THR I Have a New Hip! Surgery on 7/27/15

[Steelergal]

Hi @JanetLynn! Thanks for your note. Yes, I am getting more relief...finally! I'm feeling like I will actually be able to walk normally. For a while I felt like I'd NEVER get rid of the cane! I'm still using it when I'm out of the house, but around the house I'm trying to walk without it as much as possible. I'm slowly getting stronger. PT has been amazing. I found a great place and my two therapists are supportive and answer all of my questions. They constantly reassure me that this is all normal. There really isn't much pain anymore, just muscle soreness like after a workout. And I'm welcoming that soreness because it means I'm working those muscles!

I'm 8 weeks on Monday and over the last week have noticed a big change. For me the big leaps forward came at 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 7 weeks. So I'm hoping for another one at 9 weeks!...maybe getting rid of the cane completely! I still have setback days though, so I have to be careful and not overdo it when I feel good. I'm still tired a lot and since I'm back to work full time, I'm really trying to limit my hours and take a lot of breaks.

The most frustrating thing at this point is not having two hands. I had to travel for work and flew from DC to Boston. That was an experience for sure...I got quite a pat down at the airport! Anyway, the flight went well, but it's super difficult to maneuver through the airport with only one free hand and a carry-on. I'm taking the train tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes. I'm a bit nervous about it and hope it's ok.

@grammamary I'm not sure that I have any advice other than rest and ice. I never felt any strange movement in my hip, mostly just pain and weakness in the muscles and at the incision site. Maybe call your doctor and see if he's concerned? Are you doing PT? If so, I'd ask your therapist if they have any advice.

 

[grammamary]

I have done a lot of icing and I really think that helps, I will be six weeks on Tuesday. I am not ready to give up my cane, but am hoping soon. My legs(both) seem to get tired easy but I try to walk some everyday. Yesterday was a better day and hope that goes for today too. Did read that it's a slow process. Your note gives me hope that maybe by eight weeks things will be looking up. Thank you

 

[Steelergal]

Is anyone still limping at 10 weeks? I'm very frustrated at my lack of progress. I'm still going to PT twice a week and I'm doing all I'm supposed to do, yet I still can't walk without the cane...I'm still limping. It's not pain, it just feels like everything is weak and the muscles aren't working well. So, still limping. And I can't go very far without the cane, so it's just around my house. When I am using the cane, I can walk normally and I'm getting around quickly. It's even easy on stairs. And I don't feel like I'm leaning hard on the cane, but just using it for balance and some support. So why can't I walk without it? I really miss having both hands to carry things.

Anyone else having this issue? It'd be nice to know I'm not the only one!

 

[AndyH99]

Hi @Steelergal, you're not alone, I'm 10 wks from my bilateral THR and I'm switching between using a cane and walking without because of my right hip. Some days I can walk for quite a while with no aid but others getting around anywhere needs the stick to walk "normally". This may sound a bit different to yours, but, two weeks ago I was still limping heavily on one side and only keeping the walking and PT going has improved me to this point. Slow & steady and it will come.

Have a great recovery day


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[grammamary]

I will be 8 weeks on Tuesday and I feel I will need my cane for a few weeks yet, I don't feel steady enough to be without it. My new hip hurts when I try to go without it. This forum is awesome, best thing I found for help and feels good to me to know others have had my experiences. Have a couple friends who have had hip replacements and both said they used their canes for months.