Anyone else experience soreness in thigh area 5 months post-op? - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

hipster sister · 05-20-2005, 01:24 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!

MrsLinda · 05-20-2005, 05:58 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.

mcrug101 · 05-20-2005, 06:14 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

balleteach · 05-20-2005, 09:34 PM

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.

hip2it · 05-22-2005, 01:31 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.