Hip flexors

I have hip flexor pain and I'm 18mths post THR 😯

Hey Michael,

I had bilateral hip replacement (posterior) a little over a year ago. Almost from the beginning I had hip flexor problems. The right one has slowly gotten better but the left continues to give me problems. Pulling my left leg into the car, doing a leg lift, or sudden (unexpected) jerkey movements can be painful. It makes me clumsy because I cant move it too fast. I have to admit that my exercise regimen isn't what it once was (I work full time). Probably I need to start exercising regularly again as it seems to help. Good luck.

Jim

Hello Michael,

I haven't had THR surgery yet, probably this year, but hip flexor pain has been one of the most painful and ongoing problem/symptom I deal with.  As another poster mentioned, it slows my movement and leaves me clumsy, and even a minor jolt can make me catch my breath to brace for the pain.  What I find most effective in dealing with this is swimming- with swim fins.  Using fins stretches out and flattens both the feet, ankles and legs and help bring the leg kick higher in the water thereby naturally flattening the leg and aiding doing the kick from the hip instead of from the knee.  Often when I swim laps it is done purely for pain relief and loosening the flexors instead of cardio.  Just slow, measured swimming, staying focused on a relaxed leg kick from the hip paying special attention/awareness on stretching out and relaxing the flexors.  I was doubled up and hobbled when I went to the pool yesterday, but after a set of abdominal crunches, followed by some hip arches [the regular PT exercise- lie flat on back, knees pulled up, flex glutes, lift hips, hold and return, which also stretches the flexors] some stretching in the hot tub before swimming, then my laps, I left the gym feeling much relieved and walking as close to normal and with less pain than I arrived with.  I should mention, the fins have become a neccesity for me- without them the kick is too rapid and irritating to my hip joints.  A good deep tissue massage therapist can also be a great benefit but most soft tissue issues can be worked out with a combination of focused exercise and PT in my experience.  I don't think there is any way around doing the maintenance needed to keep the body moving and healthy.  Best of luck.

Hi Michael

Posterior approach Right hip 6 years ago no problems at all.  

Anterior approach left hip June 2016, nightmare! Psoas inflamed & rubbing on prosthesis, aggravated. Bursitis. 

Revision surgery on left hip , posterior approach; replacement of acetabular cup, bone graft, screws and psoas release August 2017. 

I see surgeon who did revision ( different surgeon to one who did original left hip)  on Tuesday

Recovery slow, 4 months post op.  Extensive walking gives me pain in my groin still & the leg feels heavy. I’m not sure how much more improvement I’ll get.  I also get referee pain down to my knee if I walk a lot. 

Sitting in a car or on the toilet is quite uncomfortable. 

I’m an active 51 year old.

Wish you all the best.

All I know is that the muscle tightens and shortens when are knees are bent. Assuming thus has something to do with the pain. I would like to know what to do to avoid it esp as I just had my second THR.