When does the 'dislocation' feeling/issue subside?

Hi there Bonny, I was 2 weeks yesterday so it sounds like you are feeling exactly the same twinges as me! I've managed to stop painkillers pretty much although taking an anti inflammatory every day and woke up this morning a bit sore so about to take some paracetamol. Are you weight bearing? I am on 2 crutches as have a very short pin due to my "youth" (!) I'm 45 so not that young ! but they wanted to start short as I guess I'll be do for another replacement in 20 years or so. I'm sure you'll be able to ride in August. I've set myself a goal of September for exercising properly again although the surgeon seems to think that within 3 month I can start Pilates… amazing if that comes to fruition! Good luck with it all. I guess the answer is keep up with the rest and recuperation and exercises. I have a 5 year old son so it's been challenging. Luckily I've got some help over these weeks otherwise I don't know how I would have coped! I'll be interested to see what others come back and say re. dislocation. Hopefully as you say, the muscles will hold it all together and the bones will start knitting within 6 weeks.

Hi Bonny try to be patient 6 week rule seems to pass pretty quickly. It is difficult to always remember to move carefully but having to go back if it pops out is a worse option! As you do your physio your muscles will get stronger but they are also repairing some have been cut and moved about. Your bone is also repairing. I think we also have to be careful with certain activities like no high impact like running or jumping ever after replacement. As the months pass you will be able to lift your leg as it gets stronger. It does take up to a year to fully heal so best to consult your surgeon when he thinks you are ready to ride a horse. I still have a lot of aches after 5 months I think this is normal. I can move about more easily but remember after 2 weeks even getting washed was an ordeal and a big effort. I do have a few complications so should be easier for you but still be careful.Good luck with your progress and I am sure you will reach your goal.

My hip moved beautifully from the beginning which made the restrictions difficult to observe but I really did try!! There were a few times when I said 'Oops, shouldn't have done that, phew!!' However I am now in week 8 and the hip is still working well.

You don't necessarily dislocate if you break the guide lines, you raise the risk of it happening, especially if something goes wrong. One of the nurses in the Care Home I stayed in for a couple of weeks said, 'Don't panic. If your muscles are tight the chances are very small.' After all, about 1% dislocate, and this includes the ones where the movement goes badly wrong, and think how many times we move each day. I am now able to gradually increase the range of movements I make - boy am I looking forward to being able to wash between my toes properly instead of just prodding around and being able to wear some of the shoes which need fastening.

Took my first bus trip yesterday with a friendly neighbour as escort. Discovered that the disabled loo in one of the local shopping centres is ridiculously low. I couldn't have used it a couple of weeks ago and heaven help wheelchair users who need to do a direct transfer. Fortunately the rails were well positioned and my shoulders are strong so all was well - I NEEDED to go before the bus journey home.

The time will pass and life will get less restricted so it will be worth it.

Hi Louise - I'm 43 so probably in a very similar situation to you although my children are a bit older so are being very helpful. I've also knocked the majority of painkillers on the head - just taking brufen and paracetamol twice a day now.

Thanks for your advice Debbie - I'm religiously doing my exercises and pushing myself with walking distance each day. I'm good striding out with two sticks and only use one in the house - I have more pain in my knee than my hip due I'm sure from the original dislocation process.

Good to hear you're both doing so well

Hi Ros, you sound really well on your way to recovery mine seems to change on a dusky basis probably as the muscles are healing. I can do the leg raised to the side and back easily now and without my toe touching the floor. The one in bed where you slide your leg to the side and back is more tricky though.

Managed the slide to the side on day 2, OUCH!!, urged on by the physio. Got better with practice in hospital and can now do it with ankle off the bed although I tend to do it with less reps but several times a day. I still do the other ones, not quite as systematically as I did in the early days, and this helps.

My rehab is now stalled because the opposite knee, due for replacement in a few weeks, is beginning to moan. If the moaning gets too loud I get quads inhibition and it starts giving way or not bending when I'm walking and hence raising the risk of tripping so I'll have to reign in a bit. Never mind, within three months or so I should have a new knee. I was warned when they put me on the waiting list that rehab after knees is tougher than after hips so wish me luck.

Hi everyone...no signal and crap wifi in Cornwall...home again to normality now!!

Now 8 weeks post op and walking short distances without stick but muscles do get quite sore. I used the pool almost every day and did my physio exercises in the water...much easier! Also did some stretching in the sauna which was quite nice....

Now ready for my recumbent exercise bike..tomorrow!

Hopefully walking a litle longer over the next few weeks.

Bonny..I stil feel I need to be careful with certain movements....bending down, getting up from low chairs....still cant sleep on op side...quite sore if I lie on the joint....suppose it will wear off.....

Back to the diet on Monday too.....

Chris

Hi I am also in cornwall I had my thr done at the duchy by mr fern - just wondered who did yours Crissy wissy? I had mine on feb 21 so am just over seven weeks. Mr fern was pleased with me at my six week referral -

But I get aches in my thigh and my feet do seem to swell up a bit at day end. Am using one walking pole and

Trying to build up my step count each day - on 8000 a day and want together to 10000. Does the ache go

Away and do your feet stop swelling.?

Hi kathy....I'm in Manchester...went to Cornwall for a week for a break! I had my op on 10th Feb...had some complications so no weight bearing till after 6 week review.

Just on one crutch or a stick now and walking around house and short distances without, started driving after week 6 too. Still very achey and sore i. the front thigh if I do too much walking...have used pool for physio which has helped ....need to now lose the stone I've put on over last 8 weeks...Cornish cream teas didn't help!!

Well you couldn't have chosen a nicer place for your break but cornish cream teas are very yummy ! I have

Started the 5 / 2 again which I was quite successful with before op but it is hard when you are not so active. I am used to playing lots of tennis but not now for a while. I intend to start Pilates which my consultation recommended. Hope all continues to go well for you . Kathy

Pilates is supposed to be good but only after 3 months...hoping my recumbent excercise bike might help!!!

Might try the local pool but the ladder steps scare me a bit at the mo....

Thanks.

K

Dislocation is rare these days. It used to happen because the head was much smaller than the socket, nowadays the joint is a snug fit and unless the muscles are very weak it shouldn't happen. With an anterior approach such restrictions are gradually being abandoned.

My consultant quoted 1% - about the same as infection. I suspect that some of the warning is to dissuade the over adventurous who expect to touch their toes on day 4 and believe in the 'no gain without pain' philosophy. Well that is true to a point but as my physio pointed out there is warning pain and healthy healing pain and the skill is in interpreting the messages.

I think some of the feeling is your body sending different messages after the op and your brain trying to make sense of them. After all, we've never had a hip dislocation - they are pretty rare outside the operating theatre - and the uneven movement caused by the loss of automatic coordination between the muscle groups is labelled by our brains Once our brain has adjusted to the new signals from the re-aligned geometry movement will become smoother and the sensation will go. The rate of re-learning varies between people. So, it should die down as you practice walking.