THR Still in pain

[Eman85]

Hang in there. Rest and ice and read the recovery guidelines. What people did pre-op doesn't really seem to change much about the recovery. it almost seems that stronger fit people have more trauma when the dislocate us. 2 mos is just a stop on the trip of recovery, you still have more stops to go before you get off. 1 year is the usual finish line but in some cases it's longer than that, that's not talked about much pre-op but if you read people's posts you'll see the real timelines. My right still needed work past the 1 year mark.

 

[Layla]

Hello Alice,
I‘m sorry you’re still struggling and feeling discouraged. I’m wondering if you’re taking anything for the pain? If not prescribed meds, consider OTC temporarily. We have often recommended Extra Strength Tylenol at 1000 mg, every six hours, but no more than 4000 mg in any 24 hr period. You must also calculate anything else containing Acetominiphin into the 4000 mg so you're not exceeding that amount. If you’re able to take this, hopefully it will allow you to stay comfortably mobile.

Icing is another great pain reliever - Please try that if you’re not currently doing so. Ice as often as you’re comfortable doing so, for as long as you like, always placing fabric between bare skin and the ice source.

Limping: Here’s a tip -
Try heel-toe walking when you're limping.
This involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe.
It takes a concentrated effort, but I believe you'll notice a difference. Give it a try.

Hopefully you have some success with your PT next week. Please stay in touch and let us know how you’re doing. Best Wishes!

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.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/how-can-i-find-my-threads-and-posts.56840/

 

[Mojo333]

@Alice D
Eman85 is right...2 months really is very early in recovery....
I know you feel as if you should be getting closer to "normal" but this surgery is a big deal and we are not only recovering from the surgical trauma, our bodies have to adjust to the good hip and often patients have to readjust from years of compensating posture / gait....
Finding a balance between too much and not enough can also be a bit tricky at this point.
Try to listen to your body and try to stay patient.
All Temporary!

 

[Reanda]

Hello Alice D, at 2 months I also had a limp and pain. This was also the case at 4 months. . I was so anxious about it I insisted on an XRay at 5 months and was relieved to to be told my new hip is sound. It's the injured muscles that are still recovering. I am now at nearly 8 months, and gradually...very gradually, I am improving. The limp is helped enormously by the heel toe walking Layla mentions, you need to concentrate hard when walking. My limp has gone. You will find it all improves after a few more weeks and months, maybe you have follow up appts with your surgeon who will reassure you that all is fine with the implant and then like me it's a waiting game for everything to settle.

 

[Alice D]

Hello Alice D, at 2 months I also had a limp and pain. This was also the case at 4 months. . I was so anxious about it I insisted on an XRay at 5 months and was relieved to to be told my new hip is sound. It's the injured muscles that are still recovering. I am now at nearly 8 months, and gradually...very gradually, I am improving. The limp is helped enormously by the heel toe walking Layla mentions, you need to concentrate hard when walking. My limp has gone. You will find it all improves after a few more weeks and months, maybe you have follow up appts with your surgeon who will reassure you that all is fine with the implant and then like me it's a waiting game for everything to settle.

THANK YOU! Your words are so encouraging to me. Some days I wonder if I will ever walk normal again. I do try to concentrate on the heel toe walking when I walk but sometimes I know I fail. I will just keep plugging along but appreciate your words of encouragement.

 

[Alice D]

Hello Alice,
I‘m sorry you’re still struggling and feeling discouraged. I’m wondering if you’re taking anything for the pain? If not prescribed meds, consider OTC temporarily. We have often recommended Extra Strength Tylenol at 1000 mg, every six hours, but no more than 4000 mg in any 24 hr period. You must also calculate anything else containing Acetominiphin into the 4000 mg so you're not exceeding that amount. If you’re able to take this, hopefully it will allow you to stay comfortably mobile.

Icing is another great pain reliever - Please try that if you’re not currently doing so. Ice as often as you’re comfortable doing so, for as long as you like, always placing fabric between bare skin and the ice source.

Limping: Here’s a tip -
Try heel-toe walking when you're limping.
This involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe.
It takes a concentrated effort, but I believe you'll notice a difference. Give it a try.

Hopefully you have some success with your PT next week. Please stay in touch and let us know how you’re doing. Best Wishes!

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.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/how-can-i-find-my-threads-and-posts.56840/

Thank you for your response. I'm still taking the pain medicine that was given to me after surgery but it will soon run out so thank you for your OTC recommendations. I do ice my hip when it's really hurting. I try to remember the heel-toe walking but fail sometimes too. I will try harder to do this.

 

[Alice D]

Hi everyone. I'm now about 10 weeks post op from THR (surgery May 9th) and I'm just not seeing any improvement. I still have a lot of pain when I walk and still limp. I'm trying to be patient and I'm doing everything I feel I should be doing but I just don't see ANY improvement from week to week. I'm currently visiting in Minnesota (live in Texas) and was able to get in to see a therapist here and she is really good and has helped me but it doesn't change how I feel when I walk or the pain. I've had several friends tell me they felt good and back to doing things normally within a few weeks so I'm feeling frustrated. I even have a neighbor who is 15 years older than me who had her surgery 2 weeks before me and she said she feels she is back to normal. Can anyone who has been through this same scenario please respond so I know it's not just me not healing quickly? I appreciate any help/input.

 

[Gardener]

I want to encourage you to relax and realize even "baby steps" are big victories. I had my left hip done and it was a piece of cake. I was up and rolling right away. I had my right hip done 4 weeks later. It was very different and I just did not know why. I did have to have a 3rd revision surgery. Not to say anything is wrong with you but to let you know. I really had to work on changing my mental expectations. I was discouraged and the recovery is/was very slow. I could not sleep on my side for a while. I finally put a long slender pillow in between my legs. This support for my knees and ankles made me more comfortable. It seemed just one night all of a sudden it was comfortable. After such good results on one side, it was hard to accept how long it is taking to get back to a normal gait. I am attending physical therapy and now that my incision has healed I will begin water therapy.
I wish you a successful recovery. I am sure you will be back to an active lifestyle. I am counting on that also as I work through my rehab.

 

[Boofit]

I've had several friends tell me they felt good and back to doing things normally within a few weeks so I'm feeling frustrated. I even have a neighbor who is 15 years older than me who had her surgery 2 weeks before me and she said she feels she is back to normal.

You will have read this on this forum many times: DO NOT COMPARE your recovery to anyone else's. Each recovery is different, and trying to rush things along will cause you grief.

Please be patient. Do not ditch your walking aids too soon (you posted on 7 July that you were "forcing myself each day to try and walk straight and now, today, going to try and walk without my cane. ". Learn to correct your gait first, because if you are still in pain when weight bearing you WILL limp.

10 weeks post-op is still very early days... Do not force yourself to do anything before you are ready. Maybe also analyse how much you are walking every day to see if you are overdoing the walking (you mentioned earlier that you are on vacation, would that mean more walking, and is this with or without aids)?

 

[Alice D]

I want to encourage you to relax and realize even "baby steps" are big victories. I had my left hip done and it was a piece of cake. I was up and rolling right away. I had my right hip done 4 weeks later. It was very different and I just did not know why. I did have to have a 3rd revision surgery. Not to say anything is wrong with you but to let you know. I really had to work on changing my mental expectations. I was discouraged and the recovery is/was very slow. I could not sleep on my side for a while. I finally put a long slender pillow in between my legs. This support for my knees and ankles made me more comfortable. It seemed just one night all of a sudden it was comfortable. After such good results on one side, it was hard to accept how long it is taking to get back to a normal gait. I am attending physical therapy and now that my incision has healed I will begin water therapy.
I wish you a successful recovery. I am sure you will be back to an active lifestyle. I am counting on that also as I work through my rehab.

Thank you! I try sleeping on my right side with a pillow between my legs and I can for a little while but then my left hip starts throbbing so I have to go back to my back. I appreciate your comments. Blessings to you in your healing process also.

 

[Alice D]

I've had several friends tell me they felt good and back to doing things normally within a few weeks so I'm feeling frustrated. I even have a neighbor who is 15 years older than me who had her surgery 2 weeks before me and she said she feels she is back to normal.

You will have read this on this forum many times: DO NOT COMPARE your recovery to anyone else's. Each recovery is different, and trying to rush things along will cause you grief.

Please be patient. Do not ditch your walking aids too soon (you posted on 7 July that you were "forcing myself each day to try and walk straight and now, today, going to try and walk without my cane. ". Learn to correct your gait first, because if you are still in pain when weight bearing you WILL limp.

10 weeks post-op is still very early days... Do not force yourself to do anything before you are ready. Maybe also analyse how much you are walking every day to see if you are overdoing the walking (you mentioned earlier that you are on vacation, would that mean more walking, and is this with or without aids)?

Thank you for your response. I know I need to stop comparing my recovery to others...it just makes me more discouraged when others are doing better than I am. Yes, I'm wondering too about the walking. I don't 'think' I'm doing too much but I do think that you are correct in that I maybe should still be using the cane when I'm walking until I can walk straighter. I do appreciate your comments. Have a blessed day.

 

[Layla]

I still have a lot of pain when I walk and still limp

It’s not too late to ice wherever you’re feeling pain or discomfort if it brings you relief, or to take either prescribed or OTC meds when needed. Please use the cane until you’re no longer limping and practice heel-toe walking which involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe. It takes a concentrated effort, but most do notice a difference.
Safe travels back to Texas!

 

[Alice D]

I still have a lot of pain when I walk and still limp

It’s not too late to ice wherever you’re feeling pain or discomfort if it brings you relief, or to take either prescribed or OTC meds when needed. Please use the cane until you’re no longer limping and practice heel-toe walking which involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe. It takes a concentrated effort, but most do notice a difference.
Safe travels back to Texas!

Thank you! I guess I'd better go back to using the cane and I do try to do the heel to toe walking. Thanks for the well wishes for our travels also.

 

[Snoopy55]

Hi @Alice D I just read your thread and I can hear your frustration about your recovery. I relate as I am sure everyone in this forum does as well that the recovery for this type of surgery is much longer than one expects and perhaps your doctor did not set your expectations properly. Mine certainly didn't. Which prompted me to get a second opinion. I do think that if you are feeling as if you aren't making any progress week by week a visit to your doctor may be in order-at least to settle your mind at ease.

Once you get the ok that all is well it might help you mentally. I know it did my mental health a world of good to get that second opinion and know that my type of surgery takes 4-6 months to get better and to be sure I was feeling sooo much better at the 4th month mark.

It does take patience but do celebrate the wins. You may be in pain but you are also able to walk around the block as you said. Many people can't even do that at 10 weeks. I certainly could not and I did not have a total THR.

I also traveled at 7 weeks by air abroad and that slowed my recovery down by a few weeks if not a month. In any case we are here for you. I know how much my forum friends have supported me through this journey so you are in the right place. Hoping tomorrow brings you a better day.

 

[Alice D]

Hi @Alice D I just read your thread and I can hear your frustration about your recovery. I relate as I am sure everyone in this forum does as well that the recovery for this type of surgery is much longer than one expects and perhaps your doctor did not set your expectations properly. Mine certainly didn't. Which prompted me to get a second opinion. I do think that if you are feeling as if you aren't making any progress week by week a visit to your doctor may be in order-at least to settle your mind at ease.

Once you get the ok that all is well it might help you mentally. I know it did my mental health a world of good to get that second opinion and know that my type of surgery takes 4-6 months to get better and to be sure I was feeling sooo much better at the 4th month mark.

It does take patience but do celebrate the wins. You may be in pain but you are also able to walk around the block as you said. Many people can't even do that at 10 weeks. I certainly could not and I did not have a total THR.

I also traveled at 7 weeks by air abroad and that slowed my recovery down by a few weeks if not a month. In any case we are here for you. I know how much my forum friends have supported me through this journey so you are in the right place. Hoping tomorrow brings you a better day.

Thank you. I don't have a lot of faith in my surgeon that did my surgery. He doesn't seem to have much time for me or to answer questions and he said I don't really need therapy....what????? I then got a second opinion from a highly rated orthopedic surgeon here in Minnesota while we are visiting and he took an x-ray and assured me everything looks good as far as the hip goes. He said (just like everyone else says) that everyone heals differently and I need to give it more time; however, he did state that I'm further behind than most of his patients at this point in time which didn't help my discouragement. I keep doing my therapy exercises that I've been given and this Sunday we will leave for home (Texas). I'm not looking forward to that 1500 mile trip again but we will stop as often as we need to. I just would like to see some sign of improvement weekly....even if it is small. I'll keep plugging away and praying. Thank you for your kind words.

 

[Snoopy55]

he said I don't really need therapy....what?????

Actually to be honest I think he may be right. Many people on this forum have said the same thing about not doing PT and faring much better. If you are in pain and sore for days after therapy chances are they are pushing you too much-which was what happened in my case twice. I decided to forgo PT altogether and just walk and that has been all my hip has needed. But again every one is different. If it helps you by all means do it.

 

[Alice D]

Hello everyone....I'm back and still feeling very discouraged and depressed. I am almost 3 months post op now (surgery was May 9) and I'm still in quite a bit of pain and the incision site is even very sore and tender. I still can't walk more than a block without cramping. I feel like there is something wrong under the incision area.....like something is pulling and making it hurt and sting. I also have pain in my buttocks which is causing me problems when walking. I have SO MANY people who have had THR say I shouldn't still be in so much pain ....well I am and I just don't know what to do about it or where to turn? My doctor doesn't seem to care or understand how I feel. I don't want to be crippled like this forever. If there is anyone here who has experienced any of what I'm going through, I would sure love to hear from you and how you are managing (or did manage). Thank you.

 

[Snoopy55]

Hi @Alice D,
I am so very sorry to hear that you are still in pain. At this point if you are feeling as if your doctor doesn't care or understand I really suggest getting a second opinion. You had major surgery and if your doctor is not being supportive you owe it to yourself to seek another doctor's opinion.

I just went back and read your post about getting a second opinion from a highly skilled surgeon who told you that the xrays looked good. Now that you are home in Texas perhaps you can find someone more supportive? It may be worth doing some research and finding someone who has great reviews and whose office is more responsive and understanding. I have to say I did not like my first surgeons attitude which prompted me to get a second opinion. Even though he said everything was fine he did say I still had some healing to do and that it takes 4 to 6 months to feel better and actually I am now 5 and a half months post op and I do feel so much better than I did at 3 months.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Good morning Alice,
I was still having crying jags at 3 months. It's a long process and one I wasn't ready for either.
I think the stinging/burning thing is common, sometimes, still experience that.
I'm almost 6 months post op and you will be surprised how much better you feel and what you can do, give it a little more time, ice, rest when you can. I know you are feeling impatient, so was I. I was told 30 days and I'd be back to doing what I wanted to do, no way, so unrealistic.
However, I do agree with Snoopy, if you are feeling that another doctor's opinion would help then by all means do that. Some doctors don't have same personality as others which might come across as uncaring but to them hip surgery is another day in the office, but for us it's a big deal and we need support.
Keep us posted on your decision.

 

[Alice D]

Hi @Alice D,
I am so very sorry to hear that you are still in pain. At this point if you are feeling as if your doctor doesn't care or understand I really suggest getting a second opinion. You had major surgery and if your doctor is not being supportive you owe it to yourself to seek another doctor's opinion.

I just went back and read your post about getting a second opinion from a highly skilled surgeon who told you that the xrays looked good. Now that you are home in Texas perhaps you can find someone more supportive? It may be worth doing some research and finding someone who has great reviews and whose office is more responsive and understanding. I have to say I did not like my first surgeons attitude which prompted me to get a second opinion. Even though he said everything was fine he did say I still had some healing to do and that it takes 4 to 6 months to feel better and actually I am now 5 and a half months post op and I do feel so much better than I did at 3 months.

Thank you for your response. I just made an appointment for next week with my original surgeon and I'll see what he has to say. I really feel that no other doctor is going to do or say anything when they aren't the one who did the surgery. The burning/stinging and pain I feel almost feels like there is something pulling in there behind my incision....muscle? tissue? I just don't know. I really appreciate your response....it helps a lot. Have a blessed day.