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Hiw to be pain free

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rhonda_20741
rhonda_20741

Had hip surgery 8 weeks ago and things seemed to be going good until my 5 week mark . Started getting pain in my groin and down my leg again . I am driving and able to walk although I walk like a  penguin  As one leg is somewhat longer then the other now . Stopped taking pain meds after 2 weeks pretty much only to be taking them for bed after 5 weeks again . Have slacked off on doing my exercises cause they hurt so much . Do the ones I can but  neglect  The others . I go see my surgeon again on the 24th but am pretty worried . Any advice . Thanks

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • firststannie
    firststannie rhonda_20741

    Posted

    I still have the kind of pain you have 6 months out.  However I have had both a THR and revision surgery to repair a broken femur, most probably caused by the THR.  the best thing my ortho guy advised was to stop PT.  When I did that, the pain diminished.  He still advised walking as much as possible...even though I too have that penguin gate ( I use a cane).  If possible contact your surgeon now and tell him/her what you are experiencing.
    • rhonda_20741
      rhonda_20741 firststannie

      Posted

      I have been walking with a crutch .  Unfortunately  My surgeon is on holidays and won’t be back to work till Monday .have been trying to do as little as possible till I see him .
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK rhonda_20741

    Posted

    There are so many variables when having this operation, your previous state of health, the skill (and luck) of the surgeon, your reaction to pain and various medication .... the list goes on and on.

    I am at week 8 now, and have been almost totally pain free from about day 2.  I did have some small pain at the very top of my thigh on the inside of the leg (is this what people call groin pain? It was definitely in the upper thigh).  I found that it disappeared when I did some extra abduction exercises.

    The leg on my new hip side (left) is definitely shorter, it is easy to do left leg standing abduction, but almost impossible to do right leg ones without standing on a thick rug.

    It all seems to be a balancing act between too much and too little exercise.  At the moment I am doing a fairly rigorous workout at the gym, and not suffering (yet) anything other than tired muscles as they haven't been working much for nearly 3 months now.

    Best wishes

    Graham

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Didn't mean to send that ... meant to add that last time around I used a very good local 'sports physiotherapist', she was an ex-football physio and her hands-on approach has certainly helped me with getting the muscles back into place.

    • Dawron
      Dawron Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Hi Rocket Man thank you for that info will bear it in mind I if there is no improvement in next couple of weeks. Need to get past the six week goal. I am starting physio end of this week hope it helps.
    • marion36675
      marion36675 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      You and I am pretty much the same. I am 8 weeks too and the only difference between us is that I my legs are the same length. I am not sure about extra abduction exercises for the groin discomfort but I think I'll try it having read it worked for you. My gym work is going really well and I can now do a decent work-out without problems.

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK marion36675

      Posted

      I checked myself out yesterday at the gym, I have lost one centimetre ... so more weight to lose as that affects the BMI calculations.frown

      Don't forget that I was walking well before my operation, so I was fitter than most of us are for the initial operation. This will have helped me to recover so quickly, my wife cannot keep up with me if we go out and I go at my 'natural' pace now. cheesygrin

  • DAS50579
    DAS50579 rhonda_20741

    Posted

    Hi Rhonda

    I had anterior hip surgery 13 weeks ago. Thought I was doing well.  Still have pain in groin but can deal with that, but the worst part is that I too now have a limp and I feel that the hip leg that was operated on is longer.  The other leg feels much shorter and am limping.  So now the other side is starting to hurt. The surgeon is getting annoyed with me. He keeps telling me that both legs are exactly the same length. Hard for me to believe it for why would I be limping so badly.  I am very upset from this whole surgery. The horrible pain is gone. No doctor wants to see a patient that is only out of surgery a short time. Hard to believe no one was to see me.  I am going for physical therapy, but don't think it is working to correct leg length issue.  After a while the doctor is no longer interested in the patient. When something is not right they are not so nice any more.

    • jen86183
      jen86183 DAS50579

      Posted

      Lots of people limp after surgery I am limping at 5.5 months, not as bad as before. Lots of people do limp but most say this stops after a few months.
    • DAS50579
      DAS50579 jen86183

      Posted

      I hope you are right. I cannot stand this limping. Feel like an old person. I am not young, but never expected to have this limp.  What does your doctor say about your limp after 5.5 months.  I know others who had this surgery and they are not limping. Well hope this stops for don't want to live the rest of my life limping. Please let me know!

    • firststannie
      firststannie DAS50579

      Posted

      First,  have your PT measure your legs.  Second,  cut back on PT...which helped me a lot.  Third, find a store that sells shoe insert orthotics to runners....get fitted.   Fourth  Write a letter to your doctor explaining as you have on this site, how much this is interfering with your life.  Ask for a consultation with either another ortho doc or someone whose specialty is pain management.
    • jen86183
      jen86183 DAS50579

      Posted

      I saw a doctor at 6 weeks, not the surgeon, my next appointment is May 2019. We do not get to see the one who operated as and when we want in the UK.

      I will be honest I am not that bothered about it, when I stand with both feet flat on the floor they are level which is good, as pre op they were unlevel, there was a big discrepancy. When I walk heel toe, the limp is not too bad, I just forget.

    • DAS50579
      DAS50579 firststannie

      Posted

      Good morning

      It is now 4 months since my anterior hip replacement.  I am going for physical therapy.  I do not believe it is helping at all.  My surgeon does not want to admit that one leg is longer than another. The operated leg is about an inch longer. My physical therapist is on his side.  He spoke to her and they both say the same thing. But I know my body. My right leg is shorter. I went to another doctor who is not a surgeon and he measured and saw the discrepancy.  I need to find another surgeon for a second opinion. Meanwhile I am walking with a terrible limp, the good side is now hurting something awful.  The doctor is arrogant and does not want to see what is wrong. He practically through me out of his office. Told me to put a lift in my shoe and slammed out.  I am hoping to see another doctor in the next few weeks.  This was an awful experience. Would have been ok if the results were better.

    • rhonda_20741
      rhonda_20741 DAS50579

      Posted

      Hello just for this to some reason everything is going to junk mail. I am now 10 weeks today and still have pain and not hip pain  totally  Different . I ended up get a lift in my shoe Amy left leg is now 11/2 shorter then the other and I am pretty sure that is why all the pain although the surgeon doesn’t seem to think that should affect it . But yet he can’t explain the pain to me . So frustrated . Just praying it all goes away very soon . Hope you feel better
    • DAS50579
      DAS50579 jen86183

      Posted

      Are you still limping. I am... Now my other side is really starting to hurt!!!!! Seeing a second opinion doctor next week.

    • jen86183
      jen86183 DAS50579

      Posted

      I still have a limp Das! six months on, it is better if I walk heel toe though. I found a lift which I used prior to op so, I am going to use it as I do not want to damage my right side more than it is already. I will not have another replacement.

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