[THR] 6 weeks out after LTHR feel like I'm regressing

Had my left replaced April 4, 2016. Right hip hurt while walking weeks after. Had right hip replaced Nov 14, 2016 and that pain went away. Based on my experience, your right hip should be replaced sooner than later. My OS said he could replace my second hip 8 weeks after the first, but I waited 7 months. I suggest you get the ball rolling to get your 2nd hip replaced.

 

I'm with you. Recovering on a bad hip is very hard, as I'm finding. My new hip feels wonderful, the old (which was actually scheduled for the same day as bilateral surgery, but I had complications in surgery and OS didn't proceed) is very, very unhappy. My progress has been at a standstill for quite some time as the old hip can't handle anything in the way of walking or strengthening that I long to do for the new hip. I have to wait on a public list for hip 2 as I don't have insurance.

Did your xrays show OA on both sides? If so, the OA is getting worse daily. I would say YES, get hip 2 done pronto. What a shock for you, to experience such sudden deterioration. All that tennis, short sharp dynamic moves and pivots have no doubt contributed to your OA. Such a wake up call after a lifetime of strength and fitness, isn't it? Particularly when fitness and agility have also been your career. You're just 6 weeks out. Be very patient with your new hip, baby it, be patient with yourself too. Allow the healing to take place, rest and rest again, and - just as important and as much as humanly possible - protect that old hip.

 

@chuckster Sounds like it's time to get the other hip evaluated. My non-op hip is bugging me as well--not as bad as Sunny but it's of mild concern and starts to hurt a bit when I try to up my walking mileage. I think it's a familiar tale--you'll see lots of folks on here who have had both done.

 

I would encourage you to get the second hip done as soon as possible. I had mine done together, and I think I made my recover much easier. You'll feel so much better once that diseased joint is gone. You can already feel the difference with the first hip. I have found that it's night and day...

 

@chuckster i am 5 weeks out from RTHR and feeling the same way! i am just getting to the point in recovery where my operated hip is starting to feel good and my left hip is screaming in pain from all of the walking and strengthening i am doing. i'm also worried i will be on the cane until my second hip is done. my plan is to try and get some decent pain killers for my left and then get it done in 6 -12 months. i work full time with a long commute, two young kids, husband travels for his job, so it's hard to find time to have surgery again so soon, but i know i need to get it over and done with. if both of your hips were diagnosed with OA then you know it won't get better, only worse. it sounds like its time to start planning for #2. just think how good you will feel once it is all over and you can get back to doing what you love. that is how i am getting through this - focus on the end state and how i will get my life back. i've really tried to take a long term view of it and it has helped me get through the dark moments.

 

@chuckster, you are having a tough time, for sure! I have had two right hip surgeries, one of them a THR back in July 2015. The other in Oct 2016 was a gluteal tendon repair and checking over the prostheses from the THR. Both times early on I definitely had pain in the non-operative leg that I did not have pre-surgery. In my case it was due to the fact that my non-operative leg had to do so much more work to support my body post-op. I also had extra pain in both of my knees and ankles. It got better over time as the surgical hip got stronger. I am 13 weeks out from surgery #2 and have been more active all the time, and today my left knee and ankle have been hurting again. I know I have OA in both of those joints.

As you and others have been saying, six weeks out is early and there is lots of healing that still has to be done in bone and soft tissues. Have you watched a video of the surgery yet? There are some available on YouTube, and if you watch one, you will gain new respect for what you have gone through.

I have to admit that I'd be worried, though, about the swelling and intense pain you are having in the non-op leg. You say it feels like sciatic pain, and I know how agonizing that is since I had it when pregnant and could barely walk. If it were me, I'd get an appointment with a physician.

 

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. I was the same way on both sides for a few years before getting it done. It was miserable, especially at night. Some people are able to do the surgery sooner. If it were me, I would schedule the next one for as soon as possible. That pain before the surgery is the worst. You will get better in time. It takes a lot of patience. Something about having it over with really helps, psychologically.

 

Hello Chuckster,
This website has been amazing for questions and support. I just had my left hip replaced a week ago with a temporary hip because of an infection that seemed to come out of nowhere, been dealing with it since Aug 2016. The plan is to be infection free for about a year and get the permanent installed. There is a lot of great advice here. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

Well, if you have the other hip done soon, you still have all your post op aids handy and you know what to expect. Then they can all be put away and pain free living can begin.

 

Get it on the calendar now, Chuckster. I have just over four weeks left before I do my second one, and I really can't wait. It's been almost 28 days since I had my right hip done, and it feels great. But today was far and away the worst pain day for me because of my left hip/thigh. I'm so glad I scheduled it back was I was scheduling my initial surgery. I only wish I had stayed with the six week mark -which is what my surgeon suggested. Instead, I decided to wait another two weeks (8 total). Those last two are going to be loooooong.

Hope you are feeling better.