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4 weeks post op and feeling a bit fed up!

Posted , 14 users are following.

Vix1984
Vix1984

Hello all, I had my right hip replaced nearly 4 weeks ago due to arthritis. I am only 33, so it was a big decision, but the daily pain from the arthritis was becoming extremely limiting. 

I would say my recovery has been fairly smooth so far but at 4 weeks, as I try to do more, I feel I am taking one step forward and two back! I have been walking daily and started pottering about the house and all has been okay, but I now seem to have a lot of pain in my buttock, thigh and groin. I keep worrying I have done something to it but I am sure it is just muscular. 

I guess I am just feeling a little bit down and looking for some reassurance that this is normal! Did other people find pain increased as they tried to do more? 

My dad had his hip done 2 years ago and was back at work after 4 weeks! I know everyone heals differently, but as he is the only person I know who went through it, he’s my only comparison, which isn’t easy as his recovery seemed to be ridiculously smooth! 

Any advice on how to build up strength in the leg etc would be most welcome - I was basically discharged with some exercises and being told the restrictions and have felt very unsupported other than that (apart from my partner who has been a star, even if he’s not very good at dusting!!!) 

No one really told me what I could expect week to week or when it would be okay to start doing a few bits in the house etc! 

I guess I am waiting for my ‘thank god I had this done!’ moment to come! 

So any advice, experiences or general pep talks would be a massive help! ☺️

Thank you all in advance. 

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • ian97093
    ian97093 Vix1984

    Posted

    HI Vix for me it was all in the Bed Exercises and I used to do the breathing and squeezing too every three to four hours pressing the legs down into the bed is tiring and will also help you sleep on your back right now it does get easier as it goes, but bed training is where recovery is...
    • Vix1984
      Vix1984 ian97093

      Posted

      Thank you Ian, as mentioned above I think I had let my bed exercises fall by the way side once I started moving around better, but I am back on it today and will continue with this, you are completely right about how important they are! Thank you. 
  • jen86183
    jen86183 Vix1984

    Posted

    Hi vix,

    I know exactly how you feel about being left alone, like you I had op, given a piece of paper with a few exercises on and left to get on with it. I had no idea what I was suposed to do or what to expect, no physio offered. At 6 week check up with doctor then physio I was told "you are doing fine, carry on as you are". Keep your chin up vix and keep walking.

    • Vix1984
      Vix1984 jen86183

      Posted

      Thanks Jen, it’s so good to know others feel the same! I feel like I’m just making it up as I go along without any idea of where I should be! 

      It does seem exercises, walking and sensible pain relief are they way forward so I will keep on and get my chin up! Thanks Jen, speaking to people on here has really helped x 

  • lucy82829
    lucy82829 Vix1984

    Posted

    Hi Vix, im almost 5 weeks post op and empathise completely. New pains/ aches with no idea if all is okay! I was getting back pain and convinced myself that I'd done something to the hip. Saw my physio and was told it was normal. I feel completely alone with it but use this site regularly to calm myself. 

    Take it steady do your exercises and walk! Best of luck . Lucy

    • Vix1984
      Vix1984 lucy82829

      Posted

      Thanks Lucy, completely agree. I actually think a lot of the pain I was getting yesterday down the back of leg was coming from my back and I do wonder if that’s from sleeping on my back night after night! I had a horse riding accident many years ago and my back was never the same after - so I always sleep on my side, until I had this op and was forced to sleep on my back! Like someone said above, all these things we are having to do in a different way must have an effect?! 

      It’s so reassuring to know others feel alone and adrift and it’s not just me! I’m so glad you have used this forum to help and that everything is going well with your recovery. I will definitely be a regular visitor to it now as I am overwhelmed by people taking the time to help! X

  • penny08987
    penny08987 Vix1984

    Posted

    Hi vix

    I am around 5 months post op and I don't mind saying it's been a roller-coaster. Don't beat yourself up at all, and yes it's all quite normal. I still have groin discomfort. The pain you are experiencing is muscular pain I'd imagine. Take your time because you need time to heal but at the same time you need to strengthen the muscles to support your hip. You've been through a lot of trauma. My bum cheek was extremely painful or uncomfortable for weeks sitting hurt. I couldn't even lift my own leg. I do physio once a week I'm given exercises to do at my own pace. All these exercises can actually be found online. Look up exercises for post hip replacement with your weeks. I for example do the bridge and hold for 5 seconds don't forget to tighten your tummy and clench your bum when lifting. Doing 1 good one is better than 10 incorrect ones. You need to get your muscles working again. It takes weeks if not months. It seems to be harder when you are younger than older people because our muscles are in better condition. I lost all my muscle mass in my whole leg after the op, only now can I bare full weight.

    Ask for a physio referral it won't hurt.

    Good luck x

    • Vix1984
      Vix1984 penny08987

      Posted

      Thanks penny, that’s really helpful. I need to call doctors this morning, so I will ask about physio. Like you say, no harm in asking! I will also look up some more exercises today. 

      I think the pain is muscular as it feels like I’ve overdone it in an exercise class to be honest (not that I have done one of them for a few years!!!) so I need to stop panicking and put my energy into healing! Sometimes you just need other people to say you are doing fine and keep at it! Thanks Penny x

  • miriamal49
    miriamal49 Vix1984

    Posted

    Ok everyone heals differently like you say! Like you on my first hip replacement I felt like nothing was working. Surgeon told me he had a hard time taking my leg out since I was so tight and they had to cut my groin muscle. I recoup fairly slow. I was favoring my right that six months later I had the right hip done. To my surprise I was walking without support the 3erd day. I’m a hairdresser so I went back to my job 6 days later. No problem and no pain to this day. But my left hip was still giving me troubles. From 2014 that surgery was done I was going with pain. I even went to Mayo Clinic. They said my hardware was fine. I was a bit rude with Dr to say the least. Frustrated I went back and requested my surgeon personally. As soon as he saw the X-ray he saw the problem. My hip bone had retracted and muscle was rubbing the metal socket. I had a revision surgery and releasing the muscle made the trick. Now for the pain in my buttocks I put ice and rub it. Remember when they go in they upset the muscles. You need to rub muscle to try to avoid scar tissue. Hopefully it will help. 
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