Panicking again

Hi Lucindagl.

I had my left hip replaced over 2 years ago.  My experience is that when I was training I hated that leg out to the side movement too but I did it and I can't say I'm not better because of it.  Your new hip will probably never ever feel like the one that has remained in tact.  It will never move the same or feel quite the same but no doubt it will feel a lot better than the old one.

You might want to pay attention to how the new one affects your daily life.  It may change how you walk, your back may feel differently.  I don't know how old you are (I am  60).  Everything, according to x-rays, etc. is as it should be but I know that I don't feel the same.  No pain, just feel different. Some people I know are back to playing tennis, I went back to my fitness center without any problems.  I think keeping up with walks or bike riding or whatever types of exercising you like to do is very important.  The more you move the better you'll feel.

Don't over extend yourself, It takes time.  Good luck.

Hi Lucinda,

Chat to your physio as I don't know how being hyper mobile affects a new hip. I will say that my new hip felt very strange until recently. I think you will find that all the swelling makes it feel odd. In the last few days as the swelling has gone and I am walking normally my new hip is beginning to feel like my other hip. I think three weeks out is probably very early to gauge how it will be going forward.

The exercise going out to the side still hurts me when I do it. I do very small movements per my physio and have found that I have increased my range of movement over the last two weeks without even realising.

Hope your physio can put your mind at ease. Just remember its early days. There's lots of healing going on still, soft tissue damage, swelling etc. Week 5 was a noticeable change for me.

Hang in there!

Sam xx

Hi Lucinda, 

Good that you went to your doctor and were told that everyhting looks fine - You have an implant where you had a hip before - I think it is quite normal to feel that this is different from your natural hip ...at 3 weeks post-op there might still be some swelling, perhaps for a bit longer -

If the side leg exercise is too difficult, just don't do them unless PT is with you ..

go gently darling ... 

when is your follow up appointment ?

big warm hug

renee

Hiya!🙋

Youre only a few few weeks post-op and everything feels a bit weird. I had two THRs in 18 months, and both were quite different.

Wisely, you had a phone X-ray and consultation, and that's all ok. It's probably just the muscles and ligaments settling down after a very traumatic gig.

Just jgive yourself another few weeks for it to settle down, stressing will actually make it feel worse. 

Good luck, and don't forget we hippies are right with you!

jan🌹

3 weeks is very early to be extending your leg out to the side.  Be very careful when doing this because the tissue around the hip does not completely heal until the 12th week.  I would stick to the simple strengthening exercises that you are shown at physical therapy (physio).  At 3 weeks there are limitations to movements that you should be doing.  Talk to your therapist about what is safe.

As far as that hip not feeling the same as you no surgery hip, that is to be expected for several more weeks.  Use ice packs for pain.  This will help reduce some of the swelling.  Best of luck on your continued recovery

i'm seeing the physio today at 10am so I'll see what she says and let you all know!

So my physio is amazing and I'm not crazy. Turns out that due to my hypermobikity and the fact that I've been in pain for so many years, the muscles that hold my hip in the right place simply aren't there, which is why it feels like it's dislocating every time I take a step.

Clever physio worked it out in a heartbeat. Phew. She's given me strengthening exercises for these muscles and strict instructions on how to walk until I see her next time.

I'm SO relieved it's not a surgical issue, so relieved I was right about it not feeling quite right - and even more relieved that there is a solution even though it's going to take time to get these muscles back.

What a ride...

Great news and great physio!! I have a similar issue with having to build up the muscles around my hip as that leg is very weak and have specific exercises to do that. My physio is also great at giving targeted exercises (and muscle massage!) It's hard work but I am seeing gradual changes. Hadn't realised how bad that leg had got!

So good to have a plan that you can work towards.

Good luck!

Sam

I am 17weeks post THR and now feeling the benefit of the new hip. 3 weeks Is no time at all! Remember all your muscles tendons and nerves have been really bashed about. At 3 weeks I was in agony. Take it easy and very slowly you will improve week by week. Just don't over do the exercises. Baby steps. Good luck