Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi all. It's 9 months since my TKR and for the last 3/4 months I have been getting aching type pain at the very top of my thigh, near my pelvis/hip. No painkillers seem to help. Could it be related to the TKR? My recovery from TKR has been very slow and painful. I still take opiates . I just can't believe I;'m still in so much pain!! 
1 like, 36 replies
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Laura3333 shan99257
Posted
Hi,
I have pain in my right hip on walking, right tkr three years ago, left tkr august last year.
When I had xray, before having left knee done, I was told I had arthritis in my right hip, that was causing the pain.
It doesn't hurt apart from when I gonfor a short walk.
I don't feel as though I need a new hip,and certainly don't relish the thought of more surgery. I had gynae surgery in april which put me back in my knee recovery, though knees fine now, if a bit stiff.
I was told I coukd have injections iinto my hip if needed, he seemed surprised that I wasn't in much pain.
shan99257 Laura3333
Posted
Wow Laura! Both knees done! Well done! Yes it seems once we have arthritis in us, it just keeps spreading...like rust in a car!! That's how I always think of it! I agree with you about not wanting more surgery. I guess it comes down to how much pain we are in with the arthritis compared to pain of surgery. Thanks for your input. Take care.
Laura3333 shan99257
Posted
I cope quite well with pain and surgery, having had spinal surgery and arthritis in my back for thirty years, so can't walk far anyway.
I think once you've had a big surgery, any others you just somehow get used to living with pain, and the bonus with the knee surgery was I knew it would get better. It was, for me anyway, just mechanical. The ops I had in Aoril, oophrectomy and prolapse repair have taken so much more out of me. Hopefully I will get a year without any medical surgeries, I think my body needs it to recover properly.
ihavenonickname Laura3333
Posted
or
your leg may have shortened a tad...I put heel lifts in my shoe...
hugs
Laura3333 ihavenonickname
Posted
Maybe. I can walk ok, just not very far, then need to use a stick, purely because my groin aches and I'm making a conscious effort to lift my leg using my hip.
I don't think I limp, it's hard to tell.
ihavenonickname Laura3333
Posted
Be kind to your new baby joint...slow and steady will win the race...hugs
ihavenonickname shan99257
Posted
chuckle chuckle
dianne07195 shan99257
Posted
shan99257 dianne07195
Posted
me too Dianne. As I said earlier, I remember people saying on here about hip pain after TKR because of how we limp and hobble around for so many months after surgery. It makes sense I guess.
sarah87162 shan99257
Posted
Sarah
marilyn10235 shan99257
Posted
Hi Shan I'm still only at 7 weeks post op but also have had hip pain on the operated side. My therapist says it's because I use the wrong muscles walking & exercising. I have to think to use the quads not hip flexor muscle. Even walking I have to really concentrate to bend & straighten using the correct muscles. The trouble is I was a few years unable to bend or straighten the leg so re learning to walk is hard. Nobody tells you how hard this op is or how hard rehab is.
I was told at 56 I was too young to have tkr that was 8 years ago I will be 64 this year! Still need to have the left leg done! When I can get down to the chemist I am going to try to get the neoprene knee compression sleeve as recommended by ihavenonickname. Reading the stories of people on here I consider myself lucky as my knee isn't too painful most of the time👍, & I am getting more mobile (even managed a visit to M&S with my daughter),just the exhaustion really. I feel sometimes like I'm sleepwalking through life. If I had my life over would I do this again? Yes, but would fight the NHS to get it done earlier. I wish you all the best on your recovery, keep your chin up & listen to what others on here are saying - chicomarx & ihavenonickname give good advice.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas (let everyone else do the work for you).🎄😀
XX
sarah87162 marilyn10235
Posted
However I had an excellent consultant and he did say (once he had operated) that the knee was very bad and needed replacing.
Regarding walking properly, before I had my left knee replaced I was also suffering with arthritis in my right ankle. Since TKR my right ankle is also considerably better and I think this is just because I am distributing weight better when walking.
Hope that is helpful and makes sense.
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah
shan99257 marilyn10235
Posted
Oh you're such a sweet thing Marilyn!! Wow, only 7 weeks for you!! You have such a positive outlook being so soon after surgery! You go girl!!! I also have to get my left knee done eventually......but to be totally honest, it will take me to be in such pain that I can't walk before I put myself through this again!! You're doing really well to not have much pain at this stage. I envy you! As I said to other people today, some of us sail through this surgery...others do not! I was only given 12 days notice before my surgery! If I had more time I know now that I would have spent that time getting into better shape physically and mentally. But we can't turn back the clock. I also wish you a great recovery and have an awesome Christmas!
xx
marilyn10235 sarah87162
Posted
Hi Sarah what you said makes absolute sense. I am looking forward to being further down the old road to recovery. You bring light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you😊
marilyn10235 shan99257
Posted
Hi Shan with tkr you just gotta be positive! I am lucky I had 4 weeks to prepare for my op & tried to exercise & stretch even my bad old knees, I also was seeing a chiropractor & I am giving a lot of my recovery to her. I know I'm not there yet, I have my ups & downs like everyone else here but, you guys really help. It is good to know that what I am experiencing is 'normal' whatever normal is??
Keep smiling, we'll all get there
Keep in touch
XX