THR Hip replacement problem and revision

It is like shin splint pain down the shins (both shins!)
If it's in both legs, then it's not connected with your surgery.
The pain in the butt is now when I sit and when I stand after sitting.
This could be but I'm pretty certain it's Piriformis syndrome. Did you read this article before?
You mentioned Piriformis syndrome, I phoned my hospital PT (who is very busy also and only seems to say give it all time). He says it is probably a Bakers cyst. I cannot see any obvious swelling behind my knee
Well he's wrong! It's highly unlikely you'd get a Baker's cysts after a hip replacement!
I have read about meralgia paresthetica
You don't have MP and your symptoms are in no way similar.
Can I ask you should I see a chiropractor? Don't know where to start finding one in Norwich but will google.
Yep, that's how I found mine! I'd recommend a chiropractor rather than an osteopath. Though confusingly, some osteopaths do use chiropractic techniques as my first osteo did. So it was a bit confusing when I moved across the country, found myself an osteopath and then found he didn't do what my previous chap did. So I went to a chiro instead and found it to be a world of difference.
when do I review the Moderator
You were asked to do this? Let's ask @Jamie - she probably knows about it.
 
Thank you for your reply and when do I review the Moderator, I have been asked to, do I do this at the end of the helpfulness?
Sorry, I have no idea what this is about. Who asked you to review a Moderator and when? Please tag me when you respond as I'm curious about what you're referring to and want to see your reply quickly.
 
Dear @Josephine - thank you so much for your reply, very kind of you to give your time and help. Yes I read all about PS and thought it sounds so similar to my symptoms, I have located a nearby Chiropractor and will try not to think about the price and make an apt., good ol' credit card.

I need to get sorted, it is so getting me down after thinking I was progressing so well first 3 months. I didn't do any more than the basic movements on the sheet I was given when I left hospital and walked. Can't think why after 3 months I would have al these horrible symptoms.

The shin splint feeling pain in both legs (worse in operated) is confusing. I remember having them when I upped my running, quite common. So I wondered if I was doing too much walking and the front of shin soreness began. Soreness and redness of front of knees is worrying, I can feel them now as I sit and type, and they feel hot.

But you have never heard of these symptoms before, I think you said? Thank you for any further info/reply you are able to give on that. All the very best, happy weekend.

I will reply to Jamie, it was rate your surgeon - but now I see it again, it may not be part of Bonesmart - so sorry. I will take a look again.
 
Hello @Josephine

Please can I ask your advice on this as you seem so experienced

I had a pre-arranged appointment with my hospital physio Friday and explained all my symptoms to him and he seems to think it is muscle weakness and I really should tone up and strengthen the muscles of the quads.

I am small frame and 7½ stone so not much muscle tone or fat even before the op but have lost more since. He said the pain and stiffness especially from sitting to standing is weak butt muscles and to strengthen all of that area. He said floor exercises for abductors/adductors and butt muscles would help and gym or swimming.

As I am 5 months what are your thoughts on this please? He said it may take a couple of months and it will hurt at first but is necessary. He ruled out Bakers cyst and piriformis syndrome.

Thank you,
 
he seems to think it is muscle weakness and I really should tone up and strengthen the muscles of the quads. He said the pain and stiffness especially from sitting to standing is weak butt muscles and to strengthen all of that area. He said floor exercises for abductors/adductors and butt muscles would help and gym or swimming. He said it may take a couple of months and it will hurt at first but is necessary.

As I am 5 months what are your thoughts on this please?
Did you read my previous posts - 17 and 19? Because in them I have already answered all these questions.
 
I will reply to Jamie, it was rate your surgeon - but now I see it again, it may not be part of Bonesmart - so sorry. I will take a look again.
Don't worry about the messages regarding rating your surgeon. We are asking our US members to do that for surgeons in our new Joint Surgeon Locator, but we don't have that same tool yet for the UK.
 
Don't worry about the messages regarding rating your surgeon. We are asking our US members to do that for surgeons in our new Joint Surgeon Locator, but we don't have that same tool yet for the UK.
Thank you Jamie, I understand, it was nice to have a friendly reply from you as was Layla friendly too.
 
Good to see you in the recovery side. My OS said I didn’t need PT for my hip to recover. Like many, I thought I needed to “work” on my recovery so I did got to a few sessions. It didn’t take me long to realize they were not helping so I stopped going. By that time I had also read all the posts here on the forum saying no PT needed. I recovered just fine with the same range of motion as everyone else. It is good to walk a bit each day though and gradually increase the length of time you walk as time goes on. Sending healing wishes your way.

Hi @GrannyC - thank you for your message, so sorry for late reply. I am just over 5 months now and I cannot see that if I do nothing I am helping. Surely you have to strengthen the muscles. Apparently I have been told my pain - standing from sitting - is muscle weakness, I am under 50k and have done nothing really in the last 5 months, so I need to strengthen those muscles in the quad area. It makes sense to me. A chiropractor and my PT have said the same. If you leave it until a year say with doing nothing but walk what an effort it will be to become active again. Thank you so much for the healing wishes you sent and I am glad you recovered well
 
Did you read my previous posts - 17 and 19? Because in them I have already answered all these questions.

Hello @Josephine - I have now seen my hospital PT and a chiropractor and they both say my stiffness and pain when going from sitting to standing is due to muscle weakness. I am tiny any way and have lost more muscle. They both say I have to strengthen the muscles.

This makes sense to me, after all I am over 5 months post hip replacement now. When would you have suggested I began building up to be active again. I'm not talking about becoming an athlete, but I don't want to be a couch potato either. I'm interested in knowing when you say begin to strengthen muscles that have been weakened with the op. If you say over a year, surely then it is a real battle. After 2 days of mild exercises to strengthen the quads, already I can walk up the stairs unaided. I did think joining this forum I would be able to engage with other patients that were the same length of time as me post hip replacement and friendly interaction.
 
Well if you're already started, then now might be a good time. But I'd join a local gym where they have trainers who a) have to do an assessment before you start and b) are there to advise you so you don't go mad!
 
Hi @Mar1gold
How is it going for you? We'd love to read an update.
Please leave us a progress report next time you're on the forum. We'd love to offer support and encouragement as you continue healing.
Will look forward to hearing from you!
 
Hi @Mar1gold
How is it going for you? We'd love to read an update.
Please leave us a progress report next time you're on the forum. We'd love to offer support and encouragement as you continue healing.
Will look forward to hearing from you!
Hi @Layla - sorry for late reply, long story re my absence on forum. Thank you for asking about my progress. . I still get the pain though after sitting to stand and a pain. After seeing my hospital PT early this month, I have been doing quad strengthening exercises and I do wish I had started them early.

I have purchased some Nordic poles as I still seem to be limping, I try so hard not to, I am almost 6 months post op now. I have a stiffness/soreness in the hip/thigh area that seems to go to the knee so then the pain from the knee makes me limp.

Josephine on this forum seems to say do not do anything at all the hip sorts itself out, that may be ok for some THR patients but not if you wish to have an active life again I personally think.

I saw my consultant last week, who also advised me to strengthen the quad area and has also referred me to a pain management consultant in case it is a soft tissue pain problem. Not sure what that is!

I am worried about limping for ever. I totally wish I had never had the hip replacement as I had hardly any pain before, no limp and just assumed I had an ongoing IT band problem. Then after an xray apparently I was bone on bone, so not having the op didnt seem to be an option.
 
Hello and Happy Monday!
It's good to hear from you but it saddens me to hear you wish you never experienced THR.
If you haven't already, try heel-toe walking for the limp and see if it helps. Let your heel hit the ground first followed by toes. It takes a concentrated effort but I believe you'll notice a difference. Give it a try.

Whether to PT, or not, is a personal choice. You need to do what you feel is right for you. Which it seems you are. I wish you only the best going forward and hope you'll drop by again soon and let us know how you're doing.
A great week to you!
@Mar1gold
 
Hi Mar1gold. I am so sorry to hear about your pain in your legs and bum. I am in a similar situation with both the pain and the referral to a pain clinic. I did really need the op as I could barely walk due to the arthritis in my hip, but have had a disappointing recovery. If any thing I was doing better in the couple of weeks following the operation than now. My recovery was held up due to nearly 2 weeks back in hospital due to bp problems and consequent lack of movement. Like you I now have 2 painful legs, an aching bum and lower back. I have seen a physio, who has given me some not very useful exercises, and a chiropractor who has been much more helpful. She immediately identified lack of glute strength and weak quads, hamstring and calf muscles which were having to try to take the load. I am now doing exercises to strengthen the glutes and feel much more positive. I had such high expectations of progress after nearly 6 months but will have to be more patient!
 
Hi @fanny23 - thank you for your note, we seem to be in a similar situation with our post op THR. It gets you down doesnt it, but like you, now I am doing exercises for strengthening my glutes I do feel more positive. My PT told me to do this. I did wonder about going to a chiropractor, but if they will tell me the same thing it does seem silly to spend £60. I am doing squats, planks, bridges, adbuctor and adductor exercises and stretches for my hamstrings. I try to walk but the stiffness from my hip seems to give me pain in the knee and makes me limp. I will make a conscious effort to walk heel to toe as @Layla has explained. I wish you a good week and progress.
 
Thank you Mar1gold, I'm not sure I am making much progress! It does get you down doesn't it?
You are doing many more exercises than I am and they seem to be much more demanding. I think your hip is doing very well to cope, you should be pleased with your progress.
You're right about the cost of a chiro, the trouble with my physio was that she didn't seem to address all my pain issues. Because I paid for my op, which included physio, she refused to deal with anything she felt was not hip related. I think gait problems were caused by my hip was not getting any help.
What sort of stretches are you doing for your hamstrings? For glutes I have been standing on one leg at a time (supporting on a wall) for 30 secs. I see my chiro on Saturday so I imagine she will suggest something else to strengthen them.
 
Hi, not sure how to start a new thread.
has anyone had a problem with their hip replacement and had to have it looked at? I had a hip replacement last year, still getting pains, not recovering as well as I thought even though I am fit and not at all over weight. Mostly gluteus pain and tightening around hip. I have recently seen a Chronic Pain consultant and a full bone scan showed low density of bone and apparently I have shallow hip sockets, tight hips and the scan showed an excess about of blood flowing to the joint, possibly loosening, I am awaiting an appointment with a Consultant specializing in this and hip replacement problems. I am really anxious, I really do not want to have surgery again but although I have done everything correctly I am not able to say like others that my hip replacement is the best thing I have had done, not at all. Apparently I should have done more glute exercises earlier, especially gluteus medius, I have pain in the but, very tight feeling around the top of the thigh, used to be able to sleep on my hip op side but now cannot. I have experienced sharp tingling pains in shins, both shins funnily enough, am now taking gabapentin tabs for that. if anyone has the same experiences or has had to have their hip replacement seen to I would be grateful for any advice,info. Thank you
 
Hi, not sure how to start a new thread.
Hi @Mar1gold
Sorry you are still struggling.

We prefer that members in recovery only have one thread.

It's best if we can keep all your recovery story in one place so it's easily accessed if we need to advise you.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread.
I think a new thread title might solicit some input so if you want we can change it to whatever you would like.
 
@Mar1gold Welcome back to BoneSmart. No need to start a new thread as this thread is about the same hip. So sorry you are still dealing with it after all this time.

If your scan showed possible loosening that's probably what is causing the pain. No amount of exercise would fix this.

You are doing the right thing seeing someone who deals with problem THRs. I know you don't want to face another op. But a revision done by someone who is a specialist should resolve this for you.

The bad news is wait times for anything orthopaedic are horrid. Did they give you any idea of how long you might be waiting?
 
@Mar1gold Welcome back to BoneSmart. No need to start a new thread as this thread is about the same hip. So sorry you are still dealing with it after all this time.

If your scan showed possible loosening that's probably what is causing the pain. No amount of exercise would fix this.

You are doing the right thing seeing someone who deals with problem THRs. I know you don't want to face another op. But a revision done by someone who is a specialist should resolve this for you.

The bad news is wait times for anything orthopaedic are horrid. Did they give you any idea of how long you might be waiting?

Hi Jacey

Thank you so much for your quick reply. The Chronic Pain Consultant who referred me to the Specialist said they would mark it urgent, but they did say it may be a wait. I'm not sure what to do to help. The nagging pain is really getting me down, I have had it for so long now and it is having an affect on my daily life. In your opinion would you say that revision surgery can be ok, its just that I have read negative comments about a 2nd op. It seems that I dont seem to have the best hip sockets, shallow and narrow pelvis. Tight hips I believe was the term. I definitely know that in the last 6 months I have noticed my op leg is becoming shorter. I now do place a heel pad in my trainers. I do have a referral to the bio-mechanic dept but again the waiting list I am sure is long.
I miss the erlief from Naproxen, I had to sop aking then when I was prescribed gabapentin for the nerve tingling sensations. (sometimes like fireworks in my shins). I have had those for almost a year and constantly wear support pop socks, albeit light weight ones from Boots. But on a hot day it gets me down that I cannot wear a sun dress etc because I am wearing blinking pop socks all the time.
Thank you, very best wishes, julie
 

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