Giving up crutches after hip op

speedalong

Sorry to start a second new thread on the same day ...

I'm 14 weeks post hip op and still walking out and about with one crutch, though I'm fine in the house and garden. I don't need it because I feel wobbly or unsafe - but I lean to the op side when lifting and stepping forward with the other leg. This is because my muscles are weak on the op side and struggle to keep me upright as I do this. I can walk a short way without and then my gait starts to deteriorate and my limp/sway becomes more pronounced.

Anyway, I emailed the physio who worked with me on my walking a few weeks after my op to see if it was better to use the crutch or to give it up now ...

Here is her reply,

I would recommend you keep using the crutch rather than struggling without it. By using the crutch you are training your muscles/brain etc to walk in the correct way, if you start limping without it and do this for a period of time you are going to re-enforce bad habits. As your muscles get stronger and your exercise tolerance increases you should find that you are less reliant on the crutch. This may just take a while and a little longer than you would hope! Hope this makes sense.

I thought this might be encouraging/reassuring to other peeps in the same boat.

I haven't been fitting in much physio at the moment (school hols) but have been walking plenty and swimming weekly - and I can now balance on the op leg for several seconds .. so it is getting stronger ... I suppose I just have to be patient...

Speedy

marion1952

Oh thanks Speedy - that is a helpful message from your phsyio..

Marion x

speedalong

I found it reassuring Marion, as sometimes I start to doubt whether I really need the crutch/ should I just settle for a pronounced limp etc ...

Speedy