crutches for 6 weeks

[amack27]

Hi,

I am two weeks from surgery for THR on the left side. My doctor indicated to me because of my age, 49, he did a "cementless" procedure that will allow me greater flexibility/mobility down the road, etc but he wants me as "toe touch" 10% for 6 weeks. Someone told me that after my x ray at 4 weeks he may allow me to put more weight on the operated leg. I am on crutches until April 30.

Does that sound right to anyone? Obviously my goal is to get back to walking without any assits asap.

thanks,
AMACK 27

Any insights

 

[Josephine]

Welcome to BoneSmart, amack. I have moved your post into a thread of it's own so you get some answers specific to your question.

Some surgeons are a bit more cautious with cementless hips whilst others might tell their patients to weight bear immediately. The variations are enormous. Important thing is that you follow your surgeon's instructions.

 

[YoungM]

Welcome to the board Amack!

Definitely listen to your surgeon's instructions. I was told I can bear full weight the day after the surgery, but I know everyone's case is different.

Feel free to post any other questions. I have gained a lot of insight by listening to other's experience and of course Josephine and Jamie's advice.

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Amack!! Congratulations on being on the recovery side of your surgery! And welcome to the forum. Jo's advice is the best....so not much I can add except to say we're glad you decided to join us.

 

[HopAlong]

Mine is cementless also, and at 2-weeks post op, my OS said to put full weight on it and walk as much as possible. And I am no light-weight either!
So their must be more to it than just being cementless. Maybe it's the type of prosthetic?? Mine is Zimmer, with a ceramic ball, metal cup & post.

Hop

 

[Peta]

Mine is cementless also, and at 2-weeks post op, my OS said to put full weight on it and walk as much as possible. And I am no light-weight either!
So their must be more to it than just being cementless. Maybe it's the type of prosthetic?? Mine is Zimmer, with a ceramic ball, metal cup & post.

Hop

I'm also 49 and was cementless and fully weight bearing from the time my feet hit the floor about 12 hours post-op. In my case I think the fact that I had really strong bone (which my OS was very pleased about!) had something to do with it. My posthesis is titanium stem and ball, metal cup and ceramic lining. So I guess it could be a judgement call by the OS??

Peta

 

[Judles]

Welcome Amack! I'm also cementless, could weight
Bear immediately & never used crutches,,,,went from
Walker to cane!
As you can see,,,each one of us had different aids & instructions!

 

[UTdave]

Every surgeon is different. If he has a good track record with his routine, then make sure to be a routine patient.

 

[limpinalong]

Hi Amack,

I'm new here also. I had a THR left side on 3/10. My doctor told me only 30% weight bearing and use a walker for 6 weeks. That's my first f/u visit. I will say that as I progressed I'm putting more weight on it and it appears to be doing just fine. I'm not willing to push it too far though. I would rather take the conservative approach and hopefully not have any problems down the line.

Time does crawl by, however, and I do have cabin fever. UGH. Good luck and follow the doc's orders as best you can. Always a good choice.

 

[Josephine]

Every surgeon is different. If he has a good track record with his routine, then make sure to be a routine patient.

THAT is too funny, Dave. But very, very true!

 

[amack27]

Thanks everyone......

I guess God has me here to learn a little patience.

There is no pressure on me to get back to work anytime soon, I just want to accelerate my "circle of existence".
I have no idea which new body parts he gave me. My surgery was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC and all my OS does are hips and knees so I have a high degree of confidence that my guy knows what he is talking about and he is extremely accessible so I can email him in a couple of weeks and ask him for an updated opinion.

Turns out because I was bow legged as a kid, I have a funky bone structure which led to an acceleration of the cartilage being worn away so I was "bone on bone". So that is my tale of woe which will turn into a tale of triumph................

Thanks again,

AMACK

 

[BigDog Mom]

Oh Man Amack,
You lucky dog! That is consistently the number one place in the states to go for that op. A lot of professional dancers from all over the country go there.
You are in good hands!!! Work hard at what you are allowed to do and keep asking questions.

Best wishes,
Donna

 

[Judles]

Half the battle is finding a wonderful surgeon! You've done that,
Now the next step is up to you! Best of luck
With your healing!

 

[amack27]

Well, I was able to navigate our stairs yesterday with the crutches per the instructions from the rehab center. We don't have a bathroom on the first floor. We live in a really old townhouse built in 1913. Lot's of charm.......

Felt a little stiff and little sore this morning but with the bag of frozen peas working I feel like I can climb Mt. Everest.

Waiting for my home PT schedule, in the meantime I am doing the exercises that don't require the PT present to get ready for swim suit season LOL.

Cheers,
AMACK27 (Michael)

 

[nickji]

Hi Amak,
I'm 64, had cementless metal on poly. My surgeon told me to go full weight from the start. I was very reluctant to do so, found this forum, and discovered lots of people who had gone full weight. Also read Josephine's advice to follow my surgeon's instructions. However, after 4 or 5 days full weight bearing my meddling mind got the better of me and I went 50% for ten days or so. Finally common sense came to my aid and I followed the advice of the folks here and of my surgeon: back to full weight bearing. Well, nearly six weeks in now, and all is great. I reckon I probably held back my recovery thanks to those mind-games of mine. But that's no problem - all part of the learning process. And if it's of any use, I can say that despite my concerns and irrational fears, life since the operation has been absolutely fabulous.
Nick

 

[Josephine]

Mind games! Don't ya just luv'm - not!

 

[amack27]

Thanks Nickji.......

I am progressing very well. My PT can't believe that I am off of the pain meds.

Big workout schedule for tomorrow and I do some excerises on my own which I learned in rehab. All good. Getting around pretty well on the crutches.

The trend is good so I will keep the faith and do the work and will be back even better than before.

But why rush back to work. Obama wants more of my money LOL

 

[amack27]

OK,

So I will be 4 weeks from surgery tomorrow. Still following my precautions and instrucitons for toe touch weight bearing using crutches. However, I spoke with my OS and he will see me on 4/24 versus 5/1 because my PT thinks I am making exponetial progress. My exercisess are more complex now and hopefully are giving me the strength and stamina to migrate to a cane after I see my doc.

Still have some stiffness and swelling the the area of the surgery but thats normal from what I am being told.

I can't wait to continue to progress.

Thanks,

AMACK

 

[YoungM]

Hi Amack -nice to hear from you. That is great that your appointment got moved up. We are at the same schedule. Today is 4 weeks from surgery for me. I see my OS on 4/27. I am using the cane for walking. I still have some stiffness and swelling too. However, I am mostly off pain meds (just take them on occasion). My exercises are getting easier and there is more range of motion now (still not where I would like it to be, but much better). Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Judles]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Natural healing is such a beautiful thing!!!!!!