1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

15 weeks post THR

Posted , 13 users are following.

mkwins63
mkwins63

Today it has been 15 weeks since my hip replacement.  I still feel pain getting up, going up stairs and walking at a decent pace.  I am 51 years old.  I feel I walk without a limp most of the time.  I have to focus after I get tired.  I have been told time and time again it will get better.  I am returning to my job January 5th.  I work with children with Autism.  I try to stay positive but am tired of the pain.  Is there still hope to get rid of the pain in the future.  I try diligently to keep up with my therapy exercises.  Please give me input.

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Next
  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy mkwins63

    Posted

    I went back to work after 12 weeks..phased return but probably not really back to normal till about 6 months...just persevere and keep up the physio exercises..I'm totally pain free now...9 months though...worth the wait....
  • kathee58019
    kathee58019 mkwins63

    Posted

    mk,

     I am twelve weeks post THR. I still have some pain occasionally  when I get up and sometimes while sleeping. But, besides the therapy exercises I also walk for exercise in my neighborhood, which has many small hills and inclines. It was hard the first time but now feels great! And the more I walk the better it feels. Remember not only do your bones have to heal but you need to get your muscles back to support that leg.

    Good Luck,

    Kathee

  • debbie04463
    debbie04463 mkwins63

    Posted

    15 weeks is still very early in your recovery. It takes longer to start feeling back to your old self. Muscles have to strengthen and it can take up to a year to completely heal.  I think where pain is concerned it seems some heal quicker than others. If you have any concerns you should speak to your doctor. Perhaps returning to work in January is too soon for you. If you have a physically  demanding job it may be too soon. Are you able to return part time to start with? It is a major operation and not everyone feels wonderful for some time. I think that those type of recoveries are the minority. I am in a lot of pain a year aft er  THR and I am not physically back to my previous strength in my leg but I have unfortunately  had complications of Femoral nerve damage. I was told I would regain my pre op strength and feeling within a year this has not happened despite extra physio the last 3 months. I wish you all the best in your recovery. Also have a great Xmas and happy new year. 
  • juliette39133
    juliette39133 mkwins63

    Posted

    I don't think that what you are experiencing is unusual or abnormal. However it does sound as though returning to work so soon is a bit ambitious. There is a general tendency to underestimate what a traumatic and serious operation this is. Our hips have been dislocated, sawn and hammered. Muscles stretched or cut etc. If this had happened as the result of an accident, would we expect to be back to normal so soon? Be kind to yourself. See your doctor in the New year and see if you need more recovery time. Overdoing it too soon can set you back a long way.
  • lillie7362
    lillie7362 mkwins63

    Posted

    I know exactly what you feel, so sorry just try to hang in there. I went from March 7 To November with pain and then it stopped in that hip.
  • terri17835
    terri17835 mkwins63

    Posted

    I went back to work after 10 weeks and I am on my feet all day at work. The first week was hard but it got better. I feel it was good for my hip. I was still having some pain and just like walking the more I did the better it felt.
    • debbielou
      debbielou terri17835

      Posted

      I was the same went back to full time retail job at 12 weeks out.At first could only stand for 2hrs before needing to sit down but can now stand 7 hours straight.Still feels stiff when getting up from a seated position if have been siiting for a while.I limp until i get going and then am fine.Iam now 17 weeks out from THR.
  • carmen56984
    carmen56984 mkwins63

    Posted

    Hi Mkwins.

    you've got lots of good advise on your page, Everyone heal at different stages, some quicker than others.

    Am 8 months THR and just started to feel the bennefits of a long slow progresss, Just hang on in there try not to over do it and keep up with the exercises it do help and be careful when you go back to work, do not do any heavy lifting and do take regularly sitting down time, ask your doctor to write that on your return to word note.

    Good Luck.

    UK

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France carmen56984

      Posted

      I agree, don't carry anything heavy in your hand on the side you have had the surgery on. Like a heavy bag of groceries, carry heavy bags in the hand of the side you did not have surgery on.
  • mkwins63
    mkwins63

    Posted

    Does anyone experience pain in the back of the knee lower leg area.

     

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France mkwins63

      Posted

      I did not. But for aches & pains I suggest Voleteren cream. It is topical, you rub the cream into the skin in the affected area but it really does work. Doens't last long, but it is enough for a while so that you can walk or fall asleep.
  • mkwins63
    mkwins63

    Posted

    Thanks everyone for your advice!  It has all really been helpful.  
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.