THR Hip pain 10 months pst LHR

Mimicking

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Hello I am new to the site: I am 3 months post THR and thought I was doing well!
But yesterday I did some cleaning and didn’t use my cane,,, I still walk with a limp and now my hip area and lower back are aching! I am worried about the limp as well as the ache,
 
It sounds like you crossed the line and went into overdid it territory. I really did the trick on my left at the 3 mos mark. Icing and sitting is what it took for me to get back to where I was.
 
Thank you for your reply But I was still wondering if a limp is normal at this stage ? I did limp for about 2 years before surgery so maybe it will take longer? Here’s hoping I don’t have this for much longer thanks again
 
Hello @Mimicking - and :welome:

Yes, a limp is still normal at this stage, specially if you ere limping for a long time before surgery.
Your body will have to adjust to the new mechanics of your replaced hip and you may need to learn new muscle memory.

Your PT should be able to help you with regaining a normal gait.

Please will you tell us the full date of your hip replacement and which hip it is, so we can make a signature for you? Knowing the exact date will help us to advise you appropriately in the future.
Thank you.:flwrysmile:
 
Although it's been 3 months since your surgery, many of these articles will still be relevant. Take particular notice of the article about Activity Progression.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
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
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 these

5. Try to follow this

6. Access these pages on the website


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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.
 
Hello Celle, thanks for your help and information.
My surgery was on October 2 2020. It was my left hip that was replaced.
I do some exercises but I mostly walk, perhaps I should be more diligent about doing more PT. I became worried when people said that I should be walking without the limp I know we all heal at different rates but I suppose one can’t help but be concerned that things are progressing as it should
Thanks for you help!,, so appreciate it
 
perhaps I should be more diligent about doing more PT
Hips don't really need PT - walking is the best exercise and then not to excess.

If you are still limping use your cane. You need to break the habit that developed pre-op. And yes, it does sometimes take awhile. Focus on heel/toe walking - firmly planting the heel and then rolling forward to the toe.
 
Jaycee... thank you I will do that from now on! Glad I found this site
 
@Mimicking Welcome to BoneSmart! Another thing to consider ... are you wearing shoes that were well used before your hip replacement? If yes then please consider getting new shoes or having the soles of old ones replaced. If you are wearing old shoes then the wear pattern formed before surgery could be contributing to your continued limping.
 
Wow never even occurred to me. Yes the shoes are the same!,
To the trash they go
Thanks so much
 
As djklaugh said new shoes post op are many times needed. Our old shoes have old patterns of how we walked pre-op. I became a big fan of Skechers slip ons with my first hip. The one thing I had to do was concentrate on good form more than speed or distance. I would find myself walking fast but with poor form. We all seem to think that the further we walk the better we're doing, but if we're limping we're not accomplishing anything. My best walking PT was done at a big store with a shopping cart. I could walk slow and deliberate with the shopping cart as a walker. The cart made it so no one was near me and no chance of losing my balance while walking. It also gave me something to lean on when I wanted to rest.
 
I just found this forum back, been a long time since I have been on here. I had my left hip replaced almost 14 years ago, what I did when I got the all clear for full weight and no aids, I used my reflection in a picture at the end of the hallway to watch myself walk. You can make changes to your walk to make it straight and no limp in a short time.

You will go through a reversal of opposite knee pain and back pain as your body aligns itself to the way it was before compensating for your bad hip, I had all the same worries! It gets better over time, don't overdo it, if you think you did take it easy for a day. One thing that helped me is squeeze your buttocks together for 10 seconds at a time a few times a day, helps get the muscles back in shape.
 
Hamster... thanks so much for your input! All this info is most helpful
 
Hamster mentioned having back pain in a previous post! I am now experiencing lower back pain , and it is so frustrating when I am trying my best to strengthen my hip and walk without a limp It feels like I am taking one step forward and two steps back in my rehabilitation. I feel like I am becoming depressed and it’s been only 3 months since surgery. I hope I will be in less pain soon,, not sure what to do about the back pain any suggestions? I must add that I have had lower back issues but chiropractic care helped but I don’t think I should see one so soon after THR !,, I know I sound like a mess
 
Happy New Year and Happy Three Month Anniversary!
I hope Santa brought you new shoes. :wink:

Aww, try not to get depressed, it will get better. This is still early days in the whole scheme of things. Sorry about the back pain, does heat help at all? Probably only temporary relief if it does help. I’m tagging @Jaycey about chiropractic at three months post op because I’m not certain and don’t want to steer you in the wrong direction.
I hope you find relief soon.:)
 
I must add that I have had lower back issues but chiropractic care helped but I don’t think I should see one so soon after THR !,, I know I sound like a mess
Well you don't sound like a mess at all. Back pain can make you crazy - I have it all the time!

I found chiropractic too jarring. But at 3 months out it should not be a problem. Just be sure and tell your chiro you are post op.

Another option is to work with a physio who specialises in spine. I did this post LTHR as my op made my lumbar spinal issue flare. Core stability is key.

I also worked with an osteopath. The movements they do are much like chiropractic but not so jarring. He would also do acupuncture after each session.
 
hi just a quick question ! My operated leg is darker in colour ? Anyone else have this and what is the cause? 3 months post LHR . Thanks
 

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