12 weeks after THR and in pain
Posted , 4 users are following.
After 2 failed scopes dysplasia was diagnosed and a RTHR was performed 12 weeks ago .I have always been as active as my hips would let me and also work full time. I am now so limited to what I can do and the pain is worse than before the HR in different ways. since the operation I have suffered with si joint pain, groin pain and very bad pain in my bum cheek, I get deep tooth ache pains in thigh area also. the si joint pain has subsided drastically thank goodness, but still twinges now and again. The groin pain is unbearable on first standing to walk from sitting it almost feels the worst pulled muscle and as if my leg will give way or snap. once walking after a few steps it eases and I'm left with a uncomfortable but manageable pulled muscle feeling. the bum pain I'm thinking is muscular as it eases once I've massaged and applied heat but is short lived and soon returns. i can't bend easily to put shoes or socks on as groin feels like it will snap. I am so disheartened as my hip pain has been an on going battle for 6 years and the hip replacement was going to put an end to it all I hoped. I am due back at work and obviously can't due to all these aches and pains. I am on a waiting list for physio but do complete stretches and exercises daily, I also do alot of walking. despite the pains I do push myself hoping it's muscular and it will all loosen off and I will be pain free. I am worried something is wrong. I have spoken to the Dr who prescribed naproxen and referral for physio. I am going to phone my surgeon soon as Ive been hoping time will heal but I've been like this for weeks now with no improvement. I apologise for the long woe me post but thought I may get some answers or reassurance from this group. thank you I advance.
2 likes, 6 replies
barbara66703 helen02053
Edited
helen so very sorry you have had to endure this for so many years im not sure of your age sometimes that is a issue depending on how much previous damage is done to the bone and what shape. thr surgery after 12 weeks - three months you should be healing better and not suffering the pain you describe. ask the surgeon to see if he can approve a mri and other tests to check the soft tissue issues and xrays to check if the implant is in the correct angle and lined up properly. they know what the problem is they know and can find what the source of pain is...sometimes we have to be our own Self Advocate and research on line what is causing the symptoms you have by matching up your with complications after thr surgery. catching it early before residual pain becomes chronic.
we trust our doctors to do the right thing and sometimes it becomes overwhelming.
remember it generally takes every hip replacement paitent 12 months to feel normal again with very little pain until you forget you had gone thru such a brutal surgery. i know we want encouraging fellow hippies to be brave and talk in positive terms. the positive truth about the surgery itself is our bodies go thru a great deal . bones tissue the other joints all take a major hit . this surgery is tough and takes major strength physically and emotionally just to feel human again.
the whole hip replacement recovery issue is very tough the first few weeks and thr does not always have the same outcome for dysplasia or rheumatoid arthritis as it does for osteoarthritis . sometimes pre-bone damage from disease is a factor for successful surgery.
it sounds like you need rest . slowly just try walking heel to toe no bumping the floor with foot...walking is really all a hip needs to recover ....depending what tests show .
take it from a 3 time hip patient do not try to rush healing and PLEASE no PT . some of the pt push and can cause more problems if there is tissue or alignment issues they have no idea what we go thru .
after 3 thr surgeries the healing journey were all different, all miserable extremely painful then slowly healing gets to a better place within a few months . the average healing journey is 3-6 months for short term healing and 6-12 months for long term healing.
the recovery part never gets easier a roller coaster ride all the way.
keep me posted on how your recovery is going. ice , rest, tylenol, anti inflam meds and pain patches available OTC and just walking is all that is really needed for recovery. no bending for now just use your reacher....use sock helper and wear slip on shoes.
the only exercise needed for tight groin is bottom squeezes start out slow . i used heat wraps on that area too , help to relax the area. best advice listen to your body..
sorry to go on so long . hip complications after thr surgery is very problematic not to mention the cost of worry and pain. can stress out the family members as well as taking a toll on our spirit of recovery.
if you dont see more progress soon see another doctor for a treatment assessment for complications after thr surgery.
sending healing blessings your way.
helen02053 barbara66703
Edited
Barbara thank you so much for your reply I appreciate it. I am going to phone my surgeon tomorrow and request a appointment and hopefully get an mri. I am age 46 and will follow your advice and lay off exercise and stretches and see how I go with just walking and bum squeezes. I shall keep you informed of the outcome and thank you again xx
barbara66703 helen02053
Edited
nice to hear your taking the lead in your health care. i am very happy to hear that and sometimes our health providers are missing the patient care part of the equation when pain is not from healing but a history of pain complications long after thr.
a warning to remember from my 23 years experience with 3thr.
one hip surgery became very complicated and for 5 years I was in pain and many hip surgeons would just xray or mri and say everything is good we see nothing. when all along a lot of severe complications were advancing causing more pain and tissue issues. NOT everything shows up on tests. this could or could not be your issue...it could be a simpler complication as periformis syndrome .? there are a plethora of complications that could occur after thr.
please do your homework and know what is causing this pain by researching on line ...this gives you an advantage and if you can name a few complications that could be causing your pain noting your research , your complaints cannot be dismissed to easily. the typical fob off is ...Docs telling us the pain is from your back or sign you up for PT... or xray look good...
Some of us have been harmed from thr surgery and the typical hip after care system does not allow for those of us who are not experiencing the initial trauma of surgery recovery, we have serious issues cause by the surgery. there needs to be a better protocol in place for those of us who are suffering long term after surgery when we should not be.
Good Lick..i would like to hear how you are doing , please up date when you can..
jodi10969 helen02053
Edited
Hi Helen - I am six months post op, The last three have been pain free and it's because my physical therapist told me I had adhesions on the surgical site. He told me to massage the site as vigorously as possible to loosen the adhesions and prevent new ones. It was a game changer for me. I used massage oil but I would think any oil/cream would work. Good luck!
Jodi
barbara66703 jodi10969
Edited
adhesions on surgical scar is not the same thing that caused,the elec shock and weekness that helen had experienced . we all mostly get those bumps and its a normal effect from surgery. and messaging them does help the lumps fade as they are filled with blood that build up and they eventually are reabsorbed by the body .
congratulations on your new shiny hip jodi10969...six months post op is now moving you on to long term healing . walking is all hips need to rehab. sending good healing vibes your way.
your on your way to a better quality of life and pain free. so happy for you and now you can get back to life .
nancy82849 helen02053
Posted
The pain in your butt cheek is most likely sciatica. I have it too but its getting better with PT. He is also working on my IT band. That runs from your hip to your knee on the outside of your thigh. For your groin pain try doing butterflies. Put your 2 feet together and spread your legs that is a good exercise.