is limp permanent?

jimeddie
jimeddie Member Posts: 5
edited 21. May 2009, 11:27 in Living with Arthritis archive
3 weeks and 2 days since my THR, and 3 weeks to the day since my discharge from hospital.
First thing is it's absolutely amazing to have no hip pain any more! i am feeling a bit of pain in my knee on the same side as the affected hip, but i am putting this down to the fact that my knee is having to work extra to compensate for the fact it is also supporting the hip.
i am down to using one stick, and took some (very) tentative steps without the stick today, but my limp is horrendous. Can some THR veteran out there reassure me that this will improve as my hip get's stronger, and there is nothing sinister wrong, such as different leg lengths?

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there!

    It is great news to hear that you now have no pain since the op and I think it is probably early days regarding you walking with a limp.

    If you limped prior to surgery than you probably will limp until the muscles get stronger. When the "stabilizing" muscles on the sides of your operated leg get stronger, you should limp less and less. To see if yours are weak, you can try to 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.

    The leg length may be different as this can happen after a THR but if it is half an inch this should not be the cause and you can get advice about shoe inserts later on, if you feel this may be necessary.

    I think that you are perhaps being a little impatient at the moment! Give your new hip time and I am sure things will greatly improve. Are you attending any physio as they would be able to answer your question for you.

    I wish you well,

    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,880
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi From me too!
    I think you are doing great!!!
    As far as the limp is concerned my m-in-law had one and it's now vitually unoticeable (12 months), since her THR last April (2008).
    You should get stronger.
    Take care
    Toni x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, Nice to hear from you! :) It sounds as if you'r doing really well and so I shouldn't worry. Love Sue

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