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THR I've made it to the other side.

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Ally......please don't jump to conclusions about your leg length. Your surgeon wisely advised you to give it some time to level out. These things take time. After all, your hips didn't get to the point where they were in just a few months. Expect to let things adjust for up to a year.
 
I posted the same questions about LLD on @brooklyn thread. Seems like there are several of us with the early LLD issues (or so they seem, for now): @brooklyn, @Allycat, @wannabebrave, me... I don't understand how, for example, I'm supposed to walk if I can't even stand up with two legs straight. I can walk only if I will be bending one leg all the time, or keep legs spread apart like a drunk sailor or with a walker. All attempts to walk result in strong tension in the low back ( from one side only), both legs feel twisted and wrong and the hip is screaming with tension inside (I would not call it pain though). When PT was trying to teach me walk straighter I realized that it's so uncomfortable that I'm afraid of dislocation, with every step... If I will continue to walk the way I can now, I'm only fixing the way I limp, more and more... So what is the solution??


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Hi there..I had suspected LLD and very bad limp at 10 weeks at ".......saw podiatrist who advised that it was very common post THR and is caused my gait previous to the op. He told me to wait until I was 6 months after having PT and hydrotherapy....pleased to say that both LD and limp has gone.......also used one elbow crutch until 6 months post op.....Chrissie xx


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@Hoppy Nanny - oh thank you for your story. I need them now :) Does it mean that you've been doing PT and hydrotherapy all 6 months? How many times per week? Special PT, for LLD, or just regular PT (strength, balance etc.)? I've also noticed that the somewhat easier way for me to walk is with one crutch, not a cane... Why one elbow crutch though? How is it better? Never tried it... Thanks ALOT for all your info.

And sorry @wannabebrave that we continue this topic on YOUR thread but hopefully it'll be useful for you, too. If not, let me know and I'll switch to my own thread... Best wishes for everyone's fullest recovery.
 
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@allahere.......no...didn't have PT for 6 months.....had hydrotherapy from 3 months ( once a week) for 6 weeks that included walking in water, sideways and forwards, squats, getting up and down out of chair in waster, side ablations, etc. and then PT for four weeks. That PT included stationary bike, cross trainer, balance exercises, etc.....also continued home exercises..ablations, squats, knee lifts, etcetera. The physio advised that I should walk outside with elbow crutch ( not underarm one as it caused shoulder pain)..... Until I could walk with proper gait and without limping......a cane did not provide me with enough support. I had lots of comments like..," my friend had THR and never used crutches...my aunt only walked with one cane , etc. etc. ignored it all and carried on.....so glad I did..,hope it helps...Chrissie x


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Thanks for all the information. It must be fairly common to have different leg lengths right after surgery. I had my first PT session today at the rehab center. It was quite a workout and my muscles quivered but I did ok. Walking wasn't as difficult today And I could put more weight on my new hip, with less pain. So things are looking better today. It's all good.


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Wanna - I am so happy to hear that! You'll see each day gets better. And at first I thought the PT stuff was silly exercises I was surprised how tiring it is when you isolate muscles and work them! Keep up the good work!


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@wannabebrave, I'd love to be able to do little exercises in PT since it would mean I'm in recovery mode!! Too soon for me but not for you!! You're doing great!!


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@beachgal - thanks for the support, it helps. I can't figure out how to look back at your information so I'll just ask - do you have a surgery date yet? Hopefully you will be in recovery mode soon.

@frieds - you are right about the exercises. At first they seem almost too easy, but when you get to more repetitions, your muscles let you know it isn't so easy anymore. It does make me feel I'm making some progress. Thanks for your encouragement.


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@wannabebrave , things will continue to improve daily. And that leg length issue will also ease. Wait at least 3-4 months before even thinking about any lift in your shoe. I most cases this feeling just disappears. PT may help with strengthening the muscles as well.
 
Thanks Jaycey. My Dr agrees with you about the shoe lift. He also says we will wait a few months. It could take some time for my hip and muscles to heal and hopefully go back into place. In the meantime, walking is getting a little less painful. It seems I am turning my foot to the inside as I walk.


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wannabebrave said:
It seems I am turning my foot to the inside as I walk.
Click to expand...
I remember that bit as well. Your muscles will ease - just give it time. Very gentle stretches might help but do as your physio before doing anything new.
 
According to physical therapist, i am progressing very well. I was supposed to stay in ortho rehab till Monday, July 7th, but I am doing well enough to go home tomorrow. I still have pain while walking but that continues to improve. Still lots of leg swelling so it's elevate and ice.


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@wannabebrave, just checking in on you. Hope you got home today and the pain-free days are near. So happy for you!


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Thanks beachgal. I did make it home on Thursday. The ride home (almost 2 hrs) wasn't too uncomfortable although I had some major pain after getting home. The Dr wrote my pain prescription for the same thing I was getting at rehab. (Time released oxycodone). So the insurance company decides that I need preauthorization for this med and they won't approve it without more info as to why I need it. duh!! My Dr's office complied but I guess it being a holiday weekend the insurance company never sent in the authorization so I did NOT get my prescription filled. Now I can't even reach anyone at the insurance company so I'm trying to do the best I can without this med. Not only have I been in pain, I am just plain angry that the insurance company can do this. Ok, enough venting for now. So I haven't done much but lay around since I've been home. PT came today and did evaluation. I actually went up and down the flight of stairs here. So things are looking better.


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@wannabebrave, this entire episode with your pain meds makes ME nauseous! OMG! What a mess! Hope the insurance company is reached in short order and gives the nod for your meds soon!

This is the sort of mishap we all try to avoid but cannot foresee! So sorry!


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Today I go back to see my OS for my first follow-up appt. The last couple of days have been painful so I have been doing a lot of resting. I have done a few PT exercises each day, but find exercises that require my new hip to bear more weight can hurt (Ouchie). I know time will help with this. Through all this, I'm still doing great compared to before surgery. It's all good.


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