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12 months post hip replacement

Posted , 13 users are following.

margaret45049
margaret45049

Hi folks! I was a regular reader of this wonderful site leading up to my total hip replacement  Nov. 2016, finding it a great comfort and source of information.

Well 12 months on and all is pretty good apart from a few niggles. Can I ask if anyone else out there has

-difficulty  moving from sitting to  standing, then pain for first few steps?

- a feeling of weakness in weight bearing on new hip, slight limp?

I am active, do aqua aerobics minimum 3x per week, try to walk at least 5000 steps daily I would just welcome some reassurance that my muscles are still healing and will get stronger with time. Otherwise it's been successful and a big improvement on that awful grinding pain I had before.

Thanks!

 

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK margaret45049

    Posted

    Margaret,

    Well done on the year-old THR.  I am just over 2 years since THR now.

    Difficulty getting up and pain when going from sitting to standing - very common, I still get it a bit - It's just a matter of strengthening those leg muscles.  

    Weakness of the new hip - probably like me, you're so used to not putting too much weight on the new hip you are now doing it from habit. Limp could be the same thing, I have found that sometimes I really need to concentrate very hard on walking correctly after years of limping.

    I was only able to sleep on my sides at around 2 years, so yes, healing continues for a very long time.

    Totally agree, it's so much better than it was pre-Op.

    Best wishes

    Graham

    • margaret45049
      margaret45049 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks for the speedy reply Graham. I remember 'Rocketman' being a source of great support last year so it's lovely to hear from you again!

      That sounds very encouraging, I'm obviously expecting too much too soon, typical of me!   

      I just don't like hobbling when I get up from sitting either in the car, on the sofa etc - I didn't expect to still be doing this but understand my muscles have got a big job on to repair from all that surgery!

      I will keep up the exercise and   rest when I need to . Strangely enough I sleep very well on either side so no probs there!  

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 margaret45049

    Posted

    Yes yes and yes. An orthopaedic nurse I know says improvements happen for about two years.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK maggie93798

      Posted

      Maggie,

      I'd definitely agree with that, it's taken me nearly 2 years to be able to sleep on my sides.

      Best Wishes

      Graham

  • ed03050
    ed03050 margaret45049

    Posted

    Margaret,

    I have the same problem:

    pain and limping immediately after I get up after sitting

    I also am very active and climb stairs and walk 2-3 miles per day

    • margaret45049
      margaret45049 ed03050

      Posted

      That's reassuring to hear, thank you! It's good to be back on this forum to hear from fellow hippies!

      I find that once I've walked for a few minutes the pain and discomfort reduce greatly so that's a good thing. It's just this getting up from sitting that's a real pain - only solution is not to sit down in the first place I suppose!  

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen margaret45049

    Posted

    Dear Margaret

    Great  to hear that you are doing well however based only on my original hip replacement surgery at 55 twenty years ago and the revising of it last year at 76 I did not have any of the issues you are having.  Is your surgeon happy with how your new hip is? I would stress that as we are all so very different there will be differences in what each of us experiences in our recoveries.

    All I can suggest is to carry on working on strengthening your supporting muscles in whatever way you can.

    All the best,  Richard

  • steve86482
    steve86482 margaret45049

    Posted

    Yes. Lasted about 6 months. Limped first few steps. Takes time to get leg strength back. At one year, I forgot I had a hip replacement. Now at 2 years nothing. Just glad I had it done. Very proud of my 10” scar. You will get there 
  • susan05157
    susan05157 margaret45049

    Posted

    I had my hip replacement September 2016. Still have stiffness when I get up but once I get moving it's fine. Can sleep on that side for an hour or two but then have to move.but much improved from before surgery. We have been getting a lot of very cold temperatures and snow. Anyone else get pain and discomfort from the cold? I sure have I also have a replaced knee and it hurts when it's cold too! Take care 

  • geraldine_71525
    geraldine_71525 margaret45049

    Posted

    Margaret-I am 7 months post thr and have the same issues.

    I’m relieved to hear that others do as well because I feared that I would need a revision. I am hoping the same-that with time and exercise, things will be better!

     

  • geraldine_71525
    geraldine_71525 margaret45049

    Posted

    Does anyone have an issue with scar tissue? 7 months post thr and I have a very uncomfortable and unsightly lump on my hip. My surgeon has suggested that I may need a plastic surgeon! Anyone have any advice? Hi 
    • maggie93798
      maggie93798 geraldine_71525

      Posted

      Try self treatment first. Massage with anything suitable, bio oil is one, mine is now hardly visible
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen geraldine_71525

      Posted

      Dear Geraldine

      Sorry to hear this but have to say that itt as not an issue twenty years ago for my primary or last year for my revision.  Perhaps I was just lucky.  Cheers, Richard

    • margaret45049
      margaret45049 geraldine_71525

      Posted

      Interesting that you are finding the same, Geraldine. It certainly helps to  know others are experiencing the same or similar problems even months after the op. I've gone back to  taking ibuprofen a couple of times a day to take the edge of the stiffness pain, and it's definitely helped as I managed nearly 10,000 steps yesterday with no problem at all. The secret seems to be to keep moving, not sit for too long, I read somewhere that you should get up and walk about  every 30-40 mins so I'm trying that too.

      I don't actually have any issues with scar tissue and have to say I'm very pleased with how neat mine is, and fading quickly. Perhaps need to follow that one up if it doesn't improve. 

  • Mauritius
    Mauritius margaret45049

    Posted

    Agree so much with these symptoms after 12 months post THR. So good to know I am not the only one. So fed-up with sister questioning why its taking so long and saying that people at her dance club were back to normal after 2 months. Moral- don't listen to my sister!! Hope you are progressing Margaret

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