THR Diamond77 on the recovery side

[subie2021]

Hi Diamond,
If your hands hurt it could be that you're leaning on the walker. If you're leaning on the walker, your posture isn't correct. If your posture isn't correct, the muscle groups that support good gait aren't working as they should, and muscle groups that have other jobs are taking over for them probably to their detriment. That makes for waddling.
My walker had two wheels in front and I was taught to grasp it lightly and push it lightly along sort of like a grocery cart. Some people add tennis balls to the rear legs to help it glide indoors. It might help to adjust the walker's height higher so that you are more upright and not leaning on it.
Stand up straight and concentrate on heel toe, heel toe at what pace is comfortable.
Like you, I found the cane awkward. It helped to learn to use it properly by finding a smooth flat area to walk, where I could set a comfortably faster pace than what I could manage in the house. Again. heel toe always.
Hopefully it won't take long before the heel toe becomes a habit and you needn't concentrate on it so much. I mastered heel toe with the walker and was able to ditch the cane fairly quickly, so maybe it will also work for you.
If you are having a lot of difficulty, talk to your PT if you have one; if not, ask your OS for orders for a session or two to set you right. I had home PT visits very early on and using walking aids properly, such as using the cane on the good side, was a big focus and helped tremendously.
Keep working on it, you'll get it! It's easier said than done when you're not super confident in the new hip, but it'll happen.

 

[Klassy]

It’s great that you are getting outside. That will be so good for your mood. I can’t add anything to the suggestions already made. I had elbow crutches not the walker to cane system. I did get sore hands and I found it helped to make a conscious effort to relax, stand tall, and concentrate on gait. In my case it was mostly nervousness that made me grip tighter than I needed to.

 

[TomT]

Hello Diamond, I would suggest you continue using the walker or cane. You'll know when you're ready to ditch the walker and cane. Your hands ache because you're not used to using them this way but it's not a big deal. You really want to ensure you have a cane or a walker because they can both save you from a fall which would be terrible right now. It also warns people around you to give you space and not bump into you or suddenly get in your way causing you to suddenly stop. One of my first weeks home I was walking and doing laps in my living room, I didn't notice but my dog was drinking water and he drooled a bit on the floor. I stepped on it with my surgery leg and slipped but thank God my cane saved me from falling.

 

[Diamond77]

Thanks all for the advice. I definitely think I have been using the Walker incorrectly from the start. Mine also has two wheels in front but rubber pads on the back legs. I haven’t been gliding it along but rather picking it up with each step. I will try pushing it like a shopping cart. That makes a lot more sense! Today marks 2 weeks since my surgery. I really have no pain in the new hip, just this waddle that I need to work on!

 

[Hip4life]

Just catching up on your thread. It's so nice to hear from a fellow Nebraskan. Congrats on your 2 week anniversay! It is recommended that you use an assistive device as long as you have a limp. You're still very early in your recovery and the limp is partially from the weakness of the soft tissues from the manipulation of surgery as well as dealing with pre-op pain and limiting activity. It just takes time and we humans are generally not too good in the patience category. The heel-toe practice will help immensely as you slowly build that strength back up. Even when I thought I was walking great, my husband would occasionally ask me why I was limping. Lol. It was usually when I was tired or after activity but the limp eventually disappeared. Be easy on yourself. Your new hip will heal in its own time and we don't have a lot of say in how long that takes. Just keep treating yourself to that fresh air and gentle walks right now. I remember how comforting those things were. Blessings for continued good healing.

 

[Diamond77]

It's so nice to hear from a fellow Nebraskan.

Nice! Another person from the Cornhusker state!

I agree with your statement that we are not too good at being patient. I think part of my problem is I’ve been dealing with that dang pain for so long, I’m just ready to get on with things. And that I have two young kids. I feel bad that I’m not able to really do much with them, and haven’t for a while. It might be different if I didn’t feel so guilty for shooing them away. I know they are so bored and miss the things we did. We used to get out and do something every weekend, and we haven’t done much of anything since November. But, I know deep down all that stuff is coming. Patience is NOT my virtue, however.

Did a lot of heel toe practice around the house today. It took a lot of conscious effort. Anxiously awaiting Friday for staple removal. Yikes!

 

[Klassy]

Yes it must be extra tough being out of action with young kids. But it sounds like you are making great progress, so it won’t be too long before you are able to do things with them again.

Please don’t stress about the staples. As you know, even Rhonda’s super matured set came out ok.

 

[TomT]

Sounds like you're doing great. Don't even worry about staple removing, they use a tool that bends the staple in the middle which pulls it out of your skin, it's actually painless

 

[Diamond77]

Hello everyone. Well, I got my staples out yesterday. For as nervous as I was about it, it was fine. There were a couple that pinched but out of the 30+ that were in there, it wasn’t bad at all. The wound looks great. It’s a little sore today but that’s probably because it was messed with.

For the last couple days I’ve been having the feeling as if my leg is “asleep” around the knee and below. I forgot to ask about it at my appointment yesterday. I’m guessing this is just nerves settling in and more of the healing process. But it still makes me wonder a little. Anyone experience that or know what it might mean? Hope everyone is doing well.

 

[hhhooray]

I'm starting week 5 and still have numbness and tenderness to touch on the outside of my thigh from about the top of the hip bone down about 6 to 8 inches . I just keep massaging and moving. Nerves take a while to heal from the trauma as well. I once had radial nerve neuropathy and lost use of my right hand below the elbow and was scared but the Dr told me it would heal in about a year and it did. So nothing to worry about yet! Congrats on the staples removal, such a nice feeling!

 

[InkedMarie]

I had my first TKR almost four years ago and I’m still numb around the knee and part of the thigh.

Marie

 

[TomT]

I broke some of my toes about 3 or 4 months ago and asked a different ortho about this numbness feeling on the thigh area just above the knee. He was originally scheduled to do my surgery but he sent my case to another ortho. He said this numbness is caused by nerve damage done during the hip replacement surgery. He told me unfortunately nothing can be done about it, the feeling will either return to normal or it wont.

 

[hhhooray]

numbness is caused by nerve damage done during the hip replacement surgery. He told me unfortunately nothing can be done about it, the feeling will either return to normal or it wont.

I've been doing some research as this is something I'm experiencing. Apparently it can be quite common with DAA (anterior) approaches.. one thing I saw says upwards of 37% of people experience this and11% of people it doesn't go away.

 

[Sohowarrior]

I disagree. Nerve damage from THR is a very rare complication but fortunately it does often resolve on its own.

 

[TomT]

I still have the numbness on the skin in that area however it has gotten a tad bit better over time maybe after years it will go completely back to normal

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary, Diamond!
I hope you’re doing well and enjoying the steady progress you’re making.
A nice weekend to you!
@Diamond77

 

[Diamond77]

Thanks Layla! I feel great. I’m anxious to get out and start doing the things I have missed. I know I still need to take it easy for another few weeks. Don’t want to mess things up.

 

[Diamond77]

Today marks 6 weeks post op. I feel mostly fantastic. The incision had been feeling sore for some reason this week. Looked at it in the mirror and they forgot to remove a staple. It has been digging in, pinching and starting to itch. Of course, I very stupidly thought I could remove it myself. Nope. It’s really dug in there so I made it even more sore by messing with it. Now every time my clothing rubs on it, it hurts. Ugh. Anyway, beyond that little mess up, it feels great. It’s wonderful not having that nasty arthritis pain anymore!

 

[CricketHip]

Oh, a rogue staple! Hopefully your OS office isn't too far away for you to get it addressed? I would've tried to remove it myself, too.

Glad you are now noticing the pain free hip that is now your happy reality, there's nothing like it.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
With any luck that staple worked it’s way out by now, or you had it removed.
Hope you’re enjoying the Summer!
@Diamond77