THR 2 weeks post op

[acbelmar]

Question...is there anyone else on here that are still taking pain meds after 9 weeks? I tried to stretch and take a walk and I couldn't make it around the block without getting the spasms in my thigh. I have taken one vicoden in the morning and 1/2 a valium that is supposed to work on the spasms. If I wait 1/2 hour I can go for a walk pain free. I waited several hours and I tried another walk..my PT told me to take 20 minute walks for now..and that's when I got the spasms. I thought I should be off these meds...tried just ibuprofen but that did nothing.

 

[sharonslp]

Lots and lots of us!! And remember that the pain meds are not terribly effective if you don't use them consistently. Taking one here or there is next to useless. You aren't just taking a quick aspirin for a headache...you are easing the pain of a MAJOR surgery that disrupted all of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue in that area. And every time you move you are disrupting all that tissue. Trying to play catch-up with pain is just that...trying to catch up. But staying ahead of pain....that's the effective way to manage it. Alternating your vicodin with ibuprofen EVERY 4 to 6 hours throughout the day and night....that is what's needed to stay ahead....in effective therapeutic dosages.

And there are no shoulds. I'm 2 years out from my first THR, but I'm having IT band issues and maybe bursitis, so I'm kind of miserable without an nsaid. Phooey!! Guess I'll have to work at it a while longer.

Just realized we talked about this last week too....and Jo gave you some suggestions. Really, you've just got to bite the bullet and use the pain meds effectively.


Sharon

 

[acbelmar]

If anyone else is getting spasms in their thighs..especially in their front quad...my PT friend suggested I do this and it helps!! While walking, stop every 1/2 block or so and while leaning on something..street sign or stop sign..give your thigh a stretch by grabbing your foot ( as long as you have no restrictions!) of your bad leg from behind and pull it gently toward you..I can't grab my foot so I grab my pants leg..it stretches out the muscle and it took my spasms away!!!! I walked pain free 3 times yesterday!!

 

[Weezi]

Hey acbelmar,
I am still taking pain meds if that makes you feel any better. It's usually only twice a day but when I've tried to go without I have an awful pain in the back of my thigh below my hip. So I'm not going to try that anymore. I can't get through my exercises if I don't take meds before I start. It also depends on my activity level. My PT would have me lie on a table and hold my left leg while I let my right hang off the very edge. It felt so good to have that hip stretched. I just wish I had a table like that at home. I tried my bed but it's just not high enough. I'm going to give that stretch you suggested a try. Congrats on your pain free walks!

 

[acbelmar]

Went to my OS yesterday to check on the bursitis and got released to go to work in May!! I will probably do reduced flying, which means I don't have to fly 80 hours, I can fly as few as I want. I want to make sure I am strong enough to do all that I need to do. Flying does many different things to your body..bloats you and tires you..so I have to be in good shape! My new PT stretched me so much yesterday and massaged me..I walked out of there feeling like I had my hip back!!! Of course it tightened up again but ice helped and no spasms!! Please please make sure you get a PT that works on your body and doesn't just have you only doing circuit strengthening exercises. As Jo says, your hips work themselves out and most of the exercises you can do at home. My PT had her thumb in my hip flexor and man it hurt but it loosened it up!! Its not a relaxing massage at all, but its worth walking out of there knowing things are really improving!!
80 degrees in NJ!!! LOVE IT!!!

 

[Quee-Knee]

I guess I need to put my 2 cents in here on the too much activity discussion (maybe a little late but Im moving slow here). I am probably the poster child for too much activity too soon.....its been said part of the reason I ended up with an infection is because I did too much too soon. I learned my lesson the hard way....take it easy ..... your strength and ability to walk without an aid will come soon enough. One of many lessons I have learned through out this journey is slow down and be patient!!!

 

[bottomshollow]

One of many lessons I have learned through out this journey is slow down and be patient!!!

Quee-Knee, if you have truly learned this lesson, things will slowly and steadily get better and better for you. Below is on of my favorite images:

Take care ladies and keep posting. We care.

 

[BarbaraR]

acbelmar, yes, hasn't the weather been great?! I'm so glad you're feeling better and are cleared to go to work. I called the surgeon's PA yesterday about the muscle ache in my thigh, and she basically said it's too soon to worry about it-- ice, take meds, stretch-- it will get better. You can also do that stretch you described while lying down on your back with the thigh on the bed or sofa and the shin dropping down. That's a passive stretch; you can make it more active by grabbing your ankle or your pants, or using a strap on your ankle to pull it toward the thigh.

 

[badgerfan]

acbelmar, I agree with you 100% about finding a PT that works on your body. At my first PT session that lasted 4 weeks, all i did was go there and they basically watched me do my exercises for a 1/2 hour and sent me on my way. Then when i went to my 12 week appt. with my OS i was so tight and sore in my hip flexor i could hardly stand it and i had a slight limp. He said i had tendonitis in my hip flexor and prescribed 4 more weeks of PT and he emphasized using ultrasound on the order. I went to a different PT this time and what a difference. She did all hands on massaging along with ultrasound. I know what you mean by getting in there and digging around the muscles. She also gave me a couple of stretches for home. I finished last Friday with her and i can honestly say i am now pain free and not limping anymore. It's the best i have felt in 2 years.....

 

[Weezi]

badgerfan,
I have been thinking about switching to a different PT. I am basically in the same situation you were in with your first PT. I assumed there would be more to these sessions. They do stretch the hip out before I start the exercise routine which seems to be the best part of the visit. I could easily do the rest of it at home. My OS said I wouldn't need to go much longer since I'm walking unassisted. I have increased my activity and I'm still doing the exercises but am having some pain in my lower back. Did your doctor refer you to your new PT? It's good to hear you are feeling so well and no longer limping, that's great!

 

[designergirl]

I'm 6 weeks out and still take an Alleve every 12 hours. If I feel additional muscle aches, I will throw in a couple of extra strength Tylenols on top of that. Oh and I can't forget the big floppy ice pack I use too. I've found that stretches make all the difference also.

 

[acbelmar]

I highly recommend finding a therapist who works on you one on one. I think the first place I went to on my HMO helped to strengthen my hip, but never addressed the pain I was suffering through and didn't work on my gait. When my OS took me off of therapy to recover from bursitis, I decided to go back to a therapist who helped me through a bad situation years ago. In 3 sessions, I have improved 100% ! She does stretching for most of the time, which is needed to get my muscles loose so I can walk correctly. She's given me exercises to do and massages right where it hurts...I walk out of there feeling like I never had surgery. I finally have hope that I will feel normal again...everyone should feel as good!

 

[acbelmar]

Hi Everyone!! I hit the 10 week mark yesterday.
I felt great yesterday, did my walks with no pain or spasms, and today I have cramps on my operated side outer thigh and butt!!My PT was surprised because the spasms were in different areas! She worked them out and told me to skip walking and rest today. Its bedtime now and I really feel them. I have tried all the OTC medications and nothing helps my pain except the vicodin. I always feel like a train wreck by bedtime, even on great days. I am so worried because I have to go back to work sometime next month. Just a bit frustrated tonight. Sorry!!

 

[Poppet]

It is very hard to balance activity and rest, especially when one is facing returning to work.. So many layers of healing, take the wise advice of your PT, rest, elevate and ice the painful areas.. It does help

 

[acbelmar]

Poppet..You are so right!! I feel like if I restall day I'll stiffen up and that's not good. But when I'm walking and I feel great, I want to walk more! Well..that doesn't work either..I end up with spasms!!I do ice and elevate consistently. Guess I just have to pray these things will clear up by the middle of May!!

 

[Maeve]

Hi @ acbelmar,
I've been reading your posts and your idea of a one to one therapist who can work on the knots and spasms through massage sounds the way to go for me. My leg has been lengthened by 3cms and the grabbing and spasms in my muscles are my biggest problem. I am 12 days out and still in rehab which is great but the ratio of 3-5 patients per PT doesn't allow intensive massaging. As soon as I leave here...which is Sunday I will follow your advice.

 

[Weezi]

Hey acbelmar, I meant to ask if you ever feel a sensation of a hot spot anywhere on your "new hip" leg? I noticed a warm feeling on my shin a week or two ago. I didn't think anything about it and even thought it was my imagination. Then I started to notice it more often. It's not painful or uncomfortable it just feels warm like I had a heating pad on it. It doesn't last long but it's enough to get my attention. I'm hoping it has something to do with increased activity. I hate to hear you are having so much trouble with muscle spasms. Have you tried taking muscle relaxers for it? My doctor prescribed Flexeril for me. If you haven't, that may be something worth asking your doctor about. Especially since you'll be starting back to work soon.

 

[acbelmar]

Weezi...That is a great idea. He gave me Valium but I can only take half because it makes me sleepy! Whay kind were you taking? Some make me sleepy as well..I need something I can take when I go back to work..you get so dehydrated flying and the cabin pressure also causes spasms sometimes. I am going to ask my PT today what she thinks...I hope you are feeling better!!!

 

[acbelmar]

Weezi..sorry forgot to answer your question! No..no hot spots! Getting in and out of my car I still have some groin pain...but no hot spots!! Maybe its nerves healing???

 

[Maeve]

Hi@designergirl,acbelmar,Weezi,badgerfan,Quee-Knee.
I am only 12 days out but your conversation about PT and the need for massages and stretches rather than intense strengthening really resonates with me. I have been in rehab for 9 days and the therapy is full on. One hour gym, one hour hydro. My hip is stiff, sore spasming ans... In the mornings I can hardly move for the first half hour.so stiff.
I know I have a lot of work to do as my hip muscles have been lengthened by 3cms due to congenital dysplasia and I also know my hip was diabolical when I came in for the operation. Just about crumbling beneath me. Funnily I had no pain and was on no meds...just Fish Oil and Glucosamine.
I am taking oxycontin night and morning, Panadol 6x per day and endone pre each exercise session.
I leave here Sunday and come back 2 days per week for back to back gym and hydro.
Do I need to search out a remedial masseur? Or a Physio who specialises in hips/ massage. Should I have strengthening etc just once a week. Would walking only be the clue to stretch out the musclas? So many questions! I never thought I would be this bad after thevoperation! Quite depressing really!