hipster sister
05-20-2005, 04:24 PM
I am new to this site but happy to have located it. I had my right hip replaced approximately 5 months ago and am discouraged at this point in my healing process. I am experiencing a lot of muscle soreness in my thigh area on both legs. There are also times when my operated leg feels extremely heavy. I'm trying to get back into walking but am having a difficult time moving as fast as I'd like and as far as I'd like to go.
Can anyone else relate to this? It seems like I was doing better about 6 weeks ago than I am now!
Can anyone else relate to this? It seems like I was doing better about 6 weeks ago than I am now!
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MrsLinda
05-20-2005, 08:58 PM
Hi and Welcome! I'm so happy to see this board growing.
I had the left replaced almost 10 months ago and let me tell you something; you can't rush the recovery. No matter how much you try. All you wind up doing is getting more and more frustrated.
Where exactly is the soreness? Front, side, going down the leg? I know that when I bend over to tie my shoes, when I go to get up I get pain going down the front of the thigh. I think that's the implant telling me that I've bent too far. We'll find out; I see the surgeon next week.
Your speed and distance will improve with time. One day you'll just say "hey...I'm walking faster today". Are you still in PT? What type of exercises are you doing.
Feel free to ask any question. We have a really good discussion group on the "6 Month after Replacement" thread. Come on in and join us!!! You'll get lot of great advice there.
I had the left replaced almost 10 months ago and let me tell you something; you can't rush the recovery. No matter how much you try. All you wind up doing is getting more and more frustrated.
Where exactly is the soreness? Front, side, going down the leg? I know that when I bend over to tie my shoes, when I go to get up I get pain going down the front of the thigh. I think that's the implant telling me that I've bent too far. We'll find out; I see the surgeon next week.
Your speed and distance will improve with time. One day you'll just say "hey...I'm walking faster today". Are you still in PT? What type of exercises are you doing.
Feel free to ask any question. We have a really good discussion group on the "6 Month after Replacement" thread. Come on in and join us!!! You'll get lot of great advice there.
mcrug101
05-20-2005, 09:14 PM
hey hipster sister- i just joined as well- i haven't had a hip replacement so i'm not quite totally sure what the post-op/recovery timeline is like, however i've had three knee operations (found out yesterday i'm onto my fourth) and after all three i had the SAME pain in the leg- felt extremely heavy and it was really painful and tender even to the touch on the thigh- these would seem to be a normal post-op symptoms, and even 5 months after the surgery, some people just have different recoveries for different operations, some take longer some are shorter- ask your doctor or physical therapist if you're concerned- you shouldn't have unanswered questions
good luck and good job on your progress so far
good luck and good job on your progress so far
balleteach
05-21-2005, 12:34 AM
Welcome hipster sister. I'm so glad you found us. If you have time try reviewing some of the past posts. All our histories are there with lots of info and helpful hints. I believe so far, that I'm the "oldest" hippie hipster here. Ten years in July!! I do remember the first year being the hardest, both physically and emotionally. The key word for all of the newbies is PATIENCE. It's the most difficult thing to maintain. You will improve so try not to frustrate yourself too much. Patience was the most difficult thing for me, being a former dancer and at the time a ballet teacher. I wanted to be back to normal RIGHT NOW!! Please believe me, barring any complications, you will improve immensely as time goes by. Just keep active and a try to maintain a positive perspective. We are all here for support and feedback. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have and keep posting with your progress... balleteach
Bye the way, mcrug101, my Dr. said that knee replacement was much more complicated and prone to problems then THR. Good luck to you.
Bye the way, mcrug101, my Dr. said that knee replacement was much more complicated and prone to problems then THR. Good luck to you.
hip2it
05-22-2005, 04:31 PM
Hipster sister - I can definately relate. I am almost 6 months out (next week it will be six months). I agree that I was much better at first than I was about a month ago. My leg felt heavy and I couldn't go fast and a 'hill' was almost un-doable. I had to re-do my gait. I was doing a sort of 'limp' to keep the pressure off my leg when it hurts. My doctor noticed that I looked funny and suggested that I keep my leg closer to my body and take smaller steps. This was incredibly difficult to do. (I am always in a hurry). I tried it and in a few weeks the heavy feeling was much better and my speed got quicker. However, I am using all different muscles than I was before.
He said that the brain takes time to catch up to the new physical-ness of the hip. It still thinks that the bone spurs are there and it has to walk the old way. Just after surgery it was easy to do since those muscles were strong from all the walking with the arthritic hip. Now, however the body realizes that the spurs are not there to support the muscles and the muscles are getting tired from learning how to walk differently. It is normal to go backwards for a while. These new muscles are trying to get stronger but you have only used them this way for 5 months and the other way for several years. That is why you must exercise them and give them proper rest (and slow down).
Well, good luck to you. Stick with it and you will get there.
He said that the brain takes time to catch up to the new physical-ness of the hip. It still thinks that the bone spurs are there and it has to walk the old way. Just after surgery it was easy to do since those muscles were strong from all the walking with the arthritic hip. Now, however the body realizes that the spurs are not there to support the muscles and the muscles are getting tired from learning how to walk differently. It is normal to go backwards for a while. These new muscles are trying to get stronger but you have only used them this way for 5 months and the other way for several years. That is why you must exercise them and give them proper rest (and slow down).
Well, good luck to you. Stick with it and you will get there.
hipster sister
05-23-2005, 07:43 AM
I want to thank everyone for your replies to my post. In response to questions asked, my leg soreness is located in upper front (quad?) area of both legs; down the side of my knee of operated leg; up in hip area of replaced side; and lower back muscles are always very sore as well.
Prior to surgery, I was using weight resistive training machines (leg press, leg curl, leg extension and a couple for upper body strength), then returned at lower weights after my surgery. I stopped pt about a month ago, thinking it was doing more harm than good. For exercise, I am now solely walking.
Mcrug101 touched upon something important, and that is having unanswered questions. I feel very ignorant and uninformed about this healing process! I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon -- someone other than the surgeon who performed my surgery -- so that I can get my questions answered. I'm not satisfied with the follow-up by my own surgeon. I'm finding out that it's my responsibility to get help and answers to my questions.
Prior to surgery, I was using weight resistive training machines (leg press, leg curl, leg extension and a couple for upper body strength), then returned at lower weights after my surgery. I stopped pt about a month ago, thinking it was doing more harm than good. For exercise, I am now solely walking.
Mcrug101 touched upon something important, and that is having unanswered questions. I feel very ignorant and uninformed about this healing process! I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon -- someone other than the surgeon who performed my surgery -- so that I can get my questions answered. I'm not satisfied with the follow-up by my own surgeon. I'm finding out that it's my responsibility to get help and answers to my questions.
MrsLinda
05-23-2005, 09:21 AM
Morning everyone - you know, I think all of us who have undergone the THR never really ask the right questions because we probably just don't know what to ask!! And the doctors all seem to be focused on "the procedure" and the not enough on the recovery. Ok...my doctor told me all about the "restrictions", sleeping on the back, no bending, no driving, yada, yada, yada. Oh and of course the "possible dangers" of the surgery, blood clots, leg being left shorter than the other, etc.
But not once time did he sit and explain just how my life would change. Ok..I have no more pain from the diseased hip. But I am in no way to the point where I can say " I don't even know I have an artificial joint" and my surgery was 10 months ago. Ok balleteach!!! I know, paitence is our mantra :D But I honestly think this is as good as it's going to get for me personally and I really expected more. But we'll see....
hipster sister - the pain you describe, it is when you do any specific movement or is it all the time? I ask cause when I bend down to say tie my shoe, when I go to get back up I get a pain down the front of the thigh and down the side towards the knee. I will definately ask the dr about this Thursday.
Hope everyone is well today... and keep repeating our mantra paitence, paitence, paitence....... :D
But not once time did he sit and explain just how my life would change. Ok..I have no more pain from the diseased hip. But I am in no way to the point where I can say " I don't even know I have an artificial joint" and my surgery was 10 months ago. Ok balleteach!!! I know, paitence is our mantra :D But I honestly think this is as good as it's going to get for me personally and I really expected more. But we'll see....
hipster sister - the pain you describe, it is when you do any specific movement or is it all the time? I ask cause when I bend down to say tie my shoe, when I go to get back up I get a pain down the front of the thigh and down the side towards the knee. I will definately ask the dr about this Thursday.
Hope everyone is well today... and keep repeating our mantra paitence, paitence, paitence....... :D
hipster sister
05-23-2005, 10:55 AM
I'm learning from this site and other sources that every body heals differently. It's interesting to know though that not everyone is back on the golf course 2 weeks after a THR. This is basically the type of success story my surgeon related before my surgery.
You are correct, MrsLinda, when you say we do not know what to ask. At least we can all help one another out with support on this site. In answer to your question, my muscle soreness is constant; it's a deep ache that makes me feel like I need a massage. I feel like every day is a marathon. I don't bend down to put on socks and shoes. I pull my leg up and outward (abduct) and reach without bending too far. I wonder how successful this method will be in another 20 years when I'm not as flexible!
You are correct, MrsLinda, when you say we do not know what to ask. At least we can all help one another out with support on this site. In answer to your question, my muscle soreness is constant; it's a deep ache that makes me feel like I need a massage. I feel like every day is a marathon. I don't bend down to put on socks and shoes. I pull my leg up and outward (abduct) and reach without bending too far. I wonder how successful this method will be in another 20 years when I'm not as flexible!
gram17
05-23-2005, 12:41 PM
Hi Hipster sister,I am so glad to see that someone else is going through what I feel.
At first I thought I was doing something wrong, although I'm careful with the bending. I had the left hip done 3/9/05 and right now feel that it (left sideof left hip) hurts more then it did before, there's a constant ache, whether sitting laying down and walking ( I also have the problem with the numb foot stretched nerve as my surgeon said) so that doesn't help either.
I can walk alone, but it's easier with the cane, I still feel pressure when I step down on my left leg, my pt kept telling me that that is normal. Even when I sit in a chair, I feel lots of pressure on rear portion of hip in the buttocks area.
I thought that maybe I had slept wrong (Dr. said I could sleep on my side with pillow between my legs, but the next day it seemed that the thigh hurt worse, so I stopped doing it, but I'm usually a stomach sleeper so back sleeping it mighty hard.
Everyone keeps telling me that the foot will get better, especially since I feel the pins and needles I can feel the sole of my foot.
Left side of leg ,instep, toes are numb, but when my husband rubs lotion or cream on leg or foot beneath the skin is very sensitive, hard to explain. I pray that it gets better because it keeps me down sometimes.
Thanks again for listening. :wave:
At first I thought I was doing something wrong, although I'm careful with the bending. I had the left hip done 3/9/05 and right now feel that it (left sideof left hip) hurts more then it did before, there's a constant ache, whether sitting laying down and walking ( I also have the problem with the numb foot stretched nerve as my surgeon said) so that doesn't help either.
I can walk alone, but it's easier with the cane, I still feel pressure when I step down on my left leg, my pt kept telling me that that is normal. Even when I sit in a chair, I feel lots of pressure on rear portion of hip in the buttocks area.
I thought that maybe I had slept wrong (Dr. said I could sleep on my side with pillow between my legs, but the next day it seemed that the thigh hurt worse, so I stopped doing it, but I'm usually a stomach sleeper so back sleeping it mighty hard.
Everyone keeps telling me that the foot will get better, especially since I feel the pins and needles I can feel the sole of my foot.
Left side of leg ,instep, toes are numb, but when my husband rubs lotion or cream on leg or foot beneath the skin is very sensitive, hard to explain. I pray that it gets better because it keeps me down sometimes.
Thanks again for listening. :wave:
hipster sister
05-23-2005, 02:22 PM
Hello, Gram17. I can remember the first 7 weeks of my recovery after THR being rough. The pain in your buttocks area sounds very familiar to me. I, too, am a stomach sleeper and had a difficult time with getting adequate rest on my back. I also remember having cramps in my feet at night. They were the worst of all the pain! Once I made it past 7 weeks, I started to feel much better. Then, as stated in my first post, I started to experience a lot of muscle soreness and thought I was better a month or so ago than I am now. There seem to be many ups and downs in this process.
balleteach
05-23-2005, 08:08 PM
Greetings to all my hippie friends. I think it's time for a little pep talk. After reading your posts, I do remember many discomforts that I also endured that first year or so of recovery. I do recall sleeping with a pillow between my legs for a long time and not feeling comfortable. I was achy
on my THR side and also, as I started to do more, the normal side would feel sore. I remember having an unpleasant sensation of crawling under my skin on THR side and also like water running through that leg. It was very weird and uncomfortable. I think it was just everything slowly returning to normal. Maybe nerve endings, etc. During the first year, I insisted that my Dr. take x-rays of my good hip because I was certain that it was going bad too. Of course, the hip was fine, no sign of arthritis. Gradually over the years, the hip feels fine and I have been able to lead a very active life. I do have discomfort here and there, but have learned to live with it and be thankful that THR was available to me. I will probably have to have it replaced again in my lifetime. I just want you all to know that you really will adjust and everything should get better as time goes on. Remember, it's been almost ten years for me!!
No Dr. can really explain about what to expect afterwards because everyone responds differently. If you haven't gone through it you don't really understand what it feels like. That's why this board is so great. There are also psychological repercussions that no one tells you about. I mentioned this subject in a past post.Our hip is replaced and we expect, since it is fixed, that everything will return to normal and we will be our same selves. However, we are changed forever physically and mentally and we must adjust our thinking as we heal. Our lives will be different and we have to adapt. I don't mean to sound dramatic because it's not life or death, but it's still important to us. Like I mentioned in another post, I almost sound like I'm talking about menopause!! Keep your chins up my hippie friends and keep posting with any questions or comments. Hang in there...balleteach
on my THR side and also, as I started to do more, the normal side would feel sore. I remember having an unpleasant sensation of crawling under my skin on THR side and also like water running through that leg. It was very weird and uncomfortable. I think it was just everything slowly returning to normal. Maybe nerve endings, etc. During the first year, I insisted that my Dr. take x-rays of my good hip because I was certain that it was going bad too. Of course, the hip was fine, no sign of arthritis. Gradually over the years, the hip feels fine and I have been able to lead a very active life. I do have discomfort here and there, but have learned to live with it and be thankful that THR was available to me. I will probably have to have it replaced again in my lifetime. I just want you all to know that you really will adjust and everything should get better as time goes on. Remember, it's been almost ten years for me!!
No Dr. can really explain about what to expect afterwards because everyone responds differently. If you haven't gone through it you don't really understand what it feels like. That's why this board is so great. There are also psychological repercussions that no one tells you about. I mentioned this subject in a past post.Our hip is replaced and we expect, since it is fixed, that everything will return to normal and we will be our same selves. However, we are changed forever physically and mentally and we must adjust our thinking as we heal. Our lives will be different and we have to adapt. I don't mean to sound dramatic because it's not life or death, but it's still important to us. Like I mentioned in another post, I almost sound like I'm talking about menopause!! Keep your chins up my hippie friends and keep posting with any questions or comments. Hang in there...balleteach
MrsLinda
05-24-2005, 07:20 AM
Good Morning hippie friends!
Balleteach - again you come through!! I've been having this "crawling" sensation on the operated side and while it doesn't hurt it's darn anoying!! Not all the time only when I move certain ways. I kinda thought it was the nerve endings because I still have numbness at the incision site. I was going to mention it on our other thread.
Oh it took me a long time before I could sleep on the operated side. It always felt "lumpy" for lack of a better word and very uncomfortable. Now, at almost 10 months it's normal, which is great since I'm a side sleeper. I do however still keep a pillow handy. Since the "other" hip is begining to act up, sometimes it helps to sleep with it between the legs. Gotta run..have a great day everyone and again balleteach, Thanks!! :)
Balleteach - again you come through!! I've been having this "crawling" sensation on the operated side and while it doesn't hurt it's darn anoying!! Not all the time only when I move certain ways. I kinda thought it was the nerve endings because I still have numbness at the incision site. I was going to mention it on our other thread.
Oh it took me a long time before I could sleep on the operated side. It always felt "lumpy" for lack of a better word and very uncomfortable. Now, at almost 10 months it's normal, which is great since I'm a side sleeper. I do however still keep a pillow handy. Since the "other" hip is begining to act up, sometimes it helps to sleep with it between the legs. Gotta run..have a great day everyone and again balleteach, Thanks!! :)
hipster sister
07-07-2005, 11:14 AM
I vaguely remember that burning sensation, along with cramps in my feet. I also remember a huge change for the better around week no. 7. That's when I felt comfortable enough to start driving again. Four weeks is still really early on in your recovery period.
hipster sister
07-09-2005, 10:45 AM
Hi,
Until I found this site and read about other peoples' experiences with THR surgery, I was becoming so frustrated at not understanding better or knowing more about what was involved in my recovery. I felt uninformed and downright scared, wondering am I ever going to feel ok again. I did not realize how different everyone is and the impact that has on the healing process. I guess that's why I felt like I was not well prepared for the after effects of the surgery! It wasn't until I saw a different orthopedic surgeon very recently (approx. 6 months post-op) that I was told the early restrictions could have been lifted after the first six weeks:confused: !
Now, I feel like no one could have prepared me by saying you'll feel this or that because even the dr.'s don't know what the outcome will be. That's been the challenging part for me: not knowing what's going on with my body. But after reading what everyone's written here, I don't feel so alone or confused or scared, even though everyone reports something kinda different. There's still a common thread, if you'll pardon the pun.
Until I found this site and read about other peoples' experiences with THR surgery, I was becoming so frustrated at not understanding better or knowing more about what was involved in my recovery. I felt uninformed and downright scared, wondering am I ever going to feel ok again. I did not realize how different everyone is and the impact that has on the healing process. I guess that's why I felt like I was not well prepared for the after effects of the surgery! It wasn't until I saw a different orthopedic surgeon very recently (approx. 6 months post-op) that I was told the early restrictions could have been lifted after the first six weeks:confused: !
Now, I feel like no one could have prepared me by saying you'll feel this or that because even the dr.'s don't know what the outcome will be. That's been the challenging part for me: not knowing what's going on with my body. But after reading what everyone's written here, I don't feel so alone or confused or scared, even though everyone reports something kinda different. There's still a common thread, if you'll pardon the pun.
pecksco
08-03-2005, 06:58 PM
I'm at 10 weeks since surgery...walking pretty well and climbing stairs...looking for the comfortable gait. I have the numbness in my left foot also. Any serious golfers on this site that can tell me how they are doing? I'm hoping to be in full swing in six more weeks.
Kiricki
08-06-2005, 02:32 PM
I can definitely relate to this. I am also at 5 months and have aches and pains in both legs. Also the operated leg feels very heavy. Perhaps it just takes a long time for mucles to regenerate and the other leg suffers, too, from added effort? I sure do understand your feeling of discouragement........seems like it's time for this to be over with, right?? :confused:
silver515
08-06-2005, 10:52 PM
HI I am a golfer, but I don't think I would be considered a serious golfer. I had my THR on Jan 4th and have been playing since May. At the beginning my husband used to put the tee down and the ball so I wouldn't have to bend, but now I do it myself with my adjusted method of bending. Swinging is not a problem and I haven't experienced any pain. I do have to say that my golf is just as bad as it was before...haha.... at first you will probably be a little scared to move and twist, but you will feel better the more you do it. I did ask my dr at 3 months about playing golf and he said have fun...no problem with golf.
jfxr1
08-07-2005, 03:38 PM
I had thr 6 months ago. Recently I have been having the upper front thigh on the side of the thr freeze up ( spasm) when walking or standing (when putting full weight on it). Anyone else have this happen to them? I go back to the the doctor next week. Hopefully this not hip related.
Kiricki
08-07-2005, 06:15 PM
I am very familiar with spasms in the thigh. Mine can be especially bad when waking and stretching that leg out. I feel it is "hip related" in that, it is all part of the healing process.
debbielovesclay
08-29-2005, 06:17 PM
I had my replacement done six months ago. I have soreness in the front of my thigh everytime I step on it. It is sore all the time. My OS says it is stem pain and once the bone has grown into the stem it will stabilize and won't be sore. He told me that 4-6 weeks ago. It hasn't improved at all since then. Besides that, my hip is doing great. I have an appt this week to see him. I had a cementless implant since I am only 50. I am getting really disappointed. I thought I would be able to take walks but I can't and I'm still limping. I'm not sure what other options there are. He'll probably tell that time will take care of it..to be patient. He told me it would be about six months for the bone to stabilize. Has anyone else experienced this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
debbie
debbie
hipster sister
08-29-2005, 08:49 PM
Yes, I can relate to the stem pain you are describing. In fact, I was thinking about making an appointment with my OS to see if all this dicomfort is "normal," but I expected the same results as you describe. I have been trying to walk approximately 2-3 miles several times per week, but have had to slow down due to soreness in my thighs and hip. My replacement was done 8 months ago. The biggest challenge, however, is in returning to work. I am no longer able to perform the physical aspects of the work I was doing previously (technical support involving lifting and moving equipment). I appreciate the fact that you shared the bit about it taking a while for the bone to stabilize. I was not aware of that, but I can tell by the weakness in my thigh area that it must be related to the stem.
I am wondering if anyone knows of stretching exercises that are safe for those of us with hip replacements.
I am wondering if anyone knows of stretching exercises that are safe for those of us with hip replacements.
MrsLinda
08-30-2005, 04:26 PM
Now you've got me thinking about my thigh pain. I can walk well and have no limp. But....when I go up stairs or step "over" something like the dog :) I have a pain/strain/pull whatever you want to call it, in the upper most part of the thigh. OS has told me repeatedly that the proceedure was excellent. Jokingly the other day I said "maybe the wrong size" implant was used. Could I actually be feeling the stem?? What's puzzling is that when I walk I'm fine. It's only when the leg has to go up and over something or also like when you get into bed on the non-THR side first.
Another thing that will cause soreness in the hip area is bursitis. Which... thank you very much, I developed. I did some research on this and found out that it's very common in people with THR. Great. And unfortunately it never totally goes away; just "calms" down.
Another thing that will cause soreness in the hip area is bursitis. Which... thank you very much, I developed. I did some research on this and found out that it's very common in people with THR. Great. And unfortunately it never totally goes away; just "calms" down.