How long until hips are completely pain free?
Posted , 16 users are following.
Hi hippies,
I had my left hip done 1 year ago and my right hip done 5 months ago and I'm pretty active and mobile but I'm still using medicine (either Celebrex (anti-inflamatory) or Tylenol) pretty much every day and I do get a fair amount of pain. Any walk more than about 0.5 km and I'll defininately feel it although I can probably walk up to 5 km without too much trouble (although I'll be quite sore and stiff during the walk). In all fairness, I really haven't been that diligent about doing my exercises since the 2nd operation (and didn't get any physio at all since I didn't want to pay the co-pay). I do get quite sore after sitting for an extended period of time (e.g. watching TV) or lying down for a long time (e.g. very sore first thing in the morning) although curiously enough, a lot of the pain is in my knees rather than my hips.
I'm just wondering how others are doing and what's the typical recovery time (my surgeon pretty much doesn't say anything other than everything looks good) until the hips are completely pain free (or if that's unrealistic and there will always be some degree of pain).
Let us know. Thanks,
Mike
1 like, 36 replies
hope4cure michelb
Posted
lots of walking and resting. I was fine.
Keeping the candidate hip in good muscle shape, Core strong and ligaments makes it a easier recovery.
ask about pre THR exercises.
michelb hope4cure
Posted
Your comment is very interesting as I did a lot of pre-THR exercises before my first surgery (left hip) (which was posterior approach) and I felt the recovery was faster (Interestingly enough, we went to DisneyWorld, SeaWorld and LegoLand about 2 1/2 months after the THR and I was in pretty decent shape although I did use a wheelchair to reduce the amount of walking I did).
For the second (right) hip (anterior approach), I didn't really do any pre-THR exercises since I was still recovering from the first operation. I was expecting the recovery to be faster because of anterior vs posterior (and initially it was) but I find that I'm not healing as fast as I did with the first (it might also simply be that I'm trying to do a lot more; the first was in the fall and I'm a lot less active then, the 2nd was in the spring and we're typically very active spring and summer ...) But now that you mention it, the pre-THR exercises probably had a lot to do with it too ...
hope4cure michelb
Posted
My first hip ( Disney hip) is old and I take Tylenol every day. Probably need a revision soon. Very important to have them checked yearly the cups wear out.
Have had 3 THR as one was recalled soon after it was done and removal early in the process before the bone grows and stabalizes the implant components is important for better heeling. That one was 5 years ago still have issues. However, I still have mobility so can cope with the pain and limited things I can do on a daily basis. Slowed down a bit as I am ok with it.
renee01952 michelb
Posted
I am afraid that there is no set time ... we all heal differently, as you know, and that is why surgeons cannot really tell us anything then that everything looks good and it will take time -
My experience is somewhat similar - I had 2 THR surgeries within 6 months time- now remember that both sides are somewhat impaired - my right, 1st hip, had to support my left one while sitll healing from this major surgery - as time went on, it got worse - 6 months later my left hip joint was replaced - healing could finally start - it have been going up and down - sometimes right old hip was hurting me more then the new left one -
at this time I am having deep muscle massage treatments on right hip by PT - Apparently the big muscles need to be lenghtened before I can do exercises to strenghten them - DUH .... I wish they had listened to me earlier ...
your body is still out of balance and knees are instrumental - no wonder we experience aches and pains ...
Do you really feel pain in your hip or are you extremely sore around it (muscles) - -
I am so sorry that you have to pay for physical therapy - I have to too, through supplement on basic insurance , but for now, I think it is worth it ...
good luck and let us know how you are getting on,okay
big warm hug
michelb renee01952
Posted
Thanks for the response and information. Even if everyone is different, it's still good to hear how others are doing just to see the light at the end of the tunnel and to manage expectations.
As far as my hips, I experience 2 types of pain : The most common, from walking and standing for long periods, is muscle pain in the buttocks. I suspect that this one will greatly improve over time as all my muscles regain their strength (the muscles around my hips / buttocks, groin, etc were never very strong and well developed to begin with (probably a side effect of the cancer treatment I received as an infant (same reason for the hip deterioration in the first place))). The other one is a pain at / on the hip joints themselves, both sides, on the outside of the thighs. This is a much sharper pain and more typical of the pain which prompted me to get the THR. I'm pretty confident this will also improve as well but I had hoped that as soon as I got the operation, this type of pain would be gone completely.
Although I complain about the physio, it's really my own fault. I could / should do at least some and pay the co-pay but it's also a matter of time and priorities; I'm back at work part-time (3 days / week right now but probably going to 4 days / week in the next week or two), we have young kids (11 and 6) as well as a 18 yr old foster just starting college so all 3 keep us quite busy and we have aging parents that also want / need a lot of our time and when we aren't busy with them, we do try to enjoy our free time as well (e.g. if I have an afternoon off in the summer, I'd rather spend it by the side of the pool than going to physio!) I have no doubts that if I was more disciplined, I could easily make the time for physio but I'm also a big believer in living life rather than waiting for it so I try to enjoy every moment which also means that I push off physio and rehab since I figure my hips will eventually heal, it might just take more time. At the same time, I like having immediate results !!! (a bit of a catch-22).
linda38528 michelb
Posted
Hi Michel,
I am sorry for your continued pain.
I am 6 months post posterior lthr and 2 weeks from getting my right done. So ongoing pain from both. I did hospital base physio for 6 weeks post my 1st surgery and this helped me tremendously to learn how position affects the effectiveness of the exercises. I continued these on my own since 1-2x daily. As my 2nd hip got worse and 2nd surgery approached I went back to a super massage therapist who has urged me to do more to strength my glutes which have really been causing me pain (esp after sitting).
You are lucky to have a pool - best ever environment for exercises as the water's resistance increases the effectiveness of your exercises.
I strongly encourage you to see a good physio or athletic terapist or massage therapist who can help you pinpoint your specific needs and exercises to target - they can help you incorporate these into time in the pool and ... these are good for people of all ages and health so you would be helping your kids learn more about how to care for their bods ...
Wishing you a fill recovery and no more health issues ... we need more people in our world fostering.
With big hugs,
L
renee01952 michelb
Posted
Thank you for sharing in such detail.
I think you described your situation perfectly and also the choices you make - You are doing so much for others, Mike, do not forget to give your self some love, care and attention !!
warm embrace
renee
ian97093 michelb
Posted
Will do a post on that if anyone needs info about it...just as always...just ask...
renee01952 ian97093
Posted
IAN !!!!
there you are !
do you mind to start a new discussion to give us an update ?
I like to hear more about the Depo Medrone and how you are getting on, of course.
I can't believe that my 2nd THR is also 12 months ago ...
big warm hug
renee
connie17890 michelb
Posted
miele55255ch michelb
Posted
I had THR on my right hip about a year and a half ago. Since I have OA in all of my joints (except my knees and elbows) sometimes it's hard to tell what's causing the pain. I've heard that sometimes if you have OA in other joints that the new hip does cause a sort of re-alignment of the spine and can sometimes affect the knees But I've noticed that since I had my surgery, my left hip (has been bone on bone for awhile) has started to become more painful and I'm going to hold out until next spring to have it done.
I just started walking up and down steps one step at a time and it does hurt at times. I still can't lie on my operated side yet because it does cause discomfort. But other than that, I've been very satisfied with my surgery. At least I have ONE spot on me that's pretty good.
michelb
Posted
Thanks for all the feedback. I guess there really is no "normal" recovery time and it really does vary greatly.
After hearing your stories, I'm probably actually pretty lucky as I"m doing relatively good and I have to manage my expectations (In my head, I saw this more like a visit to the dentist; I have a pain, I see the dentist, he fixes it and a few days later, I'm pain free!).
All the best in your recoveries,
Mike
miele55255ch michelb
Posted
Just take your time. Don't push yourself too much! It will get better over time. Don't get discouraged. There is light at the end of tunnel!
Good luck to you!
belleAUSSydney michelb
Posted
I'm now 9 months' post-op and still have a little pain. I haven't taken any medication since the first week, other than rubbing in a little analgesic gel now and then (but still too scared to put it directly on the scar site).
I have gone for a walk every day, even a short one, since about ten days after my surgery. I have done a volunteer job which involved squatting and a paid one which required me to either stand all day or sit all day. I came home exhausted every day from both and found a hot bath helped.
Since August, I've been back at uni to begin my masters degree (at 54!). Several days a week, I walk to the train station, take the train, walk another 15-20 mins at the other end. The return trip is easier; 10 min walk to the bus, 5 min walk to train, then short (uphill) walk home at the end. I still get tired, but it gets easier every day. I still have pain, but it gets less every day.
I am sure sure about pain-free altogether because I know there is still a fracture in my hip area that was deliberately not repaired and could still collapse if the blood supply dies and kills the bones.
But I do know I have and can survive this. I can put up with a little pain if I need to...
belleAUSSydney
Posted
"sure sure"... I meant "not sure"...
belleAUSSydney
Posted
Also, when I was working at the sit/stand job, I started wearing TEDs again. It really, really helped. For uni, I have "all-day" socks and excellent walking shoes that are unbelieveably comfortable.
renee01952 belleAUSSydney
Posted
so good to hear from you and well you are doing ... you have overcome many challenges and are still challenging yourself every day - what a woman you are ..
Also sounds as if you like what you are doing and so, all your effort makes it worth the pain ...
make sure that you also take good care of yourself and have the fracture checked -
do you have another appointment with your surgeon scheduled??
big warm hug
renee
belleAUSSydney renee01952
Posted
Hi Renee
I'm due to report in at the hospital in the first week of December...
linda38528 belleAUSSydney
Posted
What is the focus of your masters Belle?
Wishing you all the best and ... if you ever feel the need to tap off some of your energy, please feel free to send it here.
With admiration,
Linda
michelb belleAUSSydney
Posted
Thanks for the info.
That's great, especially the no meds part. I didn't take the "stronger" pain meds (morphine) once I left the hospital but even after 5 months, I still need the anti-inflamatory (Celebrex) 1 or 2 times per day.
belleAUSSydney linda38528
Posted
rose0000 belleAUSSydney
Posted