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THR Maryluibel's recovery thread<

Yes I’ve iced it, elevated it, and it’s still slightly swollen, but at least I can walk on it without pain. I’m hoping that it’s something that will heal with time, because I’m good at that!! We will see.
Thank you for checking on me, this meant so much!! I’ll get back with you after my appointment.
 
I am 3 months post op and still have muscle tightness around knee and quad, as well as mild to moderate swelling in whole leg. I have a knee issue since surgery and now am pretty sure I have the same bursitis I had before surgery. I’m in good shape, (not over weight, and was active). I’m 59. I totally understand the concern about what is normal and what is not. I heard all the stories of: I’m so glad I did this, it’s changed my life. OR I started back to biking 4 weeks after. So here I am at 3 months, was active, not overweight, and I’m not back to where I THOUGHT I’d be based on other people’s experience. For one thing: those people who just appeared to pick up where they left of forgot to tell me that it’s not a straight line to go from surgery to biking or walking or the rest of their life. It’s up and down and I’ve learned that it is true everyone’s story is different. Everyone heals at different paces because of age, shape, how difficult the surgery was, how badly the hip had deteriorated and what that did to the rest of the body. Time expectations for total healing is at its best: approximate. I have days or moments where I just feel my progress is not PROGRESSING. But then the next day that groin tightness or whatever was bothering me is gone.
I had a PT come to my house twice a week for 3 weeks after surgery. Very light. I think the doc really wanted her there to see how I was getting along. Had no PT after that except I go to a PT who is certified in Osteopathic manipulation every 4 weeks, to check my alignment. She has fixed my hips before and after surgery: one side rotated forward and one back. I have a bad back so this helps. I thought my operated leg was longer but she said my pelvis needed correction. After she did gentle correcting, leg length same. I walk regularly but not as long or far as I thought I would, and am very frustrated at times about this. I use a muscle roller on my quad that my dancer daughter gave me to use, to try and ease the tightness. I also try to use on my ITB, but it’s a little more difficult because I don’t want to twist my hip.
But one thing I know is that we all have ups and downs. Muscle tightness and soreness comes and goes and moves. And what we expect to happen and when is almost impossible to predict exactly. But I for one know the THR had to be done and have no regrets. So just be as patient as you can be, and know that it will get better. You are not alone. Journal your journey, it helps. You will feel better for having this done. Don’t get discouraged.
 
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Thanks for the update @Maryluibel
It sounds like you're doing well at almost 3 mo post op. Happy Three Month Anniversary! (2 days early)
Recovery does have its ups and downs and you seem to have a healthy understanding and patience in it all.
Wishing you all the best as you move forward.
A great week to you! :SUNsmile:
 
[Bonesmart.org] Maryluibel's recovery thread<
This was my favorite recovery chart.
It took a bit for me to figure out how much was too much, what helped or hindered, and how to stay out of the ODIC. I was ever grateful for the immediate relief of the bone crunching OA pain but my body had plenty of minor aches and issues to get sorted slowly before I could forget about my new hips.
 
Hahaha. So true!!
I have two friends, both older, one quite a bit older, who had both hips replaced by same surgeon. Either they lied or neglected to tell me some/most things, but by 6 weeks they were at it: biking, walking miles, etc. Me, I’m still suffering with the same darn bursitis that I had BEFORE hip replacement!! But, since going to my PT and having osteopathic manipulation done (she is certified in this), my limp is all but gone. I still have to focus on it, but before going to her I could not walk without it for about 2 weeks. I’m still achy much of the time, but the bursitis is starting to calm down and I’m HOPEFUL!!
 
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I had the same issue before my surgery and it was accupunture for glut tendonitis that finally got rid of it. I had some relief from manual therapy but the accupunture really stopped it.

I wanted it fixed before surgery and now, 5 weeks post surgery it's pretty good still :)

Good luck!

S
 
Oh that’s interesting. Just FYI: I think we might have different issues. She straightened my hips out using resistant osteopathic manipulation because they were rotated in opposite directions causing my leg length discrepancy, which for me causes bursitis. I had gone to her for years with this problem on and off. The lack of cartilage was messing up my hips. I also had spine issues, which caused length differences. She would treat this. She also highly recommended me getting hip replacement, agreeing with the surgeon. I just put it off too long. I went to her recently, for certain my legs were different lengths and she said she thought it was my pelvis that was rotated and causing my leg length discrepancy which caused my limp which caused my bursitis. She was correct. I also have to be very careful with things like lifting because I do have back issues. I’m just not strong enough to do the things I’m doing yet. I need to get my core strong as well as leg muscles to support me ol bones!! I just get so impatient!! It’s so interesting to use the non traditional ways to help with our biomechanical issues. Thank you so much for your post, I find that very interesting. I love thinking outside the box. Glad your problem was solved. Hope others can benefit from our posts.
 
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I'm sorry to read the bursitis is overshadowing your recovery.
Thankfully it's starting to ease, hopefully it continues.
A tip -
Try heel-toe walking when / if you're limping. 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.

Thanks for updating. I hope you have a great week!
@Maryluibel
 
It’s been about 13 weeks. Please tell me that apart from having bursitis the following are normal:
Sore muscles at night still, taking Tylenol, still sleep with a pillow between my legs

Still cannot bend down enough to tie my shoes (got elastic laces, use a long shoe horn to put shoes on, and the sock took to put the sock on.... when will I be able to do this? I know, everyone is different and heals in their own time, I’m just curious...

A slightly lumpy scar in parts that sometimes feels soar or something, can’t describe really

Hair just falling out everywhere

Still limp when tired or just getting out of a chair (does that ever go away?, and still have to focus much of the time on heel to toe walking in order not to limp

I’m mostly happy and grateful, but sometimes impatient!! Ugh. Thanks for listening
 
I'm only guessing that sore muscles are a result of some activity, or over activity you're engaging in.
It's hard to judge not knowing what you do on the daily. I think you only need to keep a pillow between your legs while sleeping if you're laying on your non-op side, in support of your op side staying level, not dropping.

Putting on socks and shoes comes to some quicker than others. Try using a small footstool, or a put your foot on a step and see if that helps you get shoes on. Continue to use a sock aid until you can comfortably do without. For socks, what worked for me was sitting on the edge of the bed, or the sofa. Then I'd lift my leg onto the bed / chair, so the outside of my thigh and calf was on the furniture. Initially I found it was easier to access my foot that way.

The incision scar can feel bumpy for months and slowly smooths out. I do recall a sensitivity months out also if I applied to much pressure applying lotion etc.

Hair loss can happen - https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/hair-loss-following-surgery-trauma-stress.22564/

Continue to practice heel-toe walking. It takes time. At 21 months post op I still catch myself walking sloppily if I'm tired and I start concentrating on heel-toe. Old habits die hard and some of us established a horrible gait in an effort to protect our deteriorating hip. You're only a little over 3 months post op. Complete healing can take a year, even longer.

Patience can be hard to come by, take it slow, you'll get there. Keep a little journal and look back here a month from now and see if you notice progress.

A great rest of the week to you!
@Maryluibel
 
Thank you!! This was helpful for me to gain perspective.
As for activity level: HARDLY ANY due to the bursitis. In fact, since my surgery, I’ve hardly done much exercise due to ice and snow, having a hemorrhage in my eye 3 weeks after due to aspirin therapy and whatever, and then due to bursitis. I can count on both hands how many times I’ve walked 20 minutes or less in 3 months (well more if you count before surgery) I’m trying so hard to keep positive. Going to my PT today. I’m convinced one leg longer than the other causing my problems. My surgeon said he was not going to check that until the 6 month check up. But I feel I need a lift before.
Thanks for listening.
 
Ok. TODAY (it’s like everything changes daily ),I went to my PT who is certified in osteopathic manipulation and some type of massage or something. Anywho, I went in and just told her I was certain operated leg longer and that’s why I have bursitis. She spends lots of time on me and after awhile concluded: yes your knee is slightly lower but your leg length is equAl. So I guess I was born this way. But what she did tell me after massaging the hip area etc was that my hip muscles, especially my hip flexor was so tight, and my quads so tight and my hMstrings weak. This puts excessive stress where it shouldn’t be, and thus an imbalance biomechanically. When my legs were straight while lying on the table, the back of my knee could not touch the table. She said it was so high she could put her own leg under it. So she gave me some hip flexor stretches to do. Funny, that area is constantly sore and now I know why, it’s so tight. I asked her if I was normal. She told me I really am not where I should be, I didn’t think I was. She believes after really working on my stretching, but if it’s not better after 4 weeks I have to go back to the OS to get X-rays. So that’s my update. Thanks for listening.
 
Hello all, I have several questions. I have been experiencing what I’m pretty sure is trochanteric bursitis for about a month now (I’m a little over 15 weeks post op). It’s so painful. I have been going to my PT who has massaged it (not directly on bursa) but around and even she finally said I think you need a steroid shot. I also think I have different leg length, my PT does not. I called and cannot get into my OS for 6 weeks and so they put me with his NP in TWO weeks because they are overbooked! So I found a good Physical Medicine and Rehab Dr at the University who seems to be good and when researching him he also does ultrasound guided steroid injections. I have an appointment with him less than a week. Here are my questions for anyone, I always question myself:
1. Should I be as upset as I am that I can’t see my OS for 6 weeks and they put me with a nurse? What about xrays?
2. Should I wait and go to the PMR AFTER seeing the nurse, and reschedule that appointment? I’m suddenly having reservations because he’s not a hip surgeon, I don’t know...
3 is it too soon after hip replacement to get steroid shot?
4 how will I know they actually injected in the bursa?

Also: I have had really ZERO activity due to pain for over a month. And before that hardly any!
Thank you. Any comments welcome
 
Well an update: went to a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Dr (didn’t know there was such a thing) and he told me there’s no such thing as trochanteric bursitis (which I asked him if I had). He said it’s actually gluteus medius peri tendinitis (sp?). Rather it’s a whole syndrome. So I got an ultrasound guided steroid injection there. I’m soooo hopeful! I will finally be able to ACTUALLY WALK!!!!
 
Hi @Maryluibel :wave:
So sorry your post on Saturday went unanswered..but happy you were able to get some positive treatment and are feeling encouraged.
Josephine may have been able to weigh in, though she was predisposed this weekend...
You can always use an @ sign to initiate a "tag" that will draw attention.
Yay for walking...just try not to overdo.
Continued best wishes for recovery:friends:
 
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Thank you. I actually have not walked yet. The doc told me to wait 3 days. He said many people feel good right away and exercise before the steroid has a chance to work, then overdo it and are back in pain. So I’m waiting! I mean I have walked UP TO 20 minutes at a time no more than 10 times since before my surgery almost 4 months ago due to this pain. I cried in the office because just the idea I can walk is so unbelievable. I think the doc didn’t know what to do with my emotion. You know when the quality of life gets so low, just the idea that one can get back to a normal life is just amazing. Thank you for listening. I still have no regrets about the THR, it had to happen. The pain I was/am experiencing is soft tissue and was there before the surgery. Now I will finally be able to work on strengthening those sleeping muscles. So to the newbies: don’t be afraid, it’s worth it. And @Josephine, if you have time to look at my recent posts, I’d sure welcome your opinion. Specifically the one posted Saturday April 6.
 
So I have been terribly fatigued for 4 days, and started 3 days after steroid injection into gluteus medius peri tendinitis (sp?). Is this a reaction to the steroid? @Josephine ? Anyone else have this?
 
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