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

Onset of pain at 6 months post THR!

Posted , 7 users are following.

Howeller
Howeller

Hi I haven't posted for a long time; THR end of June and all went really well. Walking fine but still a little pain around the scar. However I started  pilates last week and whether it is coincidence but I have started getting a pulling and aching sensation in my operated leg. The same feeling I used to have before my op, a heavy dull ache which means I have to take the weight off it. Has anyone else experienced this?  I'm praying this is temporary after going through all the pain of the on and the recovery. Thanks for any replies to this...

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • tpeter60
    tpeter60 Howeller

    Posted

    Assuming this is more muscle pain, which I would expect cause you don't have a hip to hurt anymore smile.

    my situation is likely different than yours, as I have a plate from where they had to cut the bone to remove the old hip; however, I had a similar situation. It was really just the muscles and related ligaments needing to get back in the program as it were. 

    I would discuss with my doc, but I suspect it is just thing working their self out. Even now, if I go a while without excercise, those mucles still need to learn to work around the hardware. Once again, much of mine is movement around the plate I have. 

    • Howeller
      Howeller tpeter60

      Posted

      The scary thing is that I used to get the same pain before my op rather than pain in the hip itself 
    • tpeter60
      tpeter60 Howeller

      Posted

      I have had 5 surgeries and 4 reaplacements over the last 20ish years. Wore the first two out. long story, but my last repalcement was 4 years ago last week. I still have a plate on the right side, the left was removed 9 months after surgery. 

      I had my right done so I could take my son backpacking during spring break his senior year which was 2 years after the replacement. 

      I did 3 months of PT post surgery this last round and kept going to the Gym post PT. 

      My incisions were ~18 inches on both sides. It takes time for the body to heal, and you are right to be cautious. I am 28 years this Feb 29, since I was diagnosed with Cancer, I still am cautious of what might be symtoms of cancer even though odds are at this point I will not come out of remission. 

      Talk to your doc, bring on the increased activity as you can handle it. 6 months out, you are technically out of the danger zone, but your body is not done healing. 

    • Howeller
      Howeller tpeter60

      Posted

      Wow that's quite a journey you have been on!  Thanks for the info and advice and good luck for the future. 
  • christine2107
    christine2107 Howeller

    Posted

    It takes 12 months for everything to heal - so be careful. 

    Why not ask for a bit of physio massage as they can get rid of scar pain very easily - I know we can do our own massage but we dont really understand what we are doing or even have the best angle of attack. My physio got rid of excruciating scar pain after just 3 sessions.

    I can only do so much then it hurts - so if I do 25 mins on the gym bike and get 6 miles done then my ability to swim is cut from 20 * 15 metre length pool to 6 lengths. I am being precise only to show how you need to get in tune with what your body can tolerate. I am now back taking more codeine as I want to improve my fitness in prep for the 3rd hip operation - so better fitness means fuddled "finking" for me. Its all about understanding and managing the trade offs

    Be gentle to yourself and dont expect to get back to where to were within 12 months

    Best

    Chrisx

    • Howeller
      Howeller christine2107

      Posted

      Thanks Christine I know I won't really be healed until a year is up but this 'pain' really scares me as it is identical to the ache I used to get before the op. It can't have the same cause as Peter has pointed out but it's having the same effect on me and only disappears when I lie down which is very depressing...
    • christine2107
      christine2107 Howeller

      Posted

      So is mine but as it goes away when I calm down, unlike before, I take reassurance that it has a different root cause - overwork.

      If it does not settle then write to your consutlant and ask for an appointment

    • Howeller
      Howeller christine2107

      Posted

      Thanks. Will definitely monitor the pain carefully and then go back to the consultant. I'm not due to see him for another 6 months when I will probably be booked in to have the other hip done. Fingers crossed this is temporary. 
  • Joycy
    Joycy Howeller

    Posted

    I'm 5 months LTHR and experience similar to you but having asked my GP and surgeon, and knowing several physiotherapists from my own working life, have put this down to healing process and in using muscles, tendons and nerves that have been interfered with and which let you know when you exercise them more and more.  Therefore, I wouldn't worry but just listen to your body and don't overdo things.  

    Jo x

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Howeller

    Posted

    hi howeller. ..

    what do you think it can be? are you still doing plates?

    is it possible that you pulled a muscle?

    better have it checked as soon as possible howeller

    big warm hug

    Renee ❤

    If

    • Howeller
      Howeller renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee

      will monitor for a while then go back to the consultant if it doesn't go away

      thanks for the reply. Mx

    • renee01952
      renee01952 Howeller

      Posted

      I don't want to bring you down, but ..... sad it was my other hip in need of replacement - Did not see that one coming as it showed mild OA on xray - then,within 6 months cartilage was down to bone-on-bone ...

       

    • Howeller
      Howeller renee01952

      Posted

      It's ok I know my other hip will need replacing and now the first one is done the 'good' hip is definitely on the way out...
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.