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Pain and Stiffness after 10 weeks

Posted , 20 users are following.

kelvin64621
kelvin64621

Hello fellow Hippies,

I'm just over 10 weeks in and doing ok.  I walk around the house without a cane but still carry it outside for longer walks.  My stride is pretty good for the most part.  My problem is that I get very stiff after fairly short walks.  I have to get up and stretch and hobble around for a little while before I can really walk again.  Along with the stiffness comes some pain but nothing to extreme really but it does remind me that something happened.  I guess I'm wondering if this is normal...what are other peoples experiences after 10 weeks. 

2 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • kelly1205
    kelly1205 kelvin64621

    Posted

    Hi Kelvin, It is completely normal at this stage of the recovery process. I am now 11 weeks post op this week and experience the same pain and stiffness as you are. I also use the cane mostly for outside activities and when my leg feels weak. As many of the people here on this forum have reminded me  we are still early into our recovery for a Major surgery! I am trying my best to be patient and let the  healing take place; resting and icing when I can. It sounds like you and I are in the same boat as far as recovery goes, Good Luck to you!!
    • kelvin64621
      kelvin64621 kelly1205

      Posted

      Hello Kelly,

      I'm not a very patient patient.  :-)   I will take your advice and let the healing continue. 

      Thanks and good luck to you too!

      Kelvin

    • linda09720
      linda09720 kelvin64621

      Posted

      Hi l am post 10 weeks and doing well except my wound as become very sore and its aching round the top of the leg quite bad, but l think we all get a bit clever and do too much, l use my stick outdoors if walking the dog because its all fields and lumpy to walk on, it seems Kevin we all do too much then pay for it, good luck hope it gets better,
  • t3chiman
    t3chiman kelvin64621

    Posted

    "...I get very stiff after fairly short walks.  I have to get up and stretch and hobble around for a little while before I can really walk again.  Along with the stiffness comes some pain ..."

    Hi Kelvin-

      You are doing fine, considering. Over the next 2-3 months, ease back into a normal walking/standing/sitting cycle. Come December, you should be fit as a fiddle. Be sure to plan a nice holiday in a warm place to celebrate. Or, at least a fancy dinner with a special someone.

    HTH

  • sheila33536
    sheila33536 kelvin64621

    Posted

    Hi Kelvin, you seem to be doing OK and progressing well.  I am 15 weeks post op now and can do quite lengthy walks without pain and try to do a walk every day.  However, I still have stiffness in the thigh and into the buttock after sitting for any length of time.  I was told that this normal and can last for up to 12 months.  I find that when I stand I have to do a little jiggle and that gets me going.  I don't have any pain just this stiffness  .

    • Anne68156
      Anne68156 sheila33536

      Posted

      Sheila, I'm just one week out and I have the same problem with stiffness. My PT reminded me today that it is all musculature as the arthritis has gone. So now the muscles need to regroup after being pushed out of the way for the surgery. I had the anterior method so no muscles were cut. Getting out of bed in the morning is the most difficult part of the day for me. 

    • sheila33536
      sheila33536 Anne68156

      Posted

      Hi Anne, yes , getting out of bed requires some effort, but once up and about I have no problems.  My physio recommended that I use heat and that is what I am doing right now.  I have a very small heat pad, similar to a very small electric blanket and it does help.  I have also found that 2 paracetamol at breakfast also helps with the stiffness for the rest of the day.

      i still have some swelling to my left leg and ankle and was told that this may  also be with me for quite a number of months.  Does anyone else have this problem.

      Regards 

    • janeane72743
      janeane72743 sheila33536

      Posted

      I take paracetamol but confess my GP has had to give me major pain relief .

      I am 8mths in but my legs and ankles swell so much I have to take a water pill everyday which helps I am finding it very difficult findingcomfy shoes of late

  • toy29952
    toy29952 kelvin64621

    Posted

    Hello Kelvin,

    Next month on the 19th will be a year and I have occasional pain or some discomfort. I really have it I over do it. You mentioned longer walks. Maybe you shorten your distance or rest in between. Remember you had a Major surgery, your body have adjust and heal. Take it easy, Good luck.

  • kelvin64621
    kelvin64621

    Posted

    Thank you all for replying!

    It really does give some comfort to realize that we're not alone with this.  A lot of my concern is fear...always wondering if this stiffness and pain is normal, am I moving forward at a reasonable rate or trying to move to fast.  In in the end I'm probably pretty much on pace.  I suppose I should just calm down and breathe and do what I can do. 

    Thanks again!

    Kelvin

  • renee01952
    renee01952 kelvin64621

    Posted

    hi kevin, 

    Warm welcome to the hippies forum -

    as you can see, it is all very normal what you are going through - stiffness first thing in the morning or after long tome sitting or changing posture is something that can linger for a while ...so don't worry and be more relaxed about it --- expect and accept that it will be there, then ease in to it instead of getting frustrated or fearful ...

    your body went through major trauma and needs time to repair the damages and adapt to the new hardware -

    come here any time you have a concern or question and share a bit more about your self - 

    big warm hug

    renee

  • belinda39319
    belinda39319 kelvin64621

    Posted

    Hi I've just read your posts and I can really relate with them ino it's 2 years since you posted I am 10 weeks postop and find it hard when my hip goes really stiff and feels like something is wrong but after reading realise it's all part of the healing process

    • kelvin64621
      kelvin64621 belinda39319

      Posted

      Hello Belinda,

      It is a long, slow recovery but the good news is that it does get better! I'm a couple of years into it now and it's very rare that I even realize that I have the new hip. Once in a great while I'll overdo it or twist a bit wrong and feel some minor pain but it's so much better than it was before the operation. Unfortunately I had a knee replacement 13 weeks ago and am recovering from that now. Just try not to get discouraged, do your exercises without overdoing it and you'll be fine! 😃

      Kelvin

    • belinda39319
      belinda39319 kelvin64621

      Posted

      Thank you for the encouraging words I've been trying to sleep on my side but struggling as it feels like your on a hard surface,Need to try as its hurting my back not sure if that's normal aswel hope your recovery is going well 😁

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