THR Overdoing after hip replacement

[bleugirl]

I had a total hip replacement 4 weeks ago and my recovery so far has been very good. I have not been as careful about the precautions as I probably should have beenI have suffered with this bad hip for 2 years and had such severe pain for the last 6 months that I became so disabled and housebound. Right after surgery my groin and thigh pain were 100% gone! I have had surgical pain and general weakness which gets better every day. I have however had an extreme fear of dislocating my new hip. I felt so good today I did some household chores and drove for the first time since surgery. I will start PT in 1 week. I think I overdid it today and have some low back pain and some groin twinges. Can you tell me what the chance of dislocating the hip is. I had my 2 week follow up appointment and had my staples removed and X-rays. The dr said all looked great but I still worry I may move the wrong way or put too much stress in the new hip. Is dislocation fairly rare? Can I stop worrying so much? Sorry for such a long post

 

[Layla]

Hello and Welcome to BoneSmart and recovery. Thanks for joining us!

If you’ll provide the exact date of your THR and which hip was replaced we’ll create a signature for you.

While we all seem to have worries and concerns as we heal, please rest assured that dislocation is rare. Dislocation is supposedly extremely painful necessitating an ambulance ride to the ER. You’re most likely dealing with aggravated healing muscle, or soft tissue from the activity you engaged in today. Ice the back and groin pain and take some OTC pain relievers if you feel the need and I’ll bet you’re feeling better in a day or two. Try not to worry, but instead be thoughtful about movement and you’ll do just fine.
Remember that your surgeon confirmed that all looks as it should.
Hold that thought!

I will leave our Recovery Guidelines since you’re not that far along the info will still be beneficial. Check out the forum and don’t be a stranger here, we’re happy you joined us!

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. Here is a week-by-week guide

Activity progression for THRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Layla]

Here is an article on Dislocation - http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/dislocations-what-are-the-risks.8759/

 

[bleugirl]

Thank you Layla for the warm welcome. My date of surgery was May 31st 2022. 4 weeks ago this Tuesday

 

[bleugirl]

P.S. My replacement was on my left hip. Posterior approach.

 

[subie2021]

I asked my OS about dislocation, and he said if it happens, I'll know for sure because I'll be in serious pain hoping for the ambulance to hurry up and get me to the ER.
I had asked if there are warning twinges, clicks, or whatever, and the answer was no.
You're still very early in healing, so follow your restrictions as best you can. Don't do the restricted movements on purpose. You might accidentally violate the rules from time to time but try to be mindful. Move thoughtfully and deliberately. It's annoying, but unless you have my very conservative OS, your doc might clear you at 3-4 months. That's not much longer for you!
Risk of dislocation goes down as time goes on, but if it happens, chances increase for a repeat. So it pays to behave - even when you're feeling so good

 

[hhhooray]

Groin twinges or pain or soreness more than normal for me always means I've done too much for that day or period of time. But dislocation is going to take some effort and as long as you're following your surgeon's restrictions and not doing ballet, gymnastics or extreme yoga I'm thinking it is not something you need to worry about too much.

 

[Jaycey]

@bleugirl Here are a couple of articles about dislocation that might help ease your concerns.
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Dislocations: what are the risks?

 

[Eman85]

People fight the restrictions and others follow them. I followed them but I first learned why the restrictions. Once learning that they made sense and I wanted a good outcome. To perform the surgery we have our hips dislocated. The femur is removed from the socket and rotated and the hip capsule is opened. All of the muscles and tendons are stretched like rubber bands in order for this to happen. When we are reassembled the soft tissue doesn't just snap back into place and the capsule isn't intact. Unlike a rubber band that you stretch and it doesn't heal back we do heal and our muscles can heal back. But it takes time which is why the chances of dislocation diminish more and more over time.
There have been some that dislocated by falling or doing something out of the ordinary. Then there are some that have dislocated sitting on the couch. I wouldn't obsess about it but I would do everything within my power to give myself the chance to heal and not dislocate.

 

[JohnWilky]

Hi Bluebird , firstly congratulations on having your surgery you seem to be doing just fine…..enough about you !!!
I’m 16 month in from the same op’ and I have experienced ups & downs , esp currently which has forced me to have had another XRay , which has resulted in the positive all clear .
So I’m now arranging some physio to get my muscles going again,I know I’ve over done it in my desperation to get back to my athletic past, I will now be a tad more careful ,in the knowledge that although I’ve hammered it , I ain’t done any damage thankfully.
Follow the Bonesmart advice and don’t worry you’ll be fine ,.
Now I’m off to the gym !

 

[Holiday]

Congratulations on your surgery. I think we all worry about the dislocation thing. I was obsessed by it at first. I think as long as you observe all the precautions about sleeping and the 90deg rule you should be fine.
I’m at 7 weeks and was doing brilliantly, until last week and my lower back is killing me. I’m just trying not to worry and seeing physiotherapist on Monday.
Keep well, and be careful. Don’t overdo things.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
Wondering how your recovery is going? I hope you'll leave an update on your progress.
We'd love to read all about it.
Take good care!
@bleugirl

 

[dnordo220]

My hip dislocated 18 days after a posterior thr. I do not recommend ! I didn’t over do it, I was standing in the kitchen and I guess twisted my hip and pop, and oh yea you will know it. The pain is bad, and your leg dangles. My dr. Said that very active people have more flexible tissue, and it might take longer for it to heal over the implant. Needless to say, I’m not turning these hips til I know I’m healed on the inside. I’d love it if there was a scan to tell me it’s good to go.

 

[Flowerfloosey69]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I feel your pain as I've dislocated 4 times and I couldn't figure out exactly what I was doing to cause it. What has your surgeon said? What position was it dislocated? ie: posteriorly, anteriorly?
yes! You know it immediately! Did you have to call paramedics and have it reduced in ER?