THR Dorothy's 2nd hip recovery, June 22, 2012

[rider1960]

Hi Cardie, I've calmed down some since I wrote the above message. At that time I had pretty much had it with this pain and was pretty upset. Since that time, I stopped doing my exercises except for some side leg lifts and clam shells. That's it! And, you know what? I feel better, especially my back. Maybe I was stretching and exercising things too much and trying to move muscles in directions that they just didn't want to go at this point. The groin pain has let up a little, but it's still pretty bad. At least the back is better. I've always said that I can handle the back pain or the groin pain ... but not both at the same time. Something about that just does me in.

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what I want my surgeon to do, although permission to punch the hospital PTs sounds pretty good, lol. I'm just going to ask him for his help and we'll take it from there. He's really good, so I'm not too worried.

The groin pain I have now is a bit different from the initial groin pain. It's hard to describe the difference, though, which probably won't help with diagnosis and treatment. I'm thinking that the muscle tear has healed, but I now have some tendonitis or bursitis in the iliopsoas muscle area just from everything being overstressed ... but that's just a guess. The pain feels like a stabbing hot knife when doing stairs, hills, raising the leg up, getting in the car, in/out of bed, etc. It doesn't feel as "fresh and raw" as it was in the beginning.

I'll report back after my appointment Tuesday.

Dorothy

 

[dianemarie]

Hi Dorothy!

So glad that you will see Dr. C Tues. and please keep us posted. I really believe that having 2 surgeries is the culprit for some of us for the longer healing time and more numerous issues. I was just thinking back to my 1st THR and the biggest issue I had was constipation! Wish I could say the same about where I am now but alas it is different and the body has been through a lot with the 2 surgeries.

Wishing you the best and glad it is feeling a wee bit better.

 

[rider1960]

Hi Diane, I do think it's tough on our bodies to have both done close together. I was willing to do it because I was so tired of living life half way. It's going on 3 years since I've been able to ride my horse or go hiking with my dogs, my two favorite activities. I wanted my life back.

And, I really was doing great with the second hip until that first PT class. I was amazed at how much easier it was to get out of bed and walk than I did after the first hip. Then the PT class ... Ugh! Amazing how something like pushing too hard can be such a set back. I pushed and suffered through 4 sessions before I realized that it was the PT making me worse. Sounds stupid because I'm no dummy or shrinking violet and usually stand up for myself pretty well. Oh well, it's over with and I have to pick up the pieces and move on. Your injury was pretty serious--if that had happened to me, I'd probably be a horrible basket case--you've seen how I am about "PT gone wrong"--nerve damage would send me over the edge, lol.

I'm hoping for a productive Dr. C appointment. He's done right by me so far, so I'm sure he will help me out and get things back on track. Other than the groin muscle, I think the hip and leg are healing pretty much like the other one. It feels about the same as I remember the other one at this stage. It's wonderful to feel how strong and capable the first hip has become. I do think it takes at least 6 months to feel like the hip is leveling off with the healing and starts to feel "normal". It's almost 9 months for the 1st hip and it feels just like a normal, well functioning hip I LOVE the left (1st hip) especially since it was so horribly painful prior to surgery. I still can't believe how fast that hip went downhill--from no pain at all to hobbling, bone-on-bone severe pain in a little more than 6 months. Wow! The right one (my 2nd hip replacement) was painful for a year plus before the left even had a twinge. Odd.

I'm going to check your thread and see if you've given an update of your own. I remember your posting that the ankle injection was helping a lot. I hope that's still the case.

Dorothy

 

[rider1960]

I saw my hip surgeon today for ongoing pain from a hip flexor muscle injury from the aggressive hospital PT after my last hip replacement. There are a number of things he's checking into.

He believes the muscle tear(s) I had are healed and it's now a stubborn chronic infammation that has set in. Personally, that's what I feel it is too. It just feels like other "itis" kinds of problems I've had in other parts of my body. He did a lidocaine/depo medrol injection into the psoas muscle. Weird feeling when the lidocaine took effect--the front of my leg got very numb and I had trouble walking for an hour or so afterwards. He said that was from femoral nerve getting numbed up. I felt like my leg was prepped for a dental procedure, lol. Lidocaine helped the pain located right in the groin "crease", but there was about a 2 inch strip below it that was still painful, so he thinks there are other nearby muscles involved that he will inject next visit--can't give me too much steroid at one time. It numbed up probably about 50% of the painful area, so I think he's headed in the right direction.

I see him again in a month. I'm hoping for some longer term relief after the steroid kicks in--probably in a few days. He also gave me a prescription for Lyrica to do a one month trial to see if there might be nerve impingement causing some of the pain, although I think it's unlikely because I've felt that in my back/down my legs and the groin pain doesn't feel like that. I'm also having blood work done to rule out infection, also unlikely, but he is covering all the bases and taking this seriously.

I LOVE this doctor and although I'm frustrated that I'm having these problems, I'm so glad he's the one helping me clean up PT's mess. He is just so great--really, he is. I always feel hopeful when I leave his office--like I'm in good hands and he's not going to leave me hanging or ignore my problem, the way other doctors have done in the past when I started having pain and was trying to get properly diagnosed. Now I'm feeling more confident that he will get to the bottom of it and I will be 100% in the near future.

Until then, I just have to keep doing what I'm doing--taking meds, gentle stretches and exercises to keep things moving (very gentle--I'm not doing ANYTHING that hurts at all!), level ground walking when I can ... this is a real big lesson in patience.

Dorothy

 

[sharonslp]

Hi Dorothy. I've been eagerly awaiting your post today to see how your doctor responded to your concerns. I am so so glad that he has responded proactively. I hope this works to give you relief AND to help break the pain cycle that has set in. Go girl go! But good that you are going gently.

Sharon

 

[dianemarie]

Dorothy,
So glad you had a great visit with Dr. C. and that he takes all of your concerns seriously and then has options for you to try. Wouldn't expect any less from him or Dr. B. either. Also hoping you get some much needed relief with the shot. As we head towards winter it will good to have these issues on the mend rather than getting worse.

I'm mostly glad you found a doctor who you can talk to and be a team with for your health. That is so important. If Dr. B retires while I'm under his care I'll definitely be switching to Dr. C. Already told him that! Hope all your animals are well. Maybe lunch when you come up again in a month? I would love to if it would work out for us. Take care.

 

[rider1960]

Hi Diane and Sharon, It's great of you to keep checking in on my thread. I know I'm one of the "older folks" here and people come and go, new people need lots of support and time, etc. I wish people would hang around the board after their recovery, though. I'm already missing some of the others that had surgeries around the same time as mine who are gone and getting on with their lives. But, even after my problems are resolved, I think I'll still stick around to help others. This board has been such a great support to me and has given me so much--I feel the need to give back.

Diane, you won't go wrong with Dr. C if Dr. B retires (Don't you think we need to have a "Dr. A" in the mix? ha ha!) He's really great. Not only is he a great ortho MD, he's also a great person. I've gotten to know him pretty well through many visits before and after surgery and emails back and forth. He's a really nice, caring person in general. A co worker went to see him for her hips recently and her car wouldn't start when she tried to leave. She went back in and asked if anyone had jumper cables and would help her jump start it. He heard her talking, came out and said that if she couldn't find anyone to help her by the time he finished with his last couple of patients, he would come out and help her "pop the clutch" to get the car to start. Can you imagine many doctors willing to push a patient's car??? (BTW, one of Dr. C's nurses and another surgeon who saw them fussing with the car with the hood up were able to get the car started and she got home fine, with a new battery on the to-do list.) I also wrote about getting together on your thread.

Dorothy

 

[C Mac]

:iagree: I miss some of the people that have wandered off back into their lives also. I haven't gotten as involved with the class of hip people that are coming in to the post-op section, but I do check on my regular peeps to see what's new. I'm glad that you had a good visit with your OS and that he did some different interventions to help look into your pain more deeply.

I'm interested to see if you notice any difference from the Lyrica. I now seem to be having some sciatic irritation and someone along the way has mentioned that as an option. I hope the rest of the week is going well for you, Dorothy.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[rider1960]

Well, the Lyrica isn't going to work. It made me feel so "high"! OMG! I could barely think straight and my body also felt very odd. This morning's dose was the worst yet. Not taking it any longer. That kind of drug helps a lot of people with nerve pain from different sources. I know quite a few people who take Neurontin for sciatic type back pain and they say it helps a lot. I took that several years ago for something else and I couldn't tolerate it. I must be very sensitive to that class of drugs.

I've started using my IF machine on my upper leg where the psoas muscle injection lidocaine induced numbness stopped, but the pain continued, indicating more muscle group involvement of the upper thigh--I'm guessing the adductors. Maybe that will ease the inflammation--it's worth a try. I used it last evening and am using it right now. I'm not going to be going back to my surgeon for injection(s) of that area for a month, so I'll try this to see if it might work. Can't hurt to try.

Cardie, you posted on Diane's thread about wishing you were in NY and could hang out with us--I wish you were too. It's been so great getting to meet two of my bonesmart friends (Diane and Cathy). It would be great to meet you too!

Dorothy

 

[Poppet]

Hi Dorothy

Just catching up after having issues with our ISP and email.. Missed you all... Sis, Cardie, Cathy.. It is different when folk dissapear.. I miss Charlie and Chef as well..

So sorry Dorothy that you are still having groin and back pain, not fair... Especially when it isn't as a result of the surgery..

I am finding that the more active I am becoming, the more aches and pains I have.. I worry that 'this is as good as it gets'.. I hope not for all of us

Hugs

 

[C Mac]

Hi Dorothy,

Sorry the Lyrica was a fail. I hate that medication experimentation phase -- especially when it doesn't go well! Some people can take anything and get the desired effect and some of us have those sensitive systems that get all the side effects and none of the benefits...

So, my Feldenkrais gal tells me that when we have aches and pains that move around in our body that it is our natural way of trying to adapt to the change in physiology that has occurred. She also talks about painful muscles needing a way to reduce continued contraction and this is done via stretching and massage.

I have also experienced tension and pain in my adductor area at the groin. I think I've also mentioned before that it is often accompanied by my pelvis being slightly out of alignment and that is where my chiropractor is helpful. It is also where I can sometimes twist to the side at my waist and get little pops of my low back area -- but I am hypermobile and have been doing this since I was a kid, don't do it unless it's something that you've done successfully as part of your own self-maintenance.

Another thing that I do for my adductors is the foam roller, like this gal:

Very gently rolling side to side with the roller right on the adductors. It can be a nauseating sensation, so go slow. If you cannot get on the roller like this yet I also used to lie on my back with the frog leg position and press on the tight tendon that causes me discomfort. I can only find a picture of the sitting version of this stretch -- let go of your ankles and lie back -- on a bed or something soft, so you don't arch your back. Press or pull that tight adductor tendon in towards your body as best you can.

Dorothy, if your tear is healed maybe you are at that phase of recovery where soft tissues are all working hard at adapting to your new hip angles and they are all having a bit of a rucus. In other words, maybe it's time for you to continue to build your support network of massage therapists, stretches, chiropractic care and that type of modality. As long as your OS thinks all is well with your implants and there's no sign of infection or other complications the soft tissue issues may be out of his purview (with the exception of scripts for PT if you both deem it helpful).

Hope you are having a good weekend & that all the animals are giving you love!!
Take care,
Cardie

 

[Anniepops]

Hi Dorothy, sorry to hear the Lyrica sent you loopy so you couldn't continue with it, you can't be going round all day with your head in the clouds.

I was going to suggest the foam roller then I seen Cardies post? It might be good for you to give it a go .....if it is appropriate of course, I have found it really has helped me with quite a few problem areas but it does really hurt at first so you have to go really easy in the beginnng. It really hurts my Hubby too when he uses it so it's not just us hippies being wimps.lol.


Hoping your IF machine can bring you some relief very soon

Take care

Ann

 

[dianemarie]

Hi Dorothy,

Hoping you don't have nerve issues and maybe that is why the Lyrica isn't helping. I think if we get these meds in our bodies with no issues they do make us "loopy". Although those are heavy duty meds and a lot of people have strange side effects. I couldn't take the neurontin because of side effects and I do have the nerve issues. Time, I'm coming to think is the best medicine sometimes.

 

[rider1960]

Hi Poppet, Annie, Cardie, and Diane, Thanks for taking time to post your thoughts.

I always love reading all the responses on my thread, but these few have come at the perfect time!!

Poppet--I posted something about "as good as it gets" on your thread. I don't think this is as good as it gets ... but I do think some of us have to take recovery at a snail's pace. Frustrating, I know!

Cardie and Annie--I hear you. I don't have a foam roller (yet-but I'm going to get one) and I've been using a kitchen rolling pin and manually rolling it around. It's tough to reach some places, so I think I better buy a foam roller. I totally agree that I'm going to need to add more soldiers to my recovery journey army--I must have been reading your posts in my mind before I actually read them (if that makes any sense--I just saw them this morning) because I shot an email off to my surgeon Sunday morning asking for another PT referral because I recently heard of a PT group that does more of a whole body approach to PT than most in my area. Most around here tend to lean heavily on exercises. This group does chiro type adjustments, massage, myofascial release, and a lot of other stuff in addition to exercises. I think it might be a lot like a one-stop-shopping place. I'm going to try it out. I heard back from my surgeon by noon (love that man and how responsive he is to my emails!) saying that he had sent an email to his office staff person who does referrals asking her to send me a written script for another round of PT. I liked my last PT ok, but he was very focused on exercises and didn't do much hands on stuff, which I think is missing from my overall rehab plan. Some people may never need more than some basic exercise and walking, but I guess I'm not one of them--at least not with the complicated recovery I'm having with the last hip.

Diane, I understand what you are saying about the medications. Interesting take on it. I think our bodies tell us what is best in most situations. I just have a hard time listening sometimes, lol. These drugs, though, yuck!!! BTW, I started taking glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM about a month ago and I do think that helps me (I think you take this as well). About the same time, I also started taking extra magnesium, B complex, fish oil, flax oil, and vitamin C. I think these are helpful as well. I feel generally less sluggish and dragged down as I felt before taking them. Prior to that I was taking only a multi-vitamin.

Again, thanks to everyone for caring about me I really appreciate the support and advice. I learn SO much on here, and I get such wonderful support!! We Bonesmarties rock!!!

Dorothy

 

[JuliaB]

Good morning from another New Yorker! Albany. I'm afraid I'm another who doesn't post very much (yes, that's an understatement...) but I am here almost every day, looking for words of wisdom and strengthening tips.

Dorothy, your pain sounds similar to mine on my right hip, which I had done in late March, almost 7 months ago. I just moved off the cane within the last month, and my limp is now very subtle - not a limp so much as a suble hike in the way my pelvis rocks side-to-side. And just as with my left THR, I need to learn how to move again - how to bend to pick things up, how to put on socks, and so on since my displasia always made those rotational movements pretty minimal or impossible. I find that basic movements on my pilates reformer to be the best thing, but I need some progress at this point, again,

I wlll try to be better about chiming in...

 

[rider1960]

Hi Julia, Thanks for posting on my thread. I'm west of you--kind of between Binghamton and Ithaca. Do you have a post op thread?? I'll have to look around so I can read about your whole story. I hope you will be able to overcome your obstacles and get back on the move again. I'm amazed at how many people have hip dysplasia. There are many.

Dorothy

 

[C Mac]

JuliaB; any chance that you'd be willing to start a thread and speak about your recovery and experiences with dysplasia??? I, too, am a dislocated hippy child -- or CDH person too. I'm always fascinated to compare and hear about other CDH people's recovery as mine has just been so atypical compared to the traditional osteoarthritis THR patient...

Take care,
Cardie

P.S. sorry to barge in Dorothy!! Your supplement regime sounds excellent and I think that your new PT place sounds intriguing as well. You may find myofascial release helpful in dealing with a variety of muscle issues for both your hips and your back as well!! It is lining up those soldiers for the recovery journey army....

 

[alexthecat]

Dorothy, I think it's good that you are trying out another PT. You know, just like other medical professionals, physical therapists have specialties. It's worth it to find a PT who specializes in the kind of treatment that you need.

I hope you'll keep us posted on how the foam roller works for you. I started seeing real benefit from that when I was about six months post-op. Before that, I was just too sensitive for it. Another thing I found that worked in a similar way was a tennis ball. I mostly used that for the piriformis because it's small enough to get to just the spot I needed. Years ago, I had this knobby, plastic massage tool that I really wanted to use, but I couldn't find anything like that anywhere, so I went with the tennis ball.

 

[dianemarie]

Alex,

I have a "knobby, plastic massage tool". It is called a thera-cane and you can get them online. Cost about $40.
They are great for getting trigger points that you cannot reach yourself. (and ones that you can) Is that what you are talking about? I find mine so great when you can't get to massage therapist. Great on the shoulders too.

 

[rider1960]

Thanks everyone. I ordered a foam roller. I forgot about the theracane--I've seen them, and I'll probably get one of them too. When Mike was here on the weekend, I had him take the rolling pin to areas on my back, butt, and back of my leg that I can't get to. I used it on his back and he said it helped him too. Mom and her rolling pin are doing some good work!

I had my first PT session. This is definitely different from what I'm used to. They do a LOT of myofascial release in their treament program. He said my muscles on the right are extremely tight and found MANY areas in my groin, leg, butt, and back that needed release. He poked and pawed around a lot. He said he could have continued doing this forever ... that's how much **** I have in the tissues. The only thing I noticed afterwards was that the leg felt very heavy. Maybe muscles finally released from their constant tension???

He doesn't want me to do anything strengthening exercises at all until he gets more of this worked out. I do have a few stretches that are different from others I've been taught. I'm supposed to go very easy with them because things are just so tight. I'm pretty sore this morning, which he warned me that might happen. But, I think that's a good sign.

He said that even my hysterectomy January 2011 has likely played a part in where I'm at today. He explained that when they do a hysterectomy, it affects the core strength and the body kind of gets weakened and a little freaked out--this myofascial stuff can go a little nuts.

He doesn't expect the groin and leg pain I have is going to go away any time soon. It's going to be a long haul. Not fun ... but that's where I'm at. I really have to find a better way to deal with this in my head--I was looking to the hip replacements to fix everything. Of course, the PT injury post op got everything going. Sometimes I feel like I can't win. I'm doing everything I can to get better and still struggling. Why can't I be happy being a couch potato sitting in front of the TV eating bonbons??? (I don't think I've ever eaten a "bonbon", lol, but I'm sure I would like it--I never met a candy I didn't like!)

Dorothy