Spasms!

At this point it's extremely important to stay ahead of the surgical pain. Don't be a hero. Take every med you're given on time. Part of the job of pain medications is to relax the affected leg. If the pain isn't kept at bay, the muscles with contract trying to prepare for it. Sounds odd, but I had the same issue and got a long lecture about taking medications.

If that's not the issue, then you could try adding potassium and magnesium to your diet. Also, if you have a significant other who will do massage, that's a godsend.

Good luck, and if the spasms continue, call your ortho!

I had this too. I solved it by taking my painkillers every 6 hours. I set an alarm to take them. 6, 12, 6, 12. and that stopped it. You can get antispasmodics from your doctor if necessary but try spacing your pain killers exactly first. 

Good luck

Ann

Hi I haven't had hip replacement but I did fracture my hip and pelvis two years ago and due to circumstances beyond my control I haven't had surgery, I did have the spasms and I still do but they have become slightly less intense.

I found like you they happen mostly when I'm trying to relax or put my leg in certain positions it is incredibly painful, for me the pain meds didn't help but I think that's because mine cannot heal, ice helped and not stretching the leg helped as well, I was given diazepam for mine but they were quite strong and can throw me off the crutches as they did recently, have you tried icing or heat, yours will ease off as soon as your more active because the weak muscles are mostly to blame

I had the exact same. The worst of it was about 2 - 5 days post op but they eased off after that. Like others have said, keep up with the pain killers. I found paracetamol best for staving it off. Seems like the spasms just come with the territory. My were cause by the face the lengthened my leg by about 4 cm in the op. It’s just your muscles trying to get back to how they were but I promise it will get better. I’m 11 weeks out now and pretty much back to normal. Better than before in fact. Good luck with your recovery. 

Even though I never like taking many meds, I did take the pain ones at the beginning of my recovery after THR. My doctor told me it was very important to stay ahead of the pain and let my body heal. The process of healing will have some strange feelings that never happened before the surgery. Elevate and ice, too. That does help.

Ooooh yes, I have been having those.

I found pain relief was no answer to restless legs, but I think I am OK now my clips (stitches) are out ........... much more comfortable!

Hang in there, it won't last forever.

Just thought, I found that my restless legs started each evening as the sun went down - very odd.

It’s early days and these are the worst, but they will pass - honest. Keep on top of your pain meds, ice and massage, and sleep when you can. Two weeks post op may still seem far off but honestly by then you will most likely have turned a big corner. Good luck. I’m 5 1/2 weeks post op. Making progress daily but maybe not as fast as I’d like. I’m about to be 54...and was very active until about 10 months ago ..