Help this hip

hey Letitia,

I have a similar issue.. I had mine done on April 16. Posterior. Feel the same stiffness when I've been still for a while. The Dr said it was normal and muscle tightness. It should subside over time. Stretching and ice pack should give some relief. As far as the knee goes, my knee pain decreased tremendously after the surgery. Let your Dr know everything... and keep us posted. Good luck.

Hi Letitia,

I am 14 weeks PO, also posterior approach, and I still am incredibly stiff and occasionally sore after sitting and on waking up.

I went back to work at 6 weeks; I sit for a living so I have to remind myself to get up and move or it takes awhile to work out the stiffness. I still use a cane which helps when I DON'T get up and move.

If the knee pain you're having is on the other leg, it could be from that leg overcompensating for the weakness in the surgical leg, that was the case for me. The pain when standing on your surgical leg is to be expected, again, it was for me. I still take pain reliever every day.

I've had 3 appointments with my surgeon (in U.S.) along the way, with another scheduled at the 6-month mark. You should call your surgeon's office if you're really worried, but from your description, I don't think you're experiencing anything different than many of us on this board.

Take care.

From your description you are in much the same state as most of us were at about the same time post op.

I know the type of job affects the date of return to work but I would talk to your medical team about a further delay. I was off for 12 weeks and then there was a phased return to work over the next month. As a lab based microbiologist, in the same hospital that I had the op in, I probably spend around three quarters of my time sitting and manipulating cultures.

Hi Letitia

Your stiffness is perfectly normal.

You will have the odd twinge as well - again perfectly normal.

Remember, you have just had major surgery.

Also, check that your gait is now good as it will have changed from your pre-op gait. Check that you're not lurching when you walk. If you are, here's a suggestion from my physiotherapist.

1. Stand up, then pause
2. Suck in your tummy before you start to walk
3. Make sure you are walking slowly but smoothly
4. Be aware of your posture
5. It is more important to walk smoothly than fast, speed will come with practice.

Good luck.

I'm nearly 15 weeks post-op, aged 74.

The stiffness you describe sounds completely normal. If I'm sitting or driving I just have to stop every hour to walk around for a few minutes. Standing rocking gently from one foot to the other helps me a lot when I feel a bit stiff (one of the exercises given to me by a physio).

I stopped painkillers after about 8 weeks; still sometimes need to take a couple of paracetamol if I've overdone things.

I still work as an educational consultant. I'm going back at 16 weeks - for me the worst bit will be the long train commute into London (and I'll have to be very consistent about refusing to use the low easy chairs in some school staff rooms).

You can get advice on whether you are ready to return when you have your next appointment.

I would get a physio's advice on the knee pain - can't help there as I didn't have that.

Good luck!

Joan

Hi, im 7 weeks post op LTH , I do get quite a bit of stiffness too, also pain in left knee that I didn't have pre-op, I would think its normal, I see surgeon for check up today so will ask. Do you have to return to work? I still have 4 weeks left & GP has told me I may need more!

Thank you all for your responses. I feel better knowing others understand and have made it through this phase. I go back to work on the 17th of this mo th and that will require alot of walking. I'll check back in after my appt on the 14th to let you know what the surgeon says. Again thanks for the suggestions and e encouragement, I truly appreciate it.

Hi I'm 59 soon to be 60 next week, yuck!. I had a TRH replacement 7 weeks ago. My surgery and recovery went well, stiffness is almost gone in my hip. My newest problem now is my left knee, its has inflammation like a lump of water on it just to the right of the knee cap. I know I over did it kneeling and gardening. Now of course it hurts to put weight on it. Physio said to ice it but its been giving me grief for about 2 weeks now. Any ideas?