Groin pain can be from hip?? Really?

[Freedom]

Cortisone injection, left hip, 1 PM. I needed THREE of the numbing shots, first. Anyway, it is nice to be pain free. Still, at 5 PM. Thought I wonder if it is still the numbing stuff at work?

HOWEVER, I still limp! I can NOT extend the leg fully - i.e. straight - let alone have it back behind me as I step forward with the right foot. WHAT does this tell us? Anyone?

 

[Horseshoe]

Hope you get some relief, those numbing shots sound divine :smile2:

I limped around because both femoral heads were wedged in their sockets, legs became uneven. This affected upper leg muscles and I could no longer lie flat on my back w/o one side sticking up.

 

[Freedom]

Oh my @Horseshoe that is one of MY symptoms! When I lie on my back - for the MRI and then yesterday for the injection - my left leg can't go flat. My right leg is fine, calf is on the table. Left leg, knee is bent. And when I have to hold that position as I did for both procedures, in time it HURTS ALOT!!! Then I can't bend the knee to release the pain. With the MRI, I reached down and pulled on my pants leg to bend, and the tech was also helping me bend. With the injection, I had to reach forward - bending at the waist - to get both hands under my thigh and pull up to get a bend at both the knee and the hip.

And yes my upper muscles are achy and weak, I can still feel those, the injection doesn't reach that. How did you learn the heads were wegded in? Was it only at the time they did the hip replacement?

 

[Horseshoe]

I remember the pain! OS said being unable to lie down with legs flat was a result of my tilted pelvis from deteriorated hip joints. Had severe OA in both hips and used a pillow under knees at night to take the traction off and reduce pain, icing helped too.

OS said as a result, I developed severe muscular contracture in thigh muscles, front and sides, which then caused painful tendinitis. I was stooped over, limped and finally broke down and bought a cane. I had to manually move my legs to get in and out of my car, bed, etc. Another huge reason why people should not wait to get a thr, it causes other problems!

OS discovered during surgery the femoral heads in both hips were wedged into the sockets and flattened, there was no normal joint movement or cartilage which explained the horrid chronic pain. Heads had to be cut first and then picked out with some effort.

On a positive note, this pain goes away immediately after surgery though it did take some time for muscles to recover and the pelvis to realign. I skipped PT for several mos to allow muscles to heal as they were not weak, just injured and felt they needed a break

I'm still amazed at the body's ability to recover and the innate desire to walk despite severe OA pain.

 

[Nivea]

@Horseshoe I so understand. I, too, had to manually move my legs to get into the car. For me, a bit different scenario as my right hip does have arthritis but not to the point of needing a replacement. My OS said it may never come to that. With that being said, my left hip was so bad that my pelvis was tilting and it affected my back, which all led to loss of ROM in my right leg. At that point, I could barely walk and the pain was excrutiating. Waiting for surgery seemed like a lifetime. My husband had to drive me to work and I muddled through, dragging myself through the day. My OS said the ball of my hip was destroyed, nothing left. I also had lots of bone spurs. It was heaven to take those first steps in the hospital and not have that pain. I do have back issues and will address that soon, however, that horrid pain prior to surgery is so so much better. I also believe that my right knee is messed up due to the compensating for years. It does not feel like it's arthritis at all, although, I do know there is arthritis in my knees. This is different. I will get that looked at as well.

 

[Freedom]

Saw the surgeon this morning. Left total hip replacement June 12th; I am on the waiting list for a cancellation, to go sooner if possible.

He does both posterior and anterior, I am signed up for anterior.
He uses the Stryker Accolade II and the PSL Cup.
He generally puts in 1 screw to help stabilize it; he does not use cement.
He uses "Carm?" as part of the procedure; but not a robot assisted procedure. (I had not heard the term, not sure what it is, pretty sure I spelled it incorrectly.)
Surgery is about 2 hours.
I will stay in the hospital one or 2 nights, then move to inpatient rehab as I did w/ my knees. The good news is, he said I can bend to scoop cat litter boxes as of Day 1 post op, so I won't be needing the pet sitting service nearly as long as I did with the knees; that will be great! Not only a huge savings financially; but I really don't like having people in my house!

Because I develop keloids, he will not use any staples; he said he does sometimes use them depending on the incision, but will make a point not to with me. And he uses the aquacell bandage, same as I had with the knees.

I will be at the same hospital, in the same unit, as I was with both knees. I brought up the issue I had with uncontrolled pain with my first knee . . . he said the hip is generally not nearly as painful as the knees, but he will make a note for my meds to be every 3 hours not every 4 hours. So that is great.

Sign me up with the June Sunbeams! LOL

 

[bionicmedic]

@Freedom So sorry you are suffering from hip pain. I can confirm hips can go from tolerable to horrid literally overnight. My left hip was diagnosed as lower back issues for 3 years. I took NSAIDs that did help for awhile, had tons of PT (private and costly) and then started to limp. Just after I moved house and did lots of lifting and moving furniture I woke up one morning and could not bear weight on the left time. An x-ray confirm the hip had collapsed and was in a very sorry state.

I am not sure why your surgeon is insisting on injections. They are just a temporary fix if they work at all. Perhaps find another surgeon? An x-ray is usually all that is needed to confirm joint damage. And no matter what level of damage - if you are in any pain it's time to get that hip fixed.

BTW, our members report that THR recovery is much easier than TKR. Hope you can get some resolution soon!

Absolutely it can change overnight! Hope you feel better soon and get to make a good decision. I limped very bad with both of mine. I had surgery 6 weeks ago for my second and just took my 6 year old daughter shopping for the first time in 2 years where I didn't dread going and wasn't miserable while there. If they say you need it, do it and don't turn back. You will be glad you did!!


Sent from my iPad using broken link removed: https://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=75543

 

[Freedom]

@bionicmedic thanks; I think you missed my latest post!

And I have a question. Do we do PT post op with a hip replacement? I learned - the hard way - best not to for a knee replacement! So I would like to know what is the 'Bonesmart way!"

 

[bionicmedic]

@bionicmedic thanks; I think you missed my latest post!

And I have a question. Do we do PT post op with a hip replacement? I learned - the hard way - best not to for a knee replacement! So I would like to know what is the 'Bonesmart way!"

I did and I finally saw it. I'm happy you decided to go for it. I promise you will be so happy you did! After all we have been through as children and that horrible pain now, the thr is nothing in comparison. My first hip I rehabbed at home with exercises from an in home pt. I did fantastic and went back to working as a very busy critical care medic. This time I had a different os and he liked location pt. So I go three days a week. They have been so good to me. I can't however say that I have accelerated in healing any faster this way. I was very watchful into what they were asking of me and refused several times if it didn't seem right, felt any discomfort or read over hundreds of web pages about pt for hips. They heal well on their own. I do agree with some of the muscle strengthening. That has been wonderful. I graduate from walker to cane and then nothing pretty quickly. I did ask questions and stay on top of things. I'm excited to see how you feel afterwards. There is a point when you say why did I do this, I'm not getting better and then bam! It happens and you get better every day. When you get out of the fog, trusting the new hip and are able to do things for yourself, it helps with your mind as well. Then you start asking why didn't I do this sooner. I joke with my husband and say so this is how you normal legged people have always felt huh? Each persons experience is different so try not to compare others to yours. It's going to be good and just in time for the rest of the warmer months to relax and heal up!!! Hope this helps some


Bilateral Scfe 1986
LTHR 11-7-13
RTHR 3-9-17

 

[Freedom]

So much of what you wrote is the same thing for the knee recovery! Been through that twice, so it is good to learn that this hip won't be too much new stuff! Thanks for that!

 

[Pumpkin]

Freedom,
Here is a copy of the hip post op reading, you will see similarities between knees and hips. Hips pretty much only need your normal activity to recover, and do well if left alone.

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
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 these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this Activity progression for THRs

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.

 

[Freedom]

Excellent, just what I needed, thanks so much Pumpkin!

I've ordered one of this hip wraps to help get through pre op as well as post.

https://www.collectionsetc.com/product/hotcold-comfort-hip-wrap.aspx

 

[Freedom]

Today I had the BEST DAY in over 5 months! Almost no pain, no feeling like I have a huge water balloon attached to my hip, just a great day. Even my limp was very mild, almost not there. Then, about 3:30 PM, BAM! Right back where I've been all these months. Very odd.

 

[Jaycey]

It's the energy drain @Freedom ! Just rest and try again another day. This too shall pass!

 

[Freedom]

Thank you Jaycey.

Do we get a nerve block with the hip, same as we did w/ the knees? I knew the instant that nerve block wore off, both times!

And, I did ask my surgeon, how soon can I scoop the cat litter boxes. FYI that required me to keep the pet sitter on quite some time w/ the knees, as I couldn't bend to clean the boxes. At least at that point, it was just 1 visit daily.

Back to the hip. I am having anterior approach. Surgeon said I can bend to scoop as of Day 1 Post Op; he's not sure I'll FEEL like at that point, but I can do it, lol. *(actually, I will be in hospital 2 nights, so won't even be home at that time!) He said to bend at the waist, knees straight, and he demonstrated. I was expecting the 'golfer's stretch' when I asked the question, but that was not the answer I got. Does this make sense, or raise any question? Because I do have one more visit w/ him pre op. I was booked out 9 weeks, and the Scheduler said we have to see him within 1 month pre op, so I have an appt. May 31.

Thank you!

 

[Horseshoe]

I had anterior and was advised *to* bend my knees with legs slightly apart when picking up something off the ground or to use a grabber. Was also advised *not* to use golfer's reach as it could hyper extend op leg.
Funny how each OS is different and fwiw, I have not had knee surgery either.

 

[Freedom]

Thanks, Horseshoe. Yes, seems every OS is different.

 

[Jaycey]

Do we get a nerve block with the hip

Most surgeons use a spinal and sedation. Here's a thread about the different anaesthetics.

I was expecting the 'golfer's stretch' when I asked the question, but that was not the answer I got.

Some surgeons impose a restriction on stepping back as you would using the golfer's reach. Ask your surgeon specifically about this method.

 

[Freedom]

Today hospital called to schedule the pre op testing and the joint class - both are May 30. This month has been really rough as we’ve had rain, gloom, more rain, low pressure, clouds and then just for variety it rained some more. We will finally get the sun tomorrow! Needless to say my left hip has NOT been happy this month. And I am amazed at how the pain changes: sometimes the groin, sometimes the inner upper thigh, sometimes the outer thigh, once in a while the front of the thigh. Thank goodness I’ve not had all at once! But I find I am almost dragging the leg behind me by the end of the day. Jun 12 can’t come fast enough!

 

[JennsHip]

@Freedom my pre-op and class are the same day