Hip Arthroscopy Terrible lower back pain after hip labral tear?

Tammii1981

new member
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
Messages
12
Age
42
Country
United Kingdom United Kingdom
Gender
Female
Hi everyone
I’m new to this forum, I’m 4 weeks post op for a anterior labral tear on my left hip. Recovery is going well and I’m only on paracetamol and naproxen now. I was taking Tramadol but I was getting terrible leg spasms/twitches. These seem to have passed. But I’ve been left with horrendous Irritable leg syndrome but all over my body. I don’t sleep at all. I’m taking magnesium and iron supplements but these don’t appear to have helped. I’ve cut out coffee etc and have Epsom salt baths but NOTHING works!! Is this normal?? When will it end?? Has anyone else had these symptoms??
 
@Tammii1981 and welcome! Yes! With my right THR 5 years ago, I had "restless legs" at night. So miserable, and worse than pain in some ways, and I think it's common with these surgeries. I wonder if it's related to the period of reduced activity. The good news is, it's temporary. I remembering it lasting about a week in my case. Someone here posted a link to potential remedies for RLS recently; if you use the search button you can probably find it. I hope you get relief soon.
 
I had very restless legs and uncomfortable feelings all over too but magnesium did help. It was the worst when I was trying to sleep. Make sure you’re taking 320mg of magnesium per day. A lower dose just doesn’t work. That worked for me.
 
Hi @Tammii1981 and :welome:
I think many of us had to deal with restless legs, spasms, etc. It's so annoying!
Magnesium is a good start, I found that helped me a little bit, too. I always made sure I took my tylenol before bed, too. Or whatever they've given you to help with pain/discomfort.

I'd like to leave you some reading material that might be helpful too.
but first, can you please post here on your thread and give us your surgery date for the anterior labral repair and one of the moderators will add this info in your signature.

Glad you found the forum, it is a super lace to voice your concerns, worries, triumphs... or have a laugh or two!
 
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:
rest
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
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this Activity progression for THRs
6. Access to these pages on the website
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 the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes to the restless cant-stay-still leg problem when I was recovering.
We are all different but I was beginning to get a tad concerned as this went on for several months...lessening over time.
All normal NOW.
Not really helpful I know but am glad that it DID eventually go away.
 
Ah thank you everyone, it’s nice to know it’s a normal process of healing!! It feels at the moment like it will never end!! I’ve begun taking full doses of magnesium and also Ferrous Sulphate as I read about iron levels in the brain (my bloods are normal levels) so fingers crossed this will help! Also taking sleeping tablets to help me drop off so at least I’m getting some sleep!!
My op was January 9th, so 4 weeks ago today-just about starting to walk unaided but beer nervous so I like to keep a stick handy!
This forum has helped me loads, heading all your stories! Keeps you positive at such a tough time!
 
Sounds like you are doing very well.:happydance:
Easy does it...and be mindful.
Keeping a walking aid close until you gain strength and confidence is very smart.
No falling...against the rules. :bignono:

Slow and steady will win this race.
Hope the rest of your week is Sweet.:flwrysmile::flwrysmile:
 
Hi everyone, I’m now 7 weeks post op and my lower back area has been in agony the last 3 weeks I would say. I find it really hard to bend over and it’s even sore to touch and feels bruised (no visible bruises) Is this literally due to holding myself differently in recovery, or does anyone else have similar? My knees are also sore to the point where I can’t bend down into my knees to pick things up. I’m probably over panicking but just wondered if this was fairly normal? Thank you!
 
Hi, @Tammii1981 - You'll notice that I have merged your two threads together as we prefer that members in recovery only have one thread.

This is for three reasons:
1. if you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts others have left you in the old threads
2. it often ends up that information is unnecessarily repeated
3. it's best if we can keep all your recovery story in one place so it's easily accessed if we need to advise you.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread. If you would like a new thread title just post what you would like it to be and we'll change it for you
 
I'm afraid that lots of people do get backache during recovery. I think it's part of your body having to readjust to your new posture since surgery.

It's still early in your recovery, so take care you're not trying to do too much.

Do you have a grabber, to help you pick things up off the floor? There's one in Section 10 of this article:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home

1582741986031.png
 
Ooh no but that looks to be a great idea! I used the exercise bands to lift my legs when I was a little earlier on in recovery-it’s such a strain on my back and like you say you put a lot of pressure on areas you maybe haven’t used in a few weeks. I’ve never really suffered with back ache before and being a ballet dancer a few years back, I’ve always been flexible and never had issues moving about so I guess it probably hitting me a little hard!
 
@Tammii1981 Are you doing any exercises or physio now? If so, please stop. All that hip needs is walking and then not to excess.
 
Well, I’m now 6 months post op, and not only are my legs still very restless, but my entire body just crawls. Most days my hip, legs and back just ache and I feel physically exhausted. And by the evening, my back crawls. I’ve been on 50mg tramadol per night. It definitely helps with the restlessness, but every now and again, it doesn’t work.

I’m just so miserable with it all now. Nobody tells you this will happen, and the doctors just seem to think I’m making it all up! I don’t feel myself at all. Maybe I’m being ridiculous, but I genuinely thought I’d be feeling much better than this by now!! Please tell me I’m being over optimistic and that all this is very normal!!
 
I’m just so miserable with it all now.
Seems like you are not getting any better, and your medical team is not listening to you.
You are right you should be feeling better by now.

Suggest it is time for you to seek a second opinion for your labrum repair, from a surgeon specializing in complex joint reconstruction or revisions, they have the education and background to determine what is happening with troubled hip.
They should have no relationship with your present OS, not even golf buddies.
 
Oh, I’m so sorry that you are still having issues. It took about 4 months for my back and legs to finally “settle” from my psoas release surgery (arthroscopic). I agree with Pumpkin that you seek another opinion. This could take some sorting out. It could be attributed to a few things. My OS had suggested to me if I continued to have my back and leg issues, it might be wise to consult a spine specialist. This wasn’t in a dismissive way but as a genuine concern for my pain and discomfort that was outside his expertise. Do you have a trusted PCP? Sometimes they are very helpful in looking at the big picture and having suggestions or treatments to try. It may take a few trials to find something that helps. RLS in and of itself can be a tough one to sort out. But at least a PCP can act as a coordinator in getting you pointed in the right direction. I’m really hoping you do have one that will listen to you and take a thorough history. If not, I really pray you can find a physician who will help. This is not an acceptable way to live. :fingersx: ❤️
 
@Tammii1981 I am so sorry you are still struggling with all this. Can you tell me where you are located in the UK and the name of your current surgeon? I'll try and research a bit to help you find someone who will listen to your needs. Hang in there!
 
Thank you everyone. I probably should have mentioned, before lockdown happened in the UK, I was attending hydrotherapy sessions which were hugely helpful and I really felt a big improvement quite quickly. Of course then we went into lockdown and I struggled to go out on walks because of anxiety. I’m very sure that this didn’t help me. It came at the wrong time, just as I felt I was turning a corner.

I’ve got a medical appointment again tmw, hoping they’ll look into things more for me. I’m also seeing a chiropractor next week.

I’m based in Harrogate and my surgeon is Jon Conroy. He’s one of the best in the area, but I haven’t been able to see him again with the pandemic. I’m hoping to get another appointment with him to follow up. I just hope the doctor can shed some light (I’m seeing a different one this time!!)
 
Oh, I’m so sorry that you are still having issues. It took about 4 months for my back and legs to finally “settle” from my psoas release surgery (arthroscopic). I agree with Pumpkin that you seek another opinion. This could take some sorting out. It could be attributed to a few things. My OS had suggested to me if I continued to have my back and leg issues, it might be wise to consult a spine specialist. This wasn’t in a dismissive way but as a genuine concern for my pain and discomfort that was outside his expertise. Do you have a trusted PCP? Sometimes they are very helpful in looking at the big picture and having suggestions or treatments to try. It may take a few trials to find something that helps. RLS in and of itself can be a tough one to sort out. But at least a PCP can act as a coordinator in getting you pointed in the right direction. I’m really hoping you do have one that will listen to you and take a thorough history. If not, I really pray you can find a physician who will help. This is not an acceptable way to live. :fingersx:

Did you find your back and leg pain eased off on its own in the end? I’m hoping to be back in touch with my surgeon soon once appointments are up and running again. But in the meantime I’m hoping the doctor can point me in the right direction for my back. I’m frustrated because I mentioned my lower back so many times to my physio, but everyone said it’s just from sitting and not moving so much straight after my op. But the pain is very localised and is constant. I’m questioning if it’s linked to my RLS and possibly could be a trapped nerve or something similar. Hopefully I’ll find some answers soon! Thank you so much for replying
 

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Jaycey
    ADMINISTRATOR Staff member since February 2011
  • Roy Gardiner
    Staff member since February, 23, 2013

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,167
Messages
1,596,863
BoneSmarties
39,356
Latest member
JanieMarie
Recent bookmarks
0
Back
Top Bottom