THR Hip recovery

[Mrvad13]

I’m 5 weeks post op, walking with a cane some pain in the morning and after sitting awhile. I do have a feeling of sometimes my leg has to catch up during a step like the muscles are still not tight yet. Happened randomly with no pain just a feeling of movement down there. Any thoughts?

 

[Layla]

Hello and Welcome to BoneSmart and recovery. Thanks for joining us!

Please share the exact date of your THR below and which hip was replaced. We’ll use the information to create a signature for you.

Since you’re very early into the healing process, I’ll leave a copy of our Recovery Guidelines. I believe you’ll find the info beneficial. I’m not sure if I’m understanding your explanation of what you’re questionIng. I’m wondering if it’s what we often describe as “stutter steps”? You get up and want to take off, but the first few steps don't come as easily as you‘d expect. Does this sound familiar? If so, as you continue to build strength and flexibility in your op leg this will fade and you will feel steadier on your feet.

We hope you’ll stop back often and share updates so we can follow you’re progress and cheer you on as you’re healing. A great rest of the week to you!

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

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. Here is a week-by-week guide

Activity progression for THRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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 the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.