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I don't want a limp

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JACQUELINE

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It's been 5 weeks since my total hip replacement. I am walking around the house without my cane but have quite a limp. Any ideas as to what I can do to eliminate the limp? How long will I have this limp? It amazes me how far some can walk, I'm wiped out after 20 minutes.
 
It's been 5 weeks since my total hip replacement. I am walking around the house without my cane but have quite a limp. Any ideas as to what I can do to eliminate the limp? How long will I have this limp? It amazes me how far some can walk, I'm wiped out after 20 minutes.

Jacqueline, i am 20 and it has been 7 weeks since my full left hip replacement, And i still have a slight limp. A hip replacement is very stubburn, just give it time and it will get better, try to rush it...And it will get worse. Hopefully that helps.
 
Hi Jacqueline,
I am almost seven months post op; I am told by my chiropractor to use the cane to walk long distances to keep myself stable to avoid a limp. I don't use my cane in the office and don't limp. This is the first week since surgery I am walking long distance and not sore nor limping nor do I need the cane as much. It’s a process for some of us and others are blessed with a great recovery and healing. We are all different as well as our OS and PT's give different instructions. I would be more incline to follow what his/her instructions are. I am like you I don't want the limp; the further out I am post op the better I feel.
I pray you continue to progress well.

MsSplenda56
 
Good advice given here - nothing I can think of to add.
 
Hi Jacqueline,

I had a limp but when I spoke to my O/S he said it was normal and my body would adjsut. I used to limp on the other side before the operation. But now after 20 weeks post op for the first time ever I dont think I walk with a limp anymore if I concentrate and use my muscles . Its definitely better than it was. Hope this gives you some hope.

Take care
 
Hi Jacqueline,
I Am Thirteen Weeks Out And Limping. Two Reasons for me, First The Operated Hip Has A Very Weak Muscle After You Have Surgery From What My Pt Tells Me And That Is What I Am Working On. Exercises For The Abductor Muscle, If I Have The Terminology Correct. I Am Doing Pool Therapy Exercises Plus The Hip Friendly Exercises Like The Bike And Leg Lifts That Strenghthen The Muscle In Your Upper Thigh. Secondly, I Have The Other Hip That Is Arthritic. I Will Eventually Have To Have That Hip Replaced So At This Point, I Have To Exercise To Get My New Hip In Great Shape. I Would Listen To What The Others Have Said About Your PT and/or OS. That Is Probably The Best Advice You Will Get At This Point. And Try Not To Get Frustrated. I Know That Feeling All To Well. It Will Get Better. Goodluck.
 
Hi Jacqueline

Dont worry too much. I think it is still early days for you. I am 7 wks post op tomorrow. I started PT couple of weeks ago. My muscles are getting stronger day by day and slowly the limp is getting less. Once the pain is sorted out, the limp will be automatically sorted.

I dont know how it works in the US but here in the UK your surgons could refer their patient for a shoe raise.

Take Care
 
I'm with you, I'll be at three months post op in one week. Still have a slight limp. If you limped prior to surgery than you probley will limp after until the muscles get stronger. What I've found is when my "stabilizing" muscles on the sides of my operated leg got stronger, I limped less and less. To see if yours are weak, you can balance only on the operated leg for 30 second intervals. When you step off the operated leg after balancing if you feel some mild pain, then the stabilizing muscles are still weak. I can now do this without pain, however, if they put me on a styrofoam cushion to make balancing harder, then when I step off of it, there is mild pain. This tells me that even almost 3months out, with pt, and walking at least 4 miles a week, my leg is still healing. The good news is I think less and less about stepping and my limp has greatly improved. I have a 1/2 inch LLD., so eventually I'll see if I need a lift. Just keep thinking that in time strength will come back and improve your limp...it is hard to think about going through the surgery only to have a limp, but it WILL get better.
 
Swright,
I also have about a 1/2'' LLD. Have you found that your limp is getting less even with the LLD? I'm wondering if I should try to go ahead and get a pair of my shoes built up or if I should wait to do that. I'm only almost 5 weeks post op. Putting a shoe insert in helps but doesn't get it perfect. I'm so afraid of messing up my back if I continue to walk with this LLD.
Bridget
 
Gee, I forgot about the fear of limp. I callled my doc and told hom my leg was now shorter than the other and I was concerned. I put an insert in my shoe wich felt better and I played with that for awhile. I am now 5 mos PO. If there are any people who develop a limp, it's not typical. I do not have a limp and have forgotten ever worrying about it. if your doc says not to worry, then don't. And good luck in your recovery. It's normal and typical to do very well. Ms Weezl
 
Forgot to mention, I am a knee person but we have the same limp thing in the beginning. Also my parents both had hip repacements and had those initial issues. I have a friend who had his hip replaced at 42 due to a congenital problem and he had the limp issue as well. He is doing fine as are my parents but he is doing great. He is a real gym buff and you'd never know. He does everything. I work in a busy medical office and while we don't do ortho, many of our patients have had hip replacements and they do great. It's a common concern and a resolvable one. Ms Weezl
 
bnew,

Mine has gotten better at almost 3months, but, I still have a small limp. I want to go to the specialist who does orthopedic inserts, get another measurement from someone who does this for a living.

My pt person told me to slowly add 1/8 of an inch inserts, like the Dr. Shole's (spelling?) until I get to 1/2 inch. So far I have added an 1/8th of an inch, I need to go pick up another 1/8th. On a good day, without over doing it, I don't notice that I limp. My teenage son will usually point out when I'm limping. Again, it has gotten better. My biggest fear in having my LLD get worse with time. I've seen posts that reflect a LLD of one inch longer after surgery, then 6 months post op they are even. This has made me wonder if at 6 months I would have a greater LLD, maybe a full inch. I want to wait the 6 months prior to getting mine measured by the specialist, can't think of what you call someone who makes orthopedic inserts? Anyway I figure that by 6 months all will have settled and I should be at my total LLD.

Then again, depending on how far down the Dr. was able to tap my stem into place without risk of fracture, I may get lucky and stay at 1/2 shorter LLD. I've heard of much worse senarios, so I try to be positive. My backdoes hurt a little, not sure if it's from the LLD or the fact that I have osteoarthritus in my back as well. Oh, the joys of getting older, even at 47...
 
I know this is an old post, but I had to chime in...

I had a HORRIBLE limp for 6 years after my accident. My PT was all over me about it after my TKA.

When I paid attention, I didn't limp. When I didn't pay attention, muscle memory took over and I'd fall back into my habit of limping.

It's a HABIT.

I've had other complications, but still... As long as I think about it, and early in the day, I can walk with no limp. When I don't think, I limp.

I have to develop new habits!

For some, the change in joints can create a limp if we don't work to overcome it. We have to train our muscles to walk properly.

Heck -- if I can do it, anyone can!

Hang in there, work on it, eventually you won't have to think -- your muscle memory will be limp-free!!

I had another problem -- I'd developed a habit of doing EVERYTHING with my good leg. Standing, steps, getting up... My PT was on me about all of it. "Look what you're doing..." Yup. There I go again... Gotta develop new habits!

HTH...

DD
 
My PT told me to keep using the cane when walking (I'm > 3 wks. P/O), even if I felt like I didn't need it, b/c the muscle weakness was causing me to limp. DD is right about habits. Now that I have a new hip, I need to develop new habits. Thanks for the reminder, DD.

Joyce
 
My PT told me to keep using the cane when walking (I'm > 3 wks. P/O), even if I felt like I didn't need it, b/c the muscle weakness was causing me to limp. DD is right about habits. Now that I have a new hip, I need to develop new habits. Thanks for the reminder, DD.

Joyce

I have to agree here. One of my best friends is a PT and she told me that leaving your cane behind while still limping can cause you to have a limp forever. Both she and my assigned PT have said to use the cane until the limp is completely gone.
 
and ... my PT said that limping was a habit. He told my family to tell me to "stop limping" every time they saw me doing it. It took a great deal of thought in the beginning. I'm pretty good at not limping using my walker now. A week from today, I'll begin using a cane. I'm sure I'll need to concentrate while walking in the beginning. I feel so FREE!
 
I'm glad I read these posts. I found DD's response enlightening and I agree with him. My OS said I may never overcome the limp, but I would like to prove him wrong. About a week after my RTHR, my husband said I was still "slinging" my right leg out to the side. I'm glad he told me, because I could concentrate on using my leg correctly. I still try to remember to walk correctly, but when I'm tired or achy I slip back into my old habit.
 
I am sure it is similiar although not exactly the same as hip resurfacing but still major hip surgery. Here is what I recommend that worked for me. First you have to realize that this IS MAJOR surgery and many of us went a long time compensating and limping prior to surgery. Our bodies are used to it and we have learned to walk with a limp. We now need to unlearn those bad habits.

It is important to realize that after surgery we literally need to teach ourselves how to walk again. I bought a full length mirror, for those in the U.S. you can purchase one for under $20 at Bed Bath n Beyond or Linen's n Things. Place it down at the end of a hall. Watch yourself walk towards the mirror concentrating on every single step. Roll each foot from heel to toe and make sure each stride is equal. I know I had a tendency to take a longer step with one leg than the other, make sure each step is the same distance and very important, keep your shoulders back and your head up. Walk slow and deliberate and watch yourself. Keep practicing and even when not in front of the mirror make a consciuous effort with every single step you take to do it correctly. If you still need support whether with crutches or a cane, also use the mirror to watch yourself. You never know when you could be leaning to one side or taking a bigger step with one leg than the other, keep your shoulders straight and even. Only a mirror can help. If you are using a cane, remember to use it on the opposite side of your operated hip, not the same side. Each time you step down with your operated hip, the cane is to touch down at the same time. I hope this helps.

Vicky
 
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