limping

lkearney
lkearney Member Posts: 32
edited 14. Apr 2010, 17:10 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all, i feel like im always on here moaning at the moment so sorry and just ignore me if i am!!

I have osteo in my knees and a hip and have noticed over the last week or so that i am limping, no-one has told me that i am (maybe being diplomatic), but now that the weather has been nice i have found it really noticeable in my shadow. I know most of you are worse than i am and have a lot more to contend with so im sorry for moaning about probably trivial stuff but i was dreading the day when it would start to show in my walking and it gave me bad dreams last night. I wear in soles already as i have flat feet, any other ideas on how to stop it?

Thanks :cry:

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 13. Apr 2010, 07:19
    Unfortunately in my very humble opinion, there is no cure except surgery because you are walking in a way which is most comfortable for you to get from A to B. Do you use a walking stick?
    I would not worry too much about it. If you can get about relatively pain free that is a bonus surely.

    I think many people have a "characteristic walk". I can always recognise my dear hubby from a great distance by his walk and it most endearing to me. :wink::) He does not have bad knees or hips, only is a little flat footed, although he has lovely feet. Wish mine looked like his. :lol:

    Luv
    Elna x
    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.
  • lkearney
    lkearney Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Elna, no i dont use a stick, im only 32 so dont really want to for as long as possible if i can help it, i still get pains in my knees and particularly hip but i guess it must not be as bad when i am walking this way
    Thanks x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have just amended my first posting! :roll: :) I would not worry too much about it, my lovely. Totally agree with you regarding the stick.

    Luv
    Elna x
    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.
  • lkearney
    lkearney Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks Elna x
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ikearney,

    I also agree with Elna that its not really possible to stop a limp once its started to get to that point. I wonder though what stage your in cus if its stage 2 it should have a burn and then go quiet again. Sometimes physio and stretching exercises can help to pull you back to center again but it really does depend on what stage its at as to if that would help.

    There is a lot that can be done to help keep you mobile and for me I am very pro surgery....... I don't know as its the way to go but it has done wonders for bits of me in the past. Can I ask do you see anyone other than a gp? I really understand the reluctance to a stick but again it might help to keep you straighter so maybe it would help you? I so hope you get a bit of relief from it soon. Cris x
  • lkearney
    lkearney Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Chris, i only see the GP at the moment and thats only if i reallly have to as i dont find them too helpful to be honest. I did see a physio though and a surgeon about my knees last year and he did mention corrective surgery for if the physio didnt work, i am a bit soft so worried about surgery and he said its only a stop gap and knees will return to normal after a few years... but i guess thats a few years of being better so maybe ill look into that again.

    Im not sure what you mean about the stages?

    Im thinking of getting out my exercise bike, which is a low sitting one which is good for arthritis and i have neglected using that over winter

    I also have hurt my back in January as i fell in the snow down some steps so am waiting for a physio appointment for that as the doctor said i damaged my virtabrea, so maybe this is contributing, i dont feel as though it has affected my knees but maybe it has

    Lynn
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Quite honestly I think that sometimes a stick can start to make the side of the body that you are supporting, weaker so best leave as long as possible. The muscles will start to not work so well. I saw someone a time ago with a stick and she leant to one side. I saw her, about a year later, striding along, minus stick, and I could not believe it. I said wow is that really you?! She is one of the many people I chat to but have never known her name. :oops: She said she had pulled herself together, lost some weight and was determined to strengthen that side of her body. If I had not been on my bike I would have hugged her. I could not praise her enough. She looked a different person, she looked radiant. I felt so happy for her, when we parted company.

    E x
    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.
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know how you feel with regards to limping. I have a limp and it is more pronounced when I am tired or sore. I finally had to give in and use my stick and at 39 was embarrassed. i use my stick if I am going to the shops or any distance but not in the house or if popping to the corner shop.

    Sometimes when my left leg is bad I don't know which leg to limp with, which is funny!

    Anne xx
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi i also limp when things r bad what worse is when not picking foot up enough and trip feel silly i know it the stiffness in ankle and knee but that does not help when stumbling all over the place lol. some days walk normal others can hardly move legs . i have no advice but do not worry about it as most people do not notice good luck and try not to let it get you down val
    val
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi

    Oh I do so understand where you are coming from here and you do have my very real sympathy. We do develop a limp because it is the least painful way to walk with the dodgy hip and knees. Has the physio suggested hydrotherapy?, it may only be a short term fix but I found it so helpful. Together with the physio exercises I was almost taught how to walk properly again. I was told that when limping I was using my back muscles when walking instead of my gluts! You may get backache if the limp persists. Mine is always worse when tired but can disappear for a while early afternoons when I'm warmed up into the day. I'm sure it will feel worse to you than to others so don't let it stop you getting about. It doesn't stop me. Reasonable exercise does help.
    Sorry you are worrying do get more support and advise from you doc or physio. I have had my OA limp for more than 6 years and am only now considering the possibility of future surgery.

    take care
    Chris
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya, I used to only limp when tired or sore - or rather that was when my limp was more pronouced. I think normally I was always dashing around so people did not notice until by the end of the day I was slower and limping more and then they would ask me if I'd hurt myself and I have to explain that I always did a bit but it was more pronounced when I was tired ... they'd always look surprised at that ... and say quite genuinely they hadn't really noticed before.

    Now the only way forward is an urgent op (I have been getting progressively worse for the last few years) and do walk much better with one crutch. I still limp around at home - but out and about have to use a crutch. It was embarrassing using it about for the first time in each place ... a bit like having a new haircut or glasses ... but people are used to it now.

    When I had my last hip op at 30, I never used walking stick (the physio gave me a wooden one ...) I just reduced down to one crutch and then nothing. I think I would have more happily used a metal one. But that's just me.

    We do limp as it is our bodies way of avoiding pain and compensating - but it can become a habit too. I think you should ask your GP for an ortho check up appointment and also for a physio referral, so that you can find out what is going on.
    Someone mentioned hydro and that used to really help me too.

    Speedalong

    PS You don't whinge too much ... that is what this forum is for!!
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • lkearney
    lkearney Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for your messages, it helps so much to have people on here to reassure, i will write down all the suggestions and take them with me to the doctors
    Thanks
    Lynn x
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,138
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ikerney
    i was born with one leg shorter than the other
    and when i had my tkr the doc said i will make your legs the same length.
    and from then i've had problems because it put my hips wrong.
    it was not said when i had my thr 14 years ago.
    i hope that has helped you.
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • penfactor
    penfactor Member Posts: 366
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there!
    I know how you feel trying to get used to a new limp. My hip op went wrong so now have one leg an inch longer so no choice but to limp though i find a stick helps make it less clumsy looking. I am really just trying to get used to new walk though but hate having to explain it to people I haven't seen for ages.
    Pennie
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    been thinking i wobble not limp lol
    val
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [HI Ikearney

    I have been limping for the past 2 years. It isn't so noticeable if I'm on my elbow crutches. I was in a wheelchair up until my first TKR 2 months ago. Now I walk around the house without any (limping - of course). I notice that I limp after long periods of inactivity ie sleeping and sitting. My other knee with be replaced too and I hope that one day when these knee joints are settled in I won't limp at all.

    Do you use crutches? I found them very useful. How bad are your knees? The knee that has not been operated on tends to lock if I'm out walking on flat surfaces (shops/town centres etc) and I have to stop and rest. It can be very exhuasting!

    I contacted the Occupational Therapist when I started to go downhill with my mobility and he arranged for handrails to be put upstairs; raised toilet seats; a perching stool for use in the kitchen I still can't stand in one place for any lenght of time so this is useful when I'm preparing dinner; peeling veggies etc; grips in the shower etc.

    I would recommend elbow crutches and maybe a walking stick to use in the house. Funny you should mention your hips having OA - I've started to notice that one of mine is starting to be very painful.

    I hope you find a solution to your limping - I think it's part and parcel of OA of the knee.

    Take care.

    Sharmaine




    quote="lkearney"]Hi all, i feel like im always on here moaning at the moment so sorry and just ignore me if i am!!

    I have osteo in my knees and a hip and have noticed over the last week or so that i am limping, no-one has told me that i am (maybe being diplomatic), but now that the weather has been nice i have found it really noticeable in my shadow. I know most of you are worse than i am and have a lot more to contend with so im sorry for moaning about probably trivial stuff but i was dreading the day when it would start to show in my walking and it gave me bad dreams last night. I wear in soles already as i have flat feet, any other ideas on how to stop it?

    Thanks :cry:[/quote]
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie
    don't you have orthotics to compensate for the leg length discrepancy? Until my hip joint started to crumble a foot raise to even out the leg length really improved my gait, and made limp barely noticeable.

    Always being out of alignment can lead to further aches and pains.

    Have you been referred to an orthotist.

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.