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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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  • kerry37877
    kerry37877 Soxy

    Posted

    I saw a neuroligist  this week and he suspects that the pain in my thigh could be  due to a bulging disc, causing nerve pinching in the lower back.  He has recommended a operation to remove some of the bone In the back to release the nerve. overnight op but no work for three weeks, he did say I could of tried pain management, physio ect but because it has been getting worse it needs surgical intervention. I hope this

    may help someone else....

  • fran2355
    fran2355 Soxy

    Posted

    Hi

    i had a posterior approach thr due to AVN in the left femoral head.

    Felt I was really doing well and tending to push myself a bit too much...

    now experiencing some pain in my thigh and in operation site.

    Im worried I’ve damaged my new hip... can anyone give me any reassurance please.

    Ive been very limited with pain relief as I have low tolerance to morphine based drugs and gave theatre staff a fright as they struggled to bring me round after the op 😩

    • joe1951
      joe1951 fran2355

      Posted

      Hi Fran 

      I have the same experience like you, I had an X-ray done and my surgeon said it is muscles related , the pain I have is around the operation area and advised me to continue with the physio therapy 

    • fran2355
      fran2355 joe1951

      Posted

      Hi Joe

      Thanks for your reply, it's reassuring to know that it seems to be a fairly common complaint. I keep forgetting I only had my op just over 3 weeks ago and that it is after all a major op.

      I have to be very patient with myself and try not to run before I can walk ... Literally 😃😂

    • joe1951
      joe1951 fran2355

      Posted

      Hi again 

      My doctor told me it can takes up to 12 month t heal but within 3 month in most people they feel normal all pain should be gone

      After that you should consider seeing  a pain management specialist because it could be a nerve problem. I had mine done 5 moth ago and I still have muscles pain

      Good luck I hope you get better quicker 

    • fran2355
      fran2355 joe1951

      Posted

      Hello joe

      It's so nice to be free from the terrible pain I was in pre op.

      I'm pretty confident reading all the comments posted that it's pretty much a time issue and it will all be resolved with a bit of patience. 

      I'm a bit concerned about sharp pain in my left side... Pelvis area, I suppose it's due to new hip settling in... At least that's what I'm hoping it's is as it's not constant pain.

      Thank you again for your reassurance 👍🏻

    • Lindalt
      Lindalt fran2355

      Posted

      Hi Fran,  I had the same posterior thr for AVN as you.  It was done on Aug. 8.  I feel I have done pretty good.  I know the first month was very emotional for me.  Just wanted to bounce back right away.

      The only pain I have is when I have sat too long and when I get up my thigh hurts.  The pain goes away after about 6 or 7 steps.  The ortho said this is caused from the muscles and tendons healing back together and it will take about a year before everything it back to normal.. 

      I know what you mean by trying to do to much too soon.  Patience is the key word.

      I did not have PT after the first 2 weeks.  Ortho said best therapy was walking.

      I am 4 months post op now and all X-rays show everything perfect.  Just relax and let your hip tell you what you can and can not do for now.  Good luck.

    • fran2355
      fran2355 Lindalt

      Posted

      Hi and thank you for your message.

      I found myself very emotional since the op. Before I was crying with pain, then I was crying with relief that I was finally having the op now I have no idea why I cry at the drop of a hat!!!

      I think you are right that I must have more patience with myself and take notice of my body after all it was a major op.

      I'm getting all these different aches and pains and I'm panicking a bit as I don't want to damage my new hip.

      Thank you for your words of encouragement they are very much appreciated and I hope I'll be up and about like you in no time at all.

    • fran2355
      fran2355 joe1951

      Posted

      I intend to ... Am so relieved to be pain free. 😃

    • Pilotswife
      Pilotswife fran2355

      Posted

      Hi Fran and Joel too..

      I am 14 months post-op and have not had one day without pain. The action of sitting down feels like a double-sided serrated knife ramming up from knee to hip in deep front thigh. Standing is initially painful and unstable. I need a cane or walker at all times. Lying down flat brings on pain as well. It even wakes me up. Physio says it's not nerve because there are postures without pain. She believes the problem us mechanical but the surgeon says x rays are fine. I'm otherwise in great shape, fit, functional as I run an ON-LINE business, involved wife, mom and grandmother to 5 kids under 5..living close by! I want to run and play.. wear nice shoes, walk comfortably on this Canadian snow! Ideas anyone?

      More exercise? Less? Revision? 🤔

    • judy08415
      judy08415 fran2355

      Posted

      Hi Fran,

      Judy here in Memphis.  I cried in pain for 5 months and now I just cry.  I try to mitigate it by getting up in the middle of the night reading a bit or watching Ellen DVR tapings.  I cry if I'm simply answering a nice question from someone "how are you doing now?".  I believe that this is such a serious operation (mine failed at 8 months so I just had a very unexpected revision).  I lost 40% of my blood in this recent revision surgery and of course, a transfusion, and just can't believe any of this is happening and I'm 57.  In my case it's severe depression.  I'm a successful business woman now on STD and in a wheelchair for 90 days.  A handicap ramp from my front yard to the front door and a hospital bed pushed up against my king bed where my husband sleeps close by.  No wonder we cry!  But, as my 93 year old mom has said to me for 57 years "this too shall pass".  It always does.  So, I encourage myself and stay close to my most uplifting friends.  They are vital.  You'll be okay and so will I.  I know it for sure.

  • dave31714
    dave31714 Soxy

    Posted

    I am 5 yrs out from successful THR. 68 yr. old. I usually can’t tell it’s there but after a long walk (like thru IKEA) I sometimes get upper thigh pain. Ibuprofen 800 prevents this but often I don’t take it. Other arthritic problems. Exercising anything or strenuous events results is muscle pain-throbbing but I do it anyway. I wonder if what you describe is that scenario.  If you haven’t checked out Piriformis syndrome or any of the gluteal- hamstring problems, maybe take a look? I think my pain is muscle and not the spike in the femur or the ceramic-coated titanium ball and socket.  Best to you. 
    • fran2355
      fran2355 dave31714

      Posted

      Thank you for the message.

      I must say I'm getting better day by day and am learning to have patience and take things easy.

      I am thinking the pain I've experienced is more the piriformis than the actual joint.

      I'm not in pain more discomfort now from healing layers from surgery. It's wonderful not to be in such dreadful pain anymore. Am on one crutch at home now...I'm getting there lol

      Good luck to you too.

  • francis95186
    francis95186 Soxy

    Posted

    I'm also feeling a muscle tightness just above the knee.... I'm hoping this will stretch out with time....it does concern me.... I hope it's not serious for you so...

    I'm concerned because my job has been very physical and just hope I didn't year anything

    • fran2355
      fran2355 francis95186

      Posted

      Hello Francis 

      I find that until I'm up and about my leg and knee is very stiff in the mornings.

      I suppose it's got to be considering the the amount of pushing and pulling that took place during surgery.

      The area around my scar is very tender at the moment... I'm hoping its from the underlying tissues and muscles etc healing and nothing else.

      I think it's probably our body telling us to ease up?!!

    • joe1951
      joe1951 francis95186

      Posted

      Hi there

      I have the same problem but doctors have different opinion my friend had (THR) a week before me, her doctor told her not to do any exercise only walk and she is doing well but my doctor told me to keep doing exercise for at lease 6 months, I still have muscles pain around the hip area and above my knee

    • fran2355
      fran2355 joe1951

      Posted

      IT seems different Drs give different advice. I only had physio in hospital ... For 3 days ... and was left to get on with it.

      I'm not seeing surgeon until January and had op just over 4 weeks ago, I'm hoping all this discomfort doesn't mean I'm doing anything I shouldn't be.

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