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THR - Added an Inch or More

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mssully

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Hello, I had my left hip replaced on 4/23/08. I am a little over 3 months post surgery. So I don't sound too much of a complainer! I will say I have much less pain & can do more than I could pre-surgery. My leg length is now what I consider perfect. At 9 years old, I was struck by a car as I was crossing the street. Multiple fractures, and three surgeries later, one more year on crutches until I could walk. So what a miracle that about 40 years later, this surgeon installs a new hip joint & corrects the discrepancy in my legs! Now, my back hurt before the surgery & everyone said "it's not your back, it's your hip". I am wondering if others have the back pain still 3 months out. Please let me know your thoughts. Mine bothers me mostly at night. Also, if you had it & you remember about how far out it stopped, I would love to know!
 
Well, think of it like this, mssully - your back took a few years to get so it hurt because of the leg discrepancy. It's not going to get better in a few months! I would suggest a chiropractor could help get your spine re-adjusted and help it get used to being in a normal position again.
 
Hi,
I can tell you that I'm 8 weeks post op tomorrow, and my back bothers me so much right now. My hip is doing great, but the back is really annoyed. I had 3 back surgeries in 1990, and I had not had any problems since I lost 120 lbs 3 years ago (and kept it off). But in the last few weeks I've had a lot of pain down my legs. My OS told me he expected this to happen and that in time, perhaps 8+ weeks it should settle down. I am considering a good chiropractor to help it along.

I think back pain is not unusual. We have walked with a limp for a long time due to our hip pain. Everything gets "straightened" out and our backs and muscles and nerves don't know what to do. Once again, I think it's a patience thing.

Keep us posted.

Debra
 
Hi Debra:

That's amazing! You've got to be so happy with your successes thus far. I was told by several physical therapists that my shoulders were slightly rolled forward pre and post op. I found that so hard to believe as I am a ballet dancer, and had been a competitive gymnast from the age of 10. As my hip joints deteriorated, my body compensated in very interesting ways that I was not even aware of. Then, about 18 months after my bilateral resurfacing surgery, I was finally able to stretch those oh-so-tight muscles in my low back and sacrum and (lo and behold!) my upper body regained its placement and flexibility. Once our hips are repaired, lots of other things change as well! I'm very glad to have the ability to do a back bend again, and to stretch as I had always been able to do. Oh, by the way, post op, I gained a whole 1/2 inch thanks to the repaired joints and the chromium implants. No one seemed to notice, though!!

Take good care, Debra.

I'm glad to hear of your good health post op.

Ruth Z
 
Josephine, Debra & Ruth
Thank you for taking the time to add to this post. It is so helpful to hear from others, so you have a measure of credibility to the things the medical world states. My back is improving so patience & continued exercise will pay off sounds like!
The length replaced in my leg allows me to walk without the limp I have had for at least the last 10 years! No wonder the back is going thru some adjustment time.
Ruth, How long since your surgery? I hear the resurface allows a quicker recovery time. I was not a candidate for that because of the prior damage in my hip area.
Glad you both are doing so well so far!
Regards,
Jean
 
Hi MsSully:

I had my resurfacing surgery in April of 2006. It was a long long day - seven hours of surgery! I left the hospital after three days and started in-home physical therapy the day after I got home. I started out-patient physical therapy and water exercise and was cleared to drive at 18 days post op. I went back to the studio to teach a modified schedule of ballet and to begin my own dancer rehab at one month post op.

We are all lucky to have our lives back again after our surgeries!

Take good care,

Ruth Z
 
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