Stiffness after Bilateral Hip Replacement

[MaggieMae]

I had bilateral hip replacement surgery 9 1/2 weeks ago. I suppose I have been progressing however I am an extremely active person and maybe patience is not my virtue. In the last 2 weeks I have been working really hard on getting rid of my waddle but it still hurts a lot. I walk 2 1/2 miles every day (as that is they only therapy my Dr. prescribed) and when I'm done, I'm stiff. Stiff everytime I get out of bed and VERY stiff everytime I sit at a desk for more than 10 minutes. I have been searching this forum for any kind of time-line as to "realistically" expect to feel almost normal and have not come across any so I figured I would join in and just ask. Did anyone have major stiffness for a long while after surgery? Does it go away? Approx. how long? I have not noticed any improvement in the last couple of weeks and I am getting very discouraged thinking that the stiffness is definately worse than before I had the surgery. :pzld: Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Judles]

Welcome Maggie Mae!! I had RTHR 10 mos and I can tell you the stiffness absolutely takes the longest to improve! But it WILL!!!! Especially the fact that you had bi-lats>>>it will take a little longer! That's the last thing in the recup department! Continue exercising and you will definitely reap the benefits!! :sct:
:evil:
:thmb:

 

[MaggieMae]

Hi Judles - I'm new at this so if you find my first reply, please ignore this being the second (it doesn't look like it went through..ugh!). Anyway, thanks for your response. You're the first person that has openly acknowledged the stiffness. Again, I'm almost 10 weeks and read all these great things from people with both hips done at 5 weeks!!!! I am very determined but as I said am also getting discouraged. Can you give me a realistic time frame? 12 weeks? 16 weeks? 6 months? I work for myself and am going back tomorrow. My job is very physical - loading, unloading and transporting cargo. At this point, I can barely carry a laundry basket so I am very concered about lifting and carrying things and....not falling! I have cut my pain meds way down but when I have to do something physical, I increase it a bit. I take a whole instead of a half. I read somewhere in this forum that I should take the pain meds as long as I have pain. My OS is no help so any & all feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Judles]

Hi Maggie! You're WAY ahead of the game! I never even joined Bonesmart until I was 6 weeks out so I just went with the flow so to speak! I've always been active and I made sure I was in as good shape as I could have been, before my surgery! I guess ignorance is truly bliss and didn't worry about the stiffness at all! I was so happy to be rid of that horrible, achy bone on bone arthritic pain to even be concerned! I would say I noticed a marked improvement at the 3 month intervals! Whether wtching TV, going to a movie, sitting for short car rides, I'd have to shake my leg out a little! You've had both..so you'll probably be doing a little dance! It could take up to a year!
With me. It was so gradual, that one day, it just dawned on me...that hey! It doesn't hurt anymore!!! If you have any questions..ask away!!! You're doing GREAT!!! And it DOES get better and better!!! (0)

 

[MaggieMae]

That's a great way to put it! Thanks for the support. It truly helps. I sometimes feel like I'm going backwards but then I realize it was because I probably over did it the day before! I will be shaking the legs!

 

[Judles]

There ya go!! And the looks you will get may even be priceless!!! :hehe:
:thmb::thmb:

 

[Jamie]

Hi, MaggieMae! Welcome to BoneSmart. You've found a great group of caring folks who are ready to help you through any of the rough spots in recovery. The thought occurred to me that with 2 1/2 miles of walking each day, maybe you need to cut back a little on the activity....especially if you go back to work. The key to me was that you said you were "stiff" after walking that distance. Normally when you exercise in recovery, your muscles loosen up and feel better....not stiff.

So I recommend that you scale back your exercises a little....don't stop, just do a little less for a few days or a week and see if that makes a difference.

You are right about the pain pills. If you have pain, you need to take something....even if it's over the counter anti-inflammants like Advil or Aleve.

Let us know how you're getting along....we care about you and are here to help.

 

[Judles]

Jamie.....I've experienced the stiffness! It's part of the healing process for sure and is usually the last symptom to a full recovery! It takes the longest! I was very active in each stage of recovery and I STILL had to cope with it! But it was so much better than the initial arthritic pain.....for sure!!!! (0)

 

[Jamie]

Judi...you would know better than I about it, since you've had a hip replacement and I'm on the knee side. I just thought it seemed odd to become stiff immediately after exercising. Normally, you exercise to relieve the stiffness. But I'll trust you if you say that happens with hip replacements. After all, you've been there!!

At any rate, I definitely agree with you that it is a temporary problem that will work its way out as time passes.

 

[Judles]

I've definitely been there, Jame! Whether you've been working out, or sometimes just being sedentary....it's such a BIG joint...it takes some time to get rid of the stiffness!!! But it DOES go away! I thought it would take a shorter time, but 10 mos out, it's pretty much gone! (0)

 

[Jamie]

Thanks, Judi....then I've definitely learned something I didn't know.

 

[Judles]

My pleasure, Jamie!!! Hope you have a good night, now!!! (0)

 

[loghaula]

Hi Maggiemae,
You mentioned you only do the walking as therapy. If that is all you do, that may be the problem, as there are lots of muscles to get back in shape.
I had both hips replaced 8 weeks apart and am 7 weeks past the last. I still have stiffness after sitting and when I first get out of bed, but no pain, just discomfort. Haven't taken any pain meds in ages.
I downloaded some exercises from the American Orthopaedics website and they are very similar to what I do at physio. Main reason I go to physio, is it gets me away from the house where I have been "imprisoned" these past few months.
I don't walk with a wobble once I am over the stiffness, and only walk about 1 mile when exercising and do 15 minutes on my elliptical, and do not have any stiffness afterwards. I always feel and move much better after exercising.
Don't have any problems picking up and carrying laundry, and can pick up 44lb bags of dog food and put in the shopping cart and in my vehicle. Haven't tried to carry them any distance, however.
Hope you get to doing better and keep us posted on your progress.

Glenys
LHR 5/28/09
RHR 7/23/09

 

[TBONE]

Maggie--If you are walking over 2 miles a day at 9+ weeks, then perhaps you are just doing too much. I did a lot of working out and a lot of rehab, still do, but it was a long time before I walked that far consistently. For me stretching was and is the key. I don't like to do it, but it helps a great deal.

 

[srikrocks]

Well i am also a bilateral hippie 9 weeks old. i am not walking that much as ur walking. at max i am walking only half a km.

But i do also have stiffness once i get of my bed in the morning. And even i do experience the stiffness when i sit for a long time say 2 hrs. i just have a walk arnd for every two hrs. everything depends on ur muscles. my muscles are weak as said by doc. so he suggested some physio.

By the way are u able to walk without any support??? i am still using two elbow crutches

 

[Texas]

Hey Maggie Im a knee but I hope you feel better soon It takes sometime so take it easy..........dont rush it.........Pamper yourself for awhile........Best wishes............)

 

[MaggieMae]

Hi All, Thanks for the feedback. The stiffness is after I've been sitting for maybe just 10 minutes or even less. After I walk, I am loosened up but fatiqued - I generally rest a bit after the walk and if I lay down...fine but if I sit or get in a car, very very stiff. I'm surprised that the Judles is the only reply I receieved re stiffness as I have searched the forum for such sypmtoms. I can't yet set that there is any improvement but I liked Judles comment about one day she just noticed it was gone! I'm looking forward to that day. Prior to surgery, I also had stiffness but a deep pain that went from my hips down both legs - the deep pain is gone but the stiffness seems almost worse - I think I will start keeping a log as the recovery just may be so gradual that I'm not noticing it. Anyway....I'm off to my first day of work. I'll be driving an hour to get there today. I will be shaking my legs as I go!

Enjoy your day!

 

[MaggieMae]

Hi Again,

I'm replying again because I just found a bunch more comments and do not know how I missed them. Very new at this (too bad I go back to work today as I could have spent a lot more time in this forum :hehe. Thanks for letting me know that you also had stiffness. My OS (who I don't really care for) advises ONLY walking. He does not believe in any other physical therapy and while no bedside manner, he's a great OS so I followed his advise. I think the stretching comments makes lots of sense. I will have to figure out how to stretch my hips without feeling too much pain and maybe I will take a trip to the PT. I will look up the info that someone said was downloaded and try that as well. Like I said, I'm very deteremed just getting discouraged. I do not walk with any support. Lost the cane 2 weeks ago but I do wabble for the first few minutes when I get out of bed or out of a car or up from a sitting position. Actually I waddle for probably 10 - 15 minutes until I work out all the creeks. Thanks for a lot of good advice. I will follow up on everything suggested. You've all been very helpful. Ut Oh! Going to be late for work....like I said, wish I found you guys sooner.:thmb:

 

[Josephine]

Maggie, oftentimes stiffness is low grade pain which needs managing same as any other pain. So don't cut back on the pain meds too much. And though it's too late now, I really think that 9½ weeks is a bit early to be returning to work but then, needs must etc.

As for all that lifting and carrying - you really should make a phased return to work, specially with a bilateral THR. I suggest something like this

week 1: Tues, Thurs 10-3
week 2: Mon, Wed, Fri 10-3
week 3: Tues, Thurs full day
week 4: Mon, Wed, Fri full day
week 5: normal duties

but I know that when you work for yourself things are a bit different. I am worried about you doing all that lifting and stuff. Isn't there someway you can delegate it?

 

[JudyS]

Maggie,
i definately experienced the stiffness. After a short car ride, sitting , getting up from bed, you name it. I did not have stiffness before the replacement, only after.
I wish I could remember when it left. Just like Judles said, one day it was gone. Please don't get discouraged, you really are early in the recovery process.
Although at 3 months I was back to doing everythijng (hiking daily), swimming, my other hip strengthening exercises, I was still taking pain meds daily and still experincing the stiffness. It is normal and just takes time.
judy