Advice on dislocations
Posted , 15 users are following.
Hi fellow Hippies,
Like all of us, the dread after surgery, is dislocation. I don't mind admitting that the thought terrifies me. And yet, I have read many posts where this has occurred. I am now nine weeks post op and, becoming somewhat complacent. This morning my daughter brought her eight week old puppy to meet me and without thinking, I bent down to pick her up. (The puppy, not my daughter). I immediately felt a pull in my thigh and pain in my groin. Thereafter, my groin felt inflamed. It's settling now but it frightened me. Could anyone who has suffered dislocation explain what they did, if anything to cause it and what were the immediate symptoms ?
Many thanks
Maureen
1 like, 35 replies
candice57475 morriewynn
Posted
That must have been scary. I share your fear; that's my first thought whenever there's a new pain.
morriewynn candice57475
Posted
It was Candice, I felt physically sick and it didn't help that my daughter screamed. Thankfully, I did not drop the puppy who just continued to lick my face!
We live and learn .
Take Care
Maureen xx
Rocketman_SG6UK morriewynn
Posted
Graham
morriewynn Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
I know the importance of the twelve week rule and I have been so mindful but just that one stupid moment and I could have undone all the good. I felt physically sick, however I have just inflamed my groin .
I have been trying to get hold of you to ask if you have yet had your revision ?
Maureen x
Rocketman_SG6UK morriewynn
Posted
My website address is in my personal info here ...
https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025
and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147
Don't beat yourself up, we all seem to forget and end up doing something we shouldn't - I know I did.
I did have revision in the first week of January, but it failed. I am now taking action against the hospital/surgeon on grounds of carelessness in not reading the X-Ray which clearly shows the mis-alignment, and for their attempts to cover it all up.
My new surgeon isn't so quick to take the knife to my leg, something I am pleased about. He is however keeping a close eye on it, with 6 monthly check-ups. I know that when it comes to needing it done, he has the skills to be able to cut the titanium cup away from my pelvis.
Best wishes
Graham - 🚀💃
dorothy04749 morriewynn
Posted
the advice on all Hospital websites and here is 3 months always observe the restrictions such as 90 degrees, etc. Then be very mindful for three more months, six in total, then slightly be careful if trying awkward movement in case. U will get people on the forum saying I can do this early and so on and if they get away with it - good luck to them - but you know what they say pride goes before a fall. Just to alarm u a little further, there was a lady 3 months ago I believe who had a dislocation and because it still was half in the socket, I think, did not know till X-rays were done. You do not sound like that as straight away u had pain and pain to anyone on here means STOP and u did!
regards dot
susan05157 dorothy04749
Posted
I agree 12 weeks out but still plan to be careful I don't want to take any chances hip is still healing up to a year and more . Still dealing with thigh pain Dr has me on Meds to try to help it now .
morriewynn susan05157
Posted
I had my first replacement in January and, believe me, it has been aching. I think we always need to remember that we do have artificial hip/hips and treat them with respect. I was hoping I would be another Wayne Sleep and be able to dance in my high heels. Apparently not!
Thank you for sharing
Love Maureen x
morriewynn dorothy04749
Posted
You're so right Dot. I'm ok. Just feel as if I have inflamed my groin. Today, I have not forgotten the 90 degree rule. My chiropractor, who I had a word with today, emphasised how important it is to strengthen the glute muscles. My bum aches so I've clearly carried out enough clams for today!
Thanks for posting . It always helps when you have support.
Take Care
Love Maureen x
jmonroe608 morriewynn
Posted
Sending well wishes to you!
Jen
morriewynn jmonroe608
Posted
Oh my goodness Jen. How absolutely awful. I think I would be frightened to move at all. That is really scary.
Let's hope that from here on you become Super Woman.
Thanks for sharing .
Love Maureen
beth2509 morriewynn
Posted
My very experienced physiotherapist (so obviously, not the complete idiots the hospital employ) who has been with me now for three years told me that she took part in a joint study between five hospitals (two in the USA, one in France and two in the UK) following the post-operative experience in relation to dislocation. She told me, just before my THR, that the advisories bear no relation to the frequency of hip dislocations; and that the "rules" were not really at all helpful as indicators of what might dislocate your hip. Apparently there are now several more studies confirming this, but like many things, it takes time for it to filter through to professionals who stick with the old "we have always done it this way".
Her advice was that is had less to do with ?what ?you did and more to do with ?how? you did it. So sudden movements, jerks and such were a risk factor rather than angles. However, she also said that the research shows that as a rule, there is no correlation between specific actions and hip dislocation these days. It happens, but it is down to bad luck. 40 people could break the 90 degree rule and nothing will happen, but one person will get a hip dislocation from walking down the street!
?I have to fess up - I have broken the rule a whole shed load of times! I have always been used to being extremely flexible, and given that I haven't had any pain, I have nothing to remind me to observe it!
?But apparently the techniques have improved so very much since the days when this advice first originated that the risk is low now. Her advice was simply to approach all movement slowly, and if it hurts, stop doing it.
morriewynn beth2509
Posted
I have today had a chat with my Chiro who told me that in his experience, it is sudden, quick jolts that generally cause dislocation.
But from reading these posts, it could occur after something quite innocuous. Nevertheless and in accordance with his advice, I have been strengthening my glutes.
Thanks for your post.
Maureen x
margaret45049 morriewynn
Posted
Hi Maureen
I hope your aches & pains have settled down a bit now, it must have been a shock for you.
It serves as a timely reminder to us all that recovery is a long slow process & we must keep up being cautious. I too made a silly mistake today when i picked up my 18 month old granddaughter & immediately felt a pull on the left operated side. Panicked a.bit but think its just muscular as i can weight bear & its getting easier now.
Still only 4 weeks post op so thanks for the reminder to be sensible !
morriewynn margaret45049
Posted
Hi Margaret,
I'm ok but just to make sure, I have been doing lots of exercise for my glutes. Still have some discomfort in my groin, but it feels inflamed. So as well as glute exercise, I'm also icing.
It's so easy to momentarily forget and do something stupid.
Hope you are ok also.
Xxx
margaret45049 morriewynn
Posted
Hi Maureen
That sounds positive, what a relief!
My daughter & family left yesterday so ive done nothing but sleep since then. I was really missing my afternoon naps while they were over, so nice to get back in a routine today & chill out. My aches are disappearing really fast now so obviously no damage done.
Take care too!
Margaret