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

Lower thigh pain

Posted , 7 users are following.

jeannette_20091
jeannette_20091

I had a left total hip replacement done 1 year ago.  I will get a good month where I forget I even had surgery done. Then the next month something is hurting.  Last month it was my upper thigh and groin area.   That went away. Now these last three days it's my lower outer thigh.  I can take a few steps without hurting then it will hurt something awful. I can't put full weight on it.   So I have to sit down for awhile and rest it.  I am icing it.  I had X-rays done 3 weeks ago and everything looked great.   

I feel like I always hit a few bumps in the road then I feel good for a short period.  Anyone else go through this?  My joint itself is never the problem.  It's everything around it that acts up.   Then when I stress about it I feel like my muscles tighten up which does not help.  My life is definitely better since my replacement but I want complete normalcy and it is just not happening.  I do have another apt with my surgeon next week. I would love to know if anyone else has gone through this. 

Thanks

jeannette 

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • jazziefran
    jazziefran jeannette_20091

    Posted

    Oh Jennette,i its so frustrating I know. I had my first hip replacement in 2007 and my other leg this year.I too get these pains you are describing but not that often now. I find its at its worst when I have done a lot of walking or working too hard.  hope your surgeon can reassure  you.
    • jeannette_20091
      jeannette_20091 jazziefran

      Posted

      Thank you for responding!!! Makes me feel better I'm not the only one!!!  When we have things that need done and then we get a hiccup.  Omg!!! My surgeon has been wonderful!!! He is always so reassuring and he gets the stress of this!!! Maybe I need to just go visit him once a week for peace of mind!!!  My husband is wonderful as well. But like I said...we all want our normalcy back.  Maybe this is the new normal!!  Sometimes I find walking lots helps work out the kinks.  But over doing it with other things takes me out for a good week or two.  People have told me it takes a long time to heal.   My good days do outweigh the bad days more and more.  The holidays are coming and I have things to do. Who has time to sit and rest.  Our bodies certainly let us know how it's going to be!!!

  • susan05157
    susan05157 jeannette_20091

    Posted

    I am 8 weeks out no hip pain but thigh pain is still there . Ice helps and exercises seem to help to . PT guy said this is very common . Take care 
  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie jeannette_20091

    Posted

    Hi Jeanette, my surgeon told me that the muscles take up to 2 years to heal. I am 13 months post op and do get pains etc like you but not to the stage where i cannot walk. I think you need to ask your surgeon what else could be causing it. 

    I tripped up the steps yesterday, first time since my op I have done something so stupid, thigh hurts where the stem went in and top of pelvis where muscles cross. Landed on my knees so just unsettled it i think. 

    Like you the hip joint is great, i think we always want things better quicker than body wants us to. Good luck with the appointment.

    • jeannette_20091
      jeannette_20091 auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Thank you for responding!!! Nice to know that it's kind of normal to have these pains and aches. I just went to my surgeon 3 weeks ago for upper thigh pain....X-rays showed that I'm healing beautifully.I did make another apt. Can't get in til nov 8th. It doesn't hurt all the time when I put weight on it. But when it hurts it hurts to walk! Ugh!!! I'm resting and Using ice today. hoping it feels better soon!!

      So sorry you tripped on the stairs. Hope you feel better soon!!!

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK jeannette_20091

    Posted

    Yep - some days I'm fine - then I will notice a new pain, tightening or something unexpected.  I have re-started massaging with Bio Oil, and it seems a little bit better. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it may never ever be totally normal again

    Graham

    • jeannette_20091
      jeannette_20091 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I am so happy I am not the only one!!!! It almost makes me feel like I'm crazy!!! Like you....I am thinking that all this is going to be my new normal !!!! My husband is always telling me this is the new normal for me!!!! he always reminds me that my life is still so much better than before my surgery!!! My life is so much better but I hate these little bumps in the road!!!! Thank you for responding!!!!

  • CelsB
    CelsB jeannette_20091

    Posted

    Hi Jeannette,

    8 months post RTHR and yes I till get pains.  Shooting pains, stiffness, pains when I get up after sitting down.  None of these pains are anything like the pains I got before the op and I'm still really glad I had it done.  

    I went to see my GP 3 weeks ago for advice and he sent to to A&E with letter and they did blood tests for infection and an Xray to make sure the joint wasn't loosening but everything was okay.  The doctor at the hospital said there is so much scar tissue in there it's easy to overdo it, or it could be tendonitis.  I was advised to rest.  I see my consultant for a follow up appointment this month so I'll see what he says, but I think the healing process is still ongoing and perhaps it will never feel 100% normal.

    Cels x

    • renee01952
      renee01952 CelsB

      Posted

      Hi Cels, 

      aww ... i know what you mean ... sometimes I feel so disappointed that I am not further along as I expected ... 

      At some point I might have overdone excercises ( stationary bike and walking) and was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis in old new hip -

      was told to ease up on excercises etc.  - 

      Apparently I have a lot of scar tissue and PT has been giving me deep tissue massages  - very painful - leaves me with being sore, but feel better - 

      Listen darling , you are 100% normal at this time - we might not be able to go back to "the way we were" - 

      I am (still) in the process of accepting this, make peace with it ... cry 

      big warm hug

      renee

    • CelsB
      CelsB renee01952

      Posted

      Hiya Renee and thanks cheesygrin

      I have been decorating - up and down a stepladder and crawling around painting the skirting boards.  Perhaps it wasn't such a great idea, but I reasoned that if I wasn't retired I'd have been back at work months ago. Perhaps my consultant will refer me to PT but more likely he will just tell me off for overdoing it, we'll see.  I will report back.

      I remember that you have bursitis, is it still bothering you?  I donlt fancy that deep tissue massage eek

      Hugs Cels Xxx

  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname jeannette_20091

    Posted

    Hi Jeannette

    Xrays are great for looking a bones...perhaps an MRI...perhaps a neurologist...

    any possibility that you get to feeling so great that you over do it?

    Hope you find the answer

    kind regards

    judith

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.