Question
I am 54 and following an urgent left hip replacement in Nov 2006 I was left with a walk like a penguin.  I have now had a second hip operation in February of this year and am still walking lopsided.  I have been going to physio every two weeks, but have still not improved.  I am getting frustrated regarding my walking. will it improve?  the physio says it is because of muscle wasting, however i can feel the hip replacement in my left hip, especially down the leg, and the hip replacement in my right which is only three months old is great, I can not feel it at all.  I have been discharged by my consultant.

Answer
Hello Yvonne

I am so sorry for what you are going through.  Have you asked your Physical Therapist if there is anything you can do in order to build up the atrophied muscle?  Has your walk improved since February at all?  If not ask for specific ways in which to build the muscle.

Since your right leg is doing well I would ask if the same doctor who performed that surgery performed the left leg?  If not, go back to the surgeon who performed the operation on the right leg and ask for a second opinion on your status.

Hope this helps.

Sharon Davis