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Questions regarding total hip replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Sep 3, 2023 | Replies (50)Comment receiving replies
Does anyone has ideas on how to strengthen whatever atrophying muscle(s) are causing me to have to use a cane?
I went to my fifth ortho surgeon a month ago for his take on what I can do with a collapsed hip joint (that may/may not have AVN) so I can stop using a cane. My leg is shorter because the joint has collapsed but the hip area has no pain so no hip replacement because I could get pain and have to walk with cane..
I can't use a heel lift but I do put a few full shoe inserts in to make up some of the difference.
I was told that it would take a lot of very difficult exercise for months to possibly get away from my cane -- but then not told what to do!
I've been to PTs in the past who won't give me exercises because they said I needed a new hip because collapsed joint limited my ROM.
So, a catch-22.
Problem is that walking with a cane is making my shoulder/hand on cane arm get very sore as well as opposite side lower back.
I've looked online for exercises and can do some (bridges, etc.,) but most (lunges, etc.) are beyond me.
Has anyone had to strengthen a muscle so they are then able to stand on the one bad leg?
That would seem to be what I need.
Doc says I can't do it because my "muscle" is too weak. So how do I strengthen it?
Very frustrating!
Thanks for any suggestions.
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@mamie, can you try finding another physical therapist that will work with you? After my surgeries, PT was key to my recovery. I know exactly what you mean about cane-walking causing pain in the arm and lower back...when I "over did it" while on the cane, my hip was the least of my worries. Much of the early PT work was stretching things back out that had contracted over time, and we gradually added a variety of strength building excercises. I've regained msot of my range of motion and flexibility, but I still have strength to work on. To me, the exercises that helped finally kick the cane were things that strengthened the area around my knee. Much of it was using gym/PT equipment and leg presses were very helpful.