Superpath Hip Replacement 3 weeks post op

Posted , 21 users are following.

hello everyone

im nervous about posting on here as I never in my life thought I'd be on a forum for patients so in some ways it is good I've learnt some humility as always thought I was indestructible as I've always been very sporty playing a lot of tennis, football, rugby and cycling  as well  as regular gym sessions. 

Im 42 and last year after persistent groin pain that wasn't overly painful but nonetheless noticeable and wasn't going away after about a year I had an MRI scan, the results of which showed a FAI and laberal tear. My consultant told me the space between the ball and socket at one point was about 0.5mm and therefore I was too far gone to even attempt keyhole surgery and that I needed a THR of right hip. Being the cautious sole I am I had a couple of other opinions by consultants all of whom said same thing. 

I kind of didnt take it too seriously as i wasnt in great pain and was still very active, playing a lot of tennis running and cycling. The most noticeable thing was during sexual intercourse in missionary when I could feel a grinding sensation in the groin and clicking. Obviously that became somewhat of a passion killer. 

As time went on the pain was pain was getting more noticeable during tennis and my consultant suggested cortisone injections and sinvisc plus. The cortisone injections did great but only lasted around 3 weeks per injection. I didn't notice any great difference with the sinvisc plus. 

Still up to around april/may this year I was still playing a lot of sport and walking fine. But then in June during a very brutal game of tennis while hitting a running forehand I experienced an almighty crunch in the hip and a bit of pain,  not too much as I'd only just had last cortisone shot. This was a Saturday when the crunch happened. 

No problems on saturday evening or sunday Sunday but the Monday when at work after being seated when I went to get up I was in agony and couldn't move. Hip/groin locked. 

Since then this sensation continually happened if I bent my leg then tried to straighten it. I had an injection into a tendon that my consultant said was getting trapped and that did work but only for two weeks. I was at the stage where getting off toilet was a massive challenge. Once unlocked it wasn't too bad. I could walk ok and pretty quick. I noticed if I did no sport (or sexual relations) the locking subsided but as soon as I was more active the issue came back. My consultant told me it was a very personal choice when to have a THR but my quality of life was being affected and the aim of a THR was to improve that quality. He then told me about the Superpath technique which I loved sound of and he was one of very few surgeons who did this. I elected to have the super path and it was done on September 15. 

Im 19 days post op and can walk with one crutch pretty quick but when I try without a crutch I'm struggling as hip is stiff. I can bend leg upwards well and outwards and can squat. Obviously no locking now. 

 my concern is I've seen you tube videos of people able to cross their legs and walking with no aids at all and in no pain. I have no pain when lying down or sitting down save for a bit of soreness where the wound is but my main worry is I do get a lot of groin pain when exercising or trying to lift my leg keeping it straight. Also when I walk the groin hurts and while other pain seems to be getting better the groin doesn't at all. 

I go for my first physio appointment in two days time and I'm worried that this groin pain means something isn't right. I've gone into so much detail as wanted to explain how I was before the operation. Has anyone had the superpath and if so what were your experiences at this stage. I've read somewhere that the illopsis tendon can be damaged and of course when I was locking up before the THR I wonder if that tendon took some damage. 

 sorry if this is really long winded but it's all very stressful as I've never so much had a filling in my teeth let alone major surgery so I'm not sure where I should be and what I should be doing. 

Thanks in advance for any replies. 

7 likes, 395 replies

395 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hey Gary,

    ​Checking in to see how you are doing!  Hope all is well. Would love to hear about your progress!! xo

    • Posted

      Hi gerri

      Having real problems with this site its so slow.

      My progress has slowed now. Daily activities are fine and im normal but camtrun or play tenmis yet.

      So im sort of deligjted but frustrated at same time. I think as i left it so long for the op a few muscles got too inactibe so will take ages to get going again.

      How are u getting on? Are u on whatsapp? Xx

    • Posted

      Gerri

      Im walkimg fine and could walknall day so im really pleased ut as australian open on inwant to be playikg tennis!!!!

      How are u doing ? Xx

    • Posted

      Hi good to hear from you Gary so encouraging to hear you and Gerri are doing really well I am sure the tennis and general fitness will start improving well now still early days really. On my final countdown now get bag packed again this weekend. I have heard a rumour that Mike Cronin is moving to Cardiff in a couple of months can you throw any light on that just hope he is around to do second op don't fancy travelling down to there my wife would never find her way there to pick me up ! Have a good weekend everyone. Ps does anyone know what procedure Andy Murray had recently?

    • Posted

      I wondered about Andy Murray too! Googled it, but not much information out there..... hope you’re doing ok, not long to go, all the best, Judith 
    • Posted

      Hi martin

      Sorry i didnt text. My uncle as been admitted to a hospice so its a hard time at the moment. But i am thinking of you and hoping all going well and ill text soon when head a bit straifhter.

      Didnt know Mr cronin was moving? Ive an apointment to see him on w3rd february at nuffield.

      Murray inthink had key hole surgery but delayijg ineveitable i tjink.

    • Posted

      Dear Gary,

      ?I am so sorry to hear about your uncle. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. 

      ?Everything here is great. As you know, once you pass all those  initial mini milestones... everything  settles in to being "normal" until you are completely healed. So I have no new updates, until I write and say I am completely healed. Everyday goes by and except of a minor reminder from my leg every now and then, it's hard to believe I had my hip replaced 8 weeks ago yesterday. I'm sure you feel the same way.  

      ?I am looking forward to hearing  about Martin's surgery going great and  having some pain relief on one side of his body...until he has his other hip done. 

      ?Judith... how are you doing?

      ?Richard... any date yet for your ankle surgery?

      ?Wishing you all a beautiful day!!! xo 

    • Posted

      Hi Gerri, glad everything is going well, I’m fine thanks! (Just planning a bit of skiing, there’s so much snow in France at the moment.) 
    • Posted

      Dear Judith,

      Sounds like a fabulous plan! Isn’t amazing to think after hip replacement that we are able to do all these things?? Did they fix the outdoor pool 🏊??? yet?lol. Xo

    • Posted

      I’ve been swimming indoors and looking out at the poor sad empty outdoor pool! No sign of anything happening. I think it will be months yet!
    • Posted

      Hi martin

      How did the op go? Sorry not been in touch via text but been in manchester with my dying incle so its been a had time.

      Hope youbare getting on weell

  • Posted

    Dear Gary,

     So happy that you are doing so great! It’s only been 13 weeks...so the fact that you can do everything but run or play tennis is still incredible. Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that you are having some issues with your other hip??  

    I’m doing great! Walked 2 miles non stop the other day...amazing. No limping...thrilled. Almost forget I had the surgery until I move my right leg too far to the right and get that zing to remind me, oops 😬, it’s not quite there yet. I’m still swollen under the incision, but from when I’ve read online, this is normal and can last for quite a few months. But because if that sometimes sitting at certain angles is a bit uncomfortable. Still totally livable. I’m thinking about hitting with a pro maybe mid February, end February. But I’ll get on the court once that “zing”is gone ...then I’ll know I’m good to go. 🎾😁..

    Not on the app... 😩.  

    Wishing you a continued great recovery.  Stay in touch ! Xo 😘 

      

    • Posted

      Hi

      You are doing remarkably well. Yes moving leg outwards takes time its just miscular though so will come. My physio has me doing lunges now.

      Jusf off to the gym now xx

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