THR Replacement hip confusion

[Layla]

Stopping by on your two month anniversary to wish you a good visit with the consultant on Wednesday.
I hope you receive the reassurance you're seeking and your back pain eases soon. Let us know how it goes.
All the best to you!
@Holiday

 

[Holiday]

Hi Layla.
Sadly my appointment was cancelled and re scheduled for next week. My back pain has eased quite a bit, and the exercises I am doing are really helping. I know if difficult to exercise while in pain, but they have really helped me. Nothing too crazy, but doing them religiously and walking every day so I have seen some progress.
Some days my hip feels fantastic, other days it’s a bit stingy around my scar, but I’m using ice and it helps. There is a part of my scar that is still numb, which I wanted to speak to the consultant about, but I’ll have to wait. I’m not sure if this is normal or if any one else is experiencing the same.
I’m feeling a lot more positive than I did last week, and I’m sure this is because I have just decided to go with it and let things heal in their own time. The lovely comments and advice on here has really contributed to that.
Thank you so much for your message and I’ll let you know neat week how I get on.
Gill x

 

[Jaycey]

There is a part of my scar that is still numb, which I wanted to speak to the consultant about, but I’ll have to wait. I’m not sure if this is normal or if any one else is experiencing the same.

Which approach did they use during your surgery? Many of our members experience numbness in the incision area. In most cases this just eases with time. But it can take awhile as nerves take a long time to heal.

 

[dnordo220]

Hello,.i am new to this forum.
My name is Gillian. I had a complete hip replacement 7 weeks ago. I was doing brilliantly But last week I started getting pain in my lower back and right bottom cheek and it’s stopping me from walking.
The doctor says this is all normal but it seems very strange to me to go backwards in recovery.
Could I ask if anyone else has experienced anything like this please?
its very disappointing, and I’m fearing the worst.
I could be over reacting.
Thank you for any replies
Gillian

I had it also, week 6, it went away as my leg got stronger. I’m about 7 1/2weeks out, 5 weeks post dislocation. Just rest when you need to.

 

[Holiday]

Hi Jaycey.
I had posterior approach. It’s only a small area but it’s definiately numb.
I can’t even feel it when i put ice on it.

 

[Layla]

I am sorry your appointment was canceled but happy to hear your back pain eased.

There is a part of my scar that is still numb, which I wanted to speak to the consultant about, but I’ll have to wait. I’m not sure if this is normal or if any one else is experiencing the same.

I experienced the posterior approach and had areas of numbness around my incision for months. slowly shrinking all along. Try to forget about this and one day you'll notice its gone, just as I did. The retired forum nurse, Josephine, who came with 50+ yrs experience in orthopedics told a story about the numbness around her knee area post TKR, saying it lasted for several years, forgetting about it finally to later realize it was gone!
I hope this eases your mind a bit until you receive what I'm guessing will be the same reassurance from the consultant. Have a great rest of the day and week!

 

[barbloki]

Hi @Holiday
I'm just now seeing your message from July 30. I hope you have made a few steps forward since then. I said to my husband on week 5 that I feel like I'm taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back. The pain at 5 weeks was worse than the first week. Everyone here reminded me that this is a long healing journey and to rest and ice. That has worked for me and I hope it works for you as well.
I'm at 6 weeks 1 day and today is a good day so I'm going to enjoy it. Of course it's only 10:20am and I could be singing a different tune by noontime but if so, I will go lay down and rest with my ice and know that all of you are here and I'm not alone.
Hang in there Gillian!
Barbara

 

[Holiday]

Thank you Barbara.
Yes this forum has helped me greatly. I too have realised this is a journey and it will take as long as it takes. I am using ice and it does help a lot.
I too have really good days and some not so good but I don’t worry so much like I used to.
We certainly are not alone. Thank goodness.
Enjoy your rest.
Thank you.
Gill Holiday

 

[Holiday]

Thank you Layla,
No I’m not worried about it. Thank you your your message. I’m sure everything is ok. And as you say best to not think about it.

 

[dnordo220]

It really is very painful.

Hi Holiday. I sometimes have pain in my butt cheek. I’m almost 9 weeks post surgery, but 6 weeks post dislocation. I usually do some of the exercises to help it subside and strengthen my glute/quad area. I sometimes take Tylenol and rest for a short time. I sit at my desk and usually that’s the culprit. Lots of weird feelings going on.

 

[Holiday]

Hi dnordo220
Oh you poor think Having to cope with dislocation. I can’t even imagine. I’ve tried lots of exercises and sometimes they work to ease back pain, sometimes they don’t.
I’m 10 weeks now, but my hip still isn’t strong enough to go foot over foot upstairs. I need more strength and flexibility. I’m doing all I can, but the back ache is killing me. It’s really getting me down. Yes sitting down a lot is not good, but if it’s your job it’s difficult. I too have lots of weird feelings too. I am aware I’m over thinking things.
Good luck with it all. I’m sure we will get there, wherever there is lol.
Gill

 

[Klassy]

Hi Gill. I am sorry to hear that you have continuing pain. I have had bouts of pain, and in my case it turned out ok once I stopped overdoing it and the bits I had irritated had a chance to settle down. This took several weeks but all was well in the end. I hope the same is true for you. But if you can get to see the consultant, hopefully that will set your mind at ease, or let you know if any treatment is required.

It may reassure you to know that with my first hip, I couldn’t do stairs foot over foot until about 12 weeks into recovery. The ability just came when it was ready. To be honest, the ability to do it going downstairs has gone away again at times since then, but that is due to a knee problem.

I also had numbness around the incision with both hips, which are both posterior approach. It was quite noticeable at first and I was worried with the first hip, but it was explained that the operation involved cutting small surface nerves which take a while to knit back together. With both hips, the numbness reduced steadily over time. I stopped noticing it after a few months, except when someone mentions it on here and then I check for it. It doesn’t bother me at all. The right hip still has a small patch and the left hip still has a teensy bit even after 3 and a half years, but I have to really search for it to find it. Similarly I have to work hard to find the left scar, which is just about invisible.

 

[Holiday]

Hi Klassy. Thank you for your reply. Yes I’m not worried about the stairs, I will be patient. That’s interesting that your lain went when you stopped overdoing it. Maybe I am doing the same. Everyone is different I know. Maybe I’ll calm down with the exercises just for a couple of days to see if it makes a difference. I’m glad for you that your pain stopped.
My pain in my back feels like my lower back is being crushed, it a very weird feeling. I have seen the doctor twice who assisted with my surgery and he says it’s normal, but to be honest I know 3 people recently who have had the same operation and they have no back pain. He said it will pass, and I’m living in hopes it goes soon.
Yes the doctor has explained the numbness. There is only one part of it that’s numb, but as you say it’s not a major issue, it will sort itself out.
Thank you so much for your reassurance. Xx

 

[Holiday]

Dear all, sorry I don’t know how I should start a new thread, but I’m having major problems and wanted to ask advice.
I’m 12 weeks into THR and have been suffering from lower back pain. I have been reassured that it will resolve.
It hasn’t resolved even though I doing strengthening exercises.
Unfortunately I have come away on Holiday and I have started to have started to have very bad pain under my bottom cheek inwards on theside of my surgery. It’s excrutiating and affecting my walking. I can stand on my leg but when walking the pain is horrible. It’s in a very peculiar area. Sitting down is very painful I’m just wondering if anyone else has had such a pain.
I’m sorry if this is not the way to post a new thread.
I would be grateful for any help or advice.
Thank you.

 

[Layla]

Hello,
I'm sorry you're struggling with pain while away on holiday. Possibly you're walking more than normal or engaging in more activity than usual? My best advice would be to rest and ice as much as possible, take OTC meds if necessary and if it hasn't resolved by the time you return home, consider contacting your surgeon so they can advise.

Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting.
Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.

I wish you speedy relief and safe travels home. Stay in touch.
@Holiday

 

[Jamie]

@Holiday .... when you have something like this come up, you may want to change the title of your recovery thread to reflect a new concern. If you want to do that, it's completely acceptable and all you need to do is just post what you'd like your new thread title to be.

I agree with Layla that any extra activity you have going on during a vacation can provide odd aches and pains like you're experiencing. If possible take a week or two and just do very little activity, ice the areas that hurt, and take something for any pain you may be having.

Twelve weeks is awfully early to be off on a vacation with a new hip. Remember, it does take up to a year or more for things to completely heal and your body to adjust to the new joint. If you had any pelvic tilt from your bad hip prior to surgery, your hips must readjust to the new normal slowly for the hips to go back into a neutral position. This process can cause pain, especially if you try to make it go faster. It just takes time.

Walking is still the best exercise for your hip, although you probably should try to avoid a lot of hills or uneven surfaces.

Let us know how you get along.

 

[Layla]

Hi Holiday,
Checking in on you to wish you a Happy Three Month Anniversary with hopes the pain you posted about earlier this week has resolved, or is at least currently manageable.
I hope you have a peaceful pain free weekend!

 

[Holiday]

Hi Layla.
I’m back home now, and unfortunately I’m really in pain. The pain is all around my hip joint which is really worrying me. I don’t think it’s dislocated as I think the pain would be much worse. I haven’t done anything that I shouldn’t.
The pain in my back is horrendous. I keep being told it will resolve.
While I was away I saw a chiropractor as didn’t know what else to do.
He was well aware I was cautious about my hip.
He said my body is very twisted to the right side which I already knew and there is instability in my lower back.
I just feel no one is helping me. I don’t know whether to book more physio or carry on with a chiropractor or ask to see the surgeon again.
Basically I am going backwards not moving forwards. I was walking much better at week 6.
I feel very sad and frustrated.

 

[myglasshalffull]

So sorry Holiday, I doubt you are dislocated because that pain is so excruciating you'd be calling 911.
I'd definitely check with ortho as soon as you can and definitely just rest and ice for now and take any pain meds you may have or have been taking.
Going away on a vacation can really shake things up and possibly you are having some type of flare up from added activity.
It's very upsetting to feel like you are going backwards but I'm 7 months post op now and had similar feelings at different points in my recovery.
Hang in there, we are all here for you.
REST!!!

 

[Layla]

Hello Holiday,
Stopping by on this four month anniversary of your surgery to wish you a happy anniversary, but I'm not certain how you're doing. Your last post is concerning and I hope things have changed for the better since then. Please let us know how recovery is progressing for you. Hope to hear from you soon.
@Holiday