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Walking and muscle pain in buttocks

Posted , 5 users are following.

miele55255ch
miele55255ch

I'm 5 months out and because I didn't exercise enough, my legs were feeling weak and I am still limping.

So (per my doc) I started to walk at our local mall 3 days a week. I can only do a mile right now but hope to build up my leg strength but when I walk my unoperated leg buttocks tightens up to the point where I can barely walk. I still use my cane outside but can walk almost without a limp for small distances.

Has anybody had this issue?

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Loral
    Loral miele55255ch

    Posted

    Yes I had my left THR in May and my right hip and leg aches constantly, I wonder if it is because it was over worked for 2 years before my surgery. If not I'm wondering if the titanium leg is just stronger and can take alot more physically than the right leg can now...Not sure!
  • karen42569
    karen42569 miele55255ch

    Posted

    Hi, I'm 6 weeks out and when I walk a lot I get buttock pain/tighness on my good side too. I have been trying to do extra butt-clenches to strengthen the glutes. I'm not sure, but I think it's because for so long we limp, we favor the bad hip and then when we have the surgery all those muscles have to work differently (correctly). No more compensating, so be mindful of your posture when you walk, make sure you're not hunching over. Also, try doing the butt-squeezes through out the day when you think of it. I'm sure it will pass as you get stronger and more endurance. Be well and keep up the great work!
  • jhb513
    jhb513 miele55255ch

    Posted

    It seems we all tend to get a little pay back from overuse of the good leg while we were awaiting hip replacement on the bad side. It takes time to rebuild strenght and to be able to walk correctly again. Old habbits die hard.

    June

  • pchaney
    pchaney miele55255ch

    Posted

    I had left THR done on july 15th . I am two months out and everything was going well I was up to 20 reps a day on each leg till about two weeks ago when the piriformis muscle reared its ugly head just under the right buttock the good leg. So I eased up a bit and now two weeks out I am able to only do 5 reps on the right leg with deep burning and pain in my buttock area. I cant walk up or down  the stairs without pain, sitting makes it numb. I also have degenerative disc disease in the L5 region. Years of heavy lifting has taken its toll. Im still getting groin pain in the left operated leg when trying to do leg lifts. I own a treadmill I think maybe taking daily strolls on it I only set it to 2mph will help but Im a little leary of doing more damage to the muscle group in the right buttock. Seeing Dr again for my 3 month check up in 3 weeks. Does it get any better lets hope. I return to a cashiering job where we pivot to the left (op leg) continually when bagging the product  so its going to be tricky. Im taking full STD till Nov 4th when I return to work. 
  • renee01952
    renee01952 miele55255ch

    Posted

    dear Miele, 

    First of all, you are doing good - no need to beat yourself up okay.. you did what you could do at the time and still do ... no shame or anything -

    it is a slow process and we are individuals, so no comparing to others - 

    It is like the others say - your body is learning how to walk "properly" again - using muscles she hasn't used for a while - 

    Are you full weight bearing on operated leg? 

    In my case I didn't trust it ..... resulting in incorrect posture -

    I am 7 days post op 2nd THR so I have to trust the first one now - and the new one !!!

    I know that I am way too tensed when I walk - every muscle is tight - I hold on for dear life to the my trolley - taking heel to toe steps - I walk like a  Zombie pinguin - stiff like Frankenstein's bride ...

    is there anyone walking with you? soemone who can correct your posture?

    make sure your shoulders are relaxed (not at ear level), stand straight, tighten belly muscles - no worries about the distance - 

    So much to consider and think about before making that first step ... but it will get easier - 

    take care and be gentle with your self - 

    warm hug

    renee

     

    • miele55255ch
      miele55255ch renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee!

      I am weight bearing on my operated leg but not yet for going down stairs. I can only do one step at a time.

      But I think you're right about me being too tense when I walk. I walk around the mall with a cane because I still have slight limp. I think the cane helps to push my shoulder up too

      I'll have to be more mindful of my posture for sure

       

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