Hi, has anyone here had trendelburg gait after a hip replacement? Had my hip done 17months ago and did all my exercises but ended up with this gait. The orthopaedic surgeon said the weakness was due to my RA and inflammation not the surgery as the X-ray was good. This gait is now affecting my lower back (as I waddle like a duck 🦆 most days lol!) nights are worse, it seems every time I lie down it starts kicking off. Any help and advise appreciated
Stay well everyone 🤗X
I'm sorry to hear this AngelMar
Hi AngelMar. Have you considered trying physiotherapy? It might be worth having a think about it and reading up on it to see if it could be beneficial to you. Good luck. x
Thanks springcross,
I was having physio before lockdown in March then It all stopped.
I rang them yesterday and I’m still waiting for a return call. 🤗X
Great, was it helping very much?
Don’t think it was to be honest but that didn’t stop me trying. Mabey if my RA was better controlled it would improve. 🤗X
Also it might depend how long you were having physio for. Good luck anyway. xx
Thanks springcross 🤗 X
Interesting my mum recently had a total hip replacement after a fall (playing football) and when I was reading about recovery it said Trendelenburg gait is not uncommon following this surgery. It also says osteoarthritis is a common cause but nothing about inflammatory arthritis 🤔. As others have said they recommend physiotherapy to try and get some improvement, hopefully this will help
Thanks Karen,
I did read the same, it’s caused by a weakness of the abductor muscle. I asked my surgeon if he cut this muscle when doing the op his reply was no he goes through it 🤔and it was all due to inflammation caused by RA. My RA has not been controlled for two years and I think mabey it’s a contributing factor. 🤗X
I’m sorry to read this AngelMar. I hope you get news from the physio and they will help. 🤞🏻
I had a hip replacement three months ago due to R.A. in my case it was certainly true that inflammation made the situation significantly worse. I was limping, had pain in lower back, knee and thigh, lacked mobility, was on two crutches etc at six weeks post op. Had a systemic steroid injection at week seven and improved dramatically. My nhs physio never replied to my calls post op so I paid to go privately and I have made a lot of improvement. I would suggest you get to a physio for the right kind of exercises, I did three hours a day of rehab as proposed by the physio, and am now close to walking with no sticks or limp. It has been a tough three moths but I think worth the effort because I appreciate walking “badly” creates problems elsewhere. I already notice that my back and knee are less troublesome. I hope that helps.
That’s great to hear! I’m sooo pleased for you. I’m still awaiting a return call from the physio dept and I’m hoping that after 17months I’ve not left it to late. 🤗X
If you possibly can, get to a good physio who is really interested in helping you. Shop around until you find one. Then do the exercises absolutely religiously. In my experience and that of friends, NHS physio is unfortunately "rationed" so if you can get around at all you are deemed OK and they move on to the next patient. It's my belief that you can always get some improvement, but you need treatment from someone who believes that. Don't feel it's too late, but really go after it. Don't hang around for the NHS to decide it might do something for you. Sometimes you have to insist very hard - or else find a private solution. I wish you well. X
Im due for a hip replacement and the thought of that really bothers me I hope you can find an answer x
This is an interesting post, and the replies are enlightening. I had a bad fall last August (2019) resulting in the fracture of the head of the femur of my right hip. I spent 4 weeks in a cottage hospital following a hemi-arthroplasty and had intensive physiotherapy. Tough, but it helped me walk quite well without any aids. However, on discharge I had a massive flare which knocked me for six; undoing all the progress.
My rheumy put me on my first biologic in March this year, and since then it has been a very slow climb back. My gait is still not as it was because my right knee took the brunt of the flare. Because my hands are badly crippled any walking aid is a handicap rather than a help.
But some days are good; some bad. I'm encouraged by my husband who says I'm much stronger - exercises are helping to strengthen leg muscles which is essential and also helps posture, the cause of much back pain. I can't get any physio so I'm thrown back on what advice I remember from the cottage hospital. As Anniebl says, once you get over the waddling stage everything improves.
I do wish you well in this - it can be a bit dispiriting, but the effort will bring results. If you can get some professional advice - and if possible a good physio - you will find a great improvement.
Good Luck!
bienassis
Hi, I had a fall 5 years ago and broke my hip, I was doing so well before it as I hadn't long been on a biologic drug. I walk like a penguin now, I have started using my stick as it helps to straighten me up. I had the operation over in Dubai as we had been on holiday when i fell. When I first went for physio she could see that there was a difference in leg length due to the operation so I now have to wear an insert in one shoe now as it is shorter. The consultant here says it is normal for the leg to drop (whatever that means) as I have noticed it more noticeable since I first got it done, although I am waiting on an ankle replacement so perhaps that is making my walking a bit more unsteady.
I was interested that your physio said there was a difference in length of your operated leg. While I was recuperating in the cottage hospital my physio made the same remark about my leg - but didn't mention that it was due to the operation. Because of that, I assumed my legs were naturally of slightly different length. Your post has made me think again about my recovery and shall ask my doctor/rheumy nurse about it; perhaps an insole might be useful for me.
What a lot of useful information I've collected since I joined this forum! Thank you!
bienassis
Sorry you are having problems.
My first THR (age 45) went well (i thought) and healed but then developed infection (bacteroides capilosis) over 2 months later.
This resulted in months of hospitalisation, vac pump, washouts/debridements, but eventually they couldn't save the prosthetic and it had to be removed (Girdlestones procedure).
Then had to remain in hospital (could not walk with no hip joint) on IV antibiotics for more months until eventually I was allowed home on oral antibiotics wheelchair bound/Zimmer frame, specially adapted indoor shoes to lengthen leg/ traction at night etc., until a new prosthetic hip joint was put in BUT, because my hip space had started to heal and close up, they had to cut a tendon, assume it was a glute as now have no external rotation with that leg.
I was told 1% infection risk with THR's and I got it! Whilst the tendon problem was disappointing, like RA, I can live with it and am glad I didn't develop sepsis. Lovely surgeon though and I went on to have other hip replaced the following year. Since then (2008/09/10) hips have been fine, although reduced movement).
Good luck, hope you get a solution to your problem.
That sounds like a nightmare! Think I’ve been lucky compared to you BoneyC.
Wishing you well and thanks for your input, stay safe 🤗X
Hip replacement advice?
HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Second hip replacement tomorrow 
