THR 6 Months later...

[SuzyR]

Hi, I am new to the forum. I had a THR on my right hip and am in week 12 of recovery. It's going pretty well, still a bit tender around the scar area and my glute aches a bit when I am out walking but no pain meds required. I am doing PT at home and see my Physio every 2 weeks. She says my progress is good. The problem I have is my left (the unoperated side) inner thigh/knee area. It started a couple of weeks ago. I am sleeping on my left side with a pillow between my knees and wondered if it could be that or just adjustment to my gait? Anyone else struggled with this? I have a Psoas issue on this side too which I guess could be causing it. Just can't bear to think it's more arthritis....

 

[Gloucestergal65]

@SuzyR - I’m week 11 post RTHR and having aches and pains here, there and everywhere - shoulder, lower back, thigh, knee, calf, foot - I am putting them down to changed gait and using muscles that I haven’t worked for a while. I hope that is the case, and that it is the case for you too. My scar area is also a bit tender.
Like you I have exercises at home, walk each day, see the physio every couple of weeks. Progress is apparently good although I am still using sticks to help get rid of the limp. I also hope that I won’t need more surgery. Take care.

 

[Jaycey]

@SuzyR Welcome to BoneSmart! What was the date of your surgery? We will put the information in your signature for you.

Couple of questions for you:

• Have you purchased new walking shoes post op? Walking in shoes with a pre-op wear pattern can cause all sorts of aches and pains.
• Have you started any new activity in the last few weeks? Or perhaps increased your activity level?

It is still very early days for you. Only 12 weeks into a process that can take one year or longer.

I'll leave our recovery guidelines here for you:

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
We are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help. But you have the final decision as to what approach you use.

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of this BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[SuzyR]

Ah yes, I can understand the shoe issue! I am walking in pre-op shoes.

I am upping my PT/Walking gradually but I do find with exercise generally, sometimes it works for you and sometimes against you. I am mindful of that.

Good advice, thank you so much.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Knees can act up after hip surgery, I know my right knee hurt more than my hip for a few weeks after my surgery. Plus you probably don't realize it but you walk differently, maybe added pressure on unoperated side is contributing to knee pain on that side.
Welcome to bonesmart, it's such a positive informative forum, please stay in touch.

 

[Jaycey]

Ah yes, I can understand the shoe issue! I am walking in pre-op shoes.

Most people just don't realise the impact this has. I had all sorts of back and knee problems post LTHR. Someone here on BoneSmart suggested new walking shoes. Really worked!

 

[@Life 411]

Hello, sorry you're suffering from some additional aches and pains as you're recovering from major surgery. I'm 4 weeks post op RTHR and would like to offer the following experiences for your consideration.

1) In the first weeks after surgery, I was asked or it was necessary to use my non-operative leg much more. For example, going up stairs, or getting up from the toilet or a chair all relied 80% on the non-operative leg. So my non-operative knee felt it! I tried to be mindful and not cause a new problem in another joint!

2) I have heard and experienced myself that when you discontinue NSAIDs, you will often feel aches and pains in 'other' joints (i.e. not the ones you were taking the NSAIDs for). It always alarms me, but I try to bear it in mind.

Hope this helps.

 

[SuzyR]

Hello, sorry you're suffering from some additional aches and pains as you're recovering from major surgery. I'm 4 weeks post op RTHR and would like to offer the following experiences for your consideration.

1) In the first weeks after surgery, I was asked or it was necessary to use my non-operative leg much more. For example, going up stairs, or getting up from the toilet or a chair all relied 80% on the non-operative leg. So my non-operative knee felt it! I tried to be mindful and not cause a new problem in another joint!

2) I have heard and experienced myself that when you discontinue NSAIDs, you will often feel aches and pains in 'other' joints (i.e. not the ones you were taking the NSAIDs for). It always alarms me, but I try to bear it in mind.

Hope this helps.

Very good points, thank you!

 

[Layla]

Happy Friday @SuzyR
Will you please provide the exact date of your RTHR? We'd love to add you to the monthly team thread and leave a link so you can check out threads of others who had surgery on or around your date. It will also direct others to your thread that are healing right along with you. Thanks in advance. I hope you have a nice weekend!

 

[Caison113]

Hi @SuzyR - welcome to Bonesmart! I had my 2nd hip done 3 weeks ago and my knees are talking to me like never before. First you have years of weird gait and body positioning to compensate for the hurt hip. Then you have the compensation from the surgery as your body has to really lean on the other side. Then you begin to walk again "normally" and your body is really not ready for the alignment change. I'm hoping things improve for you (and me) with some more time and exercise. Our bodies are wonderful at adapting, but obviously as we age, it's not as fast or as smooth as we would like. Good luck!

 

[SuzyR]

Happy Friday @SuzyR
Will you please provide the exact date of your RTHR? We'd love to add you to the monthly team thread and leave a link so you can check out threads of others who had surgery on or around your date. It will also direct others to your thread that are healing right along with you. Thanks in advance. I hope you have a nice weekend!

December 5th, 2022

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
I hope you're doing well and invite you to leave an update if you care to share your progress. We'd love to hear from you. Wishing you a wonderful week!
@SuzyR

 

[Abbylayla]

Interestingly, before my left hip replacement my left knee bothered me & I was afraid that too would need to be replaced. My right knee, which I had replaced in 2020 was solid with no pain.0 now, almost 5 months post op, my replaced hip doesn't hurt at all. My left knee now does not hurt at all. But oddly my right knee replacement, which never bothered me previously, now does. Go figure. I think everything just gets in & out of whack with these replacements. But regardless, I'm still much much better than before the replacements.

 

[Newhip_Pol]

Hi @Abbylayla,
I'm sure you're right about pains everywhere because of the changed body alignment after joint replacement. Again it's interesting that the first sign I had hip problems was knee pain and then ileotibial band pain. It was only once the x-rays were done that it was confirmed the problem was my hips!

 

[Abbylayla]

Interesting how the body works. One thing hurts then turns out to be something totally different that causes the pain.

 

[SuzyR]

My x rays showed arthritis in both hips so I know my left hip may need done too...it is presenting a bit differently to the right (front of hip pain, bit of groin/knee discomfort) therefore I am possibly in denial, hoping it is just a tight hip flexor and/or psoas! Perhaps now my right hip is fixed I am noticing the left more. Oh well, having done one hip already I am not intimidated by the thought of another surgery if need be

 

[Merrimay]

Hi, @SuzyR , I'm in your situation: my "good" right hip looks as eaten up with OA on an x-ray as my now replaced left one was prior to surgery. Five months later, my nonoperative hip is starting to give me some of the red-flag thigh and groin pain. I know it's only matter if time until I'll need a second THR, and I sure don't look forward to it. But having been through the first and learned so much nor only from my own experience but from the experience and support of all the people on this forum, the fear factor is gone. Thank heavens... keep us posted as your situation changes.

 

[Layla]

it is presenting a bit differently to the right (front of hip pain, bit of groin/knee discomfort) therefore I am possibly in denial

Not surprising, sadly. However, you know what the answer is and most all of us hear the following words on our journey to joint replacement, "You'll know when its time" Thankfully you're not intimidated by the prospect of another THR, to me that's half the battle. Best Wishes, Lefty, gives you more time. I hope you have a nice day!

 

[Layla]

Happy Four Month Anniversary, Suzy!
I hope you're having a nice week and best wishes for a lovely Easter and Spring!
@SuzyR

 

[Lou1511]

Hey Suzy I’m your hip replacement twin how are you doing. Hope you’re ok. Interestingly my opposite knee also hurts xxx