THR Recovery after full hip replacement

[Chesnut]

It’s been 18 weeks since l had complete hip surgery.
Done exercises and still doing them can comfortably pedal the stationary bike, i am still unable to weight bare, and now pain down the front of my thigh to knee causing it to give way.
I am a strong women but this has to be the hardest obstacle that l have ever been dealt with in my life.
At this point l feel l am never going to get past it. Some days l can walk across the room with no pain at all and then it all comes crashing down on me again.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel for me?

 

[Jaycey]

@Chesnut Welcome to BoneSmart!

You are very early days into a process that can take one year or longer. Yes, there is plenty of pain free living to do once you let that hip heal. Unfortunately it sounds like you are doing too much and that new hip is letting you know.

What activities are you doing besides the stationary bike? Are you icing and elevating regularly? Still using a walking aide?

Please give us your surgery date and which hip was replaced. We will make a signature for you.

Meanwhile, here are some recovery guideline that you might find useful:

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
We are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help. But you have the final decision as to what approach you use.

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 this BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for THRs
6. Access 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 that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Chesnut]

Thankyou for your support.
Surgery was Nov23rd. 2022.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Welcome and yes, you will get past all of it but it takes time.

 

[MeowWoofMomma]

Welcome Chesnut! I'm so glad you found this forum. The folks here know all about hip surgery and recovery and will give you so much support and guidance. You're certainly in the right place!

Let us know a little bit more about your journey, so folks can understand what your path of progression has been. Keep your spirits up. It will get better

 

[Eman85]

Generally since we no longer have our factory hip we no longer have any joint pain. The pain we experience post-op is usually soft tissue pain from the trauma of being dislocated to do the surgery. If we work the muscles too soon thinking we're building strength we usually prolong the recovery. Whenever someone states they did exercises the question is what exercises? For some reason people are told to do exercises that cause more pain with no gain post-op.

 

[Debru4]

Following my hip replacement several years ago I would occasionally have a day or two where I felt like I had suffered a setback, or that something new was going on. This happened less and less the further out I got from my surgery. One thing that really helped me was that when I would have one of these days, I would basically slow down and stop any activity other than my basic daily living ones (walking to kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc.) and I'd resume more regularly icing and the use of acetaminophen. Essentially I would reset and go back to the things I did right after my surgery. Almost every time, within a few days, I would be feeling better again. The more tuned into your body and the quicker you react to the pain, the better you'll do in the long run.

I did have a problem in the year after my hip replacement that popped up and didn't respond quickly to the reset, and I did return to see my surgeon to make certain everything was OK. The hip was fine, but my hiking at elevation, a full year after the replacement did slightly displace my kneecap on the opposite side, a reaction to my first hike with a new hip. A few PT sessions took care of that.

I hope you are able to start seeing improvement over time ---I know how worrisome it can be.

 

[ladyj]

I had a busy day yesterday, I am eleven weeks out from my THR. I saw the family, probably sat for too long, and did a bit of walking.
This morning I was so stiff, my hip / knee would barely hold my weight and I am as stiff as a board.
Going off to ice now.
Presumably everyone goes through this, but it is quite disheartening!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Yes, we all have days like that. I would have several "perfect" days then sore and achy, once I realized it was part of the process I would rest and ice and then I'd be ok once again.

 

[ladyj]

On Friday I went for quite a long walk, (we’ll probably about 1 kilometre) so long for the circumstances.
I felt wonderful, finally getting back to normal, then yesterday I had a long car journey, very stiff after that, a walk around an exhibition, then a walk to the car, then pottering about, but mostly sitting, followed by another two hour car journey home!
Today, strictly resting and icing.
It is so reassuring to know that this happens to everyone.
Still…..onwards and upwards…..and thanks for the support!

 

[KittensMom]

I had a busy day yesterday, I am eleven weeks out from my THR. I saw the family, probably sat for too long, and did a bit of walking.
This morning I was so stiff, my hip / knee would barely hold my weight and I am as stiff as a board.
Going off to ice now.
Presumably everyone goes through this, but it is quite disheartening!

I am in the same boat this week. Overdid it on Wednesday and woke up the next day more stiff and more sore than I was days after the surgery. I've been babying the hip since then and slowly getting mobility back, but it is definitely also a mental challenge, feels a bit like we're playing shoots and ladders ;)

 

[ladyj]

It definitely does. One day brilliant, one day stiff and sore.
I know we will get there though.
I decided to try another walk this afternoon, and I was so proud of myself. I have to hope I am not like the tin man, in need of oil tomorrow!

A day at a time!

 

[Layla]

Hi Chesnut,
I hope you had a good weekend and wish you a great week to come.
Please identify which hip was replaced so we are able to add that info to your signature.
Thanks in advance!
@Chesnut