I'm 5 months post Anterior HR & have burning pain and stiffness with pinching during movement

Posted , 9 users are following.

I had a Total Hip Replacement (THR) 5 months ago (on 8/25/16.)

I am still experiencing stiffness, numbness, & a pinching pain in my hip when I try and exercise my hip.

I mainly get a burning pain in the outside of my hip, along with a numbness feeling when I'm sleeping. (I'm a side sleeper and the burning, numbing pain I get while trying to sleep, wakes me constantly.). I also get a pinching feeling in my groin which will run into my lower back. Has anyone else experienced this and did it ever go away?

I have been icing taking anti-inflamatories, and my Dr. still can't figure out what is going on? He says that my hip has been replaced (duh!) so he can't understand why I'm still having pain?

I'm concerned, as I I'm Only (52) and have always been active. I am still walking with a cane because of the burning, stiffness, numbness & pinching I still get in my operated (left) leg.

In addition, if I sit or stand too long I get stiffness, numbness and a pinching pain that runs into my back. I used to walk 5mi./Day, Cycle, do yoga, and weight bearing exercises.

Now, I still can't walk more than a block without tightening up! I have to do my exercises in a pool, since my hip is so stiff, the water helps me move through my exercises without as much stiffness and pain. But, the whole reason I had the THR was to get better, not worse. By now I thought I'd at least be able to walk & sit without pain!

Please, if anyone has experienced such a set back or lack of progress, please advise.

Most people I have spoken to who had THR, have healed within a few months!

I'm going on 6 months post op. And feel like I'm regressing instead of progressing!

Any feedback, advice or explanation as to what may be going? And what you or your Dr. fixed or cured your pain is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any advice.🙏

2 likes, 17 replies

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  • Posted

    Did the doctor run a blood test just to rule out infection? I am just thinking you mention the word ' burning' so I hoope he has ruled out? Did he give you an xray? You didn't mention that so I am assuming you hav§§en;t had one. After this time you would usually expect to be painfree or at least comfortable again.

    I am sure you are going to get lots of replies from those whom know more than I do, but it sounds like nerve damage or a trapped nerve the way you describe it.

    I just wanted to send you a message of support and hope others will reply 

  • Posted

    Hi please remember that you've had a serious operation. It can take over a year sometime more to get back to normal.I find hydrotherapy or Jacuzzis wonderful.Warm water is wonderful for our joints.Reflexology as well.regards Amanda

  • Posted

    Hi Sao

    Sorry to hear about your problem. Your GP doesn't sound very knowledgeable either.

    If it was me I would ring soonest you Consultants Secretary and find out if you can see someone in Clinic. If nothing more it will put your mind at rest.

    Good luck and let us know what happens.

    Julie 🖒

  • Posted

    I'm 50 years old.  I had a FHR last July (6 months post op).  I'm now doing very well.  I still have some pain in my right leg, but from what I understand that is normal.  I no longer have pain or tenderness anywhere else, and haven't done for a couple of months now.  I'd strongly advise you to seek another opinion as soon as possible.  You may have to get an MRI, as X-rays aren't going to show pinched nerves or tissue.  I'm shocked at your doctor's response.  That is completely unprofessional!  It sounds as though he/she is blowing you off.  You deserve better!  Best of luck, and keep in touchsmile

    • Posted

      Thank you Kimberly for your response. So what did you do that helped the pain and stiffness go away? It sounds like our surgeries were around the same time? Did you get the burning & tingling when you slept in your side? What did you or your Dr. do to relieve it?

      My burning was there before my surgery, but with the sharp stabbing & throbbing I had Pre-surgery, I never really noticed it as much. Then, once I weened myself off the medications (I was in morphine, as oxycodone made me so sick!). Anyhow, I've been on Motrin and Tylenol and I still have swelling and pain. I finally had to complain louder to my Dr. and he's sending me for X-ray and MRI & blood work.) however, besides the burning pain and numbness (pins & needles) that comes and goes, I don't have a fever. However my hip hurts to the touch and is still pufffy. Please pray 4 me, as I'm so worried. I've had my shoulder and knees scoped, and from all the weight baring on my right, I've got right knee pain and swelling now as well. I just can't believe how I was so healthy and fit and one injury, can leave me in such a mess!? Please if you have any other suggestions or exercises you did to get better, feel free to share. Thank you all for the feedback and support. 🙏💕

    • Posted

      I had my surgery on July 19, 2016.  As far as sleeping on that side (Right hip), my doctor told me that it will probably be several months before I can comfortable lie on that side at night with no pain or sensitivity.  That is completely normal because complete healing internally takes about a year.  What helped me the most was stretching and strengthening exercises during the day.  It doesn't take much, just 15 minutes a day.  Walking has also helped tremendously.  

      I didn't experience burning or tingling.  It really sounds as though you need additional tests.  I'm glad that you presured your doctor for an MRI.  They don't like doing this unless its absolutely necessary because of the cost.  Many insurances won't pay for it until you've checked all the boxes... so to speak.  PT, X-rays, etc.  Keep presuring your doctor until he finds out what is causing the pain.  If necessary, find another specialist.  There are many out there, so don't settle.  I really wish you the best of luck!

  • Posted

    Hello. Im 54 and had first rthr July 18, 3 weeks later I find out dislocated. Had to have total hip revision. 6 weeks non weight bearing. Long story short, I too am experiencing hip joint stiffness. Diagnosed with tendonitis of the quadriceps, rectus femoris & IT band along with bursitis. I'm 5 & 1/2 months out now. I'm getting better with physical therapy but those hip muscles are still so very weak. I'm still limping without my cane. I can't stand on that operated leg alone without support. As it feels like it won't support me. Like you I was hoping to be doing good and feeling better. I can say I don't have bone pain like before but the nerve pain and tendonitis and muscle weakness are making this a very slow recovery. I still can't do heel slides up to 90 degrees or lift that leg up to my chest while laying down. It's tight, my knee hurts....dr spoke with my therapist and said it would be a good year before I'll be better. Being short in length for so many years and now having almost full length back has wreaked havoc but with the therapy I'm having it's helping. Slowly but surely. I hope you get better soon. Don't give up. I think exercises will prevail for you. Trust me I know how disappointing and frustrating this can be. Crying was my outlet to this saga. I cried every day. I still do but not as often. Being positive is key to getting better. Come back anytime to talk, vent and let us know how you are doing. Hugs, 🤗 LD 🤠

    • Posted

      Hello Linda:

      Thank you for sharing. So you had to have your hip redone? Wow! That's my fear, as I don't think I can go through all the time, pain and discomfort again. I was made to wait over 3 yrs. just to get my surgery approved by my insurance, and now to still be having pain and not to be able to get around or exercise like I used to, has me down. I've tried to stay positive and push myself to stretch and do my exercises through the stiffness & pain in hopes I wake up pain free one day soon. However, most people I know who have had this surgery, didn't have pain past 3 months and they're back to normal. I can't walk a block without stiffness😥

      Did you experience similar?

      You mentioned a revision, how long before your Dr. realized you needed a revision? And why did you need it?

      My leg length seems fine and I'm tall, so I've heard with revisions there's even more risk. My insurance has very few Good Dr's who specialize in hips & in so afraid of a revision. Please share more if you don't mind as I'm trying to get a better understanding of what to expect, if my pain and stiffness don't go away?😥

    • Posted

      Morning sao....after 3 weeks I went in for follow up of first hip replacement surgery. They could tell then something wasn't right. My leg was short again and hip was up high on that operated leg. X-rays confirmed dislocated. 2 days later dr has me in hospital to do what's called a closed reduction meaning "pop" hip back in place. He couldn't do it had to go back in to where he found the ball of hip joint was caught on cup. Cup was loose and stem was was loose going into thigh bone, so had to do total hip revision. I was still walking and doing my exercises on that dislocated hip for at least a week or more. It was a little painful and a little difficult. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't doing better. I hope you don't have to go through a revision either. Mine happened 3 weeks 2 days later. Please let us know what they say. Prayers that all goes well. hugs 🤗LD

  • Posted

    hi  sao,  welcome to the hippies forum where we share our personal stories and experiences -we are assuming here that the doctor you saw about your problem is your GP and not your surgeon, right?   When was the last time you had an appointment with your ortho surgeon?  and as mentioned, an xray taken? a lot of healing is taking place in the first couple of months, however [color=#454545]aches and swelling in the hip can persist for a long time because bone, a living tissue, continues to re-model and adapt around the metal implants. [/color][color=#454545]This increased metabolic activity can lead to lingering soreness and swelling after heavy activity, all of which will disappear with time. .[/color] Your body is healing at her own pace, darling ...  please come back here and let us know how you are getting on, okay ? big warm hugrenee  
    • Posted

      Hi Rene:

      After sending emails and calling him, I woke him at 3am as I couldn't sleep from the pain and hadn't heard from him. He was groggy (as I was too) and he said he would order blood tests and an MRI, to rule out infection. Now, I'm so worried, as I seem to be regressing instead of progressing😥

      Its Now Monday (1:23/17) and last we spoke was on (1/19:17) and I haven't heard from insurance. I live alone, and was tempted to go to the ER, but all the do is sedate me and send me home wit him directions to follow up with my surgeon. I set so frustrated with the PRI ess and time it takes to get approved. So did you get an infection? How did you know and what was your experience?

      I'm so scared as the whole reason to have this surgery was to be pain free and be able to sleep, walk, sit and stand pain free. And I feel I've traded one pain for another. Please let me know what your time frame was, until you could sleep, walk, sit, stand and exercise pain free? And what you did to get there? Thank you in advance to everyone in this forum. I feel so blessed to have found this forum, where people can understand what I'm going through.🙏💕

    • Posted

      hello dear sao, 

      checking in with you to find out how you are doing ...

      5 months post op is not long, sweetheart --- your body has gone through a lot of trauma and is repairing all the damages which we can feel sometimes  --- it is the pricking, little stabs, swelling, soreness etc. and while it is healing, you also are learnig how to move again ... balance your body, taking steps, exercising  -

      The good thing is that the all consuming bone-on-bone pain is gone ... now we have to deal with the discomfort and pains from healing ...

      have you seen your doctor yet and what is the outcome ?

      let us know, okay ...

      thinking of you and sending you angel blessings

      renee

       

    • Posted

      one more thing, dear sao ... living alone makes everything even scarier --- I live alone too and had 2 THR surgeries ... 

      there are a lot "what if" thoughts ... we feel like nobody cares, left alone and what if something happens ?  I live isolated, no neigbors - who will find me ? it is hard and very challenging to do this on your own, I know ... 

      I had a home health nurse coming in every morning for 2 weeks and after staples were removed, every other day ... to me, to know that I can always call them, made me feel a lot safer - 

      is there anybody you can call in case of emergency?  

      and this forum has been a life saver for me ... 

      so come back here anytime okay 

      the best support you can have is right here

       

  • Posted

    Is where the incision is really hard like a rock hard. If it is start massaging it till it is soft and if that is the problem as soon as it goes soft you will be fine. I am all over the place since I rubbed out my incision  scar tissue. Actually I laid on it one night when I fell asleep and the next morning it had started getting soft. 

    I am 8 weeks post op and I feel fine no walker, no canes nothing and NO PAIN!!!

    • Posted

      Rubbing across the scar and not along it is also the recommended method. This breaks up the scar tissue better than movements along the scar. 

      There is also a gel that is medically approved for improving scar tissue (not bio oil - tests have shown no evidence it actually works!) which puts a thin silicon layer over the scar that traps moisture into the area and helps soften the scar and improve its appearance. Using this twice a day means you can do both at the same time! But it's expensive- although a little goes a long way. I've been using the same small tube for nearly three months, but it does cost £50ish. 

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