Gait Training

[Ginny]

Hi Everyone!

I had THR 8 weeks ago. My doctor had me on a strict toe touch weight bearing restriction for 6 weeks along with no driving..even as a passenger. As of 2 weeks ago I'm free to work, drive, walk with a cane etc. I can get around fine without the cane, climb stairs etc, but I still walk with a limp.

How long did it take for the limp to go away?

I've heard of gait training? What is it?

I'm not starting out patient PT until April..any suggestions in the meantime?

~Ginny

35 yr old active female, THR, left hip, smith and nephew metal on metal titanium and cobolt/ Surgeon Dr. Ken Moore @ University Birmingham, AL

 

[MsSplenda56]

Hi Ginny,

I am 18 weeks post op when my hip get tired and sore I limp. I don't always use my cane but I carry it with me everywhere I go except church. My PT had me walking up and down the hall several times to see how I was walking. He also walked with me holding cane in each hands letting them flow as we stepped. I started out patient two weeks after my surgery which was November 8, 2007. I just completed PT on Feb 22, 08. He is the best...

I am a active 56 year old female, THR, right hip Stryker, ceramic on ceramic, Dr. Ashay Kale@ St. Rose Hospital, Hayward, CA

Shirley aka MsSplenda56

 

[Josephine]

Gait training is simply being taught how to take a step in the proper manner, i.e., heel down first, then roll over the length of the foot and onto the toes, spring off the toes and keep the foot clear of the floor as it is taken forward for the next step. Sometimes when one is disable by a bad knee, hip or foot, it is very easy to get into bad habits when adjusting and compensation to the pain.

 

[Ginny]

thanks, josephine, i'll try to think of that when I walk today.

 

[2hips]

I think the best thing one of my PT's said was heel/toe and I really starting paying attention to my walk. I was even reminding myself heel/toe, heel/toe
something so simple made such a big difference for me.

 

[Ginny]

2 hips,
thanks, I'll try it. I'm starting week 9 post-op, and week 2 of walking without crutches or cane. I know I need to be patient, but i really want my limp to go away!