What kind of pain do you have?

[nickji]

Hi Everyone,

Most people talk about pain, but don't usually define it. I'm curious to know what type of pain people have and under what circumstances, and if different pains are indicative of different healing processes and/or problems with different muscles. For myself, a dull ache in the groin area and still some slight knee pain is 'normal', but not continuous.

The real pain comes if I come close to crossing the midline (I'm 3 weeks after a RTHR), go above 90 degrees, or if I inwardly rotate my leg, or if I catch my foot on a projection when walking: in all these cases the pain is very very intense, usually around the piriformis area and not of long duration. I'm wondering what experience you have.

Finally, if anyone has a 'most effective' exercise, that would be interesting to know.

Enjoy it all!
Nick

 

[JudyS]

Hi Nick
What you described as real pain was exactly what I felt. That is why I try to tell those waiting for surgery that worry about the restrictions that it is not a problem, your body will not let you get into those dangerous positions.

I know at 4 weeks I was feeling pretty good overall and that is when I overdid it with walking, swimming, walking some more. Then my post is here somewhere from last July describing the worst pain yet. I just cut back a little and it was smooth sailling from then on.
I can tell you at 3 months I was back to hiking and anything else (except running) I wanted to do and loving it. As far as my knee, it needed treatment at the time of my hip replacement so I can not speak of knee pain.

Oh and I do remember having problems with my ITB band. I did have a therapist work on that by the painful massage as it was inflammed. That was about 6-8 weeks. Probably by my overdoing it although a lot of others report that problem and painful area. The side of the hip down throught the knee.

Hope that helps, I have to jog my memory!!!
judy

 

[Peta]

For my two cents worth Nick - the best exercise I've found for strengthening my poor muscles and for reducing the muscle pain is swimming! Since I've started using the pool (almost) every day, I can't believe how much stronger my thigh muscles in particular are. And the muscle pain I was getting is lessening by the day!

Peta

 

[Judles]

Aquatherapy -IS the best,Peta! Keep up
The great work!

 

[PRGal]

I posted about pain I experience several times--here's one from about 6 weeks post-op.

Have had some piriformis issues too . . . see here.

One thing I should make very clear is that I had direct anterior approach--which means I was fully weight-bearing immediately AND had absolutely NO restrictions (none of that 90 degree stuff, etc, as traditional approaches have). Bottom line--I'm in the minority on this forum as far as surgical approach, so don't draw conclusions based on my experience unless you also had anterior.

Judging by your posts, you like to explore, so I suggest you check out this site, if you haven't already--it has some great animations that really help you visualize how all those muscles are connected.

All best for continued recovery!

 

[nickji]

Hi PRGal,
What were the piriformis exercises you found? Yes, seen that site, and it is great...
Thanks
Nick

 

[PRGal]

Hi PRGal,
What were the piriformis exercises you found? Yes, seen that site, and it is great...
Thanks
Nick

Here you go, Nick, but I want to emphasize again that, as you'll see from the illustrations, all these exercises are NOT for anyone still under 90-degree restrictions:

https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/exercise-sciatic-pain-piriformis-syndrome

 

[nickji]

Thanks PRGal,

I see what you mean about restrictions!! The exercises look good, but interestingly, I was doing the pose showed in fig.20 two years ago as part of my yoga practice and that night, for the first time in my life, had dreadful pain in my right hip - the beginning of the journey that led to the THR operation last month. Before that my hips had never bothered me. Obviously there was something there waiting to happen, but it's such a powerful stretch that I won't ever be doing that one again!!

Nick