Limping 10 weeks post hip replacement

Posted , 10 users are following.

I had my right hip replaced on Oct 30, 2017.  Now, I can sleep on either side without pain.  My post-op xray and discussion with my surgeon was good and the surgeon stated that no problems were seen with the xray

Now, every time I sit down for 10 minutes or more, I have pain and limp for about 6 or 7 steps and then I'm fine.  In fact, I'm able to walk the dog for about a mile every morning.  I do leg raises, lateral leg raises, partial squats, calf raises and yoga stretching every day for about 15 minutes

I have pain near the hip joint in addition to limping

When will this stop?

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    This far out you shouldn’t have pain like that,, they say everyone is different but I had a hip replacement on left side two years ago and by six weeks there was no pain at all,,now I have had my right side done October 25th, 21/2 weeks latter after doing fine,, walking without walker, all the sudden I noticed swelling at the incision and lots of pain, turns out I had staph infection,had revision surgery and second hip put in in November, still infected, they took that hip out and put spacer in December 8th and now awaiting 4th and final hip after I get at least 2-3 more clear blood checks while on IV antibiotics at home through picc line,, after all I’ve been through my advice to anyone that is having issues past 6 weeks post op,,to keep pressing their surgeon to explor a reason for the pain, cause I wasn’t believed at first cause my X-rays looked good when I saw the doctor’s PA, but In fact  I could have gone septic had I waited. But thank God my home health nurse persuaded me to press to be seen again and they caught infection in time and my doctor acted quickly.. hope there is nothing wrong with your hip but please be sure, cause this has been a nightmare for me and I’m only 48.
  • Posted

    This shows how different we all are, I had a limp for a while but no pain, but I couldn't sleep on my side for about two years cry

    Limping for a step-or-two after getting up is very common - it seemed to go when I was more mobile (commuting 2 hours into and out of London) and my muscles gained strength.

    No problems were spotted on my x-ray, until someone rev

    • Posted

      ............ darned laptop keyboard cry

      No problems were spotted on my x-ray, until a senior surgeon reviewed it and it was found to be at an angle - revision followed but was unsuccessful.

    • Posted

      I am 8weeks post hip replacement but I am still walking with a slight limp.I can also feel my muscles pulling though not painful after walking a few steps.

      I will be going for an xray check up next week. I wonder if my condition is common among hip replacement patients.

  • Posted

    Your recovery sounds very like mine. I had my op in june this year, so 7 months ago. I had my 12 week check and was doing really well, then few days later pain on starting up. It was very sore for maybe 5 or 6 steps and felt worse on outside of hip but quite deep..then disappeared and walking great. I called my hospital helpline and was referred same week to physiotherapy as all had looked good on xray week before. They identified several problems with tendons/muscles..all soft tissue. Inflamed IT band...which peggy on here has done a very useful post if you can find it..around end august when my problems started. Also the glutes were tight. I still have it though no where as bad and my mobility is still improving, my leg had became shorter and is now same length which they tell me can take up to a year to fully stretch and all recover. I am comforted by the fact that once I get going everything is great and i walked some days on holiday for 5 or 6 miles and still amazed the old grind is gone, and going on assumption physio is correct as I would have the pain all the time if problem with the new joint. Also bursitis is common too. Trochanteric is the outside side. There is another affects inner side cant rememer tho. Check those out, quite common I think. Hopefully like mine its what is referred to as start up pain and nothing else but be wise to speak to your surgeon.
  • Posted

    Hi Ed03050, my first THR a year ago November was very easy. Able to sleep on operated side within a couple of months. The thing that still has not gone away is what they call startup pain. It’s in the upper thigh close to where the thigh meets the torso in the front. I had anterior approach. After sitting for a while and stand up it’s stiff and painful in that area. It takes a few steps for it to go away. I’m tired of this discomfort and I do feel a bit embarrassed when I have to basically “get my motor started” before I begin walking.  I read it can take up to 18 mos for it to go away. And a surgeon told me just the other day 3-4 months. I told him I’ve had pain for a year and no response from him. I’m 8 wks post op on my other THR and as soon as I’m completely healed with it (having other pain with this one) I am going to focus more  on stretching and strenghthening my front thigh muscles. 

    Hope ur pain free soon. 

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