Thigh / Knee pain 2 months after THR surgery
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi - I had my THR about 2 months ago. I am 57 yrs old. My recovery has been going very well until recently. I had been walking mostly without a cane until a few days ago. Lately, I have had a problem with thigh pain when walking. The pain is strong enough that I have gone back to using a walker.
The pain occurs as I am stepping forward and put my weight down on my leg. My leg is straight and moderately stiff at that time. My thigh and hip muscles have become tense as a result.
There is no pain at all when the knee is bent, and no pain at all while sitting or lying down. The pain only occurs when I am walking.
Using a walker has reduced the pain while walking, but the pain is not getting any better.
What can I do at this point?
1 like, 22 replies
hope4cure alan62942
Posted
Very normal. Just had hip revision 4 weeks ago.
if u have a foot pump it helps the legs and their cramps. I got one on amazon. Also sometimes just need to rest it will take a year to totally recover and gain back all the muscle and tendons.i wish I had better news . You tube has great exercises once your cleared by doc to help strengthen legs. also,ask for PT.
Usually we are sent home with a list of exercises. They can help condition the leg muscles. I take Tylenol and heat packs or heat rubs help relieve the pain too. Be cautious not to get any in or near the incision.
Right now now my legs look a bit like chicken legs . I was in PT for two weeks. Walked two blocks every day. My legs are still weak. Just needs to heal and take time to get back to normal . This summer will be a good goal! I still walk on two canes.
I have have had three THR and one revision and need another cup replaced soon. It's always something. The doc says aww we'll just pop in and add a new poly cup no biggie. YIKES,
Take today be grateful be happy with how you are healing. Take tomorrow and fight for what you want it to be. I'm proof it gets better much better takes time! Be patient!
Hopexxx
susan05157 alan62942
Posted
I would call the Dr and have it checked . I have thigh pain but it is all the time they are thinking it's my lower back. Better to have it looked at good luck
hope4cure susan05157
Posted
What caused the pain in lower back in the thigh?
I did pull some muscles in my lower back from the constant struggling to just keep getting in & out of bed.
The thigh pain in the front of my leg and hip joint pain was due to the hip muscles and bone healing and growing to secure the implant components.
The doc said It takes up to 8-10 months.
Hopexxx
renee01952 alan62942
Posted
warm welcome to this wonderful hippies forum ..
you are doing really great -
8 weeks post-op from this major invasive surgery is still early in recovery .. Your body has done an amazing job already healing and repairing the injuries ..
aches and pain in the hip and thigh can persist for a longer time because bone, a living tissue, continues to re-model and adapt around the metal implants. This increased metabolic activity can lead to soreness after activity -
Did you have your follow up appointment?
please come back and let us know how you are getting on, okay?
love to hear from you
big warm hug
renee
beth2509 alan62942
Posted
That sounds very much like the muscles. The lack of pain when the knee is bent is a dead give away. It may be combined with bursitis too- the two often occur together and that will really up the thigh pain several notches. Self massage it's really easy for both and if you Google you will find loads of examples. The difficulty is learning how to identify the bursa concerned. Easy once shown how though, so I'd suggest booking an appointment with a physiotherapist who would be able to confirm if this is the correct problem, and show you how to self treat it - as well as soon a first treatment.
I had these problems before surgery rather than after, so I know it takes a few weeks at least to settle it totally, but if you maintain the massage twice a day at least, it does go away.
alan62942
Posted
Thanks, everyone!
I forgot to mention in my original posting that I had my right hip replaced. Also, the pain occurs generally along the front of the thigh. It starts above (and possibly slightly under) the knee, and goes almost the full length of the front of the thigh.
I also have some - but much less - pain in my hip area along with some limited flexibility. For example, I can't bring my right foot over my left knee yet to put on my shoe.
I have paused my home PT stretching exercises for concern that I may make aggravate whatever is causing my pain and make things worse. Not sure that is the right decision.
renee01952 alan62942
Posted
," I can't bring my right foot over my left knee yet to put on my shoe" caught my attention, Alan ...
Eventhough many restrictions were liftend at my 6 weeks appointment, the 90 degree rule and crossing legs not yet ..
did you get the anterior approach or posterior ... That will make a difference ...
alan62942 renee01952
Posted
renee01952 alan62942
Posted
there are a bit more and longer restrictions with posterior approach since muscles, tendons etc. were cut to expose hip joint ..
when you put your right foot over your left knee, you can see how you force your leg/hip out - this is not really conducive to healing that is still going on and will be for a bit longer ... it is still fragile around your hip joint and stem - the hardware needs to be integrated and is not really as flexible as bone ....
there are other ways to put on your shoes which put less strain on that joint ...
ALan, have you watched this surgery on youtube? If not and you are up to it, have a look - to me it was such a revelation as to how major this surgery really is ...
let us know how you are getting on otherwise ...
melissa49476 alan62942
Posted
Was it non cement>> or cement
hope4cure melissa49476
Posted
Most are uncemented today and usually referred to as press fit implants.
alan62942 hope4cure
Posted
I don't know for sure, but I think it was cemented. Is there any reason the surgeon wouldn't use cement? Allergies?
hope4cure alan62942
Posted
Never heard of any allergies to cement. There have been some cement types recalled see google for more info. But there have been cases of metal allergies to implants. Implants is a amalgam of different metals fused together called surgical steel.
Gooogle for more info.
Msky alan62942
Posted
Hi Alan.If the pain has gone to that extreme I think it warrants a call to the doctor.Are you taking NSADS?Are you using heat and cold? You may need to slow down , Back up,and slow down a bit . Definitely give your Doc and the PT that had helped you a call . It scares me to hear experiences like yours . My femur fractured after 19 days with my first THR , got my 2nd done 1/3 .Im still at the end of 4 weeks using my walker.I am doing more and more without it.The PT keeps warning me to take it slow to let my muscles strengthen and I can feel it improving . I'm going to ask her if I can start with a cane because I need to be ready to go back to work at least partime pretty soon . I want to build up strength . Doing my exercises and doing lots in the house,pushing as I can tolerate but don't want to push to hard .That fracture thing scared me . Well please check with your Doctor,it can as you are seeing get nasty quick .
alan62942
Posted
Things are a bit better. Over the weekend, I didn't see much improvement. On Sunday night, I followed hope4cure's and Msky's advice of using a heating pad. I also used a roller to self-massage the tight muscles in my thigh.
I was feeling much better on Monday morning. I think that some of the muscle tension was relieved.
I did the same on Monday and today (Tuesday). While the pain isn't gone, it was definitely reduced (Well ... Until I visited the physical therapist today, and now the pain has increased again
).
I'm sure it's a muscular / nerve issue now, and I just have to get the right treatment and exercise. I will definitely take my recovery more slowly now.
Thanks for all the great advice!
Msky alan62942
Posted
Hi Alan I am glad things are getting better . I know I feel it if I push to hard . It's a balancing act, push but not yo hard . Be well .
hope4cure alan62942
Posted
Glad to see your doing better. Even now post 5 weeks from THR revision I use heating muscle rubs. Works very well.
Hope😊
Msky hope4cure
Posted
hope4cure Msky
Posted
Omg my knees torn meniscus,shoulders torn rotator cuff wrists arthritis hands dupuytrens nod psooriatic arthritis. I use care all muscle rub extra strength.nongreasy see amazon. I also ice and heat packs. I thought than &$*#% Walker was out to kill me.
I also have RX for Viltaren for aches from muscle spasams helps too!
Now I continue to rest and use lots of muscle rub, tylenol & antiinflamatories.
Saw doc today offered nurotin for pain I rejected it cuz it gives me migraines.
Offered tramadol it causes severe itching. As does dilaudid awful,stuff. I think I'd rather feel the pain than go thru the sever itching like bee stings and bugs crawling all over me.
My doc said I have had three THR and my body has built up antibodies against these pain meds same with a few antibiotics. Allergic reaction.
Im much better as each day goes by just tired of the ashes , restless leg at night. The rubs do help. Also slept meds love melatonin or OTC SLeep meds can temporarily get ya thru the night.
i sure hope you get thru this soon. For now I know it's so miserable.
Hopexxx
Msky hope4cure
Posted
I'm trying to really cut back on Medications . I did not take any the last 3 days . I started walking with the 4 pronged cane . My daughter had bought it at a second hand store .That works well for me . Will see Dr . tomorrow ,got to talk about going back to work .Was going to go back at 6 weeks but I just don't feel like I would be ready by next week .I am going to ask for 2 more weeks and then phase back . I walk a lot in my job and it will be hard to go Back to work before my body is ready . I just worry because I work for a hospital and have worked there 33 years . Unfortunately newer nurses help them balance their budget because young nurses cost less .