Waiting 9 months for hip replacement. Is lower back, pelvis and thigh pain normal?

 Garman 

I had severe lower back pain before surgery. Next day post op it was gone ! 

I had and still have lower back pain. My knees really got worse. I think it is because we favor the hip area. Hope your surgery comes through fast. 

I had a complete loss of cartilage before my op and experienced all of these problems. My thigh pain was particularly grevious and gave me many sleepless nights. I also lost a lot of mobility fairly fast, which was attributed to bone spurs. I had lower back ache from compensating which made it painful to stand. I am now 15 days post op and all of these symptoms are gone. In fact I am on no pain relief at all. For me things that helped manage the pain were: walking with a stick to keep myself level and minimise dipping which made my back worse. Ibuprofen gel on the thigh at night, buying a ‘body pillow’ which helped maintain a good position at night (I sleep on my side). I also went to a great physio who helped strengthen muscles and did hip distraction which gave me great temporary relief. Good luck and hope you get your op soon. It really does get rid of the pain. 

Very normal I'm afraid, as you say, we put so much more pressure on the areas away from the site of the original pain that they then suffer as a result.

Back, thighs, knees and feet can suffer a lot as a result of our 'wonky walking'.

Best wishes

Graham

Dear Garmen

Sorry to hear that your hips are failing. I think you would be best off getting the failed one fixed ASAP as the longer it is left the more likely it is that you will have less successful outcome. Not only that but you will be compensating and may well run into back problems.

Cheers Richard

Hello Garman! Welcome to the forum everything you are descrbing is true for some people. I experienced intense groin pain before my surgeries. I am almost 7 months post op my left THR and 3 months post op my right THR. Both surgeries were the Anterior approach also known as the jiffy hip here in the United States. I will say my surgeon Dr.Michael Higgins here in Hampton VA was the best along with his PA Amanda Watkins and the entire staff at Tide water Orthopedics. You have to make sure to follow all the instructions your Dr.'s and physical therapist give. Everyone is different and depending on age and actvity level and physical stamina. Be kind and patient with your healing and recovery process. It is a process well worth it. Blessings! Teresa

Dear Garman,

?Like others here I had severe pain, particularly in the thigh and groin. The pain was terrible through my knee, down the outside of my shin and sometimes across the top of the foot. Nothing really relieved it and my walking was shocking. Night time was the worst time, and I was lurching from one dose of painkillers to the next. I was very worried that all of these pains would still be there post surgery, and therefore would not have really helped me. Well, I'm more than pleased to say from the minute I woke up I knew they were gone! You will feel so much better instantly you won't be able to believe it! I hope you don't have too much longer to wait for your new life 

I,too, experienced back, pelvic, and thigh pain before surgery. I finally had to use a cane when I left the house. Good Luck, Hope your surgery is soon.

Hi Garman, I wore both my hips down to the bone. Yes I had lower back pain and knee pain. After my first THR I felt a lot of relief. But as my other hip got worse I started having more discomfort in lower back. Now after my second THR a month ago the back pain is totally gone and I’m walking without the obvious pelvic tilt I had. 

I am having problems with my knee on that leg, but I did notice something was not right on that knee a few weeks prior to surgery. Can’t wait to have X-rays done. 

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. 

Yes, the pain would be horrendous with this situation.  After your surgery which I hope is soon, do physio in hydrotherapy(heated) pool. Sounds like you may have a long recovery though so it will be so good for you to get the hips done.