Week 4-Strange feeling in my hip

[LuvANurse26]

I am going into week 4 of my hip replacement recovery. I have been totally pain free, and still feel that I'm not in pain. I feel that I am getting better everyday. But, for about 2 days I've been having a strange feeling in my hip when I do heel slides, and sometimes when I move my leg different ways. It feels like metal to me. I get to a certain point, and I have to pause and then continue. When I'm doing the heel slides I get fear, because I know that feeling will happen.

During surgey, a piece of my trochanter cracked while he was removing a plate that was in my hip. He wired that part back together and said it would be fine. Sometimes when I'm getting in bed I can feel pulling in that area. I hope it gets better.

I'm going to mention these feelings to him when I go for my 6 week appointment. I know they will probably be gone by thing, because thats the way things seem to happen when you're having a problem. Has anyone else experienced any of these feelings, and did they gradually go away?? Again, I am not in pain...just having these annoying feelings.

 

[JudyS]

I remember at 4 weeks having new pain. For me that is the point where I felt really good and was doing more and more.
I also have experienced annoying feelings. At 4 weeks I was concerned about each and every one. At 4 months, I just ignored them all. I am in pt for my thoracic spine and have known my therapist for a while through different body parts. (We were just discussing me being there last Thanksgiving) Anyway, he told me to expect ache and pains and feelings for about 8 months.
I , like you , had a fracture in surgery but mine was the femur, which is wired together and healed at this point.

If not for this forum, I would have been calling the surgeon's office every other day!!!

I would suggest if it gets more annoying, calling your doc.
Judy

 

[LuvANurse26]

Thanks Judy. That gives me a more sense of ease. The therapist just left, and he said he thinks that its related to muscles connected in that area as well as all the swelling with the hip. He also said if it was something "really serious" I would know. And, I would be in major pain. I am not by any means in pain.

So, like you said I will just try to ignore them. And, if it gets worse I will call his office.

 

[Josephine]

Welcome to the world of our patients, Luv! I certainly never knew until a) my sister had both her knees done and b) I joined this forum, just how much extraneous stuff joint replacement patients have to cope with. I can tell you, it's been a real eye opener for me.

My education began when I had an knee arthroscopy. I had NO IDEA how painful it would be afterwards. I was shocked! But it prepared the way for beginning to accept all the things my members here were sharing. Basically, the body is just not going to take any kind of surgery 'lying down', so to speak. The multitude of different symptoms, aches and pains these people experience after major joint replacement really boggle my mind and make me all the more admiring of their grit and determination to overcome and win back their lives.

 

[Laurie]

Hi, I am almost 3 months out from RTHR and remember 4-5 weeks as a transitional time. I was still going to PT and had just gone off hip restrictions but was cautious. When I stretched a little further to work on flexibility it was uncomfortable and I was inclined to think I shouldn't be pushing. Maybe that is what you are experiencing. Lots of reassurance from my PT really helped.

Like many here, my recovery has been amazing from 4 weeks to now (and I am almost twice your age at almost 56). I am basically doing any and all I want and forget about my new hip most the time. It is wonderful to walk w/o pain and w/o limping, also getting up from seat without pain and stiffness. Only part that hasn't completely healed is around incision--and there is some numbness but getting better. But that fall a few weeks ago didn't help.

Happy recovery and hope your weird feelings go away quickly!

Laurie

 

[LuvANurse26]

Great News!!! I just did all my exercises. No funny feelings this time. I think its getting better. YAY!!!

 

[mvo]

Hi luvanurse,

At the 4 week stage and even now (about 10 weeks) my hip feels a bit strange if I do a heap of exercising (started back at the gym and pool this week) or a lot of walking or housework. And many strange feelings resulted from my gardening attempts last weekend! Like you, no pain, I just figure it is all part of the healing process

Monica

 

[rejoyce318]

LuvANurse,

Does your OS's office have a phone # that you can call when weird stuff happens (to your new joint, not Twilight Zone weird!)? My OS had 2 nurses who were available to hear my questions & reassure me. I must have called at least once or twice a week the first couple of months!

I'm now (4.5 mos post left THR, anterior) taking private Pilates lessons with a teacher who had her hip replaced by the same surgeon!. I feel SO much better - it DOES get better, but we both still have weird feelings in our operated legs from time to time).

Glad you're feeling better.

 

[Josephine]

GREAT news!,,,,