THR Thigh pain

[davelefty]

I am having some pain down my thigh, 4 weeks after THR, and wondering if this is normal?

 

[Jaycey]

@davelefty Welcome to BoneSmart! Which hip had the op? We will make a signature for you.

At only 4 weeks out in a process that can take up to one year, thigh pain is expected. What is your activity level right now? In these early days very short walks around the house or out doors as tolerated is about all that should be happening.

Try ice and elevation as described below.

Here are your recovery guidelines:

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
We are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help. But you have the final decision as to what approach you use.

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​

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 this BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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 a 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 history before providing advice.

 

[davelefty]

Thank you! My assumption was that the anterior surgery was less invasive, but maybe I am too optimistic at only 4 weeks. My PT person is having me use a band for exercises, and I see some evidence that this may not be appropriate at this stage.

 

[Layla]

Hello Dave,
Welcome to BoneSmart. Thanks for joining us!
Please let us know the exact date of your THR and which hip you had replaced. We will use the info to create a signature for you making it easier for those stopping by to read or comment to see how far along you are.

As Jaycey mentioned, If you're no longer icing, please try it and see if it brings relief. You can ice as often and for as long as you like taking care to place fabric between your bare skin and the ice source. You can also try OTC meds temporarily for some added relief if you're not already and feel it may help.

It is not necessary to exercise your injured hip to promote healing. So please set aside those bands, especially since you seemed to have a feeling they are the problem. The controlled trauma sustained through THR will heal on its own. Often though, we're impatient and want to move the process along. In doing so we run the risk of struggling with pain and setbacks stalling the healing process. The best therapy for recovery is walking, but not to excess. Start slowly increasing time and distance incrementally in an effort not to overdo it.

Give yourself the TLC you deserve and reap the benefits of a successful recovery. Best Wishes!
@davelefty

 

[Jaycey]

My PT person is having me use a band for exercises

Noooooo! You are not in training - you are healing. You wouldn't do this if you were recovering from a broken leg. Your body has suffered major trauma. No band exercises until all the healing is done. In fact - look at the Big Tip above. Many of us just walked post op. It's the best exercise for a new hip.

BTW - anterior is not less invasive. Unfortunately there is a lot of marketing hype around that approach. Recovery is the same when any approach is used.

 

[Eman85]

Pain at 4 weeks totally normal no matter the approach. PT making a THR patient use any bands at 4 weeks unfortunately is common but should be classified as torture methods. From my experience nothing is gained by exercise or straining muscles that are healing. No matter the approach the hip capsule has to be opened and the hip dislocated stretching and straining every muscle and tendon in that area.

 

[zauberflöte]

Hi @davelefty ! I was just getting off the celebrex and that nighttime oxy at 4 weeks! Two anteriors, and they had pains here and there for some time after 4 weeks. To give full disclosure, the soft tissues still have pain, but that's me and my body, not everyone.

I did mild PT but no actual "get stronger than you are" exercises with #1, for about 2-3 weeks; and only about 3 of those exercises for a couple of weeks after #2. Heel pumps, and some form of moving my legs I guess--can't remember. My strength rehab started about 18 months after #2, and I'm still at it after four years. A very muscle-intense exercise class, four times a week.

I myself would not have dreamed of using bands, and I never found out if the PT would have suggested them because I fired him after a very few visits-- all he was doing was making notes while I did my reps.

 

[Caison113]

@davelefty - Definitely back off the intense pt. It’s not proven to do anything other than leading to aggravation of your joint. That said, I had a mini-posterior done and I had quad pain a few times for a couple days during the recovery. Nothing crazy but some pain. Went away for good around 2.5 months. Good luck!