Hip Replacement - how long does it take to walk without surport/?
Question posted by soulla on 16 Nov 2014
Last updated on 23 March 2022 by Anniebananie12
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5 Answers
I had total hip replacement surgery beginning of December 2021. I had fallen and broke my femur bone at the head (where it attaches to the hip) but I didn’t think it was broken even though I couldn’t walk on it. And because of COVID-19 I didn’t want to go to the hospital. So I finally had my husband call me an ambulance a week later. I’m telling you all this because it may be the reason it took me about two months to walk with no support aside from a cane I use normally.
I was able to walk using a walker beginning the same night I had surgery.
I had both hips were severe osteo had right hip done dec 15. Left hip 9th march i hope to finally be able to walk without so much pain and a cane
Sue, how did it go and how are you feeling?
Everyone is different. Stephen did amazingly good. But exercise is the key. Even tho it hurts walk walk and walk some more. You have to build up the muscle structure around that new hip. My friend was outside walking in without support in a month. She said the pain was then minimal, compared to what she had before surgery.
thanks for your answer, you said to walk and lots of walking do you mean without any surport? i can walk without surport but it hurts is this normal?
Soulla, if you feel you need a cane to help, it won't hurt to use it. Pain on standing up is normal and so is walking. You will have the limp until your body readjust itself. It feels to me as if the replacement hip has made my leg longer, but when I spoke to the surgeon he showed me on the xray and measured up different bits of bone and demonstrated that the leg was actually 2mm 1/12" shorter. As the left leg had been unable to carry weight for so long I have adjusted to the bad leg; now I have to re-adjust to a good leg. The more you walk the easier it becomes; however, it is painful. I think we forget quite quickly how bad things were before. Little bit by little bit it gets better; after 6 months it should be discomfort free. You don't have to go out and walk half a mile. Try walking until you want to stop then walk home. Try 100 yards each way to start.
Thinking of you.
Thanks stephen i will keep trying to get better and wont let it get me down.i just needed to know how others who had total hip replacement were getting on.
How is the hip going now Soulla? I pm'd you but you replied with an odd response: "Hip??? "
Hi steve iam not doing too bad it can be still a bit painfull when i walk due to cold weather here in cyprus. Plus because iam a cashier at walk i sit alot and that doesnt help i go swimming 3 times a week so hopefully by the summer i should be back on the dance floor ;) how are u getting on?
I was in a walker four months after surgery(had severe pop out the first month) then did short walks unassisted, but Still can’t stand for more than 2 hours
Almost 4 years later I have back trouble because they made the new leg longer than than the other by 3/5ths of an inch. Oh well.
Took me 3 weeks to go from walker to cane,2 weeks to nothing
Mine was a total hipreplacement do u think thats why its taking me longer.i have tried walking without my cane but it hurts and i limp.
I just had a full left hip replacement (9/9/14). I was out of bed and took a few steps on day 3. By day 11 I walked out of the hospital unaided. Day 21 walked half a mile. Day 66 more exercise, more comfort, more normal.
Good luck, the pain for the first 3 days is amazing but gets better very quickly.
Thanks steven for your answer i had my op 22/9/14 and iam still not walking without surport its getting me down i thought i would be walking by now.
You had yours just 2 weeks after me (I had osteo necrosis and the collapsed head of my femur had bored a hole through my pelvis), consequently the socket had to be screwed in place and the head of the femur was sawn off at the top of the femur. The hospital made me walk daily starting on day three and I used a frame for the next 8 days (I had a second emergency surgery elsewhere; different issue, same hospital) and walked out of hospital without support on day 11. I have walked at least half a mile every second day since day 21. It is not pain free but it's not painful in any meaningful way. I was driving my stick shift within three weeks. Keep doing your exercises, remember you are supposed to sleep on your back for 6 weeks and not to try to roll over in bed as it can lead to dislocation and revision surgery. The pain you are experiencing is tissue damage around the hip that needs exercise. The joint itself cant actually hurt as it is artificial and nerveless.
If you have pain running down the inside of your groin area see your doctor and also what did the Doctor say for the post op follow up with new hip xrays that show the implants?
You should see the doctor regardless because something sounds badly wrong
Why are you scaring this person and telling her something is not right? Are a physician. We all heal at different paces. I had my surgery oct19 and it is nov 26 and I still use a walker
Did you even read this thread? It is 2 years old. If the same question was put to me now, I might well give a different answer. Uneven leg length, chronic back pain. Long recovery if your legs are uneven; a host of different things. Look at the date before you start slamming strangers.
I'd love to be as rude as you but I'll just say; Take care.
You also ignored the part where I told her to see her Doctor? You know; where it says "expand".
I had left hip replacement on the 16th March 2017 at Bedford Hospital, Mr Sood was the surgeon. I was discharged on 19th, today I walked unaided twice around my block, took me around 20 minutes.
I'm tired but happy with the quick rehabilitation, I added one exercise to the notes I was given by the hospital and was sliding my feet on a cushion forwards and backwards whilst seated, the cushion must be on a shiny surface i.e. tiled, laminate or wooden flooring.
It's also very therapeutic and without doubt speeded my recovery, my legs feel strong which is half the battle.
I've also come up with some helpful ideas that make life easier in the first few weeks, email me, I'm happy to help.
Kind Regards
John Crook
Thanks John for that excellent tip.
I had both of my hips done. Right side on March 5 , left side March 8. Total replacement of both. I walked with the aid of a walker 125’ the morning after the second hip. I walked a mile today with the aid of a cane. I could have done it without the cane but I was alone s d wanted the extra assurance. PT is the whole ballgame for a quick recovery in my opinion. Though every case is unique. My wife is an RN and my daughter is an Occupational Therapist, which helped me tremendously. I am so glad that I got them done at the same time. I suffered for 5-6 years of pain, and now that pain is gone!
Hello, I had a total right hip replacement on Aug 28, 2018. I am walking, Pt and exercising at home once a day. When does the tightness and the sharp feeling at the front of thigh start to lighten up?
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