4 Months Post Op...Pain..

[ShopGal54]

I am 4 months out now, I am still have pain in the joint, down the front of the leg, into the knee, and across the buttock, sometimes around the whole upper leg. Is this all normal?? Am I walking wrong?? Could there be difference in my
leg length?? What to do?? I can walk a little ways,,not even a 1/4 mile and it feels like things start to tighten up. ???????? I am taking an anti inflammatory med. (Mobic) It doesn't seem to help much. Is ALL of this normal at 4 months?? Do I need to exercise more,,less or what??
Any info would be helpful.
Also STILL having times of depression. I wish I would have never gotten the hip replaced. My pain now is much much worse than I had before. Of course
God has taught me alot of things thru all of this ordeal.
Thanks all, Gail H.

 

[Texas]

Oh Gail Im sorry. Don't get depressed. I see alot of hips on here and they get better. How is your other hip? Do you have problems with that one? I hope someone can give you answers. I hate to hear you being depressed. One way or the other you can get it straightend out. Jo or Jamie or others might have some ideas. Hang in till then. I am a knee, I wish I could help. Good Luck to you....Plase post anytime even just to vent..We really don't mind. We have all done it......

 

[Judles]

Oh Gail! So sorry about yourpain! Why don't you make another appintment with your OS.....make a list for him and ask away! He will be able to answer all your questions! All you may just need is more time.... You're still early in your recup process!!!

 

[oldbones]

Just curious but is the pain on the lateral (outside of your thigh and knee)? There is a bursa that runs the length of your leg down to your knee and sometimes that can become inflamed. The best treatment for this is a steroid injection which will usually help within 24-48 hours. I know exactly how you feel because the same thing happened to me. My surgery was 1-12-09. We helped our daughter move the first weekend in May to an upstairs apartment. I carried PILLOWS up the stairs and could hardly walk for the rest of the weekend. I saw my OS on the following Tuesday who injected my bursa with a steroid which made a HUGE difference. I too became very depressed and wondered why I even had the surgery. Trust me, though, after all was said and done it has been well worth it. My suggestion would be to call your OS make an appointment and see what's going on. Hang in there. It does get better. Oldbones

 

[PRGal]

Please don't have regrets, Gail--it's VERY normal to have ups & downs for several months after a major surgery like this. And your recovery isn't just about healing from the surgery. Depending on your circumstances & condition before the THR, it can also involve stretching & retraining muscles that were underused, etc.

I had similar pains around the same time--turns out it was my IT band (a ligament that runs from your hip bone down to your knee), that needed a lot of stretching. Also had deep ache in upper buttocks--psoas muscles needed stretching. Went to see my OS with my list of complaints; he prescribed some PT sessions. I only did 3 sessions, but continued the exercises for several weeks on my own at home and though it took a while, it cleared up.

Your surgeon is the one with the expertise & the knowledge of your individual case--go see him & you'll not only put your mind at ease, but find out how to get relief. We're here for you with lots of encouragement!

 

[Jamie]

I agree. Jo may have some advice for you from a medical perspective, but the best bet is to talk this over with your surgeon. It will get better, but perhaps he can suggest something to hurry things up a little.

 

[Josephine]

No, nothing to add - you all said it all!

 

[ShopGal54]

Thank you all for your advice! I didn't know about those muscles in there, but it seems like when I walk a little ways it does hurt and feel tightened up.
What stretches can I do for this, and still keep my hip precautions??
The IT band stretch and the psoas stretch??
thanks all!!
Gail H.

 

[Jamie]

Gail, this link provides some exercises. Since I don't know exactly what your restrictions are, please be sure that any of these you try fit within them. You can also Google IT Band Exercises and find many more sites with information. The tightening of this band is quite common.

 

[aussie]

Hi Gail,

I'm a long way out now from my hip replacement and can tell you all of those things just become a distant memory. Hang in there, it will get better, but it does take a while.

I do remember that feeling of "Why did I do this?" but I have no regrets now.

Best wishes to you.

 

[Judles]

Because you had to discover US, Chris!!! Simple answer!!!

 

[aussie]

My thoughts exactly!

 

[JudyS]

Gail
You got some good advice there. glad because my brain is not working too well tonite.
Do call and seee your surgeon, that is what they are there for. let us know how eveything improves
judy

 

[YoungM]

Gail, I'm hoping you feel better soon. I definitely have days like this too. Let us know how everything goes.

 

[tahoe1009]

I have said the I wish I hadn't done this too. I can't say that I have gotten over that all the way. But keep venting!! I found that helps. Pain management helps too!! If your hurting that bad talk to someone.

 

[mdakota]

the joint pain has me a little concerned. i am only a few weeks out of all the things i feel i dont feel joint pain. i'd really want to know about placmement. when i walk too much on my own and limp i feel a pull in my thigh and inner knee, but if your having joint pain you may be doing it to compensate. i'm with oldbones. i'd make an appointment, really, if the placement is good i might ask for a referal for gait training.

 

[ShopGal54]

Doing better!!/4 Months Post Op...Pain.

I went to my OS on Friday of last week, he gave me a shot of cortisone,
its feeling better!! Still pain but not as bad, pain along side the leg, tender
points. But it is better after the shot! Thanks all for your support and advice!!
Gail H.

 

[Judles]

Feel GOOD,GAIL! Glad you got your pain under control!!:wahey:

 

[Josephine]

That's fantastic. Glad we were able to help.

 

[Texas]

Hey Gail Im glad the shot is working for you. I wish all your pain would go away.....I hope it continues to get even better......Keep us posted !!!! Good Luck to you....