THR Knee pain and numbness from knee down

[Layla]

I’m in the same boat as you right now….I honestly can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and keep thinking this is how am now going to walk for the rest of my life and I don’t believe anyone who tells me otherwise. Some days I wished I hadn’t bothered with the surgery and stuck with the pain that I could mask with pills!!

I understand the frustration you both are feeling. However, try to view it this way. It took months, more likely a year or more to get to the point where you needed a joint replacement. You developed a different gait and coping skills as your joint deteriorated. It will take time to recover from the assault your body endured, as in months, not weeks.

@Sweetheart5 limping at seven weeks is not unheard of, your body is adjusting to the prosthetic and the new gait you‘ve adopted post op. This can take time. Continue with the heel-toe walking and it will slowly ease.

@Abs850 Masking pain with pills is no way to live, given your young age. Long term that will negatively affect your health which you obviously know. As far as not believing anyone, we’re not trying to deceive you as many of us have been where you are mentally / emotionally and only want to support and encourage you. This situation will improve. It takes more time than six weeks.

How many weeks after a right hip replacement have you been able to drive. Its six weeks post op for me and I still don’t feel comfortable driving! My right knee hurts too much. I had no problem driving before the replacement!

Did you ever think of having someone drive you to a large empty parking lot to test the waters? It may not be as painful as you’re anticipating. And if it’s not, possibly just knowing you’ve tried getting behind the wheel and can drive comfortably enough will give you the boost of a small win. It’s baby steps and the small victories that get us through. Another tip that I hope I haven’t shared here already - set aside one day of the week, then on that same day, each week, look back over the past week and see if you notice improvement and I’ll bet you’ll recognize you’re doing something with greater ease. Looking for daily improvement will disappoint every time. Try to keep a positive mind set, which is healthier because brighter days are on the way, truly!
Hugs and best wishes!

 

[Eman85]

As we all say everyone is different and no 2 hips are the same. With my left I felt confident and was driving at 2 weeks. With my right I waited until 3 weeks and had to be sure I could get my leg to react fast enough. I could drive but sitting in the car for more than 5-10 minutes was agony, for some reason just the way the seat was and the movement of my leg made it hurt.
@Abs850 and @myglasshalffull I can tell you that the recovery period my OS laid out was 1 year, I can tell you also that it's longer for some parts of it. My right which was my second has had 1 muscle group that literally has been a pain in my butt. It is just recently starting to get fully with the program. My left which was my first still gets muscle pains at times.

 

[Sweetheart5]

Thanks so much.

 

[Abs850]

@Layla I really really appreciate all the advice on this group it makes me feel like am not alone…I come here for reassurance. I am trying to stay positive and hoping this limp disappears…I am also ensure I am doing my rehab exercises daily mixed with days of just walking.

You are not alone.

 

[Sweetheart5]

Layla,
If i want to talk about my knee pain from a laparoscopic surgery. Should I change threads.

 

[Sweetheart5]

I had a meniscus repair done on my right knee
Laparoscopically three years ago. I developed an infection that didn’t get into bone; however during PT I fractured my tibia. I have nerve damage from knee down to my foot.
I am Nine weeks post op from my right hip replacement and my knee is in more pain thsn before my surgery! I have not tried the shots because when I tried it three years ago it was the worst pain ever! I think Dr hit a nerve and i had to tell him to stop before he could complete the injection. I am walking with a limp; which I didn’t have before the THP!
I don’t think the knee will
ever heal! The surgeon said from the X-rays, I don’t need knee replacement! Any ideas for the knee pain?

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Sweetheart5
Welcome to the forum and I hope you are finding reassurance about your hip recovery expectations from those of us who have been there, done that.It really does take the time it takes ... but taking it slow and steady and knowing it is All Temporary really will make the recovery smoother.

laparoscopic surgery. Should I change threads

You could discuss it here, but you are correct that you are able to begin a thread in Knee Recovery. (Different joint surgery so 2 recovery threads are allowed)
You would likely get more feedback about your knee there...just make sure you share date of your procedure and which knee so we can add it to your signature!

 

[Jaycey]

Oops! Just merged your thread from the knee side to this thread. Sounds like the THR procedure aggravated an existing knee injury. The grab your knee to help dislocate your hip during THR. Many patients complain more about the knee pain than any post surgical hip pain (I did).

Have you tried icing the knee? Can you get an appointment with the original surgeon who did the knee procedure?

 

[Sweetheart5]

I felt like I was making progress with my recovery and i did something really stupid! I bend over from my waist to pick up something out of laundry basket and my back went out completely! So much pain; I’ve just been lying flat on back with lots of ice! I can barely walk. Im recovery from right hip replacement surgery. 9 weeks out.

 

[Layla]

Ugh! That is awful! I’m so sorry. I’m sure at nine weeks you were felling really good…until this happened. Hopefully lots of rest, ice and OTC meds have you back to normal soon. Prayers for your comfort.
@Sweetheart5

 

[Layla]

I just noticed it’s your two month anniversary today and while I’d like to wish you a happy one, I’m sure it’s not, now that you’re flat on your back. So next month I’ll wish you a extra happy one. Feel better soon!

 

[Sweetheart5]

This site is such a Godsend! Jaysey; no I don’t want to ho back to my knee surgeon that did my knee because i ended up with an infection with him and I wasn’t happy with him. Then I fractured my Tibia during PT. Because she was working me too hard with the knee. This was three years ago!
I hope i just sprained my back and it’s not serious.

 

[Sweetheart5]

Oops! Just merged your thread from the knee side to this thread. Sounds like the THR procedure aggravated an existing knee injury. The grab your knee to help dislocate your hip during THR. Many patients complain more about the knee pain than any post surgical hip pain (I did).

Have you tried icing the knee? Can you get an appointment with the original surgeon who did the knee procedure?

Are you saying something happened during the surgery that the surgeon grabbed my knee during surgery?

 

[CricketHip]

Oh no @Sweetheart5 ! So sorry about about your strained back. It's good that you are icing and lying on your back and resting. Hopefully you have some pillows under your knees to ease the tension while you are icing while flat on your back. At least that's what works well for me.

As for the knee pain, Jaycey is correct, when you are in surgery for a THR, the surgical team needs to dislocate your hip and to do so, they manhandle your knee and possibly your ankle, too.
I experienced quite a bit of those issues with my second THR.
It heals, but it's helpful to ice wherever your leg is swelling or hurting.

 

[Sweetheart5]

That sounds very bad; I was worried that maybe they did something on the table because my lower back and knee didnt hurt this much before the THR.

 

[Layla]

Sweetheart5, I’m so sorry I missed your question on Thursday. Please feel free to tag any of us with the guarantee we’ll respond if you place this symbol -> @ right before our name to be certain we receive the tag, just as I did at the bottom of my post to you (in blue)

I hope your back feels better today, and your knee and your hip! Ice them all as much as is tolerable. Wishing you comfort and a good week!
@Sweetheart5

 

[Sweetheart5]

Good news. My back improved after lying flat three days with ice! I went to my Sports medicine Dr. Who is highly regarded. He wanted to give me an adjustment but i told him not today; but he believes that my hip replacement will heal but my back needs adjustment thats the issue.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
How are you doing? I hope your hip is doing well and your back is feeling better also.
Let us know as time allows. All the best to you!
@Sweetheart5

 

[Sweetheart5]

I just had three MRIs. The knee showed a post operative horizontal tear. The back showed severe herniated discs.
Not sure what to do with this information but i am in more pain now than i was before the hip replacement surgery

 

[Layla]

Oh no...I'm so sorry. What is your surgeon suggesting? Wishing you lots of comfort as you weigh out options to obtain relief. Please keep us posted. We're here for support if you need us.
@Sweetheart5