THR 2nd Hippy's 2nd Recovery

[msart]

Awe @2nd Hippy thank you. I really didn’t have much of a choice here, I certainly could have not done any of this w/o my family, friends & my faith. There have been many dark, lonely days-but my little 4lb 16yr old Lily (dog) she has been my trusty companion. Some days I think she’s sick of me-lol-but she has stuck by my side-and made me keep going, because who was going to feed her-lol. I have learned an awful lot about myself during this & I hope & would like to think it has made me a better person. So I’m doing my part & cheering everyone on!!!

 

[2nd Hippy]

I'm now at 6.5 weeks post THR surgery. Does anyone recall about when you switched from using walker all the time, to using a single cane indoors? I just started practicing TODAY using a "hurry cane" indoors up and back my long hallway. I sure don't feel nearly as secure with the cane yet, but it's only been used Today! It's too wobbly for me, so I just went back to the safety of my walker for a while. It will take a lot more practicing with the cane for me to feel secure with cane. Tomorrow on Day 2, I will practice more using the cane. Time will tell me when I'm comfortable with the cane.

I'd written above how I began using a cane at 6.5 weeks. I'm now at 8.5 weeks, and I still do not feel stable with cane. I'm much safer with walker. Has anyone gone straight from walker to walking with NO AIDES and skipping the cane ?

 

[Deni444]

Hello @2nd Hippy

I'm still pre-op but with severe instability owing to two bad hips. I recently discovered that using 2 walking sticks has a few benefits compared to a walker. My walking and instability actually improved a fair bit within a day of swapping. I was actually able to walk around a store. Something I haven't been able to do for a while. From the little I know about biomechanics, I would guess it's because walking involves the whole body. When you walk with a walker, the top half of your body is held artificially straight and natural walking movement is prohibited. In a natural walking pattern, as one leg goes forward, the opposite shoulder moves forward too. Imagine marching and the right arm in sync with the left leg. That's an exaggeration of what's happening naturally. Unless injury or poor habit has stopped it. There should be small in sync movement throughout the torso. Using two walking sticks, may get you back into a more natural walking pattern after being restricted for so long. It should also provide good stability. Maybe give it a go. Once you are moving more naturally, you may find that you can switch more easily to one stick. It may only take a day or two of using two sticks.

 

[Layla]

Has anyone gone straight from walker to walking with NO AIDES and skipping the cane?

This is not common. Most transition from a walker to a cane or crutches. Your hip and surrounding muscles are still regaining strength as your body adjusts to the prosthetic and change in gait, there may also be residual inflammation, swelling that is affecting strength in mobility.

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you have a great week!

 

[2nd Hippy]

Thanks @Layla, for your 2 month anniversary good wishes.
I did see the P.A. for my 2 month check up. I'd prepared 10 questions for her to respond to in advance. She said "all looks good,". But I didn't get a full answer about my left leg is a bit longer than right leg. My P.T. also wriote her agreement with me, that left leg is longer, causing me to Limp with the cane. P.A. only said to buy a shoe insert. She never said it can work it's way to be even in a while. Oh well, I'll wait to see if it improves. Next Appointment is in June.
Otherwise, still practicing walking with cane, even with Limp!!!

 

[Layla]

Thankfully all looks good! Some do complain about leg length differential. If you use the SEARCH at the top right of the page, typing in key words such as "leg length" or leg length differential" you will see how often it's been mentioned and read that in most cases it eases with time. Give it 3-4 months as it can take that amount of time for things to balance. If at that point, you are still concerned, consider visiting a reputable podiatrist or PT for a measurement. Use the heel-toe gait while limping, see if it helps. I found that it did.
Thanks for the update, 2nd Hippy!
@2nd Hippy