Had my hip replaced - but still a little scared of my hip!!

jenifur

Hi all i had a THR 11 weeks ago, but altho my surgeon gave me the all clear to ditch the crutches and drive and swim at 6 weeks, im still scared about going up stairs on the operated leg, wearing heels, bending and crossing my legs. im 23 next week and have had arthritis for as long as i can remember, but this was my first ever replacement. any advice gratefully recieved. Thanks x x

mrsdalloway

Hi Jen I know how you feel I had tkr in '06 and mine felt weird for a while after I had spent 18 months with it bone on bone and dislocating at least once a day. It will get easier and as long as you are not having any unusual discomfort you should be ok to return to normal. Maybe one bit of advice on the shoe front what about wedges? they give height and will offer bit more support than heels. x

collettem

Hi, I just turned 36 and had my hip replaced in March. I am still scared of discolating it but am back to the gym on the bike and a modified pilates class. At the minute have not tried my heels but am looking forward to it and going out dancing again. Physio did say it is about getting the muscle as strong as possible to protect the joint so that is what I am trying to do at the moment.

lindalegs

Hi Jen,

It all sounds as though you just need to build up confidence in your new joint. It will come in time and remember - not everyone is a text book case you have to do what's right for you.

Take your time - keep your six inch heels in the cupboard for now and a word of advice - I suggest you don't cross your legs - I wouldn't have thought that's a good idea at all.

Luv Legs

elnafinn

Hi Jen

Pleased to hear that you have had the all clear from your surgeon. 11 weeks is not all that long a time since the operation. It does take time to bond with a new hip/knee. I had a knee done and although it did everything, if you know what I mean, just like your hip, it still felt rather alien. There was no more of the pain, that was brilliant, but it took time to "feel at home" with my new knee and to trust it.

You and your new hip will definitely bond. Don't worry too much about that.

Luv
Elna x

dachshund

Hello Jen.
I've had my thr 16 years i fell over and broke my hip. after i had the op and came home the next day i wanted to take my dog for a walk i walked so far i fell over 5 times after a week i had to go for a check up and every thing was okay.
i go to the gym and the hydrotherapy pool.
i was told not to cross my legs.
jen enjoy your new hip if you treat it as a normal hip you will feel better about it.
joan xx

woodbon

Hello, I've not had joint replacement surgery, but its a major op and it must take quite a long time for you to have full confidence in it. When I had a major tummy op and the nurse took the stiches out, I spent ages lying on the bed compleatly still, convinced if I moved, the scar would open! :shock: In the end I had to go to the loo and after that I was fine.

I'm sure you'll get your confidnece back with time and gentle exercise, then you'll start to feel its just another part of you.
Love Sue

tkachev

Hi Jen

I am with you on this one.Had a THR 3 weeks ago and although everything is going very well I am still paranoid about dislocating it.I tried walking without my crutches but I still waddle like a duck, which I was doing before the operation, probably because the leg is shorter one side(not been measured yet).I think it will take ages to feel secure again.
Take each day at a time and increase your confidence gradually until you feel ready.
One small step for man,one giant leap for mankind!

Take care
Tkachev.

brighteyes

Hi Jen

I had my first hip replacement when I was 20 (in 1984 - god I'm getting old!!!). I was diagnosed when I was 11 but have gone on to have 3 kids, now all teenagers. I had to have them by caesarian section but apart from that had completely normal pregnancies.

I've had a further 4 replacements since then but I'm still going strong.

Good days and bad days admittedly but I've learnt after all these years to listen to my body and if I feel bad then I don't do anything.


When I had my first hip, my then fiancee took me to Paris 4 months later for my 21st birthday. Being able to walk around Paris without being in agony was just amazing.

You'll be fine. Once you get used to the thought of your hip, you'll soon forget all about it - except when you go thru security at the airport - I've had some explaining to do over the years

jenifur

thanks for the comments guys. some of you really seem to know where im coming from on this!

anyone have any advice a little more specific to the stairs thing? do u think by now, after 11 weeks have passed i should be safe to try going up and down stairs on the operated leg?

im getting along with it quite well in most other respects, im walking well now, my waddle has almost gone. im swimming and going on the treadmill at the gym, (i would like to try the exersize bike, but am a little daunted) and since my 6weeks were up ive been out on the town 3 times! (once admittedly i only lasted to 11.30 but it was on my 6weeks 2days - i had to show my face tho, it was my best mates hen do!)

my most proud moment so far tho was the other day, i managed to put my own sock on!!!wooooo hooooo!!

luv jen x x x

tkachev

Hi Jen again

It is lovely to read that your getting on with your life so well.I expect if and when I put my socks on I will shout with joy too!

I expect you will be fine with the stairs now.Just make sure you get your balance and hold on to the rail/bannisters, just like you did when you used your sticks for the first time.

However I would have thought the physio would have made it clear that its okay to do these things.Can you check with her first?

Regards
Tkachev.

dachshund

Hi Jen.
i go on the exersize bike but i cannot remember when i first went on it after my op.
inow i did it slow at first.
i think you are doing very well.
joan xx

bionic

jenifur wrote:

Hi all i had a THR 11 weeks ago, but altho my surgeon gave me the all clear to ditch the crutches and drive and swim at 6 weeks, im still scared about going up stairs on the operated leg, wearing heels, bending and crossing my legs. im 23 next week and have had arthritis for as long as i can remember, but this was my first ever replacement. any advice gratefully recieved. Thanks x x

Hi just to say dont be afraid of it it's there to give you a better quality of life, I still rode my horse even after my third one but after the fourth I had to stop but I still go to the horses and de poo the fields and muck out etc, I also ride my bike I am now limited to what I do as four is a bit many really but I still do what I can and more than I should but hey ho you only live once. One bit of advice is I wouldn't try heels for a while and if you do dont wear them for long other than that enjoy it

zoepluscats

One of my friends had the same problem. Her hip replacement was unscheduled. She fell down some steps and broke the neck of her femur and the surgeon told her it would just keep breaking if she didn't have a THR. After the op, she was very uncertain on her feet but eventually went back to her dance classes (Playford) and had no serious problems. She still walks with a limp but she's still dancing after several more years. I can recommend Playford dancing to anyone who wants a suitable form of exercise.

jenifur wrote:

Hi all i had a THR 11 weeks ago, but altho my surgeon gave me the all clear to ditch the crutches and drive and swim at 6 weeks, im still scared about going up stairs on the operated leg, wearing heels, bending and crossing my legs. im 23 next week and have had arthritis for as long as i can remember, but this was my first ever replacement. any advice gratefully recieved. Thanks x x