Back Pain

Posted , 7 users are following.

hi. I had a TRHR in February 2015 and have healed well - basically had my life back for a good few months.I know I need the left doing and my GP has agreed to refer me to the same consultant when I think I'm ready to face another operation. 

With my right side all the pain was in the groin area and I managed to cope without painkillers in the most part. With my left I do have occasional groin pain (if I've overdone it) but mainly I have lower back pain which can come on without warning and is incapacitating.   Has anyone else had this kind of pain? Is it hip related? Any advice welcome as to be honest even trying to get a GP appointment makes me feel weak and panicked (last time I made one I had to wait three and a half weeks). 

Catrin 

2 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Catrin,

    Yes I had both groin pain and the excruciating back pain that came from nowhere. I would also wake up with it some mornings despite sleeping on my side.

    I was having physio before my replacement and when she prodded my lower back I almost jumped off the couch. She explained that the lower back and hip are totally connected and the back is a common area for referred pain. Apparently with the altered mobility and bad limp that I had this was making all the muscles go into spasm, causing my pain. If I had a bad day then the pain would be worse. She mentioned that acupuncture and trigger point therapy can help but of course I was due my hip replacement so I never tried either of them.

    Not sure if this has helped, but at least you know some back pain is normal for some 😊

    Take care

    Jacqui

    • Posted

      hi catrin, 

      I am so sorry to hear this - 

      I also had more pain in my back before 2nd THR - Had R THR March 2015 - left hip was fine at that time, but showed rapid decline of cartilage at 6 weeks post-op visit - 

      It did not get better - had 2nd THR on left hip September 2015 -

      that once in a while pinch in groin is a sign , I think -

      Maybe see your doctor and get the ball rolling sweetheart - it is not fun, but you will have 2 new hips !!!!! 

      Seems that recovering from your first one went really well and is strong enough to support your left hip after it is done ...

      Nothing to be ashamed of --- 

      big warm hug

      renee

       

    • Posted

      Gosh this sounds soooo familiar.

      I had suffered back pain for years and found out it was my hips referring much of the pain - only because my muscles were permanently in spasm.when the surgeon saw my x-rays - he wanted to know why I hadn't come to him sooner! A: I didn't know it was my hips at the root of it.

      This doesn't all go away with the surgery as everything is so interconnected and muscles and other joints have to realign and adjust as you recover and your posture and gait change. Not to mention the struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position.

      Lots of virtual hugs and support.

      L

  • Posted

    Hi Catrin, most of my pre op pain was lower back. It was due to back pain that I first went to see the doc who sent me for physio. The physio diagnosed it was due to my hip. Since op lower back pain is gone. I do recommend physio, especially massage and ultrasonic, to manage the back pain.

    best wishes, Olwen

  • Posted

    Thanks ladies. Deep down I know I have to face it and the back pain is really awful. I can't even stand up straight today ??I will call try GP Monday and get the ball rolling.

  • Posted

    Catrin, I am extending my heartfelt sympathy to you! Lower back pain is so horrible. I've been having it for the past 3 weeks, including the dreaded spasms, and I can attest to how debilitating it can be. I don't know if it is hip related, although I suspect that the way we overcompensate with other parts of our body when one part is not working well can contribute to all kinds of other pains.

    I've been using walking aids for the last year and have hip surgery in 3 weeks. My back and my "good" leg are a mess now. 

    I've been icing, taking nsaids, resting and trying to be as careful as possible with my back, and things are a bit better. I was sleeping in my lift recliner for 3 weeks, since I was unable to get out of bed on my own. Last night I finally managed a night in bed and got out without hurting myself in the morning. I think mine is soft-tissue, muscle-related. I had an MRI and x-ray of my spine last December, and everything was fine with them then. 

    Since your pain is so bad, I would definitely see a doctor about it, if I were you. Get that appointment scheduled asap. It might get worse, or be something other than soft tissue-related. And waiting is torture, especially if it doesn't get better.

    Sending you all the best, Catrin!

  • Posted

    Hi Catrin,

    I went for almost 2 years undiagnosed because I had severe back pain and no one looked past that - my GP, a pain specialist, a physiotherapist and an accupuncturist. I could barely cope.  Finally my new chiropractor told me to get a hip x-ray, that my walk looked like that was the problem.  Well she was right, I had severe OA in both hips.  I had my first THR on May 9th.  The back pain is completely GONE!!  I still limp a little because of the other side put I'm in very little pain now and none on the operated side.  The other side is being done on August 19th.  I was kind of angry at first but it doesn't help - you have to move forward.  No guarantees but my guess after your 2nd op this will no longer be a problem for you.   Good luck!

    Fiona

  • Posted

    Hi catrin:

    Yes, to your question and exactly like you described it along with terrible buttock pain in the lower left also. I just had my rthr 9 weeks ago and my left is so bad I am getting ready to have that done on the 12th of next month. My right side also was some groin pain and lack of movement, and I had a limp which I had been limping for quite some time, and it gradually got worse and worse over time. With the left nothing gradual about it, just went all at once. Terrible pain in my lower back the least bit of overdoing it or trying to do any kind of work, bending, sweeping, mopping and I am in big trouble. Now getting so bad that I can't even stand on that leg because the bone on bone pain in the hip is terrible. I am hoping that all of this will be gone after the next surgery. With my rthr I also had a fracture in my bone so not sure what they will find with the left because it is actually more painful and debilitating than the right was even though the right was bad for a long long time. May be time to looki into getting the left done if it is bothering you to much or at least see what your doctor says. Wishing you well....Barb

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