Revision THR One year later and still pain in groin

[CricketHip]

Hi Karen, no, I am not doing PT, not anything formal. After things flared up I even stopped my calf raises and a couple other things the OS had given me to do. There's no reason to anger angry muscles more, you know? That is the best way to view them, they are angry, hot and bothered! But I must confess I was worried whether I was making the right decision. That's what so difficult at this stage we have to stay relatively inactive and then our minds get to working on us!
I wish I could say something to help ease your worries, but seriously, you are about as far as long as you can possibly be after a dislocation. I began driving around 4 1/2 weeks post op.. my thigh muscles would fatigue very easily, but now 2 weeks later it is so much easier to drive. If you give it some more time, you will see improvements in little increments, too. I can't even imagine how worried you must be. But it. will. heal. Your surgery was July 1st-- mine was June 25th and not nearly the ordeal of yours.. please try to continue to pace yourself and enjoy the pool time. I was able to walk and swim a little a few days ago and it helped me so much! I am trying to think about pool time somewhere near my home.. It's the little things at this point and it's super that your OS said you could be in the pool!
My other improvement happened just today. Just all of a sudden I don't need the cane to walk.. it's so strange how that happens seemingly overnight. I also went to my studio and worked with a very good client who was having some issues and I knew I could help her and most likely sit for a good bit of the session. I was right and I was able to do it!
If anyone had told me that I could do this last week?? I wouldn't have believed it!
So please keep the faith. You are in good health and that will be of great benefit to you.
Oh! Yes, pain, discomfort and the worrying most definitely would be affecting your sleep. Or are you wondering if taking the Percocet is affecting your sleep? I'm not sure about that one.
You have a lot of us rooting you on!! You're going to beat this!

 

[Petlover1]

While having pre op physical therapy my therapist did some pre op teaching and did say the most common scenario for dislocation is after using the toilet and wiping, the position of twisting and reaching has caused many of the dislocations in his patients who were unfortunate enough to have this occur. I have read several
Accounts of dislocation happening in the same scenario. I have read that dislocation happens a little more often after revisions. Hopefully the doctors were able to put everything right without having to go in again. Normally the joint capsule keeps the ball in the acetabulum but this tough, protective capsule must be cut for surgeons to work. I am definitely not an expert in this area so please feel free to make any corrections! Most importantly I hope your recovery continues without further set backs. AJ

 

[Onestepatatime]

@CricketHip
Thank you so much for the kind response. That is great you are now able to walk without the cane! I think what I find so unsettling for me, is that the first two weeks I felt like this recovery was going awesome. It is taking me a while to realize the severity of the dislocation and to try and understand why I feel worse now then after surgery. Your improvements are very encouraging. I totally agree, it is the little things like pool time, that brighten my days. I am dying to go to the beach, but that will have to wait.
Yeah, I was wondering if Percocet interrupted sleep. That coupled with a good dose of anxiety has me upside down. I was up half the night, then fell back asleep then didn't get up until 10:30 a.m.! My phone had a bunch of messages on it from friends who thought I might have dislocated again. I need to get this on track soon!

 

[Onestepatatime]

While having pre op physical therapy my therapist did some pre op teaching and did say the most common scenario for dislocation is after using the toilet and wiping, the position of twisting and reaching has caused many of the dislocations in his patients who were unfortunate enough to have this occur. I have read several
Accounts of dislocation happening in the same scenario. I have read that dislocation happens a little more often after revisions. Hopefully the doctors were able to put everything right without having to go in again. Normally the joint capsule keeps the ball in the acetabulum but this tough, protective capsule must be cut for surgeons to work. I am definitely not an expert in this area so please feel free to make any corrections! Most importantly I hope your recovery continues without further set backs. AJ

Hello, Yes thank goodness they did not have to go in again. However, I was told if it happens one more time then it requires surgery and there is a chance that can happen again. I dislocated in my sleep. I do not know specifically what I did that caused it to happen. Good times, lol.

 

[CricketHip]

I can't even imagine what a shock that was for you, it's natural to chafe and have doubts about your recovery.. any of us would! But I think it was Billy Joel who said that you gotta have faith!! You said yo had a very good surgeon and he has told you so!
Speaking of him..when do you see your surgeon again?
I wonder if his office could help you with the questions about the Percocet and lack of sleep?
Take care.. you'll get through this..

 

[Calgal]

Hi. To answer your question yes I'm driving. I was cleared to do it at 6 weeks but didn't get around to it till probably 7 weeks. I've got a manual transmission car and the one I could sit in half comfortably has very stiff clutch so although that wasn't my op leg I still had to flex and it put pressure on my hip in general. My incision area was very tender and sore up to around 10 weeks and it was just plain uncomfortable sitting in a car bucket seat even if I wasn't driving. But it's better now and you do feel much more independent when you can pop out to wherever you want without coordinating with anyone.

I'm still struggling to walk without any aids without limping though, so am going back to my PT for some assessment and advice or even just reassurance that sometimes things just take longer. Crickethip is right though, one day you can suddenly do things. That happened to me with going up stairs normally!

If you can get out somehow, with someone to a pool that sounds fab. Keep your pain under control as much as possible and sleep whenever. It doesn't matter when. The energy drain of healing is so compounded with the energy drain of stress! Take care. You'll get there and my fingers are crossed for some exciting new job for you to jump into soon.

 

[Marvin L]

For me, the opiates does affect my sleep, gets me a little wired. I take my last one at 6 pm. On the nights I can’t sleep, I take a Benadryl ...
has your Pt given you some exercises or stretches in the pool. I do pool therapy once a week and it really helps my range of motion. And she has taught me how to walk, correctly. B

 

[Onestepatatime]

Ugh it’s 12:45 a.m and I can’t fall asleep again. And I completely overdid it today somehow. My back pain is crazy bad which stinks bc I had a lumbar fusion last April. And I have a burning pain on my left side and I suspect it’s too much Advil and Tylenol but not sure. I’m just a hot mess now. Tomorrow I’m going to need to really take it easy and rest a lot. I have a doctors appointment at noon and that is it.

Oh, and I have a live job interview Monday!!! How will I manage this? What shoes will I wear? My anxiety is getting the best of me. I’m worried I’m going backwards. Thanks for listening and continued support.

 

[Calgal]

Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat.

You can do this! You're tough. You've survived a lot of major ops and a couple of childbirths (if I remember you have 2kids?). Choose your outfit today and try it on to see everything fits and you can actually get into it without contortions. Write down your greatest accomplishments just to refresh your mind and realize what great skills you have to share. If nerves get the better of you just think of it as a practice interview for others to come.

Go get em girl!

 

[ceezee]

 

[Onestepatatime]

Has anyone experienced bad back pain post surgery? My back has been killing me. The pain from my hip transferred to my back.
Last April I had L4 l5 and s1 fused and felt fine before the revision. Now I’m icing my back non stop. I will run it through my hip surgeon but don’t know if I should follow up with spine surgeon too. This is so annoying! Look forward to groups feedback. Thanks.

 

[alexthecat]

I didn't experience that, but @Jaycey may be able to advise you. She's in the UK, so she may not be able to get back to you right away. I'm glad you're icing. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Onestepatatime]

Thanks Alex appreciate the response! I’ll hang tight for her response.

 

[Jaycey]

Has anyone experienced bad back pain post surgery?

I have lower spine issues and yes they were aggravated post LTHR. I worked with an osteopath and a physio whose specialty was spine.

Since you have had fusion I would suggest checking in with your spinal surgeon. As Jo always says - everything is connected.

 

[Aline]

I had fusion L4L5S1S2 in 2008 and I was in a recliner for 11 weeks it has taken a good 3 weeks for me to sleep in my bed my back was constant muscle spasms and aches I get a massage twice a week and it has helped tremendously The Percocet will effect sleep I have found it to make me more active lessens my pain so I take it several hours before bedtime everyone is different
Have a good weekend

 

[Onestepatatime]

So, I had a job interview today and boy oh boy did it take a lot of physical energy to put on a suit, make up, hair, and get my head on straight for a business discussion. The opportunity was too good to pass up, and I pushed the interview out as far as the company would allow. I went with a crutch, and the interviewer was sympathetic. I hope it demonstrates I do what it takes! I think my energy level was low as I kept thinking....do not cross my legs, do not lean forward, I hope my crutch does not fall on the floor, etc. I met with the COO, and it was for a very large medical practice. If they do not move forward with me, so be it. I am really not sure when I can safely return to work. I know my surgeon said earliest is early October. A good friend drove me, to that was good. It is 45 min from my house. I anticipate lots of ice and rest tomorrow. At least I had a good hair day, lol.

 

[HipsterKat]

@Onestepatatime -- glad your interview went well!! I know what you mean about the drain of putting on a suit, make up, etc. I remember being exhausted before I even left the house. Take care of yourself tomorrow!

 

[Ptarmigan]

So impressed with your resilience! No matter how things progress with this opportunity, you’ve crossed a major threshold today. Fingers crossed for encouraging news!

 

[Layla]

. At least I had a good hair day, lol.

Haha That always helps!

That was a gratifyimg accomplishment I'll bet...preparing for a job interview then engaging in the interview itself. You were fortunate to have a friend willing to drive you there and back. I'm sure the company made it much easier and kept nerves at bay on the way conversing with your friend. You seem to have a healthy attitude, no matter the outcome. If this wasn't meant to be, I hope the perfect opportunity lands in your lap soon.
Wishing you luck in your search. I hope you have a great day!
@Onestepatatime

 

[Onestepatatime]

Thanks, all. I am totally paying the price today thought. I iced for a couple of hours last night. Then I got up at 7 a.m. and fell back asleep from 9 - noon. So the milestone of making it through yesterday came with a toll today. I hope tomorrow is a better day. It was also a good excuse to treat myself to a new lipstick and hair product