Back pain after RTHR

Posted , 7 users are following.

I'm 8 weeks post op RTHR. The hip is doing much better but I had lower back pain before which I was hoping the surgery would fix but I'm still having it. I have to sleep on non operative side which makes my ear hurt after 2 hours. Don't know what's going on with the ear or what to do about it other than lying on back. Roll onto back which gives me only 2 hours of rest. I flop all night like a fish out of water. I've been trying to sleep on right operative side but lasts only an hour or so. The nights are very restless. Need pain meds to get to sleep. Back basically bothers me when sitting in recliner & lying in bed. I'm going to try the exercises & stretching . Hope I can get some relief. Thanks to everyone for their help. I see the doctor in a week. Hoping for some answers.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Have you started Physio Therapy?  They can give you some exercises to strengthen your back.  Also try putting pillow between your legs or under your knees(to elevate the lower legs) to help with sleep.  Also, getting a regular massage has helped me tremendously.  Good luck.
    • Posted

      Thanks staceymaz. Have had 12 PT visits waiting for insurance approval for 6 more. Still not strong enough on operative side. I'm considering a massage. Just got a recommendation from a friend.

  • Posted

    Dear Teresa

    If you have a back problem and the reason is not obvious then you need to make an appointment to see a good chiropractor. Please pick a qualified one who is not a McTimoney one as they have a lesser skill set.

    Cheers, Richard

    • Posted

      Thank you. I'm going to primary care doctor tomorrow. Maybe he can shed some light. Will definitely consider the chiropractor.

  • Posted

    Hi Teresa, I also suffer from low back pain. Had mt RTHR 25 months ago. If you had an epudural that can cause pain too. I saw an Osteopath. Muscles were very tight. Once loosened mych better. As GP for Amitryptaline for a short while. Helped me.
    • Posted

      Thanks auntiebeanie. I had general anesthesia. See surgeon on the 31st. Will see what he thinks.
  • Posted

    Hi Teresa,

    When I had my very first Xray it was pointed out that I had severe wear and tear to my lower spine.  I was also told that this is very usual in someone who has wear and tear in hips and is over the age of 55.  I'm not sure how old you are but I'm wondering if this is the case with you.  My hip replacement has not cured my lower back pain which, like yours, is very painful at night when I'm in bed.  I wake up in the morning and walk like a chicken until it loosens up.

    Also, don't despair on the sleep, it will eventually sort itself out. 

    Cels Xx

  • Posted

    Teresa,

    As I've said in several of the threads concerning THR; I had my LTHR way back on o5/07/12 and everything went great, but then about 18 months ago I started having pain in my right hip.  I was diagnosed as needing a RTHR and also informed that I might also need some work on my spine.  Well, I had the the RTHR on 10/12/16 and unlike the first THR, this one left me with pain in the right hip and shooting pain down my right leg.  I held off doing anything for 7 months, thinking it would improve with time.  But it did not and on 05/08/17 I had my first spinal operation called a "Synovial cyst L4/L5 right facet removal".  That operation didn't help and may have made things worse, so they did another one on 06/12/17, just about a month later. I still did not get any real relief and the doctor basically told me that over some time, the pain would improve,  So, I toughed it out for 3 more months of pain an finally went to a Pain Doctor who spied another cyst in the L4/L5/S1 area and recommended a "INJ TRANSFORAM L/S SG SCIATIC w/Np Pain" which boils down to going in with a needle and injecting the Steriod against or in the cyst to the point of popping it.  That procedure, done on 09/07/17, did not work and upon closer study of my MRI. they found another cyst hiding in the L4/L5 area and they performed another injection to neutralize it.  Well, I got partial relief from that injection,and I'm basically off everything but Aleve and Gabapentin.  But they want to try again on 11/06/17 to see if they can get me totally free of pain; keeping my fingers crossed, as I personally feel my pain is in my hip rather than my back. 

    Long story, but here is where we are similar; I can't sit or lay for more than a few minutes at a time or my pain starts with a ball like spot in my butt cheek and then radiates down my leg into my foot.  Getting up and standing or walking generally relieves the pain, that is why I now have my computer set up to use sitting or standing. Regarding sleep, just about the only way I get relief to go to sleep, is to lay on my left side, with a pillow between my legs and a large ice pack on top of the hip.  Once asleep, I go through the night with few interruptions. Hope this helps

    • Posted

      William so sorry you've had so many issues. Praying you get relief for the pain. I'm hopeful with time my back will get better.

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