Aware of the new joint - 3-4 weeks post THR

I the first one, the answer is yes. It's common, I think everyone gets it to some degree and mostly it wears off. I'm approaching six months and can still feel it every now and then - usually when I have been sat down for too long. 

 And you probably haven't pulled anything, because if you did good have noticed at the time. But I suspect that five flights of stairs was a bit too much for the muscles - did you realise that stairs use a awful lot of muscles?

Recovery time is very individual but six weeks is very early! My consultant said 8 weeks before I could go back, and actually made it none due to needing to assess my ankle (long story!). Personally I think 8 weeks was about right for me but I had a great recovery, and better than almost everyone. But I was tired even so and it was a bit of a shock being back. With teaching, I'd say at least the same, and honestly, maybe longer. You need a lot of energy to teach and you don't get to pick and choose the time you work. It's hard, and the hip will help to tire you.

I’m not aware of the feelings you have described. Your pain suggests to me as if you have put your back out and have muscle spasm which I would see a good chiropractor for help.

Cheers Richard

Sitting on a golf ball yes, it does go away

Hi Patsy,

For question #1 - this is normal and will eventually go away over the next few weeks.

For question #2 - it sounds as if you have really overdone it.  5 flights of stairs alone, forget the walking, is way too much at 4 weeks post op.  You will need to rest and ice your hip for a few days.  The body takes time to heal.  Unfortunately there is no way to rush healing.  If you try, you will overdo things and prolong the healing process.  I can't imagine being told that I'd need to return to work after 6 weeks.  That amount of time is not impossible, but it is certainly not recommended.  My surgeon advised 8-10 weeks for me, only because I have a desk job.  He told me that is takes 12 weeks for the soft tissue surrounding the hip to heal properly, so there are also limitations until that week.  If there is any way possible, I'd strongly advise that you take time to heal properly before going back. 

To answer your last question - Yes, you will feel much better as each week passes.  By week 6 I felt that there was finally light at the end of the tunnel.  At that time I was still doing physio 3 times each week and getting plenty of rest.

Best wishes as you continue to recover

 

Hi Patsy, re going back to work, I think 6 weeks is a bit too soon. I teach, I went back for a few meetings, from week 6/ 7, but I didn't go back until week 10. I teach 4 and 5 year olds and it's quite physical. All he best.

Hi Patsy, I had thr 2 weeks ago and also have this feeling. I've figured that although I've had swelling in my leg - came and went over 2 days, I can feel this weird hard ball which I think is probably partly new hip and partly inside bruising as it's reducing daily.

I was discharged from hospital on day 2 as was fine. I spent 3 months pre op in gym building my muscles up and I think this has helped. I can do all the exercises given with no problems at all so gave now started carefully doing the 6 week ones as I'm getting nothing from the others. What I've learnt so far is that this blanket one recovery fits all is not right for everybody. My recovery as a fit, healthy 46 year old is going to be a lot different than that of someone older but this doesn't seem to be accounted for. I think we have to accept we've had surgery and are going to have ups and down recovery wise but that we are all different and we know ourselves. Like you I overdid it last Saturday and paid for it with an excruciatingly painful knee. I rested Sunday all is fine. I'm on one crutch and have been since day 2 but now round the house I'm spending more time each day crutchless but I'm aware of my limitations and do things accordingly.

I go out for a walk most days and potter around the house a lot so I feel I'm actually on about week 5 recovery wise.

Sounds like you're doing ok. Good luck.

1.Can I feel the metalwork inside - yes, and I'm at 18 months post-op !

2. Things go forward and backward in recovery, one day you are so much better, then you get a setback ... that just seems to be how it is.

I am now finally starting to feel 'normal' and that's 18 months since THR and almost 16 months since revision on that same leg.  I don't think mine will ever feel the same again, but it is so much better than it was before the operation that I would not want to go back to that state.

I am 4 weeks today from thr, I too have that sensation of feeling a lump in the buttock. Physio today suggested it is due to scar tissue and advised that I should massage around the area of the scar with some moisturiser. I am on 1 stick outside none inside and feel I am doing well despite a shaky start. I did stairs with no stick and 1 foot after the other today and although the operated leg felt week when I stepped on it, I can see if I keep doing it it will improve. After walking a while I feel sore in the inner hip, physio says this us normal and will wear off in time. I have slept on my back all the time but was told today I can sleep on the operated side as long as the operated leg is straightish i.e. Obeying the not more than 90 degree rule. Looking forward to going to bed tonight!

POST OP GROIN PAIN

No idea how to use this forum and want to hear from anyone who developed groin pain 6 weeks after hip operation.  Replying to you because I'm same age and was told that I shouldn't do too much initially and sounds like you have.  Before this damn groin pain started I noticed a big difference between 4 and 6 weeks.  If you have pulled anything you need to rest it rather than push it further.  Ibuprofen is best anti inflammatory.