Mid-thigh pain after hip replacement
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I am 7 months post-cementless hip replacement and have recurring mid-thigh pain. I am at a loss on how to deal with this. I've read to cut back on exercise when it's bad and have also read to keep active and walk to help set the stem better. I have noticed that laying on my sofa too much is causing pain. I probably spend 3-4 hours during the day on the sofa watching TV. My bed doesn't seem to affect my thigh pain much. Has anyone else had this experience? It's a mystery to me what cause the increased pain. Standing seem to help somewhat. Any advice to deal with the pain? Thank you.
1 like, 88 replies
rose8793 dave_1966
Posted
Hi All. So its been about 6 wks since my last post. In the mean time, they've upped my dosage of Lyrica. It has helped and said it was my job keeping me from healing. So I finally made the decision to quit my job (bartender.) They are saying once I the nerves and pain calm a little, they will start to build my hip muscle so it will hold up my hip. I have to say, I no longer am in the severe pain I was, and its only been 2 wks out. I did have my grandson this weekend and some of the pain came back. In praying I've made the right decision and am on the road to recovery. As for massages, I am hopeful I will be able to have them in the near future. The pain from any one, or thing touching my thighs and hips was excruciating. The Lyrica has helped that tremendously. Looking optimistic to being able to walk normal one day. Hope all are keeping positive thoughts!
barb50991 dave_1966
Posted
I am new to this group. I had a right total hip replacement, lateral posterior procedure, uncemented on July 18, 2018. Since that time I have had off and on pain in my mid thigh. I have read through the previous posts here, and I'm relieved to find out that the pain will probably go away with time. I am looking for advice on what I should be doing in terms of exercise. Also is heat or ice better? The pain is worse in the morning when I get up and after I have been sitting for awhile. If I walk for awhile, it gets better. I am taking ibuprofen (400 mg) and Tylenol (1000 mg) every four hours during the day. I have no pain at night, or if I am sitting. The pain is only there when I walk on that leg. Any advice? It's been almost 11 weeks since my surgery.
RichardKen barb50991
Posted
Dear Barb
I can only really go on my own experience of a hip replacement twenty years ago and a revision a year ago.
I needed almost no pain killers after leaving hospital so I'm really surprised to hear that at eleven weeks you find that you need them.
Obviously everyone is different in so many ways so I would ask is there anything that you are aware of that could be responsible for your very extended pain?
Are you using any aids for walking and how well are you walking and what distance l.
Cheers Richard
marion36675 barb50991
Posted
I am 8 weeks post op and doing well. I try to get a sensible balance of exercise and rest. Not too much of any one thing in one go. I have been on this site since my operation and realise that I have been very lucky with my recovery but I have come to the conclusion that it takes several months for any discomfort in the leg muscles to totally go away. Keep up the exercises and walking but maybe in smaller time spans with rest in between.
barb50991 RichardKen
Posted
It's great to hear that your original hip replacement lasted 20 years, and that your revision went so smoothly. The reason I am (was as of yesterday) taking a high level of pain relievers is that about 2 weeks ago I lifted something too heavy to carry up the stairs. It appears I tweaked my psoas muscle. It caused groin pain similar to the intensity that I felt prior to surgery. I finally found a physiotherapist who did iliopsoas massage and it helped immensely. So I am now trying to cut down on the pain relievers.
Since my surgery, I have had varying levels of mid thigh pain- mostly about a 1-2. When I had the groin pain, I think I didn't notice the thigh pain because the groin REALLY HURT. Now that the groin pain has been resolved, I am noticing the thigh pain. I do think this pain is related to the stem in my femur healing. Pain relievers don't really lower the thigh pain. So I'm thinking I will just stop taking them, or maybe just take them before I do any exercise or walking.
I was on a walker for about 1 week after surgery. I progressed to a cane and was on that for about 3 weeks. So after 4 weeks, I wasn't using the cane. I was using hiking sticks when walking outside. I find that the pain is the worst in the morning when I get out of bed, so I've gone back to the cane (which lessens the pain and keeps me from limping) in the mornings, or if I get up at night to use the bathroom. Also when climbing the steps at our house. Once I get the leg moving, I find I don't need the cane, and I can walk without a limp. I'm very conscious of trying not to limp, and walking heel toe.
I am trying to walk about 25 minutes a day on a treadmill at the gym- between 3.5-4 km/hour speed. The other complicating factor is that I have a hereditary peripheral neuropathy called CMT. There is no cure. It has caused the muscles in my ankles and calves to atrophy, so that also makes me less steady on my feet. I'm sure it isn't helping my walking, but there's not much I can do about it. I do find walking on the treadmill helpful because it gives me something to hang onto for now.
barb50991 marion36675
Posted
babsop dave_1966
Posted
Update on mid-thigh pain after hip replacement: It has faded with time. A year and 4 months out, it's almost gone. I think my surgeon's theory - that it sometimes takes a while for the implant to solidly mesh with the bone, and in that period there can be thigh pain - makes sense.
I had a longer recovery than other people because mine was a second surgery. My advice to my fellow hipsters is to focus on exercises that work the gluteus medius, the old butt muscle. Do those clamshells, laying a weight on your upper leg. I also rigged up an exercise band to the base of a bed. I lie on my stomach, hook my foot into the band and with my knee bent push against the resistance.
To everyone's recovery,
Barbara
nancy18500 babsop
Posted
barb50991 babsop
Posted
I'm very encouraged to hear that your thigh pain faded with time- even though it took more than a year. Everyone's recovery is different- but no matter how long it takes, if we make it to a successful conclusion it is worth it.
sjscatns dave_1966
Posted
nancy18500 sjscatns
Posted
SO good to read a few encouraging responses. My surgeon has assured me, after many X-rays/MRI's etc and followup visits, that time would eventually heal...I am just 8 months out from bilateral hip replacement and since week 8 have had pretty severe mid thigh pain when walking.Not better, not worse so far with time... After my last follow up I decided i had to take my life back... so i am pushing through the pain trying not to overdo it but not letting it stop me from living. Mentally i feel much better. I hope that i am not causing more problems but have been told that it is critical to continue weight-bearing in order to stimulate bone growth. I'm careful about my calcium intake - from the food i eat as well as supplements + vitamin D - since I was diagnosed with osteopenia t least 10years ago which i was told was not really a problem as a large percentage of women over 60 have been diagnosed with that before hip surgery. But now the surgeon thinks there may be some connection for some people... I take 1500mg of curcumin (tumeric) hopeful that over time it may have some anti inflammatory effect. I have been taking Meloxicam 8 mg + omeprezole (to protect my stomach) that helped a bit but just stopped because it is bothering my stomach. so far not noticing much difference w/o it... I did twelve weeks of physical therapy 3x's a week so my leg muscles are in shape and I've got my range of motion back mostly. Just can't walk without pain - UGH!
barb50991 sjscatns
Posted
Thanks for your update. I'm encouraged to hear that you are seeing improvement at 4 months after surgery.
barb50991 nancy18500
Posted
Thanks for your comments. I also do not notice much difference with pain relievers, so I think I'll stop taking them for awhile. I'm concerned about their effects on my stomach, kidneys and liver. I also started drinking a glass of milk every evening to up my calcium and protein intake (in addition to the Vitamin C and Calcium +D tablet I take every day). I too feel that it is time to just push through the pain and keep walking. Actually, often the pain starts subsiding the longer I walk. It is the worst when I get up from being inactive (sleeping or sitting). I also do not have pain when I stand on both feet, so being in the kitchen fixing meals is okay for me. I have not done alot of PT, because I read on another hip website that too much PT can cause pain problems. But I think that is more related to the gluts and IT band- not to the mid thigh pain associated with the stem in the femur. I do find it confusing trying to sort all of this out sometimes, so am thankful that I found this website that talks specifically about mid thigh pain.
marion36675 dave_1966
Posted
Hi Dave,
I am 8 weeks post op and am doing really well but I still have some soreness in what is obviously deep soft tissue that I am sure is still healing. I get quite a scrunching noise when I walk upstairs and can feel the muscles moving around. I have a little discomfort in the thigh and sometimes in the groin but I've had an x-ray and all is well. I think the answer seems to be a balanced combination of rest and exercise. I do my standing exercises first thing in the morning and go for a walk after breakfast. I then do whatever jobs I need to do around the house, trying to switch from cleaning etc to any work I have to do on the computer. After lunch I put my feet up on the bed for half an hour or so and just chill. I then go for a longer walk and do another round of standing exercises later in the evening. My theory is it's good to keep changing from movement to rest and back. Not too much of any one thing for a long period of time.
barb50991 marion36675
Posted
marion36675 barb50991
Posted
Leg extensions to the side and back, lunges, sit and stand with no hands on normal height chairs, marching on the spot and squats holding on to the end of the bed - don't push it too low. Lying on the bed on my non-operated side (left), bend left leg and then raise my right (opereted) leg up keeping it straight and holding it for a count of 10. Lying on my back, double and single leg bridge. (This is difficult when it's the operated let taking the weight and a bit scary at first but it really shows up the difference in strength between both legs.) Also lying on my back, single straight leg raises. Lots of walking twice every day. Hope this is helpful.
barb50991 marion36675
Posted
Yes, Marion, that is helpful. I am still debating on whether to get into doing exercises or to just do walking. I am on another hip website where they say PT exercises can cause more pain than good. I did do some light PT post op, but now am just focusing on walking, core exercises, and stretches. I think because of the pain I'm having, walking might be the best for now.
RichardKen barb50991
Posted
Cheers Richard
marion36675 barb50991
Posted
I think it's always a case of listen to your body. We are all different. I would take card with stretches. Graham (Rocketman) has just posted a graph showing how the dislocation risk decreases over the first year. It's very good. Have a scroll through and you'll find it.