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

Hip replacement post-op problem

Posted , 7 users are following.

Alan1949
Alan1949

Hello all of you in the UK - I'm writing from the U.S - Toledo, Ohio to be specific. I am 13 days post-op from my right hip THR. The incision has healed well, and most swelling is gone from leg and ankle. I used a walker for the first week, and am now walking with a cane. Very little pain at this point except for stiffness in the joint - in fact, no significant pain throughout the recovery. My big concern is  that when I walk, it feels as if there is a hitch, hiccup, catch (not sure how to describe it) as the ball moves within the socket. The prosthesis is metal alloy stem and ball moving in a polyethylene socket (probably made one state over in Indiana since Warsaw, Indiana, is a center for companies like Zimmer that make these). It doesn't happen every time I stride, more intermittently, but definitely noticeable, and frankly a little distressing. Almost like the sensation of bone on bone before the sugery, but no pain when it happens - just very irritating. I'm wondering if anyone here on this forum who has had a THR is having or had the same experience? Was supposed to have had my fist post-op followup today with the surgeon, but it had to be rescheduled, so have not had a chance to discuss this yet. He has an excellent reputation as an orthopedic sugeon, and others who I have spoken to who had their hips done by him have not had this issue as far as I know. Thank you all!

1 like, 27 replies

27 Replies

  • martin98264
    martin98264 Alan1949

    Posted

    Alan, I'm currently 8 weeks post op on a right THR with an uncemented ceramic on ceramic with titanium stem, doing well & I too get this jerking/grinding/grating sometimes too, nothing to worry about I was told, also told by the Physio therapist that it's to do with the muscles around the joint being not yet strong enough, the good news is that my surgeon told me that the ceramic/ceramic hips are good for 20yrs + cheesygrin
    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 martin98264

      Posted

      Thank you, Martin, for sharing your experiences regarding your THR! I'm hoping this is something that will work itself out. Best of luck in your continuing recovery . . . . Alan
    • annette15401
      annette15401 martin98264

      Posted

      Hi Martin

      had my check up with consultant all good with hip but unfortunately I have nw discovered I have arthritis in my knee same leg flipping typical !! 

    • mitouback
      mitouback annette15401

      Posted

      HI

      I had total hip replacement 11 months ago today!

      I had that feeling the first 4-5 weeks but was told that I needed to work on strengthen my abductors, hip flexors and hamstrings, so I did...I was also told to work on my core, which I also did. My Oh My, what a difference. I was given a home programme that I did DAILY.( 15-20 minutes), then of course my walking which I increased in duration weekly. I strated with a 7 min walk, then in 6 months time I was walking briskly for 60 min daily. The muscle strengthening around the hip is VITAL...

      I can vouch for this, personally. Now, 11 months later, actuially almost a year

      in August, I feel really good and hip is fabulous..Good luck and start these exercises....Ask for a physio to give you a programme, or a good good experienced Pilates teacher.....

  • joy47826
    joy47826 Alan1949

    Posted

    You have a LONG way to go with your healing and I wouldn't be too concerned....consider any leg discrepancy but give it more time.

    I have a hitch in my walk and a limp from time to time, most of the time, but I am much older and also NOW have a 3/4" lift in the shoe on the surgery hip.

    I had the Anterior, my guess is you had the Posterior. Give it time, but don't discount the leg length issue....there are posts here on that one.

    I'm almost 4 yrs out and deal with nerve damage and other issues from the anterior approach.....

    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 joy47826

      Posted

      Thank you, Joy, for sharing all that. I too had the anterior approach - my surgeon is the only one here in Toledo, Ohio, who does it. Yes, I know it's early in the healing process. I'm hoping when I discuss this with my surgeon next week he will say something similar. Thank you again for your reply!  Alan
    • martin98264
      martin98264 Alan1949

      Posted

      Yep, I have a 1cm leg length on my operated leg so have a shoe insert on my non op side. Actually it's because my pelvis is slightly out of line, but I can live with that! As Joy says Alan, it takes time, so it's just as good to relax as it is to excercises good luck in your recovery sir
  • Sredni393
    Sredni393 Alan1949

    Posted

    Alan I have a polyethylene socket and I sometimes have the  sensation of normal movement of the joint without the smooth glide, as if the lubricating membrane isn't there which of course it is not. So in being aware of it, it had not troubled me as my pain was so bad I regarded it as minor. In fact the feeling of that abnormal movement is about equal to the unoperated side which is probably a year off needing to be replaced heaven forfend. I believe we have to report it the moment it becomes worrying or uncomfortable.  But wait and see is probably all that can be said. You will have a 3month follow up xray (?) But if you suspect dislocation (doubtful as would definitely be painful) then you wd have an.xray as a matter of course. Let us hope it resolves or that you get immune to the sound/sensation.  It may be a question of getting used.to it. You are fortunate to be painfree. Best of uck w yr recovery
    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 Sredni393

      Posted

      Thanks so much for sharing all that info and your own experiences! Sounds as though we have a similar prosthesis with the polyethylene socket and metal stem. Definitely no dislocation - just that bump every now and then. Yes, wait and see is probably the ticket right now. Hope you can put off another THR for awhile, but if and when that occurs, may it go smoothly for you!    Alan
  • tom72276
    tom72276 Alan1949

    Posted

    Hi Alan, welcome 2 the UK I'm 14 days post op left THR & so far so good, I do however suffer the very same symptoms in both my knees after having the left 1 replaced twice in 3 yrs & the right 1 in Oct 2012, mine started off with no pain & just the really annoying clunking every step I'd take, this later turned in2 severe pain & swelling on a regular basis, I've had the poly liners changed in both joints over the past 4 yrs 2 try & sort out the instability in both joints which has frankly made no difference at all, the reason I'm having both hips replaced is due 2 OA in both hips but also 2 try & alleviate the pain I still have in both knees, my consultant is hoping that this will now help with the pain but has already informed me that revised surgery on both knees is the only way 2 cure the instability? I'm totally baffled by all this (as is my consultant,which doesn't instill me with confidence?) it's strange u mention Zimmer as this is the joint my consultant has said he will be using if I go ahead with revised surgery? The original guy that did my left TKR in 2010 told me 2 use the clunking as a party piece & if it wasn't causing me any pain & 2 basically just get on with it? I asked 2 c a different consultant after that pathetic comment & so it goes on? I'd see what ur consultant says about it when you see him next, one of the comments I seem 2 hear with all the 4 consultants I've seen over the past 4 yrs with the knee problems is that "everything looks fine on x rays" I've explained in no uncertain terms that I don't walk around on the x rays? Take care Alan & keep me posted
    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 tom72276

      Posted

      Hi Tom - thank you for sharing all that, and hope all those issues with your knee replacements  will eventually be resolved. It seems as though the knee replacements are a more difficult rehab process compared to the hip, but it also sounds as though there are some other things going on there with your knee replacement hardware.  I've been communicating by email with my surgeon's office since my follow-up appointment isn't until next week, and they inform me that the movement I'm feeling is the IT band around the implant. I'm not sure what that means, but will find out more at my appointment.  My best wishes to you on getting those knees fixed to your satisfaction.
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Alan1949

    Posted

    Hi urs is like mine different manufacturer. 14 years old now...it takes time for the bone and tissue to grow onto the new components for stability. I also have two screws for strength and agility in the area around the hip joint and a patch to repair damage from bovine bone. Healing takes months.. It will take some adjusting to. All movements r not the same for everyone. I have never been able to run. Now with two THR...I sometimes think a little oil can should be included with them lolwhich might smooth out the movements but in time it all falls into place. These hips are very strong and well designed to give many years of mobility. And u have a very GOOD one.. biggrin

    TC&BG

    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 hope4cure

      Posted

      Hi and thank you for your encouraging words. I agree - a little oil might do the trick smile I was a runner for over 30 years - very much a part of my life style. It will be hard to give that up. But I hope to still be able to play doubles tennis and continue cycling. I have bicycle toured throughout the British Isles, by the way - England, Scotland, Ireland. Just loved it! As I mention to Tom above, my surgeon's nurse informs me that the movement I'm feeling is the IT band around the implant. Need to find out what that means when I see him next week. Thank you again for your reply, and all the best to you!
    • jeanp
      jeanp Alan1949

      Posted

      Hi Atlan, I didn't know what an IT band was either, so asked mr google, it's the Iliotibial Band, a "thick band of fibrous tissue that starts at the hip, goes down the outer thigh, crosses the side of the knee joint and connects to the shinbone. The band stabilizes the hip and knee joint. High-impact activities, especially running, place stress on it. Patients commonly experience ITB tightness after a hip replacement, which restricts joint mobility.". So now we know! Got this information off the Live Strong website, they have some exercises and so on to help a tight IT band, but I guess I would check with your surgeon if they are okay. Hope it all gets better! Jean
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Alan1949

      Posted

      HiAlan 1949.. That's a good year! cheesygrin

      Trochanteric Bursitis is an understated disease. This pain is very severe, and does affect your activities significantly. I have had issues with both hips after 3 surgeries.The true treatment is physical therapy, to strengthen your gluts and stretch out your ITB band. People with different anatomy (for example, a wider pelvis) can have difficulties with this. The end stage is surgery which can include a Trochanteric Bursal removal and ITB band lengthening. Unfortunately there are no guarantees with this - if you have exhausted all options than it may be worth a try as the surgery is not major and you go home the same day. I had it done both on both hips. Most importantly, if you do have a surgery, make sure you are ready for aggressive physical therapy as if you are not, it could put you back in square one after you have the surgery. Building UR muscles up before surgery is important.  I definitely feel for you, as this is a very difficult entity to treat. I would talk with a doctor about your options, and I wish you the best of luck. biggrin

    • jeanp
      jeanp Alan1949

      Posted

      Hi Alan and anyne else reading this. Wrote about some exercises on the Live Strong website just now; have now had time to actually READ them - they lentail crossing your legs over, so probably/definitely not suitable for THR hippies in the early stages, maybe not even the middling ones either. Sorry folks!
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Alan1949

      Posted

      I know that with time and PT U WILL BE back in the saddle RIDING UR BIKE..That's excellent rehab bike riding . Not to much but start out slowly. Always listen to UR body feedback. And not too much pain medication. U could actually think u did really well  by biking 2 miles until the pain meds wear off. U sound very athletic. Love to be out in the country. I too toured the country, cities and mountains . Except my wheels was my beautiful Tenneessee Walker. We both now have arthritis he is slow and I am even pokier it's a good match. 14 yrs ago after my first hip after -1 yr of slowly getting back in the saddle we were back on the trails enjoying our tour and at a good pace knowing we were taking care of each other. biggrin

      u will be back touring on UR bike too..running I'm not so sure! Ck with UR surgeon on that one. There r different ways to do the same things we did before using caution and good techniques.

      Have a good day! biggrin

    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 jeanp

      Posted

      Hi Jean - thank you for all that info on the IT band. I had done the same thing - googled around some different sites regarding the IT band, and a couple with good anatomical representations of it. So have learned a little about it. I'm going easy on the leg cross over exercises - just some easy ones standing with the walker. I should say that this catch that I'm experiencing is very intermittent and is not painful at all, so hopefully this will be able to be resolved with a little PT. Thank you again for looking into this and letting me know what you found out about it!
    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 hope4cure

      Posted

      Yes, I think my running days are over. I enjoyed working out on the elliptical trainer before the operation - that gives an excellent workout - hope to continue that eventually. I had been planning a bicycle tour around the perimeter of the U.S as a fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity and Save The Children before my hip issue took precendence.

      Not sure if I will be able to carry through on this - only time will tell.

      In the meantime, my focus will be healing. Thank you for your encouragement!

    • joy47826
      joy47826 Alan1949

      Posted

      Oh good grief, this anterior replacement has been a hellish surgery for me. I ended up with IT band damage as well as the Femoral Nerve damage.....

      One would think I had a carpenter and not a surgeon do this work. Well, they are carpenters too.

      IT band damage is a runner's saga, I've never been a runner per se, but did a lot of exercise in my long life.

      ART (Active Release Technique) can help release that tight IT band mess....I had 8 sessions of ART work from my chiro who was trained in ART work. Itr's looser but numb and tingling.....

    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 hope4cure

      Posted

      I think my running days are over. But I was working out on the elliptical trainer before the operation and enjoyed that - provides a very good workout. I had been planning a bicycle tour around the perimeter of the U.S. as a fundraiser for a couple of charities, but since then my hip has taken precedence. So I have had to put that off for now, and will focus on healing. Only time will tell if I will be able to ride long distances once again. Enjoy your future travels at a slower pace!
    • joy47826
      joy47826 Alan1949

      Posted

      Oh my travels are behind me, I know that. Happy to be able to stretch and ride my recumbent bike in my living room for 10-15 minutes per day. But I did a lifetime of exercising almost like a fool, but NEVER a running fool. The LA Marathron goes by my apt bldg every year and the sights I see, omg....the joint destruction.
    • Alan1949
      Alan1949 joy47826

      Posted

      I did run in the LA Marathon back in 1984; my last was the New York Marathon in 1989. They ARE hard on one's body. After that, tried to run a few times a week - just became a part of my lifestyle. I don't regret it at all. My right hip replacement was two weeks ago today - the day before I went out cycling and it didn't bother me one bit. So keep riding that recumbent - great exercise.
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure joy47826

      Posted

      If they only knew.. The amt of joint issues later on....Huh? I never thought of that when I was younger I have no regrets. Ok I have a few...ouch! .  biggrin
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure joy47826

      Posted

      So SORRy to hear of the it and nerve damage. I had that with both it does get better at least in my case. Not perfect but acceptable.  Sometimes the I band gets stretched out of the way during surgery causing tiny micro tears in the ligament. My PT said ligaments take 2-3 times longer to heal than broken bones. I took the advice of my PT when I could walk in the sand at the beach. The soft sand really helps lossen a tight ITband & helps stretch it as the micro tears heal. 

       

    • joy47826
      joy47826 Alan1949

      Posted

      Alan, LA Summer Olympics 1984, Rafer Johnson carrying the torch thru Santa Monica...I was an active 46 yr caught up in it all, brings back geat memories of the better times,

      Did my recumbent bike for 15 minutes and now sit here with tingling thigh....groan, moan, whine, complain will it ever end?

Back to top

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.