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How long until hips are completely pain free?

Posted , 16 users are following.

michelb
michelb

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

36 Replies

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  • hope4cure
    hope4cure michelb

    Posted

    Ya know there are so many variables with hip replacement. I could write a book. Pros and cons. Manufacturers and recalls. 

    But out weather we heel at a fast paste or our own pace the pain of bone on bone is excruciating.

    the big take away no matter what the age is mobility and quality of life makes it all worth it.

    I can't do everything like I could before THR still takes some adjustment as the years go by. Keep up on taking care of them and go in for checkups as the cups do need revision after time. 

    Peace & Heeling.

  • jodestar
    jodestar michelb

    Posted

    Ive had 2 hip replacements on my left hip.I am super active as my 1st one which was metal on metal wore out in 6 yrs. (The bearings got loose)..I was doing step classes and boot camp at the gym.My 2nd hip replacement is ceramic and ive had this one for 6yrs and taking it carefully still very active but laying off the impact sports.Both hip replacements i was pain free in a month but remained stiff often..12mths after each one i was in flying form and normal..It does tweak a bit here and there and i know to slow down.i was 17 when i needed my first one but they wouldnt do it untill i couldn't bare the pain any longer or walk which was 23.im 38 and on my 2nd ,6 yrs in and its pretty good. I do get an aveydic massage to straighten everything up, to try not to limp.i only ever had panadol 2 days after my ops and nothing again.its worth shopping around for the best surgeons who have had only a few revisions??my husband and i shopped around interstate and went to the best one as i can only have 1 more...Its such a drag but am grateful to beable to walk

  • dawn19789
    dawn19789 michelb

    Posted

    Hi michelb, I feel your pain, wasnt what we thought we would end up with. After a nice new hip and i am still in pain 9months post opp. The pain is no way as bad as it was before my opp. My husband brought me a fitbit. I used it for the first time last night. I walk just over 50000 steps, 2 miles. I felt great after, although took me a hour to recover. I had my annoying pain the whole time and im so stiff this morning. But it proved to me that as the surgeon said all is ok. Im really hoping it is just me being naturally lazy. Im going to try more exercise, I say more..never do any. I need to build muscle strength. And see if it help the pain I have been left with. Its reassuring that so many are left with some amount of discomfort. But I have noticed the fitter active people seem to suffer less. Good luck for the future. X Dawn, England.
    • michelb
      michelb dawn19789

      Posted

      Great for you to walk 2 miles!  Is that 5,000 or 50,000 - 5,000 is pretty decent after hip replacement, 50,000 is nothing short of amazing even for a regular walker / jogger!

      Best recovery to you too,

      Mike

       

    • jodestar
      jodestar dawn19789

      Posted

      Hi dawn, i was lucky enough to be pain free 4 weeks after both ops.I cant recommend highly enough of how good swimming is and to do stretches in the water.The pool is my saviour when my hip is stiff.I found the key is to keep moving but as much sleep and rest at night is so important for the body to heal.
    • dawn19789
      dawn19789 michelb

      Posted

      Hi Michelb, 5,000.steps. I try to do the recommended 10,000 aday. I can't see me ever jogging. Lol

      Wishing you, myself and everyone painfree soon. X

  • rose0000
    rose0000 michelb

    Posted

    This is a really key question, and I think a matter of time frame and expectation.

    'Pain free' as in completely and utterly not a squeak, I am not sure after a year or more whether that happens in time, and  everyone's idea of pain is so different too..I am nine months post op - I feel a whole lot better than I ever did before my operation no question, am I completely pain free (not knowing it is even there kind of pain free) most of the time I would say (75 per cent perhaps)

    That said, if I overdo things it hurts, if I 'catch' it in the wrong way it definitely does. I go through periods of the muscles hurting, and aches and pains on some days.

    If I am sitting, resting, cycling, not doing too much activity (my days generally start at 6am and I am still standing/walking around at 8.30pm - so long demanding days) I am completely pain free.

    I often overdo things, my life as a mother of young children, animals, part time work demands every inch of my energy most days, and so naturally I can get very sore sometimes....but on my more restful days it is fine.

    I walk 2 miles or more effortlessly and did a long haul flight and all the airport walking with no problem, so no complaints at all.

    I would say step up the exercise, or cut back if doing too much, try and see how things feel when you change what you are doing - make a record if you can. Massage really is good for those muscles still recovering, and don't give up hope. I am sure things will get better day by day, as they have done already, and if this is still the case in four - eight weeks perhaps consider a visit to your consultant. 

    • michelb
      michelb rose0000

      Posted

      Thanks for your response.  You're right about levels of pain and subjectivity.

      I'm hoping for relatively pain free (basically like a typical kid or teenager) - not sure if that's realistic though sad  Right now, I'm able to  do a lot but I'm in a significant amount of pain most of the time (e.g. wake up in pain, get up from sitting too long and I'm in pain, walk 500m and I'd be in pain, etc) and I can't do without medicine (talking ani-inflamatory 1-2 times per day).  I'd like to get to a level where I can walk 5kms and it won't be any different than walking 50m.  

    • jodestar
      jodestar michelb

      Posted

      Swimming is a great form of excercise to build up your leg and core muscles.This helped me to beable walk 5km walks with no pain.Im stiff afterwards but stretching is the key although it hurts it helps immensely.
    • rose0000
      rose0000 michelb

      Posted

      I would be concerned to still be on medication at this stage Mike, everyone is different but I would want to be checked, and would definitely see my consultant. Even if just for reassurance. 

      Waking up in pain is not normal I don't think, although stiffness after sitting too long sounds about right, walking 500m should be entirely possible pain free. I am not a dr, and this is just my view. 

      Worry and pain could be stopping you exercising, so I would go back and make sure you are checked thoroughly with an xray and a careful investigation.

      I definitely do not need any type of pain relief or otherwise, and haven't used anything like that since the first few weeks.

      Get yourself checked Mike, and if all okay, throw yourself into exercise, swimming, walking and getting yourself to your goal.

  • makhi_45249
    makhi_45249 michelb

    Posted

    I am also suffering from hip pain problem. I am planning to go for hip replacement surgery.
    • renee01952
      renee01952 makhi_45249

      Posted

      hi makhi

      warm welcome to our hippies forum. ..

      it might be better to start your own discussion and share your story, ask your questions and concerns. ..

      just go to the green box: Start your own discussion. .

      love to hear more from you

      Big warm hug

      Renee

    • jodestar
      jodestar makhi_45249

      Posted

      Hi makhi,

      Depending on your pain tolerance, i would definitely have a hip replacement.i limped around and could only sit down with my hip out straight.i couldnt stand for more than an hour.i was like this for 7 yrs until finally they would give me a replacement at 23.i was so grateful and have never looked back 90% of the time i didnt know i had it . until the bearings got loose and i wore it out after 6yrs.im on my 2nd and its been brilliant however 6yrs in and its tweaking a little its just telling me to slow down.if the pain is unbearable definitely book it in, but be carefull of who you get to do it.d I your research on surgeons😊

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