Back pain after hip replacement

I'm nearly seven weeks after a right THR and the pain I'm having in my left lower back is incapacitating. Both my hips need replacing (the consultant asked me which I wanted doing first), and historically I have had back pain. So is the pain I'm getting on the opposite side to the operation only going to go away when I have the left one done?

Due to work commitments I'll have to wait until next year for that.

Did you have an epidural? That gave me a lot of back pain for around 8week post op. Drove me nuts. I saw my Osteopath at 4weeks and she did treatment with me sitting on the bed. I also laid on a rolled up towel - roll it length ways and then lay your spine on it. Opens up the spine and helps. I am 21 months post op and muscles get tight still. Xx

I am 16 months post surgery. I had severe back pain thought actually a year before be surgery. My surgeon was concerned about possible back problem. I had the surgery, four months after surgery I had an MRI done on my back, found out I have degenerative disc desease, L5, D1 disc is bad. My left leg was 1/2 shorter than my right leg, now only 1/8 to 1/4 shorter. I have shoes that have a 1/2 left on them I can't wear anymore, cause pain when I do. Have just 1/4 insert inside new shoes, maybe have the lift on the old shoes cut down.

Hello fellow sufferers!

I have just discovered this site for probably the same reasons as other contributors; had my THR 0n 15th. August - surgeon is very good [Llanelli Hospital] and well respected. Came off pain-killers after 3 weeks and thought everything was going well, but in last few weeks, lower back and buttock pain is at times very bad [and depressing]. Not sure if this is a result of doing too much exercise or possible spinal/pelvis crumble! i.e., muscular or skeletal.

Is there any re-assurance out there??

Hi Jeanette

I too have very painful back and side muscles 6weeks post op which I put down to posture change and using crutches for so long. I try massaging but after a couple of hours doing housework etc. they're as sore as ever. I'm taking a muscle relaxant but not all that effective. I'm fine first thing in the morning but alas...

Hope you find something that helps.

I recently had a hip replacement on my right side and am having terrible back pain and butt cheek pain. It has been one week and a day since I has my surgery and I am also wondering if I have done something wrong. 44 years old, not over weight and thought I would be feeling a whole lot better. After surgery I immediately started doing things around the house. I was told to make sure I am moving so I would not get tight. I may have done too much. what I am feeling is like my tail bone and hip are rubbing cause the pain in back and butt cheeks. Is that possible? It also cause a pain that goes straight down the front of my knee.I felt great the first four days other than the pain of my excerises. Should i be worried?

I recently had a hip replacement on my right side and am having terrible back pain and butt cheek pain. It has been one week and a day since I has my surgery and I am also wondering if I have done something wrong. 44 years old, not over weight and thought I would be feeling a whole lot better. After surgery I immediately started doing things around the house. I was told to make sure I am moving so I would not get tight. I may have done too much. what I am feeling is like my tail bone and hip are rubbing cause the pain in back and butt cheeks. Is that possible? It also cause a pain that goes straight down the front of my knee.I felt great the first four days other than the pain of my excerises. Should i be worried?

Hi. I Had a THR 2 years ago due to osteoarthritis, and have developed severe back pain with in the last 2 months. Like you it felt great to be off pain medication from before and after the op. To now be back on them for back pain is a real blow. Turns out I now have arthritis in my back and am in the process of being referred to the specialist to have my other hip replaced. I've just turned 55 and feel way to young to have this happen. How do you all manage.

hello Jeanette.

yes i am experiencing the same. im 7 weeks in and was walking very well and had virtually no pain. Then just over 1 week ago i got lower back pain and buttock pain on the side of my surgery. The doctor said its all normal and my body adjusting. i have to tell you its excrutiating. im back on meds and walking with crutches. surley this cant be right. im really down about it, but trying to keep positive. the doctor said to walk without aids but its impossible at the minute.

im seeing physio tomorrow so hopefully they will have some answers.

wishing you well Jeanette and hoping you're pain free soon.

gill

Hi!

Im 7 wks PO R THR I too have developed horrible right lower back pain. But only when im on my feet alot.

Im really bummed becaused i was so ready to be out of pain.

The hip pain is gone, just saw doc today and he said hip looks great but to still follow precautions as this can be a full year recovery.

I did have a mri and a spinal block in 2021 ( which did nothing for the arthritic pain).

I do have fibromyalgia which exasperates all pain especially surgical pain and recovery pain.

. I was on Dilaudid temporary with both of my knee replacements.

This time my surgeon refused to give me the Dilaudid until I woke up semi conscious from Surgery with tears rolling down my cheeks in horrible pain. I was on Dilaudid for about the first week

today My ortho doctor gave me a referral to pain management.

he doesn’t deal with spine or backs.

He said he has seen this before with hip surgery and most the time it resolves itself. I HOPE SO!

I just read an article that says during Surgery muscles can be pulled and turned and twisted causing pain in other places.

it can cause the muscles to inflame especially with people with fibromyalgia or chronic pain disorder which i have.

To say the least I’m p****d off at him that he didn’t give me a stronger painkiller knowing what I went through with my knees.

He said seven weeks is still pretty early out. Not to walk anymore, to take it easy and only do what I have to. I’ve done this whole recovery pretty much on my own. And I know I’ve over done it at times.

Today was a bad day. I had to go to the doctor, 45 minute wait for an x-ray, plus cortisone shot in shoulder.

I had to do several errands which entailed getting in and out of the car several times.

I’m 5'11 and surprisingly my SUV doesn’t have a lot of leg room which makes getting in and out a big pain in the back!

Finally got home took a Dilaudid half a Motrin a hot shower and just let the water run on my back and my neck which is super tight.

I’m assuming I’m also holding my body very tight.

I’m now heating and icing and will stay down today and tomorrow as I have another doctors appointment on Thursday.

I’m gonna email my doctor about doing some simple stretches for my back.

Yes I had something very similar, whilst I was in bed i woke up after say 4/5 hours, then this searing pain it was like fire I think It was the spinal cord it would start somewhere at the base of my spine then gradually work its way up it hurt me to breath so had to get up when it would stop immediately.

I sleep on my back with my legs elevated to reduce/stop it from happening. I had this before operation but only when I was walking around and had to sit down quickly as I was going to fall down,. It stopped about 2 weeks ago but now standing up I get back pain, I hope it will go away in time.