1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Disheartened before Christmas

Posted , 8 users are following.

Savy_J
Savy_J

I was 4 weeks post op last Wed. For sure I am better without a doubt but I am still in pain and am confused....I cannot walk without my cane. My inciision has healed nicely, feel the golf ball in the back the odd time. I have been doing exercises from operation time daily. When I sit and put my leg out in front I feel this pain shoot down leg or feel pain sitting a certain way on the toilet. WhenI rise from sitting I start out limping quite a bit at first. When I lay and lift my leg straight I have a very hard time but I can do it. I go to  physio this Wed. I am walking about 7 minutes at once a day but am up and down steady for over half of the day. Am I not walking enough? We had a snow storm last week so was nervous about joinging a gym. I am very confused of my pain as its not related to incision/golf ball feel. Is this normal to have pain at almost 5 weeks? I appreciate your comments as I have read many but can't find my specific problem.....Merry Christmas to all. I think my family is starting to wonder if I am ever going to get back to normal and am feeling like I am on my own island right now sad

If you know what I mean.

3 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

Next
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK Savy_J

    Posted

    I am 52 days post op (5.5 weeks), and still use a stick to get around - do not dispair, some of us need it longer than others.   I have just done a 3.5 mile country walk with it - but I am totally pooped now !

    weall get different aches and pains - depends on which way your leg was bent in the operation, how bad it was before, how much muscle wastage you had pre-op, etc. etc.

    I think pain at 5 weeks is not uncommon - but ask your physio.

    I know what you mean about the 'will I ever get better' feeling - I have to go back in a couple of weeks time to have mine corrected .... 10 weeks after it was put in.

    Best wishes for a better Christmas

    Graham 🚀

    • Savy_J
      Savy_J Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I feel bad for you as I have seen yoour posts on that. The weird thing too if I recall is you have no pain from it?!? The only upside is with Xmas time seems to go a little faster.....3.5 miles....I feel I am really dropping the ball on walking....Best wishes to you too!!!!!! going to the mall today so will get some distance in todaysmile

       

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Savy_J

      Posted

      Don't overdo it - despite being overweight, I was used to a lot of walking (weight + walking = OA pain ! ).  I work in London - so long walks between train, tube, bus, office, also liked walking at weekends in the countryside with my wife.  I have only just worked up to 3.5 miles at 5+ weeks - I started with a hundred yards at first.

      🚀💃

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Savy_J

    Posted

    Hi Savy, 

    aww... I am so sorry to read this .... 

    There is and will be some pain for some time though - major surgery, lots of trauma and damage has been done - 

    your body is healing and reparing the damages done - and yes, the not so gentle handling of our limb during surgery - (if you are up to it , there is video on youtube of this surgery ....)

    one thing I learned after 2 THR (I am bragging aren;t I) that when an exercise takes too much effort or causes pain, do not continue -  there is no gain in having pain after THR surgery .... 

    I am not sure if I understand the 7 minutes walking at once a day ... do you mean that you cannot walk for more than 7 minutes? 

    Are you trying to walk without any aids, like sticks/cane?  

    are you full weight bearing? 

    I know, darling - it is so lonely sometimes - it is so hard for people to understand what we are going through - we don;t really look that sick, right and your surgery was "already" 4 weeks ago ... you get better understanding when you have a

    cold !!!! 

    so, it IS normal - and it will get better - it just takes time and you are still early in recovery - 

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • Savy_J
      Savy_J renee01952

      Posted

      Thank you for your kind words.....It's true what you say....we don't look "sick" now...My Dad said something the other day which surprised me. he said he could see the pain in my eyes before my surgery.....I had no idea of that. I don't walk long around a track or anything. it is minus 15c here so I can't go outside to walk. I walk back and forth in my house with my cane. I can weight bare but again I have this almost groin pain. I am beginning to wonder if it is muscle of some sort. BUT the pain when I sit on toilet is not muscle I am sure of that. I will ask physio Wed. here is the deal. My sisters father in law whom is 80 had his done on Nov 4. He is without walking aids and doing farm work....I know we aren't to compare but the family can't help but see that and I feel kind of silly...you know.
    • renee01952
      renee01952 Savy_J

      Posted

      oh boy, that is cold !!!!  and then an 80 year old, what, 6- 7 weeks post-op and doing farm work already --- I don't know savy but think that men heal differently and faster somehow - 

      please let us know what your PT tells you about that pain - 

      just do a very gentle stretch on your bed - I have been walking so badly for so long, a lot of sitting, laying in fetus position etc. that my groin muscle feels is so tight and short - still after 14 weeks - 

      you really doin;t want to tear anything there ---

      warm hug

      renee

    • Savy_J
      Savy_J renee01952

      Posted

      I know 80?? Our stats in Canada is more women have this than men. Personally i kind of thought the same thing about the men healing but who knows.

      I have learnt a lot on this site one being don't overdue...so I will be very cautious with physio. Will be good to have him sort of test me to see if I am on par.

      Take caresmilesmile

  • marilyn_92910
    marilyn_92910 Savy_J

    Posted

    this is normal you are in early days after opas my husbnd says, youhave had your leg chopped in half and a new piece put in pl also its a major op,  pain does get better, i cant do what rocket man and do  mile cross country walk, yesterday i  took the dog out fora walk, not a long one, forgot y stick and lst night i knew about it, ended up taking killers, ar you still o pankillers, it nght tak codydramol
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK marilyn_92910

      Posted

      To be fair, after 5 weeks I was determined to return to our regular country walk that my wife and I loved doing before I had this problem.  It's a circular walk over 13 miles around our town, so I can walk out to it, do a section of it, and then return home. When I can to the whole 13+ miles, I'll know I am better wink.

      My 3.5 mile walk is tiring, but I really feel that I have achieved something when I have done it.  It also has the advantage of a pub after about 2.5 miles, good for refreshment and eventually perhaps a sunday lunch !

      As Marilyn says, your leg was sliced open, the bone was cut in half, and bits of metal were screwed and hammered into place, it is a major operation, not just a little 'procedure'.

      Graham

    • Savy_J
      Savy_J marilyn_92910

      Posted

      Hi. I take one percoset a day and tylenol off and on. I am in Canada.
  • Hip_Horray
    Hip_Horray Savy_J

    Posted

    I too am almost 4 weeks post op. This morning we had the family over for breakfast....halfway through I suddenly felt I am "not here"....zero energy and totally listless!!!....had to go back to bed!.....this evening I just comfortably finished a 2km walk and felt I could do 5!!....such are the swiftly changing feelings and roller coaster emotional ride I'm experiencing!

    i started physio last week and although tough am feeling the better of it. My main pain areas are my hip and thigh....still very seized and sore! I too am walking with a crutch and doing the daily exercises as recommended...some are easier and others still challenging. 

    Its so very helpful reading the discussions!....they proved support and hope!!.,,seems the common thread is everyone has different reactions and patience is the key!

    Merry Christmas to all fellow hippies from sunny down under and I hope 2016 will be big year of healing! Philip

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Hip_Horray

      Posted

      Couldn't have put it bettermyself Philip - we all have to recover at the pace our bodies want to go at.  

      This forum is so helpful, reminding us that we are not alone, and that we all have different problems in the emotional and physical roller coaster of a ride.

      🚀💃

    • Savy_J
      Savy_J Hip_Horray

      Posted

      Roller coaster ride is a fact!!!! I think I really need to walk more.....Yes this forum as been my lifeline. Sounds like your pain is similar. Knowing others are experiencing similar things somehow makes it easier and reassurring .  Best wishes for 2016!!!
  • alan23497
    alan23497 Savy_J

    Posted

    Sounds like your doing fine. I'm at 9 weeks and walking around the house without a cane, doing small walks without, but carry cane as I get tired the limp comes back & I then use the cane. Do not feel bad, there are a lot of different factors in recovery and we are not all the same.

    Happy Christmas and keep on going, it will all work out in its own time you can't rush it.

    Alan

  • Thursday_Next
    Thursday_Next Savy_J

    Posted

    Dear Savy J

    i think you are being extremely hard on yourself.  I'm also 4 weeks post op and it is difficult but actually we are doing very well.  We have had major surgery with broken and dislocated bones as well as muscles cut and stretched and ligaments stretched - of course things still hurt!      

    obviously I don't know your family but I doubt if they are wondering if you are ever going to get better.  I bet they think you are doing very well and are proud of you.  You take care and be proud of yourself.  You and I will get there

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.