I guess the reason I feel it’s failing is because 1. Over 12 weeks now and still having pains. 2. The pain is on the outside of my leg about 1/2 to 2/3 down the leg and in the groin. Those are two places I’ve read can be a sign of a failing hip. There’s also tightness on top of the leg right at the crease where the leg meets the body. Honestly, if I had a job that didn’t have me on my feet so much, climbing, and carrying things, I’d be working right now.Well, I just got to say, I think you are doing very well! Bfam85 gave you some really good advice.. it doesn't happen overnight, to be sure. The part I noticed is that you have days where there is no pain and what you are getting are more like little reminders to take it a little easier. We all face this multiple times throughout our recovery, which can be over a year long.
Straight leg lifts? I scrolled up and read Josephine's advice to you and I want to remind you of what she said.. some of those exercises are more harmful than good for you.
You are doing very well and am not sure why you would assume your hip is failing and to answer your question, if it was, I doubt it would be so subtle.
Try to relax and appreciate your new hip and remember all of the dramatic tissue upset that occurred in having it replaced.. you are doing really well!
“We are sold a bill of goods.” You got that right. The way the doctor talks, you’d think you’ll be feeling like a brand new person by this time.@upser please don't be concerned at all....I will be 12 weeks PO on Monday...and I have never done any straight leg raises...they hurt too much. Besides, when you think about it, when do we ever functionally need to do that move?! If I were to guess why some of your aches and pains are still coming and going, I would bet that to be the one main reason. We are sold a bill of goods that we will have "forgotten" hips by this time...nonsense! It will take a full year and more to feel completely healed and the implant "implanted"...The word you used is "Progressively" gotten better. That's the way this is. You are doing great....enjoy your new life.
I quit doing them at home. I do some light stretches for my back(pelvic tilts), calf stretches, and light hamstring stretches. I did go to PT last week, but I’m seriously considering stopping. It does SEEM like I feel less pain the longer it’s been since I’ve been. I really like my PT. He’s actually who told me my low back problems were probably caused by my hip. He doesn’t push me if something hurts, but I understand why I may need to quit. I’m just scared to. Honestly, if I had a desk job or just about any job besides the one I have, I’d be working right now and not worried about it. I’m probably just stressing about nothing, but this far out? I thought I’d be like new. Honestly, the hip is better. It moves better. My back is better. I can put my socks on again. There’s just tightness in the hip, pains that come and go and I thought it would all be gone by now.Hi @upser
Have you ever stopped ALL of the exercises, Josephine, crossed off in Post # 55
If so, did you notice improvement?
If you stopped them, have you recently started them again?
It does SEEM like I feel less pain the longer it’s been since I’ve been.
I’m probably just stressing about nothing, but this far out? I thought I’d be like new.
Thanks Layla. I’ll definitely keep updates. I didnt watch the video. I’d probably get sick. But I am realizing it’s harder on the body than I realized. I think the 3 month return to work schedule that the surgeon gave was overly optimistic and then when I wasn’t ready I started thinking something is wrong with me.i did read on this site that it takes 3-6 months, sometimes longer, to go back to work for physically demanding jobs and I’m just now at 3. I think I’ll lay off PT and see what happens. I can’t wait to post with, “I made it through my first day of work.” Thanks a lot for calming me down.If that's the case, then please consider stepping away from the PT and exercises for now. Don't be afraid, you can always return at a later date. Why don't you try to stay away for one month and see how you feel. See if you find yourself progressively feeling better. What do you have to lose? What you're doing now isn't working for you, so consider giving your body another month to heal without pushing it. What if it's the answer....what if it works?
If you don't give it a dedicated try, you'll never know...
I'm not sure where you got this idea but it's unrealistic. You experienced major surgery. Watch the video within this article -
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/thr-approaches-or-incisions.5428/
Stay in touch and let us know how you're doing. We care.
I still have a small bit of swelling directly on the side of my hip. I can feel it if I rub both hips and I can feel the difference. I’ve read the swelling could take up to 6 months for it all to go away.Hi @upser
I believe what you describe as an indentation can be quite normal. Many complain of bumps along side, or pits at the top or bottom of their incision scar. My understanding is it happens when fat or muscle are lost as part of the underlying structure of the skin.
I'd advise massaging gently, as opposed to aggressively and use a lotion or cream so your fingers glide easily. Some suggestions would be Bio Oil, E45 Cream, Coconut Oil or Palmer's Cocoa Butter Cream with Vitamin E which I used myself and liked. I'm happy to hear your groin pain is going away. Hopefully the thigh pain will ease also. Are you staying away from the exercises...if you don't mind me asking? Hopefully you are, and that's what's doing the trick.
Have a great day!
It was just weird the way it appeared. It was like I had mashed the swelling out or something. But since it didn’t hurt, I just kinda forgot about it.HI @upser I actually have that indentation, too, on my THR- Anterior- from 4 years ago. I tried several massage techniques to ease up that indentation but nothing helped. I'm guessing its just the nature of the beast around a strong muscle and fascia. At least that is how I view it, maybe others will have a better philosophy about it?
Lets see what others say on here..
Yeah the quick recovery seems pretty rare but every time I see “i’m 5 weeks PO and I hiked 3 miles today”(or something to that effect), it kinda sucks.Sounds about right, the quick recovery is pretty rare in reality. A friend just went back to work 3 mos after THR. He's still limping and I haven't spoken to him yet but others say he might be sorry he went back already. It's been 1 1/2 years for me and it's still improving.