.
My Physiotherapist gave me specific, manageable exercises to do on a daily basis several months prior to the THR; I continue to do them every day. It's important. I know I still have many weeks of healing ahead of me. I'm 72-years old.
Good luck with your recovery. I wish you well.
P.S. Last January, long before the surgery, my husband installed a handrail on the wall opposite the banister going upstairs. It had been a challenge to get upstairs. This has made a tremendous difference and comes in particularly handy post-op.
My surgeon underscored the importance of these and not just for the short-term.
It sounds as if you have been committed to your recovery and the work it needs - when I saw my surgeon last week, he complimented me on te same and noted that a shocking number of people do not not do the work and are surprised when the outcome is poor. I noted that I could not have faced him to ask for my second hip if I hadn't done as prescribed. He just smiled sadly and wished that more patients had the same attitude.
I am glad so many people are pro-walkers here. Sometimes I feel like I should be 'beyond' the walker outside except that I know I walk much better with it. I can walk longer and I can walk without a limp. So I'll keep it up. thanks! Leslie
sorry to hear that you were having a blue day. We can relate to you. Hope today is better. I am still using a cane after 3.5 months as I limp otherwise. Others have good advice about practising walking slowly and squeezing the butt cheek. My physiotherapy also gave me some adductor exercises to strengthen my gluteus. Just a suggestion but I would walk every day if you can. It's good exercise and getting out can lift your mood. You can also practice walking if there is a railing outside or inside putting your hand on the side of your good leg. I go along big a pier boardwalk and find I can walk straight without the cane.