Questions/Concerns with my new hip

[Jet Jockey]

What a terrific discussion forum. I wish I had found it sooner. I am a 46 year old male that is 26 days out of an anterior uncemented ceramic RTHR and would like to take this opportunity to vent a little and try to describe what I am feeling and would appreciate any feedback. I left the hospital at day 3 with only a cane and am currently driving and back to work doing light desk duties. I am in PT three times a week. I do not suffer a lot of pain (went off pain meds at day 5) and am now walking unassisted although with a limp. Problems that I currently am having include numbness and tingling in the upper outside thigh area and still manageable pain in the hip area. Is this normal. The incision seems to be healing nicely, however it is warm to touch and I can tell there is still swelling there. Also, I am experiencing pain (a dull ache) in my shin just above the ankle that comes and goes. This has me somewhat concerned. Unfortunately, I still cannot put on my sock or tie shoes yet. Evidently this will take some time. I will see my OS on Monday and will discuss these issues with him, however, any advise would be greatly appreciated. Dave

 

[PRGal]

Hi Dave--yes it IS a great forum--welcome! At less than 4 weeks, you seem to be doing really great! I'm an anterior "hippie" too (8 weeks out) with a relatively similar recovery pattern, though my doc didn't order any PT. Seems really soon to be driving & back to work, though--hope it was with your doc's OK! (We anteriors seem to get through the early days amazingly well, which probably makes us push ourselves at bit too hard. I know I did & learned it really helps to slow it down.)

I still have some numbness around my incision area, but area is gradually growing smaller. OS said it's normal & should eventually go away. At 4 weeks, had swelling & warmth too & it felt a bit tender to the touch--healing just takes time! Never had shin issues--for me it was outside of knee & a variety of muscle aches (still dealing with, though to a lesser extent). (If you read Jo's posts and/or watch any of the animations, you'll know why--this surgery isn't exactly delicate!) I was able to do socks & shoes, though it was a bit painful & awkward. (I had no dislocation precautions at all, but bending over in the early weeks DID hurt.)

It's good you'll be raising all these questions with your OS on Monday, but the best advice you'll get here is to take it easy & let yourself heal!

 

[Jet Jockey]

Thanks for the support PRGal. I was so happy with the first 2 week recovery period that I am now frustrated as I see less progress every day. Also, it has been three years since I have been able to put on my sock or tie my shoes and I am getting impatient. Still concerned about the shin pain also. The good news is that I have suffered from a stiff/sore back for years and having my THR appears to have fixed that problem as my back pain is completely gone! Good luck with your new toy.

Dave

 

[Josephine]

Hi there, Dave, and welcome to BoneSmart.

So you're 26 days post op, not taking any more pain meds, driving and already back at work - and you're impatient that you're not making any more progress? Pardon me while I have a good chuckle!

You know someone once pointed out that it didn't take our joints a month or two to get into the state where they needed joint replacement and it's not going to be a month or two getting better afterwards. You have done extremely well so far. In fact, I would echo PRGal's remark that it does seem very soon to be driving and back to work. I can only hope that you have an office job!

As for the numbness, tingling, warmth and swelling, that is all perfectly normal for three weeks. Your hip still has a LOT of healing to do and this won't be complete for at least another 2 months, probably more.

As for the ache in your shin, IF it is the operative leg and IF it has been present almost since the op, then I would suggest it could be where the surgeon's assistant held your leg during the op. Could be. That's just a guess. Could also be connected with your PT. You'd need to give me more detail on it really.

 

[Jet Jockey]

Josephine
Thank you for responding to my post. The shin pain I am experiencing is nearly identical (and probably the same) that I had for approximately 2 years prior to the surgery. The difference is that prior to surgery the pain started above my right buttock and traveled in a burning sensation down the outside of my right leg (bad hip leg) and ended just above my ankle in the shin area. The difference is now the pain above the buttock and down the leg is gone, all that remains is the shin pain. I always thought it was nerve problems associated with the hip and that a new hip may take care of it. When the swelling subsides, do you believe this pain will go away? My Physical Therapist thinks it is because I am favoring that leg, but I believe it isa nerve problem as it feels that same as before the THR. If it is a nerve problem that does not go away as the swelling goes away, is there anything I can do to eliminate the pain. Thank you very much.

Dave

 

[Josephine]

OK, that changes the goal posts some. My description you give of the pre-operative pain is of sciatica which typically refers down the leg to the ankle on the outer aspect of the leg. Now you said the back pain that had been present for years was now gone, which is great but the legacy of it (might be) that there is some referral pain left and is manifesting in the manner you describe. It could also be because you are favouring the leg - it is all nerve pain after all. My guess is that it will subside in time but if it's a nuiscance in the meantime, perhaps a visit to a chiropractor might help or the use of a TENS machine.

 

[mvo]

Hi Dave,
I think you are making awesome progress. I am about four and a half months out from a LTHR (and 46 years old) and I was like you with the pain meds, but everything else took a bit longer! I worked a bit from home but was back fulltime at work (an office job with a fair bit of wandering about) by six weeks. The six-week and three month points felt like real milestones. The socks and shoelaces thing took a while longer, and this week is the first time I could comfortably cut my toenails. As I was fit, not overweight, and had no other medical issues I had expected my recovery to be a little quicker. But after reading all the stories on this site and comparing notes with my sister (who has her LHTR the same day) I have come to realise that there is a huge variation in experiences, and that healing takes time and the healing process wont be rushed.

All the best,
Monica