THR Merrimay's on the other side now THR

[Mojo333]

Hi @Merrimay
I believe the post you are referring to was on Bikirl's thread
But here it is for you!

As far as the stiffness, that is swelling and icing and elevation should help that, if you're not already doing both. Ice any and all areas that hurt. A former BoneSmart colleague long ago shared this - Tightness is a normal occurrence after this kind of major surgery. Your surgeon did major carpentry work and disturbed every millimeter of soft tissue in the area. You aren't tight because your muscle is underused and needs to be stretched and rehabbed. You're tight because your tissue is healing...and complete healing takes a full year or more.

I do feel you're overdoing it, with walking and PT. Consider stepping away from the PT for a time, at least 2-3 weeks and see if you notice a difference. It is not necessary to exercise your injured hip to promote healing. The controlled trauma sustained through THR will heal on its own. Often though, we're impatient and want to move the process along. In doing so we run the risk of struggling with pain and setbacks stalling the healing process. The best therapy for recovery is walking, but not to excess. Start slowly increasing time and distance incrementally in an effort not to overdo it. Give yourself the TLC you deserve and reap the benefits of a successful recovery.

 

[Merrimay]

That's the info, @Mojo333 ! Thank you so much. It dawns on me that I'm pushing through muscle stiffness under the misguided assumption that it's related to lack of use. Last night I developed real soreness and discomfort. Overdid It Club again!

 

[Merrimay]

Gang, for the first time since surgery, I'm feeling zaps and pings and real soreness around the implant. I'm thinking this is normal early on, but wondering if it's normal for it to first happen at week 11? Thx

 

[Jaycey]

@Merrimay We call these sensations zingers. It's nerves and soft tissues "waking up" after the trauma of surgery. Totally normal.

Are you icing and elevating?

 

[Merrimay]

@Jaycey , you're quick!

I am icing, but the zingers are new, and I thought, "What on earth is it now?"

Totally normal sounds good to me. Guess my nerves and soft tissues needed 11 weeks to wake up! Thank you!

 

[Jaycey]

Nerves take a very long time to heal. You are doing just fine! Slow and steady is what this recovery is all about.

 

[Merrimay]

I owe you and all the staffers and members on this forum a lot, @Jaycey ! When I'm down, you lift me up.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Merrimay,
Had those zaps and zingers much later in my recovery and already knew to expect them.
I've joined ODIC couple of times!
Last week me and my partner spent a good portion of the day taking down all the Christmas stuff and getting storage boxes put back, cleaning, etc. Worked straight through good 4-5 hours with no break and I remarked it was the first time I didn't need to sit and take a small break, I was overjoyed!
And the back spasms I was having are gone as well.
It all comes together, just takes time.

 

[Layla]

Gang, for the first time since surgery, I'm feeling zaps and pings and real soreness around the implant. I'm thinking this is normal early on, but wondering if it's normal for it to first happen at week 11? Thx

I agree with, Jaycey, that this is a good sign that nerves are spontaneously firing through the regeneration process. Initially I was startled by and anxious about some of those odd sensations. I soon realized it seemed one was quickly replaced by another.Tingling, pins and needles, itching, burning and even the feeling of a minor electrical shock.
Your body healing as it should.
I hope you have a nice weekend, Merrimay!
@Merrimay

 

[Merrimay]

@Jamie , thank you for your posting reminding me that you've experienced difficulties with atrophy and gait. Having read your thread now from the beginning, yes, I think I've "hit the wall" on my recovery unless I get some help with my nonoperative hip and thigh muscles. For over 15 years, I limped on the nonoperative leg and as long as I was on the walker or, as I am now, two poles, it wasn't obvious. But the minute I tried walking for a full day without poles, I sustained a severe setback. The soft tissues around my implant are in more pain than at any other point, and my nonoperative leg throbs. The limp is worse.

So I rested for a day, iced, etc., then went back to one pole. But that only made my zingers worse. So now I'm back on two poles. I'm walking more stiffly and it's clear to all who see me that I "was doing better" before I came off my poles.

I've also had to go back on tylenol 3 times a day after a good month of that not being the case. I throb at night, which has not been the case since a week or so after my surgery. Both knees are stiff and sore now, too.

I would get an Rx from my doctor for PT, but I had PT preop and two weeks postop, and continue to do those exercises. Other than that, just walk, my OS said. He also encouraged riding a stationary bike, but my operative thigh is not there yet. Instead I use a floor cycler.

I'd be gung-go about massage therapy if I weren't afraid of being hurt. The therapists are young here, and into sports rehab. After I had knee arthroscopy, I vowed never again...my PT bullied me until the pain was so bad, I gave up. Came home, bought a recumbent bike, and slowly brought back my knee ROM at my own pace. But I was in my early 50s then and went into the arthroscopic surgery in very good shape.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I'm anxious at this point. All I can imagine for myself is not getting better because I've hit a hard wall at weeks 10 and 11. And been knocked flat, it feels like.

Re: stair-climbing...I live in an old house. My stairs are high and steep. I cannot yet step up with my operative leg without femur pain. So I still go up with the good, down with the bad. As I do it, I want to cry. Not from pain but from realizing I'm just too far postop to still be doing it.

I went into hip replacement because I had no other option. I was bedridden and in level 10 pain. My pain is manageable now if I walk on two poles. And I can drive now. But I'm very stiff and easily worn out. I could walk up stairs better before surgery than I do now.

I know this can be a slow recovery, but I feel stuck and much older than I did pre-op. Before I felt as if my disability was temporary. Now I feel like I'm just disabled.

Again, I'm sorry to be so down and not have better news to report. Maybe I'll feel a bit better at some point and muster the courage for massage therapy. I'm pleased to hear it's helping you! Thank you for sharing your experience with it!

 

[Jamie]

@Merrimay .... based on what you've told me about having walked off balance for 15 years on your non-operative leg, I'd say you may very well have some muscle issues there. I suggest you go to your GP and explain what is going on as this is not really something an orthopedic surgeon would normally deal with. Ask for an order for therapy. Then call around to different therapy clinics and see if you can find one that has a therapist trained in Pressure Point Massage Therapy and Fascia Release.

This is not the type of therapy you're thinking of and not even what I would call "massage" therapy. There really isn't much of any massage. There are certain trigger points within muscles, that control the contraction/release function. In this therapy controlled finger pressure is placed on the points near where you have tight or knotted muscles. This pressure eventually causes some release of the muscle fibers. But, they tend to float back to the tight state with a little time, so you must have this pressure applied every few days for maybe months to get the complete release. It's quite a process. I've found at times one area will start to release and the pain/tightness will move to another area that must then be treated. All these muscles are interconnected in the way they work and it's a fine balance to have everything "tuned up" again.

This therapy is really worth a try for you. I don't believe you can do this on your own.

 

[Merrimay]

@Jamie , thank you for your concern and advice. I will begin the process of seeking help on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

 

[Layla]

With any luck, Jamie's, suggestion is something that works for you, Merrimay. I know you've been patiently struggling and the thought that this type of massage therapy may bring you the relief you long for and deserve is exciting. I will watch your progress with interest and hope you find a knowledgeable, gentle and kind therapist to work with.
Have a nice weekend!
@Merrimay

 

[subie2021]

Merrimay, I second @Jamie 's advice. Based on my experience trigger point therapy can help a lot. I sort of stumbled upon it after an injury and found some good information online. Trigger points are tiny little muscle spasms that cause pain further down the line. If gentle pressure is applied to the trigger points, the spasm, and the pain, is relieved. Depending on the situation, relief can be almost immediate, but chronic pain will take time.
Look online for "trigger point map" and you'll see body diagrams of muscle groups, with painful areas highlighted and the trigger points marked. Those helped me to understand the therapy.
Also you might check out dry needling. After my HR, I went to PT at a facility within the same system as my surgeon's group. I happened to cross schedule with a guy who had some type of problem with his shoulder. He was there for dry needling sessions, which my therapist applied. While I was doing my work, this guy would be snoozing on a table undergoing his treatments. He'd be done before I was and every time, he told the therapist that his session provided relief.
I hope you find some options that will help you. Best wishes to you!

 

[Merrimay]

Turns out my neighbor teaches yoga at a well-respected PT office here where they do offer the treatments you suggest, @Jamie. Unfortunately, medicare doesn't reimburse them directly, just my PCP who orders the therapy. But my PCP is unaffiliated with any PT group, including this one. So the only way I can get the treatment is out of pocket. I can't handle a lengthy put of pocket therapy, unfortunately. I feel very sad. But thank you for trying to assist me. Much appreciated.

 

[Jamie]

This yoga group can’t possibly be the only place near you who does this therapy. I’ll do some searching.

 

[subie2021]

Your pcp is connected to a local hospital? The hospital ought to have a pt department.

 

[Merrimay]

Sadly, she's not affiliated with a hospital. I live in a medically undeserved region, so that's common in these parts.

 

[Merrimay]

Underserved, not undeserved

 

[Merrimay]

I'll keep looking