Can't lift leg when laying down,leg still numb,can't lock knee

About the leg - was operated on 20th december, got first physio on the 4th of January, and I remember not being able to lift it. The physio lifted it for me on the first day - 10 times, I seem to remember - second day he helped the first time and then with an immense effort I lifted it by myself. Then day by day it got easier.

I experienced - and still do - the twitching too. It happens when you overload your muscles - so when that happens it means they have worked hard!

It took me week s before I could lift my leg on to the bed without assistance as for driving although I'm not a driver was told could not drive till seen consultant at 6week post op app. It's going to take time for all the muscles to strengthen you seem to want to run before you can walk slow down do your excersise and don't over do it good luck x

You could get into bed more easily by starting half way down the bed. Sit on the side(Preferably same side of bed as op) at an anlge towards the head and  pull yourself across the bed which will cause the bed to support the leg as it slides on-better still get in as the bottom of the bed and pull straight back. Driving! Yes at least 6 weeks for the best op results-  you should have been told this beforehand

Hi Fergie. I'm a week ahead of you - RTHR on 2/7, anterior approach. No driving for at least six weeks, especially if it was your right hip. I couldn't lift my leg either, or put on my sock & shoe for the first couple weeks. I also still have a little numbness near the incision, but the rest is gone now. Do your PT & home exercises & it will get better. Your muscles will twitch if you over do it. It is frustrating for me because I want to get back to normal. It just takes time. You're doing great at 2 weeks. Keep us posted on your progress. Ruth

In many cases this is normal. I used a leg lift helper to lift May leg into bed. It looks like a dog leash with wire in fabric lonhpg end and a opening at THR end loop that you put your foot in and the using the long end of leg aide I call a doggie leash lift up leg onto bed. Pins and numbness will get better as you dombed exercises and walking. Also a air message boot electric online to help keep blood and oxygen flowing helps. I am 7 week out revision and have had three THR, and toes and foot swelling is down after three weeks but still experience some numbness . It get better every day . The more my body heals the better I am able to improve. It's a slow process at first then it just takes off and your walking well ready for PT. 

 

I have not had that experience, but wanted to give you my support. Sorry this is happening, and I hope that as you recover, it will improve. You are in the very early days.

However, since you have the numbness and extreme weakness, I thought I'd put this idea out there. I have read that femoral nerve damage is a possible complication from the anterior approach to THR. If you google Femoral Nerve Damage After Hip Surgery or Femoral Nerve Dysfunction, you'll see the symptoms listed, which include weakness and numbness. I don't want to include a link, since my reply would probably be delayed or not allowed by the administrator. I've also read that nerve damage can get better over time.

Your situation may be something completely different, and it may be that it is impossible to properly diagnose it this soon. I think your surgeon should be taking the lead here, in helping to figure this out. 

Here is a thread from Patient about this. We are allowed to post links from Patient.

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/femoral-nerve-damaged-from-hip-replacement-506473

 

Seriously driving at 3 weeks post op with a numb leg that you cannot lift you are a danger to yourself and others on the road..... STOP!!!!!

My leg is still quite numb around the scar at 6 months post op, at 3 weeks post op you really need to take things very carefully and follow your exercise plan very carefully.  

I couldnt lift my leg up til at least 8 weeks post op.  Have a look at the THR surgery on You tube you will see how brutal the op is, you have to be very patient and let your body heal.

Good luck with this, its a slow recovery.

Hi Fergie, I had posterior approach. From the off I was in terrible pain not even morphine touched it. Leg was very heavy.  Surgeon at 7week check said that the numbness in one part of the scar would probably never go. After struggling on with pain  tingling etc saw GP who prescribed Amitryptaline which helped immensely. Had further physio and acupuncture which helped. Couldn't drive till after 7  week check and only short distances. 12 months post op was doing Aqua Zumba and suddenly my scar line came back to life. Nerves take time to heal. Muscles can take up to two years. Love the freedom my new hip has given me. 18 months post op haven't regretted it but taught me to be patient. 

I had my surgery on Valentines day and can not lift my leg yet. My legs and feet are normally a little numb and tingly from a back problem but that has been amplified since the op. I also have the muscle twitches.

I have to get in to bed by sliding back on to the bed as far as possible then pointing my toes towards me as much as I can. I then slide myself round on the bed so my feet are on a slip cloth and get in a position to lay down.

In UK we are told not to drive till we get our consultants all clear to do so at 6 week check up. With out this permission our insurance is invalid. 

I have avoided getting in and out of the car as it was so painful but I managed to do it yesterday fairly easily. 

It's reasuring to know that others are going through the same as you are. I'm so pleased I found this forum.

Chrizzy

Fergie64, I had anterior hip replacement Oct 3 and I was much like you, everything went pretty well but I could not lift my leg when laying down until Dec 15. I also couldn't drive for 6 weeks because I couldn't do the brake. Have patience it all came back. 

For the record I am not driving or attempting to drive. I was merely stating that I couldn't with my current situation. I am supposed to return to work in 3 more weeks. If this does not resolve by then I will have to depend on someone else to drive me and that worries me. I belive I have nerve damage and I pray it doesnt take months to heal ...Tuesday it will be 4wks and it's scaring me!

Just an update on me: I am now 6 months post op. I have femural nerve damage from an anterior approach on a RTHR. I have a desk job so I was able to go back at 7 weeks but if I had a physically demanding job I still wouldn't be able to do it. I can lift my leg now but my progress is slow. I still don't have a lot of feeling in my leg and I have nerve pain but it is bearable. I am going to have radiofrequency done on my back which is the burning of nerves from my L3 to L5 because I now have lower back pain. My hip is actually doing pretty well I am just having trouble with my IT band and weakness and that leg. MRI shows that I have atrophy and the psoas muscle in that hip but it is getting better slowly very slowly. I still have to do my daily exercises that they gave me upon dismissal from the hospital and I wound up going to 17 physical therapy sessions.I just wanted to update this in case someone was going through the same thing I'm going through. It does get better but it is a very very slow process. I am learning patience and persistence