Can I reduce hip from ‘giving way’?

raching

Hi, I am new to this community, have OA in right hip. Recently x rayed and the OA has progressed a lot. I am in my late 40s. Had a hip arthroscopy 12 yrs ago which did help at time (FAI and labral tear), but the OA is causing increasing issues this last year. Does anyone have tips on how to lessen chance of the hip giving way when I stand up and try to walk? I have to stand then wait, move leg around to reduce stiffness and then try a step but first 3-8 steps are very unsteady….then the limp lessens, any ideas?

Ellen

Hi @raching welcome to the online community.

I wonder whether you have considered using a walking aid of some sort for safety. A Physiotherapist should be able to advise you about this and these days you can often self refer at your own GP surgery. The very last thing you need to do is to fall.

I wonder whether doing some strengthening exercises might help your hips too?

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-hips/

You have timed your query very well as we have a lot of 'hippies' here who have had hip surgery recently and they may have some advice for you. @Janlyn @Nurina @Trish9556 @alwayssewing have any of you any suggestions?

My best wishes

Ellen.

Ellen

@raching just popped your reply over here I hope that's ok?

thank you, I haven’t considered used walking aids yet though do tend to hold something like a table if I can when I stand at present. Will have a look at the stretches, I find they can flare up the symptoms unless I am on a strong anti inflammatory (not on such meds currently) so need to discuss with physio

An excellent idea to discuss with a physiotherapist before undertaking exercise. Do let us know how you get on.

Ellen.

frogmorton

I'm glad to hear you are using something strong to balance with @raching .

I hope you can speak to a physio soon because it does help if our muscles and tendons are strong around a poorly joint to keep things a little more stable.

The people Ellen has linked in are almost our forum hip experts and there are a few more too so hopefully they will have some advice for you.

Take care and good luck

Toni x

Nurina

Sometimes the OA pain and stiffness doesn't let us to exercise as much as we'd need. Hip joint is very loose on its own and without the strong capsule around it, the joint gives away. If muscles around the hip are weakening they will not hold well the joint. Like others say, I'd look for a physiotherapist as soon as possible. Meanwhile, try one of the courses for pain run by NHS in Leisure Centres. Here in VA there are many exercises that will help you. Also, there is an app called Escape pain from NHS with exercises por hip pain. If during this time you need an aid, use it. Take care

Janlyn

@raching - I understand exactly what you are saying - mine was like that when I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. I did see a physio and exercises and massage helped it stablilise until I had my surgery. I agree with @Nurina - the courses run by the NHS in Leisure Centres are excellent but first I think I would recommend a physio to make sure you are doing the correct exercises for you.

And yes, if a stick helped you feel more secure I would go for it - it doesn't have to be forever, just until you feel safe and secure. Take care.

adrianh

This “leg giving way” is a real thing and impossible to predict. It’s really embarrassing when it happens at work! Colleagues must think I am a basket case! I have tried to hide it for a long time, but when I got the date for my THR I couldn’t hide it any longer and all the shame and not knowing what was causing it has gone away so I started being straight with people. Telling Mum and Dad was hard. I thought I was indestructible and now I have a bionic hip! My new hip seems to be brilliant after 6 weeks and that falling syndrome is history. I too had physio but it didn’t stop it happening. In the end THR was my only option which was scary. I am only in my mid 50’s.