Pain At 14 Weeks

[Hippo28Nov08]

HI there,
I'm 14 weeks post op and for the last week (antero lateral approach) I have had increasing pain on weight bearing. I still use a crutch for walks outside, but waddle around the house. The pain is in the outer thigh (hip area) and buttock, possibly piriformis. I have been having regular physio for these muscles, stretches, excercises etc. When lying on my side doing my leg raises, the large muscle on ourter thigh (ilio tibial band) goes to one side sliding over the bone. When walking, my kneecap raises as well.

Just wondering if anyone else experiences similar. Certainly feels as though things are "tightening up".

I see my surgeon this afternoon, so hopefully he will reassure me.

Cheers
Hippo

 

[Judles]

Re: Increasing pain 6 months to year post-op

Hopefully your doctor will give you some good news,Hippo!
Have you tried any aqua therapy? Its easy on the joints & very therapeutic!

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Hippo!! Welcome to the forum! I have moved your post to a thread of its own so that it can get the attention it deserves. We have plenty of fellow "hippies" who will no doubt provide information and share experiences. Here's hoping your surgeon will help you understand what is going on. Please post after your visit if you can!

 

[JudyS]

Hippo
We are all waiting to hear what your surgeon has said. I had my right hip replaced on June 6th.
I did get back to doing everything by 3 months. It was not all totally healed at that point. I still remembered some ups and downs ,probably from the ITB band.
i hope your doc has it figured out for you and has ways to help you
Judy

 

[Hippo28Nov08]

Hi
Well I am back from my visit with the surgeon today and he has basically reiterated that the reason I am so slow in my recovery is that I have massive muscles in the thigh/glutes and the ilio tibial band is still inflammed, so is sliding over the bone. He has recommended that I go to gait improvement as my pelvis on the left (operated) side is still dropping significantly when I walk, all due to the large muscles not having healed yet. I am also to have a personal trainer for 12 weeks to improve things. I guess it is still early days for me and that's what 32,000 odd kms of road cycling does - huge muscles! Also I am 5'11" tall and the femur is very long which has a huge leverage on the muscles. I am to continue walking with one crutch until my gait improves. I go back to the surgeon in three months and let's hope I walk in and he can't spot which hip was replaced!
Thank you for your replies and I shall keep you posted on my improving "waddle"!
Cheers
Hippo

 

[Peta]

Well that's good news Hippo! Lot of hard work ahead - but it's all do-able! Good luck with your recovery.

Peta

 

[kangaroo]

Hi Hippo,
Who would have thought that huge muscles would be a hassle. I dream of muscles that don't feel exhausted after a short walk or whatever. Actually I have zip in the way of muscle mass on the right side...it worries me that there are muscles that haven't had any exercise for the last 10 years or so, and I wonder whether they will have atrophied?



Rachel

 

[Josephine]

Rachel, I deleted your question so you don't hi-jack Hippo's thread. Can you start your own thread, please?

 

[BigDog Mom]

Hey Hippo,
You need to make frozen peas and ice packs your friend. Every time you are still though out the day. I know it sounds trite but really, it is the best thing for those inflamed angry muscle fibers. Or some people find alternating between hot and cold helps heal things faster. Ice to reduce the inflammation and heat to bring circulation to the area to clean up the damage.
That and time. Even if the muscles weren't cut they are still probably annoyed at being stretched out of the way. ;)

Best wishes,
Donna

 

[Judles]

Hippo! Sounds like you're right on top of your issues! Who'd think that mere walking would be so challenging! But being so athletic will definitely help your outcome! Best of luck!

 

[Troweltalk]

Huppo,

I irritated my IT band around week 7 or 8 by trying to do too much too fast; it became taunt like a banjo. No amount of stretching seemed to help. At the recommendation of my therapist, I found a good massage therapist who worked on it (and the rest of my leg/hip/gluts) for the better part of an hour. The next morning the IT band felt completely normal and has remain that way since (although i do rub it out just about every night when i climb into bed).

Good luck!

 

[Hippo28Nov08]

HI Everyone,
Thank you for all your comments, especially the frozen peas and the massage, both of which I shall organise. This is an excellent forum to hear about others experiences. I was going to go to the pool today, but it's raining (lame excuse), but I think swimming will be quite good too. I have my appointment on Monday with someone who does the Feldenkrais method of re-educating the muscles and apparently it can be a great help for those who have had hip replacements that haven't "gone by the book", and have muscles which fail to "fire", also very good for balance and gait correction, so I'm looking forward to my appointment. Shall let you know how it goes.
Cheers
Hippo

 

[Judles]

Good luck,:Hippo! Let us know how everything works out for you!