I just found out yesterday that this is completely normal. My left foot was done, so my right foot/leg did all the work for the last three months, obviously. After about a month, my right hip started hurting like crazy. It doesn't open up like it used to (can't sit cross-legged, which I used to), and sometimes just rolling over hurts like mad.

I've even asked my PT to work on my hip, because it hurts so badly - turns out it's actually called "crutch hip", and is very common - if you injured your left side, your right hip takes a pounding, and vice versa.

So for you newbies, start stretching out your opposite hip - it will save you down the line!

Boy do I second that one!!! It took my chiropractor two weeks (and lots of pain for me) to loosen up my opposite hip. I'm 11 days post op on #2 and going to do stretches as soon as I'm done here.
Linda

Can you explain the stretches you are doing a little more in detail?

Joll43,
I had surgery on my left ankle and the right ankle took the beating and now needs the same surgery. Definitely gently stretching helps, sounds like you are well on your way to recovery on the first one. Are you doing another surgery soon?
Nancy

I'll try to explain the stretch: Lay on your back. Life one leg and angle the knee outward aligning it with your shoulder. Grasp the outside of your ankle with the opposite hand and keep the hand with the lifted leg on the inside of the knee. Gently pull your ankle toward your chest and resist gently with your other hand on your knee. My doc said to do 15 small pulses like this, rest and repeat a total of five times. If you are doing it correctly, you will feel the pull up the back of your thigh and into your bottom.

I'm doing those stretches too. At PT, they use the big ball, which I love, but it honestly wouldn't fit in my apartment, or I'd get one.

Maggie - thanks, probably doing the other foot first week of June.

Thanks rollargirl, I a going to work on this!