Has anyone experienced this?
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello,
First post here... I am 53 Male and had total hip replacement 6.5 weeks ago on right hip. I have hip displaysia and moderate arthritus , but pain in right leg had gotten so bad I elected to have the surgery. The surgery was the anterior approach, so recouperation has been great and the new hip feels very good. However, starting about 3 weeks ago my other hip started really hurting. It is now so bad I can barely walk around.
The right leg was 3/8 inch shorter than left - so when they did the surgery on the right they lengthened the right side to make them equal. I'm thinking this is what is causing the left side to hurt so much now. The whole hip dynamic and weight distributin has changed. I can't think of any other reason. I have been riding the recumbant bike at the gym and that feels fine but I cant walk on the treadmill because of pain. It is so bad now I cant stand more than a few minutes without the pain starting and I cant even walk out to the mailbox without a prominant limp and shooting pain throughout my left hip. Hip flexor is weak and the center of most of the pain.
I'm hoping to hear of others who experienced this. Thanks!
1 like, 9 replies
beth2509 rob45189
Posted
Shooting pain is often more consistent with nerves. And nerve pain can also hurt in places other than where the nerve damage is - typically the hip, knee and lower leg or foot. I have heard on here of instances where nerves have been damaged by the surgery - it is in the small print you signed as one of the risks!
If you haven't spoken to your doctors, then you should do so. Sooner rather than later if it is that bad. Although nothing to do with the hip, I have had neuropathic pain from nerves in the spine which is exactly what you describe here - although that doesn't mean it's the same thing.
ian97093 rob45189
Posted
rob45189 ian97093
Posted
I always knew I would of eventually have my oother side (left) done, but it didnt feel anywhere near this bad a few months ago before I had th eright side done. I just have a hard time thinking this is my body adjusting to the new weight distibution and it will eventually get better. But that's probably wishful thinking.
nicscott rob45189
Posted
Hi im42 I don't want to put a dampener on things but I had a rthr Feb 16 going in knowing at some stage my other needed fixing to I thought I may have got a couple of years but no straight away within wks it was really hurting I ended up it locked on me twice which resulted with an ambulance going to a and e give me morphine, anyway went back to hospital oct the difference in the X Ray from Feb was massive it had deteriorated a hell of a lot I then had a lthr Dec 28th maybe just bite the bullet and her it done
lisa31002 rob45189
Posted
Hi, for approx 4 months before my op on 22 Sep and up to Xmas/NY I had excruciating back in my right unoperated hip caused by tendonitis. I couldn't lift my right leg high enough to climb stairs and driving before the op was very painful. If it is tendonitis you will need to rest it as exercises will just make it worse. I"m just starting to do exercises now and still get some soreness in right groin. 🚵
renee01952 rob45189
Posted
warm welcome to thie hippies forum where we share our personal experiences and stories -
did you have your follow up appointment yet? usually takes place around 6 weeks post-op - a new xray from both hips will tell the surgeon if hardware is placed correclty and healing accordingly ..
it is not unusual that pain develops in opposite hip -
could very well be that the change in length of leg causes this pain or, as said, maybe the opposite hip needs surgery as well ..
If your pain is so bad that you cannot stand on leg , I would see my surgeon as soon as possible ...
let us know how you are getting on, okay
big warm hug
renee
rob45189 renee01952
Posted
rose0000 rob45189
Posted
I had the same thing - the pain in my left hip was far worse than any of the surgery pain in the right hip - I felt like crying, having only just got one sorted out, I really didn't want the other one done straight away. I could think of nothing but the pain, and for a while it hindered my recovery.
However, in my case, the pain passed. As my walking became straighter and the limp ceased, so did the pain in my other hip. I am not suggesting it is the same for you, but more of a way to reassure you that it might be okay. I was all set to go and get the other one done (having lost all patience with being in pain so much!) but held off, and I am glad I did as it has got so much better now. I am hundred per cent sure my other hip was struggling due to the pressure it was under, and bad posture etc. I do have quite a lot of wear and tear in my non operated hip, but not enough to cause so much discomfort.
If I were you, get the non operated hip xrayed and checked - you will then at least know what you are dealing with. If it is something else you will find out, and adjust your recovery accordingly. Wait for at least six - eight week to see if it eases off on its own, in the meantime try and massage the leg and hip - if it is nerves this might help.
Please let us know how you get on, I am sure others will be following with interest
rob45189 rose0000
Posted