THR Wingy THR recovery progress

[Layla]

You are improving! Don't be afraid to say so. It's still early into your recovery and it's normal to have up and down days. I like your plan with the cane, it sounds like a good one! Once you get more comfortable practicing without it, you'll use it less and less. Then one day, you'll realize that you unintentionally walked away without it!
Nice progress, wingy. Keep us posted and have a wonderful weekend!
@wingy

 

[Jamie]

Don't be in too big a hurry to ditch the cane. You're still early in recovery.

Actually, it's better if you keep using it until you really don't need it. It provides the support to allow your muscles to strengthen more than if you're trying hard to go without the cane, even for a few steps. I understand and we all try to see what we can do at some point. But the cane will help you regain balance and strength faster because you are supported and can walk at a normal gait and speed.

It does sound like you're doing really well, though, so pat yourself on the back!

 

[myglasshalffull]

I already posted that I was on cane until almost June in my first year of recovery. No shame in using an assistive device even though I know we all want to get better as soon as possible.
I'd keep in my car once I was walking freely just in case as well as keeping it by my bed at night for evening bathroom trips.
You are progressing nicely.

 

[benne68]

I am just going to add a teeny bit every other day to my experiment, but I am using the cane practically all the other time.

That's a great strategy -- adding just a bit more every OTHER day is what my surgical team recommended.
Like you, I needed to cane at six weeks post-op. They told me there was no time limit on using the cane and that it was smarter to use the cane and not limp, than to limp without the cane.

Slow but steady. You've got this!

 

[wingy]

I still use the cane, but I am noticing how I often leave it behind without thinking and discover I am walking. Up until last week I was experiencing pain when I attempted to walk without a cane. Full weight-bearing on my operated side hurt. One day that stopped. I am still not walking much. My best day has been 5,000 steps.

I am purposely going slowly because I have always been a person in a hurry, and I don't have to be in a hurry now. So I am going to get back to things slowly- very slowly. Hopefully, this more leisurely approach will carry over to all parts of my life.

I ice some most every day, and I spend a lot of time elevating my legs. This rather suits me for I am a voracious reader. I rather like the excuse.

I go for my next surgeon appt. in two days. Hopefully, I will be able to start using my swimming pool and drive my car. I don't know yet about the timeline for the "90 day rule", but my patience is running out with it.

 

[benne68]

My best day has been 5,000 steps.

That is excellent for someone who isn't even two months post-op! My surgeon told me to walk the equivalent of one mile a day at your stage of recovery -- that's approximately 3,500 steps (depending on your height and the length of your stride) so you are doing well!

Also, please notice that I've merged the new thread that you started with the above post into your original recovery thread, We ask members to maintain just one recovery thread for continuity. This way all your information is in one place, making it easy to find and serving as a diary of your recovery. Having all your information is all in one place, also enables our staff and other members to advise you better. And you won't miss or lose relevant posts and advice.

So, please post any updates, questions or concerns here. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you. You may want to bookmark your thread to make it easier to find. For more on how to navigate the forum, you can read through this article:
How can I find my threads and posts?

 

[wingy]

Thanks for merging the post. I am still learning about the forum.

 

[2nd Hippy]

@wingy

WOW, I have been in your place too. I'm now 3 months post op. I used the WALKER EXCLUSIVELY 100% for over 2 months. When I started to switch to a cane, I didn't like it at all.
I also Have 1/4 inch longer operated leg, and P.A. suggested shoe insert lift at 2 month checkup.
But my P.T. agreed with Bonesmart staff to wait until 4 months before trying A SHOE lift. That's in about 3 weeks from now!
I walk without the despised cane now most of the time, but I did not do that at your 6 week time frame. IT takes time for muscles to gain strength back, and my P.T. has helped me so much working on My GAIT, that is very crooked!
Hang in there and feel free to ask anyone here your questions!!
2nd Hippy's 2nd Recovery

 

[wingy]

I will be restarting physical therapy probably next week. I want guidance about my gait too.. Thanks for your post. Good luck.

 

[Jamie]

When you meet with your therapist, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions so you can determine if the person has a lot of experience working with gait issues. If you’re not comfortable that the person knows their stuff, it’s perfectly okay to talk to the manager at the PT clinic to find the right person for you.

 

[wingy]

Thanks, Jamie. I will definitely do this when I get the physical therapy script.

 

[wingy]

I have started having pain on the side of my foot and also a bit on top near the smaller toes after I walk. This is on. the side of the operated hip. Is this normal? I notice it when I stop walking, and this is only after a 10 minute walk with the cane.

 

[benne68]

Is this normal?

Yes it is. You are still very early days in this year-long recovery and discomfort up and down the leg -- even into the foot -- is very normal at this stage of recovery.

Remember that you were favoring the bad hip prior to surgery, putting the rest of your body out of alignment. It takes time -- and some aches and pains -- for our back, hips and legs to adjust to the new alignment created by the surgery.

Try to be patient. Everything does settle down eventually, it just takes time.

 

[wingy]

I figured foot pain was part of it. Thanks.

 

[Hip4life]

@wingy I have a light-hearted story about that. About where you are in your recovery, my foot felt sort of weird when I started walking again at the park. When I focused in on it, I realized I was curling my toes while I walked. That had to be a carry over from the leg compensating for my horrible hip pain. I hadn't even been aware of it at the time. I had to really focus for about a week to finally have a normal stride. Yes, weird stuff can pop up in recovery.

 

[wingy]

You know I have done that too (curling toes)- I will watch for that. Thanks

 

[wingy]

I think I might have nerve pain in my foot on the operated side. After I walk, it aches bad on the side of my foot and sometimes up to my little toe. There seems to be a sensation of numbness too. Is this normal?
How is nerve involvement diagnosed.

The feeling is kind of a throbbing numb feeling. Just walking a few hundred steps can bring it on.

 

[Jamie]

Nerve pain is usually described as an intense, sharp pain and not an ache. What you are describing sounds more like soft tissue problems that a good therapist can help. You were getting an order from the therapy from your doctor. Have you been for your first consultation yet? That’s going to be the best next step to take.

Nerve tests can be done to see if there is damage, but I don’t think you’re at a point where you need something like that. You’re still new out of surgery and you’ve had some gait and leg length issues that need to be addressed.

When you saw your surgeon, did you discuss the possibility of have tilted hips and get a look at your x-ray?

 

[wingy]

Thank-you. I start with PT in three days. I asked the doctor if my pelvis looked tilted. He said perhaps. He said the xray wasn't the best. So hard to know. I am so aware of how much time (12 months or more) all of this adjustment can take. I am fortunate i that I am retired and don't have to adhere to a strict schedule of any sort.

 

[Jamie]

Well, that’s certainly not a comforting response from your surgeon! If the X-ray wasn’t the best, he should have had it redone! “Perhaps” is not helpful when you are experiencing problems. At least you have hopes for a good therapist who can diagnose your problem and help with it. Let us know how the meeting goes. You want the therapist to have a doctorate degree and be experienced in hip surgery recoveries where there are gait issues. Be sure to ask questions about how much of this your PT has done and the results for his/her patients. It’s always okay to request another person in the clinic if you don’t feel the person they assigned to you has the experience.