THR JenaS62's Recovery

[JenaS62]

Hello I am a new member. I had my right hip replaced on 3/17/23. No one even told me that I would not be able to drive after the surgery. They said I would need “some” help with ever day tasks. I asked my husband to take off a week of work to care for me and told my boss I would be back in a week. Haha. Two weeks later and I am not sure I can even work from home.

Anyway, when I woke up from my surgery, my surgery leg was throbbing so bad that I was moaning and groaning. The nurse gave me a Percocet. Later gave me a half a Percocet. I was surprised at the pain because they said I was going to have a nerve block and would not have much pain.

I got home and I was dying. I felt like I had been shot in my hip. I was literally screaming when my husband tried to help me into bed. That lasted a couple days then subsided.

On to my next issue. My entire inner leg from thigh to ankle and around my knee is numb. The area burns and is numb at the same time. My leg tingles like the worst restless leg syndrome ever. I figured this was normal. Then my PT tried to get me to lift my leg from laying down and from sitting and I cannot lift my leg. I asked when I should be able to lift it and he said “now”.

Went back to doctor for 2 week follow up on 3/30/23 and he seemed shocked at my issues. He said that he was not even near the femoral nerve and that it had to be “the shot”. He had only seen one other case of this and that it took the woman 6 months to recover. He put me on a steroid pack but it’s done nothing for my numbness. I cannot drive, even if I was allowed to, because I cannot lift my leg. My knee buckles and I have fallen once and almost fell twice. I am depressed thinking I may stay like this. My son is getting married in September and I am so afraid that I will have to use a walker.

I am freaking out and regretting my decision to get the replacement. No one warned me about the potential for nerve damage and I am pretty sure that’s what’s wrong. I know it’s still early so I am trying to calm down.

Did anyone else have this problem? If do, how long to recover?

 

[Layla]

I will leave our recovery Guidelines to get you started and post more in a note below.

HIP RECOVERY GUIDELINES

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.

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​

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.

 

[djklaugh]

@JenaS62 Welcome to BoneSmart! I am so sorry you are having a rough time with your hip replacement and were so ill informed before the procedure! It is pretty standard for people to not drive after hip replacement (or any major surgery for that matter) and that restriction usually lasts for about 6-8 weeks. Also patients are usually advised to plan for at least 12 weeks off from work. A few folks who work just desk jobs can return sooner and folks with very physically demanding jobs are urged to get a "phased return to work plan" with the help of their boss or HR department.

No you will not stay like you are now! Things will get better! It is normal to get down after major surgery especially when the reality of recuperation is not a match with your pre op expectations. And do consider giving your surgeon feed back on how poorly informed you were!

Do read the articles and suggestions given above. Those will help you I am sure.

 

[Layla]

Welcome to BoneSmart Jena! We're happy you're here. I think you'll love the support offered on the forum.
I am sorry you're struggling, worried and depressed and regretting your decision to have your hip replaced. Hopefully what you've described will gradually subside as your surgeon suggested and the steroid pack begins to offer some relief. Please give this more time, it really is early days at only two weeks post op. I am sure others will stop by with words of encouragement. Hang in there! Wishing you lots of comfort and peace of mind as you begin healing.
@JenaS62

 

[Layla]

Some additional info,
Small sensory nerve fibers are cut with the incision. These nerve fibers run from the inside to the outside of the hip and cutting them causes the hip to feel numb after surgery. It is a temporary sensation that normally resolves over a period of six months to one year post op.

While healing you may experience sensations of tingling, pins and needles, itching, burning and even the feeling of a minor electrical shock. These are usually good signs that the nerves are spontaneously firing through the regeneration process.

 

[Eman85]

You've come to the right place, sounds like you've not been told or aware of what this THR stuff is all about. You're 2 weeks into a 1 year recovery, most of what you describe is normal.
Are you icing and resting? Log leg is common, driving after right THR takes time as you need to have fast reactions and a post-op leg just doesn't have that for a while.
Are you doing any PT? Are you doing any exercises? If you read many of our posts on here you'll find that PT isn't much use especially in the early months and most exercises do nothing but cause pain.
Recommended time off after THR is usually 12 weeks and it's the best way to do it.

 

[JenaS62]

Thank you for the very warm welcome and encouraging words. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this group! I am doing PT 3 days per week. He comes to my home for I think another two weeks. I continue to do the exercises and walking on his off days. I have been doing a lot of reading and based on what my doctor said, I don’t think my leg, knee and ankle numbness is normal but I am also reading that over time, it will lesson. I have not even attempted to walk without my walker because of my knee giving up. Never had any knee trouble before so it has to be related to the nerve issue.

I’m sure many of you women can restate to this. While my husband is trying his best, having to take over all of my normal duties is really putting a strain on him. I have 5 rescue dogs that I have always been the sole keeper of. Now my husband has to do it and I feel him becoming impatient with me. I hope that we survive this.

I work from home full time so today I am going to attempt it. If I don’t go back today or if I do and it does not work out, I will have to file for short term disability. But then what will I do all day? I already feel like a caged animal. I get moments of panic from being trapped here. I hope this passes quickly.

I will let you know how I make out with work. Have a wonderful day everyone.

 

[myglasshalffull]

It may take you some time to walk w/o assistive device, don't worry about that.
Welcome to the group, you will find we are a compassionate helpful group and most of us have been where you are right now. Don't despair. It does get better. Very normal for knee pain.
Be sure you use the walker at all times getting around the house, don't try and walk w/o it cause you don't want to fall, falling is last thing you need right now.
First few weeks I got up, made coffee, walked around the table several times and then back to bed. Repeat several times during day. If weather is nice get outside and grab a chair and sit in sun for awhile. It will improve your mood and Vitamin D is good for you.
Stay on top of your meds. Stay ahead of the pain.
All my best.

 

[gavinmac]

Hey Jena. I’m so sorry you are having a difficult time. It does get better. If you do try to go back to work today, try it in small groups of time. Sitting in one position for and hour or more may cause more pain and stiffness. Use your walker. Put ribbons on it if you need to but make you number one job Do Not Fall. When you are ready to get rid of it you’ll know. And you will get rid of it. As for the nerve pain. Yes there is nerve pain with this surgery but yours sounds a little extra. When I had my hysterectomy (I know, not ortho) they damaged a nerve in my groin. The pain was significant and very much like you are describing. It took months but it eventually died down and feels normal. Although once in awhile when I sneeze I still feel it.
Hang in there.

 

[KittensMom]

I am so sorry that the first few weeks have been tough for you. It is still early days however, and although if may feel like you are not making quick progress, our bodies are very good at healing themselves, and time will work in your favour.

Maybe the physio could work with you on sitting or laying down exercises that would strengthen the right muscle groups so that the risk of falling decreases when you start to walk.

It is good that you have your husband to support you through this. How is the situation at work, could you take more time off to focus on recovery?

 

[JenaS62]

I just put in for short term disability because sitting in my office chair is killing my leg and hip. I will probably be out two more weeks and I see my doctor again on the 13th. Thanks everyone!

 

[Layla]

I can imagine the need to seek short term disability. Returning to work so soon had to be difficult, if not impossible, even though you're working from home. I'm guessing you're tired, possibly experiencing poor concentration and pain from your very recent surgery. I hope you can get lots of rest, regain strength and stamina and feel better by the time you need to return. Best Wishes.
@JenaS62

 

[Lulu77]

Hi! I’m so sorry you were so badly misinformed. I went back to work (mostly from home) after four weeks and it was tough. I’m still rationing my energy. You shouldn’t feel bad for needing help with household tasks. You need it, since your body basically just got hit by a bus. I also have been very depressed and regretful but I’ve now accepted that this is a long process. Focusing on small improvements has helped. And resting. Making myself rest. I’m not great at it but I can see that it is beneficial. Take care of yourself and keep us updated when you can!

 

[JenaS62]

At 3 weeks post surgery, my biggest issue right now is that I strongly suspect femoral nerve damage ( I’ve been doing a lot of reading) and that is really what is causing me to wake up and cry every day. I can barely walk using my walker because my leg is so stiff and now my knee on the hip surgery leg is very painful. Due to the nerve damage, I have random severe intense throbbing in my leg mostly near my knee. The only relief is Percocet. My inner leg continues to be numb from groin to ankle and I still cannot lift my leg to put on socks, shoes or anything else. My doctor, when I last saw him, said that he would send me for neurological testing. So hopefully that will be soon.

 

[MeowWoofMomma]

Jena, I'm so sorry you're feeling so much pain. I hope you get the neurological testing soon and they figure out what's causing this.

While my husband is trying his best, having to take over all of my normal duties is really putting a strain on him. I have 5 rescue dogs that I have always been the sole keeper of. Now my husband has to do it and I feel him becoming impatient with me.

I can sure identify with this . I'm a very independent person, and my hubby seeing me helpless like this is causing him some distress; sort of a role reversal. But we're getting used to the new dynamics and working it out.

Is there any way that you can get some help with your rescues? Our neighbors have been very helpful taking the kids out for their daily walk. There are also doggie care services that will come in once or twice daily to look after your pets. Or even consider doggie day care a couple of times a week to give your hubby some respite.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[Layla]

Hi Jena,
Since your next appointment with your surgeon is on the 13th, one week from today, I wonder if he's planning on a referral for neurological testing before then, so he knows what he's dealing with, or at least what to rule out by the time you meet with him next? Wondering if you should call to inquire / clarify in order to get the ball rolling?
Something to consider...

I am sorry you're struggling, dealing with pain and uncertainty. My heart goes out to you and I hope you learn something and feel you're on more stable ground soon.
Hugs and best wishes for answers and peace of mind.
@JenaS62

 

[Eman85]

Thank you for the very warm welcome and encouraging words. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this group! I am doing PT 3 days per week. He comes to my home for I think another two weeks. I continue to do the exercises and walking on his off days. I have been doing a lot of reading and based on what my doctor said, I don’t think my leg, knee and ankle numbness is normal but I am also reading that over time, it will lesson. I have not even attempted to walk without my walker because of my knee giving up. Never had any knee trouble before so it has to be related to the nerve issue.

Have you tried not doing PT, exercises and everything else and just resting and icing for a few days? Doing too much googling and reading can make us think too much about all of the things we think went wrong.

 

[JenaS62]

Hi Jena,
Since your next appointment with your surgeon is on the 13th, one week from today, I wonder if he's planning on a referral for neurological testing before then, so he knows what he's dealing with, or at least what to rule out by the time you meet with him next? Wondering if you should call to inquire / clarify in order to get the ball rolling?
Something to consider...

I am sorry you're struggling, dealing with pain and uncertainty. My heart goes out to you and I hope you learn something and feel you're on more stable ground soon.
Hugs and best wishes for answers and peace of mind.
@JenaS62

Actually I think he thought that the steroid pack was going to be the answer. On the 13th when he finds out that it did nothing, he will refer me. I won’t leave without it. My husband is so upset that I hesitate to have him go in with me for my appointment.

3 weeks in and I cannot put on socks, underwear, shorts, etc on my own because I cannot lift up my foot. My foot does not do what I tell it to do. I cannot shower myself because I am still very unsteady and my knee hurts and feels unstable. I have figured out how to feed the dogs so that is a little bit off my husband.

My thigh, although numb on the inside is extra sensitive. If one of my chihuahuas walks across it, I feels like someone hitting it with a hammer.

Still doing PT 3 days a week but I find after PT that I am so sore and throbbing that it’s almost unbearable. Wondering if it’s with doing.

Thanks for everyone’s responses!

 

[Eman85]

Still doing PT 3 days a week but I find after PT that I am so sore and throbbing that it’s almost unbearable. Wondering if it’s with doing.

I'd skip a week or 2, doesn't sound like it's doing much for you so skipping it you have nothing to lose. 3 weeks in there isn't much you can do to build damaged muscles.

 

[JenaS62]

Had my 4 week follow up today and my surgeon agrees that I have femoral nerve damage, obviously caused by the surgical procedure. I will be having nerve testing but there is probably nothing to do to fix me other than time. He said it could take months to get better.

I’m kind of depressed. I had this surgery so that I could walk better at my son’s wedding coming up in September and now I can’t even walk. And since it’s my right leg, I cannot drive and I am completely dependent on my husband for everything. It’s not a good feeling since prior to March 17th 2023, I was a completely independent. I need to adjust my attitude because I know that I have a blessed life and I hate sounding whiny. Sorry.