THR Is hardness behind incision normal ? Thr 8/18 anterior

[teaandhips]

Good day all!
So happy to be on the other side of my 1st thr but not my first hip surgery. I am a 42 year old with a history of legge Perthes. Slow but steady and happy healing. This forum has answered many of my questions during recovery. I do have one question....is it normal for the area behind the incision to feel hard to the touch ?


Thank you in advance !
Happy healing every one !

 

[GrumpyMCO]

I had the same question at my post op visit, I don't know if the answer i was given applies.
My upper scar from the mako procedure felt hard, like a pencil was left behind. I was told there were internal stitches to prevent the surface scar from spreading.
I had my LTHR on the same day as yours!
I hope your recovery goes smoothly!

 

[teaandhips]

Ahhhh we were opposite sides of the body same day! Mine is like a numbish firm patch..... I wonder.... Thank you so much ! Happy recovery to you too!!!

 

[djklaugh]

@teaandhips Welcome to BoneSmart! And congratulations on your new hip. Yeah that hard feeling under the incision can last for a while. If I recall correctly (it's been almost 12 years since my THRs) it took me about 3 months before I could lie on my side without feeling like I was trying to lie on a brick. And having both hip done at once, sigh, that was along time for me to sleep on my back. But eventually that sensation did go away and I could get back to sleeping on my side comfortably.

You may have seen these on other threads but here are our articles and suggestions for pos top hip replacement folks:
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
6. Access these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital

The Recovery articles:
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.

 

[Mr.fun]

Im 7 month post op from anterior RTHR. Im still rock hard underneath my incision. Its a Hard pad so to speak. To the right of my incision it looks like I have a banana under the skin.

 

[teaandhips]

That is exactly the feeling ...such a great description

 

[Psikey]

I just asked nearly same in my new Recovery post. Mines like having half a large Lemon under the stitches, hard & skin feels stretched and if laying on side protrudes clearly (pic in my thread).

It didn't start swelling up until week 4.

Discomfort/irritation rather than pain.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
I hope you have a wonderful week and great rest of the month.
@teaandhips

 

[SurreyGirl]

Anymore info on this? I have a hard very smooth shiny area underneath and around the scar which still looks a bit red and angry.

 

[Esmeralda]

@SurreyGirl I'm not so far into my recovery as you but I do have a hardness under the entire scar area but my scar looks normal to the skin surrounding it, no redness at all. Do you think the redness/ angry look to it might be something to do with the problems you had after it got wet early on in your recovery ?

 

[SurreyGirl]

Hi
I don’t know. The bit that was a bit nasty has cleared up but the whole scar is bit sore. I’ll monitor it and see the nurse again if it shows no improvement. Thanks!

 

[SurreyGirl]

Well 1.5 hours slow walking got it stinging today . Muscles are fine and better than expected but the scar did t like the walk much. It’s difficult to strike a balance! Now in bed and icing!

 

[teaandhips]

Now I see why they say that the healing isnt linear.... I was doing slow but well.... First I started having some knee pain, then the non operative hip ( that is just as arthritic ) and now... Pain down the operative hip towards the knee...... And vertigo! From nowhere.... (Probably from medication) still icing, elevating, resting and thinking positive.... (oh and still using my walker 5 weeks out

 

[teaandhips]

Well 1.5 hours slow walking got it stinging today . Muscles are fine and better than expected but the scar did t like the walk much. It’s difficult to strike a balance! Now in bed and icing!

Wow! 1.5 hours! It really is tough to figure out the formula

 

[Hippie Chick]

@teaandhips -My non-surgical hip makes itself known randomly. It was worse on X-ray but less painful.

@SurreyGirl - 1.5 hours is great! Now that you mentioned the scar that might be what I am feeling. It’s like a linear feeling where the scar is. Cannot put it into words.

 

[SurreyGirl]

@teaandhips i am still using both crutches when out and about at seven weeks. My legs are quite strong but I need the extra confidence particularly in crowded situations. I’m taking my time to get this right. Re the Walker, you are doing what is right for you. Gradually you will rely on it less but listening to your body is really important!

 

[teaandhips]

@teaandhips i am still using both crutches when out and about at seven weeks. My legs are quite strong but I need the extra confidence particularly in crowded situations. I’m taking my time to get this right. Re the Walker, you are doing what is right for you. Gradually you will rely on it less but listening to your body is really important!

Taking time to get this right .... Thats definitely my takeaway. A solid thought. I totally understand wanting that extra security out and about. I thank you..... And wish you continued happy healthy COMPLETE healing on your journey......

 

[SurreyGirl]

Thank you for your very kind comment.

 

[myglasshalffull]

This recovery is all about what feels "right" for you. I was on walker longer than most but in order to have a small fracture heal after my initial replacement I did what I had to do to avoid another surgery.
I really wanted to be walking freely for a wedding in May of last year but I still needed cane. But it all works out eventually.
You do what is best for your recovery.
Everyone just beginning your journey, we are all traveling the road with you.
Wishing all a successful recovery.

 

[teaandhips]

Thank you for sharing @myglasshalffull (love the name btw) thank you much.... Will take that with me..... "You do what is best for your recovery " good stuff! Thank you much ... Wishing a successful recovery to you as well