Pain after hip replacment
Posted , 9 users are following.
I had the anterior hip replacement surgery first week of May. I still walk with a limp and its still painful. I still can not even consider sleeping on my side where the hip was replaced. I really felt better before this was done and am very frustrated. They x-rayed it and it looks fine. PT went awesome. This just doesn't feel right to me this far out. Does anyone else have this same experience??
0 likes, 26 replies
betty07083 koshe2
Posted
Hi, I had anterior TRHR a week ago. I walked with a limp before and was worried I still would walk with one because of the length discrepancy, however my surgeon said with PT I should learn to walk without a limp.
Are you still exercising on your own? You said the exray showed everything to be fine, so did your doctor have any explanation as to why you still limp and still can't lie on your operated side? Five months seems a long time not being able to sleep on your side by now.
I hope you get a resolution to this as it must be terribly frustrating and disheartening for you!!!
Please keep us updated.
Betty
koshe2 betty07083
Posted
I still exercise and PT said I don't need to go back anymore. My Dr said really did not really offer much other than it takes time. I am getting a second opinion tomorrow
betty07083 koshe2
Posted
Great idea getting a second opinion. So frustrating, isn't it when the doctor is vague and can't offer much!
All the best to you koshe and let us know how you are progressing
dana90029 koshe2
Posted
koshe2,
I have the same problem, except, mine was done in January of this year. I have been in pain every second of every day since--the x-rays read "no problem" as do the CT scans and MRI of lower back. My whole leg is hurting except for my calf. The MRI did reveal a sciatic nerve inflammation, of which I had no pain in my leg before that. I feel like I'm walking on marbles and my operated let is longer. It drives me crazy. My knee won't bend to the side, only forward and backwards. I have an appt. with pain management who is supposedly going to try steroid injections. If they are going to be in my back, I don't think I'll allow that. I called for my records just a few minutes ago. I'll pick them up this coming Tues. when I have my other appointment. I'm so tired of the pain and not being able to do a single thing--and I mean nothing. I've always been an extremely active person, not really young, but I'm still waiting to grow up, too! It's more than I can tolerate, and I'm going to get a second opinion. The Dr. doesn't seem to believe anything and he isn't with me more than 10 minutes at the most. I understand your frustrations. If I were you, I wouldn't wait much longer for a second opinion. I feel if it's getting worse instead of better, there's a problem! Please let me know how you get along. Best of luck. Dana
Oh, one more thing. The Dr. told me they tore the meniscus in my knee when they dislocated my leg/hip for the surgery. Why they won't repair it is beyond me. I'm sure they have a reason because he said he was going to.
koshe2 dana90029
Posted
dana90029 koshe2
Posted
I absolutely agree with everything Richard said. I felt like I was sitting on a billiard ball for about 6 months, including lying in bed. One day, it was gone! My weight is not appropriate with my height. I am 5'8" and weigh 100 lbs. I lost 20 pounds after surgery. When they got me up to walk that same day, I passed out--twice. My blood pressure was 45/30. They told me to not get me up. (DUH). In the morning, the Dr. came in and said he was ordering a transfusion. I didn't want it, but didn't know what would happen if I didn't. I guess it worked. Anyway, the weight loss didn't seem to matter. I looked like death warmed over. No problem, I guess. It makes me believe that he knows what's wrong and won't tell me. I WILL get another opinion really soon. Please, don't wait any longer for another opinion. I should have done it a long time ago, but I'd never experienced anything like this and have never been sick. I have had a lot of severe injuries from sports, but none of them slowed me down, except my kidney being torn loose in a softball game. Even at that, instead of the six months that Dr. had told me I'd be out, he changed it to three. It didn't feel pleasant, but I didn't let it get me down. This has and like you, I don't like it. I know Richard is an excellent source of information. Just don't wait too long. I'm not trying to scare you, please don't even think that. I just want the best for you and everyone else. Renee is another great source. Be careful until you find out what's going on. Hey, it might just be a part of the healing process. Good luck and try not to worry. Dana
RichardKen dana90029
Posted
Your post reminded me of something rather amazing that happened to me whilst in hospital for my first hip replacement twenty years ago at 55.
It was one day one after the surgery and the next day I felt really dreadful, no appetite and a very bad headache all day and night. On day three morning as the result of a blood test it was realized that I had lost more blood than was realized and I needed a blood transfusion!
Within ten minutes of the blood dripping into me it was as if I was waking up. It was an amazing experience that I find hard to describe. From then on there was no holding me back, I got walking and at five days post surgery I was walking around the hospital with one stick. I made a very rapid pain free recovery and that new hip gave me twenty years of fantastic pain free service.
Best wishes to everyone here.
Cheers Richard
dana90029 RichardKen
Posted
Same here. I had no pain immediately after surgery, other than a headache. After getting blood, I was off flying. The pain didn't start until physical therapy. After I got home, I had PT every day for two weeks. It was torture but I thought it should be. At 4 weeks, the pain started and has gotten worse every week--at least. I never quit my exercises until the first of this month. I'm not a cryer , but this has really turned me into one. I've woke up in the middle of the night screaming. It's hard being alone and having no one to talk to. I have my cats, thank God, but no family. I do have plenty of time for pity parties and feeling sorry for myself. I've never taken a pain med that worked so the pain just stays. I know lots of us are in pain so I hope no one thinks I believe I'm the only one. I want everyone to feel great and start living again! Thanks Richard. All the best! Dana
RichardKen dana90029
Posted
Dear Dana
I know how tough it can be dealing with illness abd pain on one's own.....takes it to a whole new level.
My best wishes to you for some answers.
Cheers Richard
dana90029 RichardKen
Posted
RichardKen,
Thank you for your understanding. I believe this forum has kept me going. When people doubt how severe the pain is, all I say is that they would have to live with it to know. Hope you're doing okay. I care. Dana
RichardKen dana90029
Posted
Dear Dana
I'm sure that you are right! Thanks yes hip wise I'm still doing fine and relieved to finally be able to deal with my ankle revision/rebuild.
Best wishes to you. Richard
dana90029 RichardKen
Posted
Richard,
I don't know how to start a new discussion, so I looked up a post from you. I was wondering if this THP can effect a person for the rest of their life? I'm very concerned, as most are, that mine is getting worse with more problems instead of better. I so regret having this surgery because I can do nothing and the surgeon says nothing is wrong. I'm getting a second opinion in Nov. and hope I there's something that can be done. I absolutely cannot live with this forever. I feel like my surgeon is just "passing the buck." I know they have one another's back, so I'm going elsewhere. I don't know whether to let the pain management Dr. do any steroid injections because from what I've read on the forum, it's a waste of time. Do you have any ideas or thoughts on this? Thank you so much. Dana
RichardKen dana90029
Posted
Dear Dana
To start a new thread scroll to the end of any discussion and you will see "To start your own discussion."
I'm so sorry that you are still in such pain and your surgeon has basically washed his hands of you. You are absolutely right to get another opinion and if necessary a third until you find someone prepared to care sufficiently.
On the question of steroid injections to relieve your pain I cannot speak from personal experience, but from what I have read it has at best only a very short time benefit. It's easy for me to say I would avoid it but then I'm not in pain and you are. When in November are you seeing another surgeon Dana?
Best wishes
Richard
dana90029 RichardKen
Posted
I'm not certain yet. I'll find out on Nov.6th. Thank you for your reply. I think if they would repair the tear in my meniscus, my knee would help everything. Dana
RichardKen koshe2
Posted
Are you walking with two sticks or crutches because if not then I strongly recommend that you do until your muscles are strong enough to properly support you. Walking with a good gait is an essential part of the recovery process.
What does your surgeon have to say about the situation?
Hope things improve for you very soon.
Cheers Richard
RichardKen
Posted
koshe2 RichardKen
Posted
I do not use the sticks anymore. I just walk quite a bit slower than I did before they fixed it. Some days I feel like I shouldn't walk at all. Just seems like the healing process has stopped.
RichardKen koshe2
Posted
Regardless of anything else I do urge you to pick up these two sticks or crutches until your muscles have really regained their proper strength
Good luck. Richard