Can walking be accomplished without a hip or hip replacement?

I think you will still have improvement as time passes and you keep up with the exercises to strengthen all your surrounding muscles. You went through a lot in 2023 and it's going to take time. I didn't really use crutches a lot until about 3 or 4 months after surgery, but I only had 'one' surgery. It took about a year before I could do a leg lift while laying down, but I can do it now and just started while laying on my stomach too the past few months. I am on Prozac 10mg a day for depression and I believe it helps me to stay positive and thankful for what I can do. I have a friend who's son has been paralyzed, in a wheelchair since 17 and he's 46. He's married with 3 kids and enjoys life to the fullest. Our families camp together every year and he bought a big boat to take his kids wakeboarding. Last summer, I watched him drag himself up a rubber plank, then down on the inside of boat and scooted his butt on floor to drag himself into the drivers seat. Then Brian laughs and goes on to make sure everyone has a good time! I'm 72 and was very active before my surgery in 2022. I can ride upright exercise bike and I also got a tricycle last year and ride that outside. We live in Michigan. Wishing you continued healing and I know you will get stronger each day. You are not alone in this journey!!! Cindy

I had a total hip replacement 6 years ago. I was so afraid of infection because I have something called Primary Immunodeficiency and don't make my own anti-bodies to bacteria or viruses. I do sub-q infustions at home with other peoples IgG plasma to get their antibodies. ( a mild "boy in the bubble" disease). I am 82 and actually pretty healthy in spite of the crazy situation. I have been doing fine with the replacement and walk for exercise. A few weeks ago I started to get groin pains in the same hip that was replaced. This is exactly the way it started the first time. I have an appointment next week with the PA at the ortho. This time I'm really concerned about having to go through it all over again.

I'm so sorry to read about your situation. Praying all goes well for you!

Thank you

Hi all, I've been a "member" of this club for almost a year now and I really feel like the odd duck because I'm hearing most of you talking about mobilizing with a walker or a cane, and yet I have found it absolutely necessary to get a power wheelchair and I can only make very short transfers between bed and chair. I'm still in a lot of pain. I spend all of my time either lying in a hospital bed at home or in a wheelchair, sometimes outside of the house.

I know everyone's experience of recovery from the Girdlestone is different. Has anyone else had a recovery path that looks more like what I'm going through? I'd love to hear from you.

From what I’ve read and heard, every individual is different. However, one month after having my artificial hip removed I could just stand up in a walking frame with help from my physiotherapist in the hospital. I was convinced I’d be in a wheelchair forever. I couldn’t take even one step - just stand for a minute or so! My physiotherapist encouraged me to find a local physiotherapist when I got home, so I did. I’d lost a lot of weight in hospital (for a month) and my muscles were generally very weak.
Once home I had a physiotherapist 3x per week, in my home. So bit by bit I improved my strength and am still doing so. Within 2 weeks at home (6 weeks after the op) I could walk a few steps with the walker. After a further 6 weeks I could walk quite well with the walker and another couple of weeks I managed to go down (and up) a flight of stairs using a crutch and the handrail. I still rarely use crutches for walking except with the physiotherapist present (now 22 weeks after the operation). I now have physiotherapy 2x per week and do my own thing the rest of the time (not always so thoroughly)!
So what next? Who knows, but I’m determined to progress as far as I can. Time will tell. From what I’ve read, heard and experienced, physiotherapy is absolutely key to improving.
Even now, I can see improvement every week. Hope this is helpful.

It's great to hear you are doing so well....I'm 2 years post op Girdlestone of left hip and Physical Therapy is so very important just like you said! There are definitely days I get so bored from doing them, but I know if I don't I wouldn't be where I am today. Thank goodness I'm retired so I can devote so much time to them! Keep up the good work!

Haha, yes can be very boring. I do miss the odd day and feel guilty. But I’m convinced it’s so, so important if I am to get more mobile. So everyone out there, get busy. Walking (with walker), plus a variety of exercises to improve legs and upper body particularly. At 75 I’m aware it’s going to be a slow process - but got to keep at it. Terry

5 years post op girdlestone on left side. I still need to use a walker to get around though can take a few steps as long as I have something else to hold onto or to brace myself. Able to do otherwise do most things. I have a 3 inch leg length difference which poses the most difficulty despite wearing a raise on the one side. I tend to go lop sided by wearing a raised shoe on the left and a flat moccasin on the other. I am finding walking longer distances now difficult so have a new power chair. Unfortunately have wrecked both shoulders with recommendation for both shoulder replacements - due to history with hips I am reluctant to proceed. All in all doing much better than I ever expected and thankful the infections are gone. PM me if you wish.

I am currently "learning" to walk with a cane. The turning point for me was to have my leg remeasured on a hunch. Sure enough my leg was actually longer by 1 1/2" than what the measurement was when I was in rehab! So I had the shoe lift adjusted accordingly. That made a big difference and I do not have any pain when
walking with the cane. So week 3 using the cane with my new shoe, I feel that with a lot of practice, I will be able to perfect my stride using the cane! Fingers crossed!