TKR Hip & Lower Back Pain

[FionaW]

Hello @TIC1015 , I’m having both my knees replaced (in what they call ‘staged’ bilateral surgery - so one after the other, rather than both together) so I’ve read your posts with interest. I had the first done 5w1d ago and I’m having the second done in 2w2d. A lot of what you say resonates with me too: taking it slowly, weak hip and back muscles, depression… I’ll be watching your progress with interest. Best wishes!

Good luck! I’ll keep you posted! Honestly, the first was a breeze compared to the second. I wished my doc would have done them together. It’s 7 months & still takes all my energy & a good nightly cry, most nights, just to get in bed. I’m praying for the day when nothing really hurts & I feel a little more stable! Most 90yo’s walk better than me & could beat me in a race!. But this too shall pass & it is all worth it!

I just lost a friend to cancer at 57. We are lucky!

Yes, I agree @TIC1015 . I’m sorry to hear about your friend. My 54 year old brother died suddenly and unexpectedly in January. It does change your perspective, doesn’t it.

 

[TIC1015]

So sorry for you & it sure does.

 

[TIC1015]

 

[TIC1015]

Has anyone had hip and back problems post op? I am almost 5 1/2 months since my 2nd tkr. My first was 10/19/22. Knees are still stiff, but good

My main problem now is my hip & lower back pain. I can’t walk more than 15-20 minutes! It wakes me up. I feel like I am backsliding. PT has adjusted treatment plan, massaging, stretching & traction. It helps greatly for 24 hours & I wake up in pain all over again.

Is this normal? Any similar experiences? Need hope! Been on this journey since Oct & daunting is an understatement!

Much love & thanks!

 

[Jaycey]

You are very early days out from 2 major surgeries. Please continue to take things slow and steady.

Are you icing and elevating? Have you purchased new shoes post op? Shoes that you wore pre-op will have a wearing pattern that can cause aches and pains in many areas. Lower back is a typical symptom.

You will notice that I merged your newest post with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:

• That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
• If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we will get it changed for you.

If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.

 

[TIC1015]

Thanks so much! Not too tech Davy & might have hit the wrong thing.

Honestly, I haven’t been wearing shoes in the house.

Pain got so much better & I was thriving and then about 3 weeks ago hip got bad, lower back felt weak & they took X-rays to say that I have small tears in rotator cuffs from pulling myself up.

Everyone says I’m early on, but it feels like forever! The pain gets so bad sometimes in different places, my brain gets foggy.

I can’t work most of the time & am just wondering when the misery will end??? Now I am headed back for a hip x-ray!‍♀️‍♀️

 

[TIC1015]

Hello @TIC1015 , I’m having both my knees replaced (in what they call ‘staged’ bilateral surgery - so one after the other, rather than both together) so I’ve read your posts with interest. I had the first done 5w1d ago and I’m having the second done in 2w2d. A lot of what you say resonates with me too: taking it slowly, weak hip and back muscles, depression… I’ll be watching your progress with interest. Best wishes!

Hi Fiona!

Just checking in to see how you’re doing. Hope the 2nd surgery is done & went well.

Still struggling over here in LA! I’m now in hip hell!

Best wishes & keep in touch!
♥️♥️♥️♥️

 

[FionaW]

Ah, how nice of you to check in, @TIC1015 ! My second surgery got postponed, and is now happening TOMORROW so your timing is perfect!
I’m really sorry to hear your hip is giving you more trouble… When I’m through the next few days, I’ll come back and ask you all about it.
I hope you have a reasonably pain free, restful few days meantime.
All the best!

 

[TIC1015]

Ah, how nice of you to check in, @TIC1015 ! My second surgery got postponed, and is now happening TOMORROW so your timing is perfect!
I’m really sorry to hear your hip is giving you more trouble… When I’m through the next few days, I’ll come back and ask you all about it.
I hope you have a reasonably pain free, restful few days meantime.
All the best!

Thanks! I look forward to it & good luck!!!♥️♥️

 

[TIC1015]

Has anyone gone on an anti-depressant to get through the emotional rollercoaster of recovery? With the 2 surgeries, 2 months apart, this will be a 14 month recovery.

I am walking pretty good & pain is minimal. I still do PT twice a week & am doing 2 MRI’s this week in order to get cortisone shots in my hips & lumbar. When I saw my surgeon last week, the x-rays showed I have hip dysplasia & will need a hip replacement at some point. It is all very overwhelming & I want to close Pandoras Box.

I know I sound like a broken record, but I see everyone in Kayaks & hiking at 4 months out. I will be 6 months out on the second knee on the 20th & feel like I live in my recliner and cry on & off. I know it’s all gonna work itself out, but this emotional rollercoaster is getting to me. I’m a therapist & want to be proactive!

Just wanted to see if anyone else felt like this or can share what they did to help themselves.

 

[benne68]

I'm sorry you are facing yet another round of surgery, @TIC1015 .

I know how that feels. I had a THR in December 2019. Less than a year later, my knee failed -- but I couldn't have surgery for another full year because of COVID. It was difficult for a while, but I tried to look ahead, and focus on what I would able to do once I recovered. They gave me my life back and am so grateful for the surgeries.

I'm glad to read that you are walking well and have little pain after two knee surgeries. I'd say your TKRs were a success, and that should make you hopeful for the future. While post-op blues is normal, it sounds as though you may be struggling with something more. If it was me, I would see a therapist for meds and some talk therapy.

Meanwhile, we are here for you.

 

[TIC1015]

I'm sorry you are facing yet another round of surgery, @TIC1015 .

I know how that feels. I had a THR in December 2019. Less than a year later, my knee failed -- but I couldn't have surgery for another full year because of COVID. It was difficult for a while, but I tried to look ahead, and focus on what I would able to do once I recovered. They gave me my life back and am so grateful for the surgeries.

I'm glad to read that you are walking well and have little pain after two knee surgeries. I'd say your TKRs were a success, and that should make you hopeful for the future. While post-op blues is normal, it sounds as though you may be struggling with something more. If it was me, I would see a therapist for meds and some talk therapy.

Meanwhile, we are here for you.

Thanks!

Yup! I have hypothyroidism, ADHD & complex PTSD. I have huge therapeutic support. However, intellectually, the helplessness that this has triggered has probably left me feeling out of control & uncomfortable. I didn’t anticipate how the physical ramifications would impact the emotional.

It’s a real perfect storm, but I will get through it & this too shall pass!!!!

Thanks again for your support!

 

[EalingGran]

am walking pretty good & pain is minimal. I still do PT twice a week & am doing 2 MRI’s this week in order to get cortisone shots in my hips & lumbar. When I saw my surgeon last week, the x-rays showed I have hip dysplasia & will need a hip replacement at some point

I am in a fairly similar position. I am 7 months post my PKR and my knee is settling down ( eventually). I can now walk up to 4 miles with a break and 6- 7 miles in a day. BUT I have hip and lumbar arthritis/ spinal stenosis which also give me problems. It sometimes feels like Whack- a -Mole between my various joint issues. Straightening my very valgus right leg did definitely help my right hip pain and excruciating pre-op sciatica. I still have fairly chronic lower back pain/ stiffness ( two arthritic discs/ one with stenosis). This was worse in the early months post my knee replacement because I couldn't kneel/ lie on my tummy to do back exercises. I can now mostly manage this pain with 20 minutes/ day of back pilates. Currently my hip on the unoperated side is my main painful joint. I haven't had that side formally MRI'd but the MRI I had last year on the other side commented on bilateral moderately severe arthritis. Having had a slowish recovery from my PKR I am not in a rush for further surgery. I am seeing my surgeon for a review in a couple of weeks and will discuss my options.
I am currently only taking occasional ibuprofen and not keen to go back on naproxen because of cardiac/ kidney risks. Although naproxen did work for me...
My BMI is ok (24) but I have gained about 10 lbs over the last difficult 6- 7 months. I am sure this is not helping. But hard to lose weight when feeling sorry for myself!
I know how you feel about this being rather never-ending.
Sorry you are suffering. Unfortunately osteoarthritis often affects multiple joints for many of us.

 

[sistersinhim]

I see everyone in Kayaks & hiking at 4 months out.

You should realize that not everyone at 4 months out is doing this. It's very few that can. Most can't resume a lot of their activities for at least 6 months.

Anxiety is pretty common after this surgery. The up-and-down recovery can really play with our emotions. I tried antidepressants about 10 years ago when I was caring for my mother with Alzheimer, but took only 1/2 of one and hated how it made me feel and threw the rest of them away.

 

[TIC1015]

Hi everyone!

Just thought I would check-in with an update. It’s been 9 1/2 months on my first knee & 7 1/2 on my second.

The pain is gone! I am on a low level anti-depressant and feeling 1000% better!!

The doctor did an arthrogram & found that both my hips have dysplasia.. This is the source of the pain & difficulty healing. He gave me a cortisone shot & it has been life changing. I went from 1,500 steps a day to 4,500. However, a hip replacement is in my future. They want me to get it in Oct, but I am going to ask for another shot of cortisone & hope to postpone till next year. It’s been A LOT!!!

I am walking and doing steps fantastically and I actually kneeled without pain the other day. However, my knees still feel tight and heavy, even though my motion is great. Has anyone else felt this and does that sensation ever go away?

Hope all are well!!

Much love!!♥️
TIC1015

 

[EalingGran]

am walking and doing steps fantastically and I actually kneeled without pain the other day. However, my knees still feel tight and heavy, even though my motion is great

I am so pleased you are doing so well and feeling much better in yourself.
My tightness is nearly gone but I still get it sometimes in the evening. It was explained to me as due to slight fluid/ swelling in the joint capsule. I have no visible swelling now ( apart from a small Baker's cyst at the back- it was much bigger pre-op). But my knee is still ever so slightly warmer by evening.
I think the tightness is probably one of the last symptoms to go unfortunately.
I now gave quite large parts of the morning and afternoon when I simply don't notice my knee. You will get there.
Sorry about the hip. I am similar with hip/ back issues and like you I am not rushing to further surgery.

 

[Axx72]

Hi everyone!

Just thought I would check-in with an update. It’s been 9 1/2 months on my first knee & 7 1/2 on my second.

The pain is gone! I am on a low level anti-depressant and feeling 1000% better!!

The doctor did an arthrogram & found that both my hips have dysplasia.. This is the source of the pain & difficulty healing. He gave me a cortisone shot & it has been life changing. I went from 1,500 steps a day to 4,500. However, a hip replacement is in my future. They want me to get it in Oct, but I am going to ask for another shot of cortisone & hope to postpone till next year. It’s been A LOT!!!

I am walking and doing steps fantastically and I actually kneeled without pain the other day. However, my knees still feel tight and heavy, even though my motion is great. Has anyone else felt this and does that sensation ever go away?

Hope all are well!!

Much love!!♥️
TIC1015

You are a trooper with what you have been through, dodging life’s bullets. I can only imagine the trials of dual TKR recovery and contributing hip discomfort. I remember kneeling semi-comfortably as a huge mile stone, as I’m sure many are not able to get to that point. Successes like yours are inspirational, especially after what you have been dealing with. You will get to your goal and thank you for sharing your strength with us.

 

[trinket]

I’m 8 months into my right tkr. My knee still has some tightness and swelling. My surgeon tells me eventually it will go away. I have no pain and plenty of range of motion so most days I don’t really give it a thought. My left knee is bone on bone and painful. I’m anxious to have this one replaced on November 6. I know it’s difficult to be patient. Best of luck to you!

 

[benne68]

I'm so glad to read that your knees are painfree and that the cortisone is helping with your hip pain, @TIC1015.

It sounds like you are doing really well. What a difference from you post in June!

Please keep us updated on what you decide to do about the hip surgery. We are here to support you!

 

[FionaW]

That’s sounding very encouraging - congratulations on all your progress! Keep us updated