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Thigh pain after hip replacement

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Soxy
Soxy

I'm wanting some feedback on high thigh pain after a hip replacement.  I am 68 years old (female) and am 10 weeks post op cement hip replacement due to severe arthritis.  I have been going on very well and thought all my troubles were over, but have now developed pain which seems to be centred just underneath the buttock and goes down the leg slightly.  I have been doing the exercises that are given to you and the pain started when I had done a batch of them.  Speaking to the physio she indicated I may have strained my hamstring.  Am due to see her in ten days time, but I have read that this type of pain is not uncommon.  Has anybody else experienced this?  Am on painkillers again and very disappointed with this set back.  Am I expecting too much too soon? Hope to get your feedback.

21 likes, 418 replies

418 Replies

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  • wynn39782
    wynn39782 Soxy

    Posted

    I am sorry to see the problems people are having post op THR. I am 6 weeks post op and having a lot of pain in operated hip. Was surprised registrar thought I should be walking unaided! I also feel taking 1 step forward 2 steps back. Really hoping things inprove over the year as it seems so much can go wrong. Keeping a diary of my daily progress so I look back in a few months and hopefully see that I am improving
  • penika
    penika Soxy

    Posted

    Greetings Soxy!

     I came here today to see what others are saying about this.  It's been almost 8 months since "Anterior " hip surgery for me.  Seems like every time I go for a walk around the block the next few days I'll be suffering. Dr told me the first year there would be different types of pain while every thing is growing accustom to each other. Nerves, bone & muscles trying to get along. With every little pain my remark is, " oh there they go trying to cooperate " !  I'm hoping this will end soon because it can be a little frustrating at times! 

    • dave_1966
      dave_1966 penika

      Posted

      Hi Penika, how is the thigh pain these days after walking?  I'm 7 months post op and have a lot of pain if I walk too much or ride a bike. Thanks.

  • camille83212
    camille83212 Soxy

    Posted

    Hello Soxy:   I had hip replacement surgery on 12/10/16 - it was a partial.  I did really fine.  Went to physical therepy and had my last appt on 2/17/17.  I was doing fine, the home exercises and then my front thigh started hurting especially after sitting or laying down. I made an appt next week to see the surgeon  His assistant said i may strained the muscle so i stopped doing my therapy at home until i see the dr.  I know how you feel.  Doing really well after surgery then this starts.   I take two ibuprofin once a day.  My thigh doesnt hurt much when i first get up in the morning but after about 3 hours on my feet, it starts.  Hope this helps you 
  • madla39168
    madla39168 Soxy

    Posted

    Soxy im 5 months after hip replecement and if i over done excersice or

    to much running at work Im sufer. Just take it easy for a few days and

    see how you go. Try not to do excersices which causes the pain.

    Good luck

    Hug Madla💗

  • meshelles
    meshelles Soxy

    Posted

    HI everyone! I had a total hip replacement 9 1/2 months age. I feel great except on certain occasions. I mowed my grass yesterday and have some thigh pain in my femur. Anyone else get this if you overdo it? Also, occasionally when the humidity is high my hip will ache a bit, nothing major. I also had a spinal when I had my surgery. From right above my knee to my ankle is numb. Occasionally I feel like electricity moving within my calf if that makes sense. It's numb to the touch but actually I will have crazy pain if I shave my legs. Anyone experiencing any of this or is is just random weirdness with my particular body?

    • kimberley38758
      kimberley38758 meshelles

      Posted

      Hi Meshelles, I'm now 7 months out and pain free for the most part.  I've noticed that if I overdo things, I ache a little.  Ibuprofen takes care of that though.  Also, when the weather turns cold (its been in the mid 70's where I'm at in South Carolina, US) I ache a bit.  Not sure if that will go away with a little more time or not. 

      As far as the numbness and sensitivity to touch in your lower leg, I haven't experienced that.  I would suggest that you mention it to your doctor, as this doesn't sound normal at all. 

      Keep us posted and best of luck on your recovery!

    • kimberley38758
      kimberley38758

      Posted

      Hi Meshelles,

      Just to give you an update, I'm 8 months post op now and very rarely have pain in my femur.  The specialist told me to expect 12 months to completely heal.  I'm now feeling very good about everything and can tell that things are going in the right direction.  Most days now I forget that I'd ever had it donesmile

    • Pilotswife
      Pilotswife kimberley38758

      Posted

      Oh Kimberley Thank you so much. Should I be upping my exercise? Any ideas to boost the spirits?
    • dave_1966
      dave_1966 meshelles

      Posted

      Yes, I get mid-thigh pain after mowing the grass or walking too much. I try to power through it but I'm not sure this is a good idea. The pain is in the femur area. Some say the problem is micromovement of the femoral stem. Some call it en-of-stem pain. You are not weird - seems many people suffer with it.. I've read 8-14% have this pain. Your post is 6 months ago. How is the pain now? Good luck.

  • pam63618
    pam63618 Soxy

    Posted

    I had anterior LHR six weeks ago, 1/19/2017, went off pain meds after three days, ditched the walker after 7 days and the cane after four weeks. All in all I am doing great, religiously doing my PT every day, at least twice a day. However, like you I have thigh pain about 6 inches above my knee. Reading from what others have posted I am relieved to see that it is pretty common, probably from the piece that was hammered into my thigh bone. I was getting concerned something was wrong! Highly recommend anterior approach, the recovery is so much easier than from the back. I have friends that had posterior (side/back) and boy they hurt a whole lot more than me. They also have a bigger scar, hurt to sit and a greater chance of dislocation. Find a good surgeon who does anterior approach, the way to go!
    • jackie54344
      jackie54344 pam63618

      Posted

      It has been 6 weeks for me since I had anterior approach. I am doing well walking without aids some days better than others. But I also hurt in my thigh down into my knee still. I also every night while trying to sleep have thigh n lower leg n now achy feet. Doctor has me on gabapentin for nerve pain now I also have to take tramadol not helping, I am using lots of ice. I go back to work in 2 weeks hopefully this stops I need my sleep. Also hurts to drive to long.But alot better than pain before surgery. I had arthritis bone on bone bee do cartilage left.

    • grammybaby
      grammybaby jackie54344

      Posted

      Hi Jackie, I had my anterior done in 2008 and I have pain in the back side of my hip (actually my behind) when I sit for too long especially driving still to this day. I believe that it is just a symptom of the hardware resting against the nerves and muscles inside the body and there really isn't much that can be done about that except to get out and stretch as often as possible. I also ahve the front thigh pain when it is extrememly cold out but that too is from the titanium hardware that is going down the inside of the thigh. But the pain of this is nothing compared to what I suffered for over 7 years with bone on bone grinding of no cartiledge and bone spurs with arthritis so maybe I have just talked myself into believing it is all normal. I hope you feel better soon and yes the pain does ease up most definitely the longer you excercise and do your PT. Being completely pain free? I don't know if that ever happens but I know for me I am as close to that as possible.

  • jeanniemo
    jeanniemo Soxy

    Posted

    Hi, did your thigh pain ever go away?

    I have had front thigh pain after hip replacement surgery and it has been over 13 months!

    • Pams2016
      Pams2016 jeanniemo

      Posted

      My anterior surgery 3/2016. I had 3 months wait finally Dr had me get MRI. Fell 10/3/15, MRI 12/9. Torn right knee meniscus, 2 fractured vertebrae, nothing left of hip! So I was not able to get into proper preoperative physical shape. Using walker to get to work. I'm 72 now. Hip doing well but have pain in front/side of thigh & tingling down the leg like novacain wearing off like dental work. General search in Google says 18 - 24 months to fully heal. Anyone having similar issues? I exercise but not as much as I should because of pain though I try to work through it. I don't want to take any more HD pain meds. I didn't see any other posts about thigh pain. I have not had any surgery on the knee & too much arthritis in back to do anything for the fractured vertebrae. Anything from anyone would be helpful. Thank you.

    • renee01952
      renee01952 Pams2016

      Posted

      dear pam, 

      warm welcome to the hippies forum -

      wow, you have quite a story to share !!!

      Maybe you want to start your own discussion (see green box) and share it with the rest of the forum -

      right now you have responded to an old thread and only the ones who responded to the original post are being notified - 

      big warm hug

      renee

    • Pams2016
      Pams2016 renee01952

      Posted

      Hello renee

      Thx u on all counts & sharing with me & all. Im new & after replying to ur post did put my my story in general where said to tell about me.

      Best to u & healing.

      Warm hugs back to you.

      Pam

    • renee01952
      renee01952 Pams2016

      Posted

      Hi  Pam, 

      That is great ..... However you still need to "Start your own discussion" in order for forum members to respond to you ...

      I don't want you to be disappointed because nobody else responds to you ..Just copy and paste your story - 

       

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