I am learning so much about how weakened muscles surrounding your hip can impact your ability to walk correctly following a hip replacement. It’s starting to make real sense why doctors have always said that walking is the best therapy after surgery. And the thing we always say about “everything being connected” really holds true for not only hip functionality, but weak glute muscles also can impact the knee functioning (patellar-femoral syndrome). Weak gluteus muscles (maximus, medius, and minimus … your “butt” muscles) can cause problems walking, as well as back pain and poor patellar tracking.
I learned today from Katie that my gluteus medius being weak was the cause of a recent discomfort and difficulty walking (this problem comes and goes as my muscles are trying to strengthen and normalize). I was suddenly having a little more difficulty walking in a balanced way after yesterday’s therapy session. So today, she located numerous trigger points in my gluteus medius that were tight and preventing proper functioning of the muscle. This can lead to a slight limp and a feeling that you cannot put full weight on your leg.…exactly what was happening. So, today, she focused on those trigger points to release the muscle tightness. And it worked! When I got up from the table, I could stand and walk in a more normal manner again. It may not last, but at least now we are both aware of the weakness of this muscle. She asked if I had done anything yesterday after our session that involved carrying heavy items. Bingo! I ran errands, carried a 15 pound bag of dog food around and a gardenia tree that I bought at the garden center. That is likely what triggered the muscle to tighten up.
I cannot believe the intricacies of our body’s muscles and the science of movement! Katie warned that I may experience a lot of these little problems in the coming months as my muscles begin to get proper strength and the balance among all of them changes. They don’t like change, and will try to stay the way they were. So, once again….patience is important as this all resolves.