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Total Hip Replacement Anterior 7.6.17, still much pain

Posted , 9 users are following.

debhip7.6.17
debhip7.6.17

Post op 8 days and finally asked my Doc for better pain management. Started last night- not sure it helped. I am 47 years old, active, fit and still using a walker. I think my expectatoins for the recovery process was greater than my actual progress. Frustrating.

Most pain seems to be at my knee, preventing me from allowing more weigh baring movement. Ice is my friend.

I DO realize the trauma those muscles experienced and i am TRYING to cut myself a little slack... but... all these articles of pain free recovery are bumming me out.

Anyone...?

 

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • AnnieK
    AnnieK debhip7.6.17

    Posted

    Deb, from all of the reading I have done on this forum and another for the past year and a half, having lots of pain post-op is more the rule than the exception. I used an opioid pain reliever for 5 weeks after my THR, weaning off in that 5th week. At 8 days I was still in lots of pain, going only from bed to bathroom to dining room and back, and I used a walker indoors for months. The first few weeks are the worst and things will get better, especially after week 2. 

    Many people also have extra pain in their knee, probaby because it is man-handled to manipulate the leg when dislocating the joint. Rest, ice, elevation for your knee and hip should help the healing.

    Each recovery is different.  Wishing you the best as your recovery journey continues!

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK debhip7.6.17

      Posted

      Are you saying you had the anterior approach? Supposedly that approach is easier in recovery, but, again, I've seen many posts from people with anterior who have had plenty of pain and took just as long to recover as those with other approaches. With anterior the head of your femur is still sawed off, and your acetabulum must still be ground down for the best fit for the prosthetic cup, and muscles/tendons/ligaments and other connective tissues are mightily stretched. Plus the incisions and layers of things inside that have to be stitched must heal. It takes awhile for your body to get back to normal from all of that!

    • debhip7.6.17
      debhip7.6.17 AnnieK

      Posted

      I did have anterior approach. I was wondering if you did too?

      Thanks!

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen AnnieK

      Posted

      Dear Annie

      I've also read that whilst it may be attractive to have a shorter scar this means that the surgeon has a very much smaller space to manipulate everything and that can create issues such as it reduces the length of stem that can be used.

      My scar is about nine inches long but it is very neat and already not that visible so not an issue for me. My recovery has been easy this time and was twenty years ago. i would far rather that my surgeon had plenty of room to do the very best job.

      Cheers Richard

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK debhip7.6.17

      Posted

      Deb, I had the anterior-lateral approach, so on the side of my hip. There are pros and cons for each approach, but they all take quite awhile for full healing. My scar is about 4 inches long, and is quite a thin, clean, very faint line at 2 years post-op.
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK RichardKen

      Posted

      Richard, I am with you in prefering that the surgeon has plenty of room for manipulation. The scar from my THR is only 4 inches long and is thin. The scar from my second hip surgery is longer. I never did care about how the scar looks (being older helps with this point of view!), but care much more that the job is done right.
  • Doug5159
    Doug5159 debhip7.6.17

    Posted

    Have you tried crutches?

    I switched from the frame to crutches after about four days (I was still in hospital so it was easy to arrange) and my recovery really started then.

    I found the frame cumbersome; crutches were far easier to handle and my walking was easier with less pain, though I stayed on pain meds (two tramadol four times a day) for about four weeks.

    • debhip7.6.17
      debhip7.6.17 Doug5159

      Posted

      Haven't tried a switch to crutches. Yes, it was Tramadol (2 tabs) I was taking 4x/day) switched to Oxy 2 tabs every 4 hours & Tylenol last night-- seems a little better... thanks

  • nikki97540
    nikki97540 debhip7.6.17

    Posted

    Don't get discouraged!  The first 2 weeks are horrible.  You just need to rest.  I got off the walker and onto the cane around 8 days, but was still in a lot of pain.  I also never had any knee issues.  That makes it really tender.  Keep taking those meds!  I kept a detailed log and took Oxy every 4 -5 hours.  I am three weeks post op today and feel so much better.  Still taking it easy but I am walking, driving short distance, doing light chores.  I still have pain and discomfort but every day is better. Give yourself time.  

    • debhip7.6.17
      debhip7.6.17 nikki97540

      Posted

      THank your!

      Switched to Oxy yesterday (2 pills every 6 hours) and I stopped the Tylenol and I didin't notice much of a change. I also keep a very detailed log... today I am going to try talking the Oxy every 4 hours and added the Tylenol back in. My 8am dose this morning does (maybe) seem a little better...

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen debhip7.6.17

    Posted

    Dear Deb

    I know that it is so frustrating as I do appreciate having had to endure five or so weeks of non weight bearing living in just my bedroom with a bought in carer coming in to get me an evening meal each day when all I wanted to do was to get walking. To lie there for day after day with my muscles degrading was mentally horrible so to a degree I can understand your anguish and frustration and disappointment.

    Yes it must feel difficult that some members seem to hit the ground running but give it time, only eight days and do remember that we really are all of us very different.

    I found morphine was great and used it for only a few days.

    Take your time and do your exercises!

    Cheers Richard

  • don95533
    don95533 debhip7.6.17

    Posted

    I had anterior thr on 4/20. Unfortunately due to a stretched femoral nerve, the rehab is sill ongoing. Had zero strength in quadriceps and hip flexors. It took almost 2 months to restore the quads enough to be able to walk unassisted. Still have lots of stiffness and pain around the knee.

    I still cannot raise my leg beyond 90 deg.

    The hip flexors exercises are painful and strenuous, with nominal gains.

    I'm staying very positive that I'll fully recover

  • hazel14263
    hazel14263 debhip7.6.17

    Posted

    Pain

    Free ? That's a laugh the first 8 weeks are horrendous . 9 months in and just getting pain free.. it seems the younger and fitter you are the more it hurts . It will take months my friend be patient x

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen hazel14263

      Posted

      Dear Hazel

      I'm very sorry that this has been your experience as it really is not the experience of everyone!

      If I was waiting for hip replacement surgery and I read what you have stated I would be very apprehensive and would want to put it off for as long as possible!

      Apart from a couple of nights I was pain free otherwise just discomfort. That's been my experience at 75 years old as the result of my recent hip revision surgery. My original surgery when I was 55 years old was pain free and recovery was literally just days.

      Just saying what my experience has been.

      Hope your situation improves.

      Cheers Richard

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