Hemi-Arthroplasty Still having mobility issues 1 year after partial hip replacement.

[Heatherscott]

Following a fall and a hip fracture I underwent hemiarthroplasty 5 weeks ago. They really don’t forewarn you about the level of pain do they?! I’ve had huge issues with my SI joint plus groin pain and only just managed to get back into my own bed 4 days ago- I had to sleep on recliner in sitting room as bed was too high. We’ve had to buy a new bed frame so I can get into it! Tena lady has become my new best friend because I’m struggling to move fast enough to get to the bathroom and I’m trundling around with this zimmer frame trying not to get wedged in anywhere! My appetite for meals has gone, I’m happy with snacks or light foods and I cannot get motivated to do anything apart from play on my phone. I can’t ever see myself being able to walk unaided again - confidence is shot

On the positive side I’m pretty much off painkillers, my walking has improved greatly and my physio is pleased with my levels of mobility.

someone please tell me this will all improve!

 

[JohnWilky]

Well I can't I'm on day 5 ! But hopefully you will gradually return to normality ,my experience atm is 50/50 but generally on the up and up , good luck H keep posting .

 

[Pumpkin]

@Heatherscott
Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us!
You are very very early in this yearlong+ recovery, though most start to feel much much better around 3-4 months.
What a shock it must have been to suddenly have a hip replacement with no preparation.
Everything you are experiencing is normal, the pain, not being able to sleep in your bed, needing a Zimmer frame, slow to the bathroom, poor appetite, inability to concentrate to read or watch TV, will get better.

On the positive side I’m pretty much off painkillers, my walking has improved greatly and my physio is pleased with my levels of mobility.

Sounds like you are doing well, even though it does not feel feel like it.

Improvement moves at a glacial pace in the early days, one day soon you will find your self walking without your Zimmer frame, and wonder how did I get here, and how am I going to get back.

Please post your surgery date, a moderator will add it to your signature for you. Having the exact date will help us properly advise you. Thanks!

someone please tell me this will all improve!

Your hip will improve in its own good time, patience will be needed.
Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Here are the Hip Recovery Guidelines, the articles are short and will not take long to read, and should answer most of your questions.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
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:

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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 these

​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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Activity progression for THRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Care In Hospital​

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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Heatherscott]

Thanks for feedback - good to hear that I’m just experiencing the ‘normal’ process of recovery.

 

[Pumpkin]

@Heatherscott,
Please post your surgery date, a moderator will add it to your signature for you. Having the exact date will help us properly advise you. Thanks!

Glad you found the information helpful, wishing you continued healing.
Chris

 

[Heatherscott]

Thanks for good wishes Chris. Surgery date was 25th January, just 6 weeks ago. I hope this assists in giving suitable advice!

 

[Phoenix1]

I’m so sorry to read about your experience. This should be a lesson to all to be careful when you walk to prevent falls, although sometimes they can’t be helped.

 

[Heatherscott]

I’m 7 weeks post partial replacement and wondering how long I’ll be dependent on the zimmer. I’m walking really well with it, very mobile, can manage standing shower, put shoes on etc, but if I try to walk with elbow crutch I need husband on the other side for security as sometimes my hip just ‘gives’ and I wobble. Still having groin pain as well. Right at this moment I can’t see myself walking independently again.

 

[Schaargi]

I'm so sorry you are feeling discouraged!

Your ability to wean off of it is gradual. Are you okay using the zimmer with a light touch (not leaning on it hard)? Taking steps just using it for light balance can help your confidence.

Sometimes it takes a while. There are also other types of walking aids that can help. I've been on this site for many months and the time it takes to walk without aids varies a LOT!

Hang in there. A site moderator will be around soon to give you a welcome and some more specifics.

 

[Celle]

Hi @Heatherscott

wondering how long I’ll be dependent on the zimmer. I’m walking really well with it, very mobile, can manage standing shower, put shoes on etc, but if I try to walk with elbow crutch I need husband on the other side for security as sometimes my hip just ‘gives’ and I wobble.

When moving from a zimmer to elbow crutches, it's good practice to use two crutches until you start forgetting to use both and start leaving one behind. With a crutch each side of you, you will have more support and you shouldn't need your husband for security as well.

Don't feel you should give up the crutches until you feel perfectly secure without them. These walking aids are just tools, to help take some weight off your new hip and to stop you from falling.
Some people can give them up early, but others need them for months - and both those results are normal.

 

[Celle]

By the way, you'll notice that I have merged your two threads together as it's best if members in recovery only have one thread.
This is because:

• That way, you have all your information in one place. This makes it easier for others to go back and review your history before providing advice.
• If you start new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread. We won't miss your new question as, between us, the staff read all new posts each day.

If you need an urgent response to a question, tag a member of staff.
Tagging other members and answering tags

If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.

Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts?

A helpful hint - Many members have found it useful to bookmark their thread so they don't lose it.

Best wishes,
Celle

 

[AussieRodney]

someone please tell me this will all improve!

It will !!!! I can't promise you that, but there are lots of people on here who can and will do exactly that.

I am 1-2 weeks behind you from a TKR and I am complaining about the pain, which only goes away if I take too many of my meds (also not a good look). I recall that both my PCP and my Surgeon mentioned that there would be a lot of pain, and that I would be on narcotics to combat it, but none of that sinks in until you're awake.

Whoah, I just read your opening statement again. "I’m pretty much off painkillers, my walking has improved greatly and my physio is pleased with my levels of mobility." You're almost there!

I agree with putting as little weight on your frame helps in the long run. I find that with the frame, my walking gait is smooth and flowing. Without it, I try very hard to stand up straight, put my head up straight and look well ahead, to convince the rest of the body that I really mean it.

And I have spent the last 5 weeks on the couch, with a trial back in the main bed tonight.

So there you have it, it gets better.

 

[Celle]

Just testing.

 

[Going4fun]

Hi there.

Question: your physio is pleased with your mobility. But you're not.

Can you say more?

Is it that you don't believe the physio? Or you think the physio has set a very low standard?

Say more if you will.

 

[Jamie]

@Heatherscott ... I have fixed your thread so you should be able to post now.

 

[Heatherscott]

I’m hoping that someone can offer me some words of encouragement. I’m 70 years old and have had scoliosis since birth. This resulted in one leg being longer than the other and an outward leg rotation on right side. I had obviously compensated for this as I could walk without too much difficulty, only limited by asthma.
January last year I had a fall at home resulting in an emergency partial hip replacement. I progressed from zimmer to elbow crutch to stick by 6 month mark but my balance is significantly compromised. Surgeon has made my leg the same length as the other and the rotation has increased. I’m still having groin and quadriceps pain and my walking is very wobbly especially outside. I feel like I’ve stalled abd I’m never going to make any further progress. I am having regular physio but cannot walk far enough to build up leg strength. Asthma also restricts me.
It’s all a bit bleak atm and I’m wondering if I’m ever going to progress any further or if this is it.

 

[Jockette]

@Heatherscott

I‘m sorry you are still having issues a year later. I know more about knees than I do hips, so I’ll have to let someone else comment. I do hope you find the answers you need.

By the way, I merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread, as we prefer that members in recovery have only one thread.

This benefits you because all your information is in one place, easy to find, and maintains a nice journal for you.

This also benefits our staff, as your information is all in one place, and we often go back through your thread for previous details, so we know what you‘ve been through which helps us advise you better.

So, please keep all your posts in this thread. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.
How can I find my threads and posts?

Best wishes on your continuing recovery!

 

[Layla]

Hello there,
I‘m sorry about the fall that resulted in surgery. The external rotation you mentioned was something I experienced as my natural hip deteriorated. My surgeon assured me it would disappear after my hip replacement and while it didn’t initially, it did ease pretty quickly. I’m wondering what your surgeon has to say about your balance and the increased rotation? If you haven’t discussed it with him, consider scheduling an appointment with the hope of getting some answers that will lead to resolving these issues.

Please don’t despair, you may need a different Physio, or an alternate approach to your issues if what you’re currently doing isn’t working. I’m sorry your asthma is also restricting you. Is that something your primary physician may be able to offer you advice on?
Try icing the areas that are painful and using OTC meds if necessary while struggling with discomfort. Please consider connecting with your doctor to get some medical advice and know that we’re here for support when you need it. Hugs
@Heatherscott

 

[Hip4life]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. Yes, your doctor and/or surgeon is a good place to start. It seems there are a few things that need to be looked at and coordinated to get you on a better track. If your asthma is limiting you, then your regimen may need to be changed. If your physio isn’t versed in how to help people with lung problems rehabilitate, then you might want to look into changing to one who is if you can. Also, if you’re still wobbly when walking, have you considered using a walker again? There’s no shame in that. I had to use an assistive device way longer than most and I didn’t care. It is a tool to help you just like any other tool you might use. It may help balance your weight so that you can concentrate work where you need it without putting too much pressure anywhere. If you don’t have to exert so much energy in trying to maintain your balance, it might be easier to breathe. All of this dovetails.

Your GP can always refer you to a lung specialist (pulmonologist) if he feels he needs to. I’m not sure about how all this works in the UK. In the States, we also have pulmonary rehab clinics that can help people rehab after surgery or build up their physical stamina when their lung disease limits them. You have unique challenges but I feel there are still a few options to try to improve your situation. I know it’s been a long road but take heart and don’t give up. We’re here. Blessings of comfort to you.

 

[Klassy]

I am so sorry to read about your situation. You have had a lot to endure.

I had a more straightforward case, left hip replacement 3 years ago to deal with OA, and I felt that I had little improvement between months 6 and 14. But then quite suddenly from about 14 months on, improvement kicked in again. And the left hip is a marvel now. (The right hip has just been similarly replaced, but that was expected).

My point is, that one year post op, I had a lot of improvement still to come. And given that your problems had been there much longer than mine, it seems plausible that it will take you longer to get the full extent of your recovery.
So I think that you can be confident that things will get better than they are now.