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

Is my hip replacement getting loose?

Posted , 12 users are following.

james08025
james08025

I had a THR left leg two years ago. I was 54 and had always been very fit (running, tennis, football) Operation went really well and post op I resumed some physical activity but pretty gentle stuff swimming and walking mostly. Last week I engaged in some more strenuous hill walking for a couple of hours, I felt fine afterwards but next day had severe pain in thigh and buttock; I thought this was probably due to using muscles that had not been stretched for last few years, however the pain has persisted and a week on shows no sign of abating. I am concerned that I may have caused loosening of implant by overexertion. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Paulus1949
    Paulus1949 james08025

    Posted

    Well James,I'm into week nine post my hip replacement..

    Earlier this week we went to Cumbria,(I was keen fell walker not long ago)where I did three days consecutively of 2-3 hrs walking,mostly on the flat with a few slight inclines thrown in..I used both crutches and felt good at the time,but since then I've had moderate pain from the joint requiring pain killers which I had weaned myself off.

    I think like you it's muscle/ligaments which haven't moved for some time being stretched..

    Your symptoms sound isimilar,but 2yrs post op does seem a long time,I would get it checked out to be on the safe side.

    I was a keen cyclists up to a few years ago and have been toying with the idea of buying a turbo trainer to use in the garage before venturing out on the roads again,but I am a bit wary of damaging the new hip..any opinions would be appreciated.

    hope your pain improves,I think it will.

    • ros007
      ros007 Paulus1949

      Posted

      I'm about the same stage but haven't been able to do that sort of duration for a year or two (I have a dodgy knee as well which will be replaced in the summer) However yesterday I pushed my luck a bit with a combination of shopping and walking (2 crutches). My knee complained - expected but my hip settled OK. Today I had a new garden chair which I wanted to use to enjoy the lovely weather (my old one was too low). Could I unfold it - no way.  I tried to use a bit of brute force on it and my hip is now complaining for the first time since the op.  I'm not worried yet because it is subsiding although the muscles are very stiff. I'll let you know if it doesn't settle with a couple of days of reigning the rehab exercises back a bit.

      I talked to a physio about exercises post op, she said that cycling was permissible but recommended keeping the gears down and avoiding situations where falls were more likely. She also said that good technique and correct setting of saddle and handlebars was essential to prevent excessive torque being passed through the hip and tending to loosen the stem.  Anything that puts load onto the rotated hip - like breaststroke - is discouraged on a regular basis.  So I would get a good cyclist of your acquaintance to cast their eye over your post-op technique to make sure you haven't lapsed into bad habits.

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 ros007

      Posted

      Thanks Ross..yes that's why I was considering a turbo trainer first..you can set the resistance to quite a low level to begin with and build up slowly as the muscles get stronger..

      I've had all kinds of conflicting views from physios..some say cycling is a good exercise and to push yourself,while others say the opposite,so not really sure what to do now..I would dearly love to ride the bike again,but obviously don't want to risk doing any damage.

  • ros007
    ros007 james08025

    Posted

    I would be thinking about a word with your GP. If the pain isn't abating after more than a week or two then something is going on even though it may not be the loosening you fear (and I would too).
  • Lynn195013
    Lynn195013 james08025

    Edited

    i live in the mountains and an waiting for THR of my right.  i know of at least five people here that have had this here and they cycle, walk up the mountains, do cross country skiing and downhill skiing, one of the ladies even skins up the mountain and skiesdown. according to my surgeon here i will be skiing next year again, so hope so.

    It does not sound right i would get it checked out, i was told i wpuld be able to do everthing i could before tge hip started playing up, i do hope so.

    Hooe you feel better soon. 

    • lynn59056
      lynn59056 Lynn195013

      Posted

      I am almost three yrs post op, and my hip is not doing well. I have what I call short leg. Days on end when the leg feels short and walking is impossible. Have been to PT and had x-rays. I don't know what to do next. Frustrating!

    • lfmilner
      lfmilner lynn59056

      Edited

      I hope you are wearing a lift or orthopedic inserts in the shoe of your shorter leg.  Otherwise, you will displace the spine and have all kinds of issues. Also, I found that maintenance care by a chiropractor worked wonders.  It's interesting that many physicians, including my own, don't inform patients about the possible need to wear a lift after hip implant surgery.

  • byteme
    byteme james08025

    Posted

    Hmm, I am 18months post op and they suspect that the tip is loose. This causes great pain like a hot poker in the thigh until you get to the point you can no longer continue.

    I would suspect you have triggered a spot of sciatica or a muscle has become trapped between somewhere. Try a warm bath and some steroid gel on the area and see if this helps. If you still have it in 7 days see your GP.

    The muscles are affected for quite a while so if you have pushed a bit more - expect the body to push back!

    Hope you recover soon

    • beth2509
      beth2509 byteme

      Posted

      I'd agree with this. It may also be that the exertion has triggered bursitis, which hurts one hell of a lot and the pain isn't confined to the bursa. It may be a good idea to consult a physiotherapist just to check you over. They can advise of appropriate massage too, and self-massage in this area is really easy. But muscular bruising or inflammation can take a month or more to settle. So a week is nothing.

      ?And just as an aside. ANYONE would get some thigh and groin pain if they indulged in some strenuous hill walking having not done it before or for some time!!!! You might try easing into it a bit more ...

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.