Have I over done it and is it normal

Posted , 14 users are following.

Hi

I'm 4 and a half weeks post op after total hip replacement on left side. I was doing so well until yesterday when I decided to do my walk with just one crutch walked just over quarter of a mile. Now I'm in so much pain in my left buttock and the burning has come back in my scar. I've also just started doing more exercises that the Physio gave me to do.

I just wanted to check if this is normal have I over done it or should I be worried.

Thank you Sarah.

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi Sarah

    Im just over 3 weeks post op and did the exactly the same as you overdone the walking by taking my girls to school twice in one day a good mile there and back and all good on one crutch then Friday eve developed lots of pain in my hip and feared the worst that I'd screwed everything up! So rested all day yesterday and I'm feeling much better today so off for a short walk.

    Rest up lovely you've done too much was advice from everyone on here, you are doing so well we really must take it slow and not rush time is a healer I'm finding out too 😊 Good luck 😉 xxx

    • Posted

      Isn't it funny we're all making the same mistakes at the same time!

      Hope you're feeling better now Detty smile

      Helen x

    • Posted

      Hi Helen

      Yes seems we all trying to run before we can walk eh😊 Yes I'm good just about to go out for a short steady walk and not power walking like I was! It's so lovely to be able to walk with no pain so got carried away and did too much! Hope you are well and been in your bike? Looking forward to my 6 week check then hopefully he will say I can start swimming.

      This site is such a help sharing concerns and reassuring each other!

      Xxx

    • Posted

      Yeah I did half an hour on my trainer bike this morning, feels so good pain free!!  I was planning to swim later this week... but then my scar started burning and I freaked out a bit. 

      Have a great day I'm just headed to bed

      Hxx

  • Posted

    Hi Sarah,

    Yes, you may have overdone it, I think most of us do at some point.  I wouldn't worry though.  Inside your thigh and buttock you have so much soft tissue that is still in the early stages of healing so just rest up, take painkillers if you need to and go back to two crutches for a bit.  Maybe an ice pack ot two will ease the pain and burning a little.  Remember, this operation takes up to a year to fully heal so.

    Good luck.  Cels Xx

  • Posted

    Hi Sarah

    I just came online to post the same question! 

    I'm a week behind you - 3.5 at the moment, I'm out walking with one crutch too and also using a trainer bike. I have just started having the burning pain in my scar too. Have you had it before? I have not and it freaked me out! 

    I hadn't connected it to exercise but that might be what's causing it... I was hoping to go for a swim this week so I want it healed as fast as possible!  

    I'm very interested to see what everyone knows about scar pain... I have found these pages more useful than anything else online to be honest it's fantastic. 

    Hope you feel better soon,

    Helen

    • Posted

      Hi Helen.when I first had my op had the burning in scar area but settled. Today the pain in scar area seems better but the pain in left buttock hasn't gone. Still trying to do my exercises as don't want to get stiff.

  • Posted

    Oh dear Sarah, we all over do it, we all feel great in those first few weeks and think wow, look at me, I might do that extra bit or drop a crutch now. Trouble is, we are told it takes time and it does. If you push it too soon you suffer later on. Take it easy and allow your body to repair itself slowly.
  • Posted

    Hi Sarah

    Yes may overdone it. I have done it too . Rest ,drink lots of water

    and taking easy for few days. If you still have some pain after

    few days call your GP. I hope you are feel better soon, its is big

    operation and we need time to heel. Im 3 months after left hip

    and i still some time do more than i supose too.

    Take care ,rest and take it easy.

    Hug Madla.💗

    PS you are in early stage.

  • Posted

    Sarah,

    I think you're right on two out of three of your concerns.  I think you probaby overdid it a little, and it is normal to have the pain you describe when you have overdone it.  I wouldn't be worried just yet, though.  In my opinion, I think you need to push it a little bit to help your recovery along.  You have to know your limits, and everyone is different.  

    I am just about three weeks after a RTHR.  I've been pushing it a lot.  Like you, I have been doing exercises at home above and beyond what the therapist gave me to do.  I have been walking without assitance and trying very hard not to limp.  The result is a pain in my right backside and rear end that eclipses that of my hip.  I also have a burning pain around the scar, as you desribed.  Ice and rest help.  The result, though, of doing the extra therapy is that I have progressed beyond what is seen as "normal" for this point post op.  I saw the surgeon two days ago and told him that I had been doing the extra exercises and described the pain that accompanied them.  He was pleased with my progress and encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing.  He said the pain around the scar was normal and that it could be there for quite some time, regardless of the improvement experienced around the rest of my hip.  Because my body is adjusting to the good hip after years of a bad hip, there will be pain in the areas that have been compensating or that have not been working like they should (like my back).  He warned me not to push it too much, but to essentially continue what I was doing.

    I recommend perhaps backing off just a little bit, but to keep doing what you're pain tolerance will allow.  After research and following this blog, I've come to believe that movement is the key to recovery after this surgery.  The more you can do, the quicker you will get back to normal.  Having said that, remember, we've gone through a major surgery.  Knowing your limits will allow you to push them, but not to the point of hindering your recovery by causing more damage.  

    I hope this helps alleviate some of your concerns.  Best wishes to you in your recovery!

    Kevin       

    • Posted

      Thank you Kevin that's a great help. Seems we all do it. Being only 47 I want to get on with it and get some life back before other needs doing in a year's time.

    • Posted

      Hi

      Having just made the same mistakes only with 25 stitches in my inner thigh for a wider excision and having a lot of soreness with internal stitches pulling and bleeding, I would say dont do anything over what is recommended by the physio - the body cant heal quicker by pushing things, it will only cause inflamation and swelling to the wound site. Take it steady and follow the rules is the best plan.

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