unassisted walking

[mpschrader]

  I am able to get around my house safe and balanced without crutches.  My PT (I'm not totally sold on her yet) says I should use a crutch unless I can walk without crutches without even a hint of a limp ???  Do I keep the crutch or go unassisted?  Even with the one crutch I have a slight limp.  I'm 9 days post op.
Thanks,
Mark 

[hawaiieric]

Aloha Mark,

When I was post op, I tried to walk without the crutches or cane just because others were early on in their recovery.  I walked in the PT for my first visit and the assistants looked at me and said that I look like a truck hit me and to use the cane or crutch until there is no limp, for you don't want to develop a bad habit early in your recovery..and besides-its not a race..its all for you and the rest of your life.

Eric

[Pat Walter]

Hi

My surgeon, De Smet who has done over 3000+ hip resurfacings told me that I should use a crutch or cane until I did not limp.  If you walk unassisted with a limp you can possibly damage your new hip, femur bone, muscles or even deep incision.  You need to be careful and be patient.  I used one crutch for almost 4 weeks. I could have stopped at 3 weeks, but felt I needed the help outside.

Patience is always good early in a recovery - femur neck fractures are no fun and mean a revision to a THR.  Be patient and listen to your body.  If it is limping - there is a reason. 

Good Luck.

Pat

[mpschrader]

Thanks, I just need to settle down.

[pashley]

I've been told to use 2 crutches for 4/52 and then a stick for 4/52, am terrified at doing some damage so will do as told

BHR 27/10 Mr Mcminn

[jhall_3rd]

wtf is this code "4/52" ...?

[maxx6789]

wtf is this code "4/52" ...?

just a guess but ... i think it is "4 weeks" (as there are 52 weeks in a year).

[curt]

I'm at two weeks today and the limping has diminished rapidly.  Continue to limp as I get fatigued or when weight goes to operative side, but I figure some limping is normal due to the surgical dislocation.  I think using a cane is appropriate (or one crutch) but don't see how a slight limp is damaging....thoughts? (50yr, RHip, Dr. Gross, Biomet)

[hernanu]

I don't think it's damaging, you just want to avoid bad habits.

Your body is relearning how to move around again, you want it to learn to walk correctly, not to learn to limp in a different way. It takes a lot of concentration and patience, since we all want to be back to no aid at all, but staying with a cane or crutch until the limp is not evident any more is probably the best.

[curt]

thanks