THR On road to recovery

[mjmrphy55]

Mbone,

Glad your visit went so well!! Keep up the great progress.

MJ

 

[Mbone]

Thank you, both for the kind words. Pjm I never thought about it like that...that I will be a new hip pain free person. I remember the days before the surgery...I could barely walk around my classroom / office. I left it in such a mess because I was in so much pain that I could not put things where they belonged! I still have 3 weeks and who know...maybe I won't need the cane! I can hope and wish for that!
BarbaraR Thanks, I am pretty happy! PLUS...I just shaved my legs!!!!

 

[pjm]

Oh! for the shaving of legs! I can't wait!

 

[BarbaraR]

Mbone, smooth legs! Yea!

 

[pjm]

BarbaraR, you must not be able to sleep or just up early. Its 10:17 pm here in Australia and I expect its about 6:17am if you are on the east coast in the US. Hope you had a good night. I am looking forward to having a good night if possible.

 

[BarbaraR]

pjm, it is true that I am not sleeping well, but when I wrote you it was 7:17am here-- we changed over to daylight savings time last weekend, and I am getting ready to go to work. Hope you have a good night's sleep

 

[Mbone]

Although doing well, does anyone out there with hip and knee problems walk without a limp unassisted? I't really upsets me that I might have to use a cane until all joints are replaced! That won't happen for a while. Is it possible, for someone like me, to be able to walk without a cane eventually?

 

[bottomshollow]

Mbone, before I had my hip replaced, I had not only the problem with my hip but my knees were also giving me problems. However, even then, I did not limp. I did not allow myself to limp---I found that limping did not help the situation, so I just suffered and walked the way I should.

When my hip was replaced, I was on restriction to only 20% weight bearing for 6 weeks--so I spent 6 weeks on a walker. I was then allowed full weight bearing using a cane for 2 weeks. I was able to walk normally with the cane, even though I actually had a real 5/8" leg length discrepancy as result of my surgery. I still did not allow myself to walk with a limp. After the 2 weeks with the cane, I walked unaided and still without a limp. And I now have the sole of all my left shoes lifted 5/8" to make walking normally "normal".

My knees become even more painful after hip replacement because without that pain, which was the worse, I was getting around much more and doing much more on my feet. But I never resorted to limping to compensate for a more painful left knee. I was walking aid free 21 days after having both knees replaced. So because I never limped before the surgeries I was able to walk properly without aids

If you were limping before surgery, you have muscles, tendons, and ligaments that must be lengthened by stretching and retrained---and that takes TIME. So I think the answer to your question is YES, but it's going to take time and retraining and the proper exercises to get you there. It's still that old TIME & PATIENCE thing. But YOU CAN DO IT!

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Mbone]

@bottomshollo Thank you for the information and words of encouragement. I do try to walk unassisted at home and short distances, concentrating on my walk! I think that is the trick...to concentrate! The faster I walk, the more pronounced the limp is. When I go back to school in a couple of weeks, I will take my cane, but I will also try to walk unassisted for short distances. I used to limp even with the cane before, now, at least, there is no limp with the cane. Not to mention the amount of pain meds I used to take before the hip replacement. Believe me, I am not complaining. I LOVE my new hip!!! I can do so many things with it that I could not do before! But, I just want to be able to walk down the aisle at my daughter's wedding a year from June with out a cane. (If I need a cane, I will decorate it with white ribbon and bows)!

 

[sharonslp]

Mbone, without a crystal ball, it's really impossible to know what role your knees will play as you recover from you hip surgery. But assuming the knees are not crippling you, I can't see any reason why you would still need a cane over a year from now. Based on what you are reporting, your cane will probably be history before school is out for the summer.

For now, you concentrate on recovery. Later...you do what you have to do. I can tell you this....when you walk down the aisle at your daughter's wedding, people will be looking at the smile on your face...not your walk; not your cane.

Sharon

 

[pjm]

Mbone, how did your day at work go? Have you had bouts of tireness,etc. Just wanting to see what to expect when I go back.

 

[Mbone]

sharonslp thanks for the encouraging words, I know each day will get better. I'm one of those people who would like a crystal ball! I hate the unexpected although I know that is what life is!

pjm I did not go back yet. I go back April 1. I did go to visit last week but did not go any farther than the principal's office! I am sure I will tire... Especially having to get up at 5:30. Maybe then my sleepless nights will be gone!

I used to have to lift my bad leg into bed or onto the sofa with my hands or a leg lifter... Not any more... And for that I am greatfull!

 

[pjm]

That is great! I have stopped using my leg lifter as well. Still have to be careful when turning as getting in the bed. I'm just glad that I have some bit of freedom in moving now.

 

[Mbone]

Does anyone experience lower back pain? It seems like I get a nagging lower back pain when I stand or walk (with or without the cane) longer than 10 minutes.

 

[ByGosh]

Hello, Yes, I got lower back pain when my hip was deteriorating. I thought I had back problems, but went to a physical therapist, who found that my walking was off from the bad hip. He corrected the walking with a lift, gave me back exercises, and the back pain went away. This was before my BTHRs. Then after the surgery, I had a little back discomfort. I think the muscles from the waist down get stressed when the hips and knees are affected.

Isn't it a great feeling when the leg doesn't need to be lifted anymore? That must mean the leg muscles are stronger. My legs felt like they had cement blocks in the hips post op, so stiff and heavy. I'm glad your leg can now lift itself! Keep up the good work, it's only going to get better.

 

[Mbone]

Today I visited the school where I work. I went up and down the stairs like a normal person...not like a toddler! Yes, I held onto the railing but did not pull myself up like I used to! I walked quite a bit without my cane. My limp is more profound when I get tired! I'm a little sore now, but trying to prime my self for when I return to school on April 1!

 

[Texas Girl]

Sounds like you are making great progress! Isn't that such a good feeling? I think we all get sore after a busy day. I know I do. I am going for my 12 week checkup tomorrow. I am sure he will say that all is well, just takes time to completely heal. Seems like time has just flown by. Keep up the good work and enjoy your time before you go back to work!!

 

[Mbone]

Texas Girl Thanks for the kind words. Please let me know how your 12 week appointment goes. I guess we all want to be better 'yesterday' and I know it takes time. I am accomplishing many things...I just want to get rid of this limp and cane! And I will take advantage of my last week and a half! On one hand I'm anxious to go back, but on the other, Im going to hate getting up early!

bottomshollow I was rereading my messages here and you said you did not allow yourself to limp. I think of that when I am walking. It is so hard , NOT to limp! I notice when I walk slowly, and concentrate, my limp is minimal. When I am tired, or have been sitting for a while, it is more pronounced. I give you so much credit for walking normally through the pain. I do not know how to do that!

 

[Mbone]

bottomshollow do you know anything about ankle fusion! I went to a ankle surgeon today. We can now add this onto my list of surgeries... 2 knees, another hip, and this!!! I got a cortisone shot and an ankle brace! Hopefully this will give me time! I also hurt my surgical hip trying to put on the brace! Now I'm icing and resting!

 

[bottomshollow]

Good, lord, Mbone, does it never stop!!!! Sorry but I know nothing about ankles. So, why don't we just tag Josephine for what info she might be able to give you on this.

Please take it easy, sweetie, and take care of yourself. We care.