Clunking

Hi Nikki. I am 9 weeks post of tomorrow and, like you, very active. I developed a clunking noise at 5 weeks and worried I had dislodged something. (I have all ceramic, including liner as I'm very slim and my surgeon said a polyethelyne liner would have been so thin it wouldn't have done the job properly). When I had my 6 week check I asked if I could have an x-ray. My lovely surgeon immediately agreed but bet his mortgage on the fact that all was well. It was! The noise was produced by various muscles and ligaments etc. sorting themselves out. Strangely enough, I was about to post that the noise stopped yesterday. I'm sure yours will too but I completely understand your concerns. Try not to worry.

I am 11 weeks post op.  Three weeks ago, I lifted something heavy and strained my psoas muscle.  I was in pain in the groin for 2 weeks before getting a psoas massage by a physiotherapist.  After the groin pain went away (the day after the massage), I got a slight clicking noise. from time to time.  It lasted for about a week and has now disappeared.  If you are not having any pain from the clunking sound, I wouldn't worry about it.  Some liner/head combinations are more prone to this.  From what I have read, they are a nuisance, but not harmful.  I also had the ceramic head and polyethylene liner.  It's good that you have an appointment in 2 weeks time so you can your surgeon about it, but in the meantime I would not worry about it.

Clunking is not a good sound to hear is it, I would guess that either the joint is unstable, something is loose, or (more likely) a tendon or muscle is 'popping' over the new hardware.

I'd get back onto the surgeon's secretary to see if you can get some advice and perhaps get that appointment sooner.

Best wishes

Graham

A work colleague of mine had the clucking and pain following her hip replacement, after it became impossible for her to work, it was found that she had an infection and had to have a revision. An x-ray would be the best way to allay your concerns.

Phew - having seen the physio yesteryday, I thought I would post the outcome for others who may have similar concerns. Week glut muscles and my hip flexers taking too much of the strain. So as one of you said, the flicking of soft tissue over the joint. Now on a mega drive doing exercises to get my bum back! still not been given the go ahead to go back to my beloved salsa dancing though! 20 years of sasla and latin dancing undoubtedy contributed to the dodgy hip, but it was worth it!