It will be 10 weeks Wednesday since I had my hip replacement. I am a 51 year old female. I have been told I am on track and doing well. I still have a limp and pain when walking. I am trying not to get upset. I so badly want to go back to work and have been told give it 12 weeks. Well in two weeks, it will be that twelve. Is this common? I am starting to feel this wasn't the best decision to have this surgery. Can anyone give me input that has had this surgery a while ago. Thanks! I need some support.
Hi yes it is common, have a bit patient.
The limp will go away, just do some walking and exercise, you may be ready for work and depends what kind of you do.
Sorry for typo depends the kind of work you do and have patience.
Thanks for the positive support beachbum. I work with children with Autism so it makes it harder to go back to work. We will see.
I agree with Beachbum. Its still early and you should not worry. But I do believe the exercises are vital and you must be discipined about those.
There is also a tendency - I found - to find oneself limping through some form of sub-consciouis process that makes you feel you have to to protect the operated side.
But I am sure you're on the right track and you should not worry.
John (London - 14 weeks post op)
I want you to know something this is my second sergery I am 51 you did the right thing doing the sergery but we all heal different I have done my left side 15 days ago and the pain I am in it is driv ing me crazy with my right side I did not feel like this I am so down in the dumps I have a bad limp the whole of my left side of my body is in pain I did hip replacement since I have done that my left side of my tummy my left side of my bottom my knee is so swollen I can't lift my leg I am not seeing my doctor till the 19 of December that will be 6 weeks I am eating the pain killers like sweets I can't sleep with the pain but I say it is still early days yet but if this is still hurting me by my 6 week appointment then I know they have trapped some nerves when closing my leg back up so my new friend some were along the line they must of taped some nerves my first one I was up and back on the runway in 6 weeks I am a fashion model but this time this second sergery has took everything out of me so my new friend you are not on your own stay strong I am with you bless feel free to talk to me
Hi there, I am 10 weeks post revision and like you getting frustrated that things aren't improving fast enough. They say 12 weeks for primary hips and 4 months for revisions so I still have some way to go. Mentally I'm ready to go back to work but physically I know I couldn't, even though I have a mainly desk job. I have sciatica in the operated buttock which is wearing me down. I'm going to the pool 3 times a week where I do my exercises in the water and wade up and down to strengthen the muscles. It's really heped. I also do a few yoga exercises (within limits) and am going for some physio tomorrow to get some advice re the sciatica.
After my original hip replacements - I had 11 weeks between hips - I had 6 months off work altogether, so that was 3 months each. I was really tired when I got back to work - no phased return in those days but I think it did me good to get out and start feeling normal again.
Two weeks can make a big difference to how we feel - think of how far you've come and try not to worry about next week and the week after (easier said than done!). I've been getting in a real state about everything but when I sit down and think about how far I've come in the last 10 weeks it's amazing really. Just keep on keeping on and you will get there.
Everyone is different so don't compare yourself to anyone else's experience, good or bad. We're all here for you.
Stella x
Hi I had the of right hip on 9 Sept. Do just over 2 months.
There will be good days and bad days. Some days I can do alot and other days just one thing.
You need to take each day as it comes and plenty of rest.
I still use my sticks if I need to.
Thanks Stella.
Thanks Jane.
Thanks Shsron.
I'm the Same as you and the majority of folks on here.
I was expecting to be running around 12 woks post op,but that never happened..wasn't til around 16 weeks that I began to feel anything like normal again.
For most it's a long slow improvement process,which is extremely frustrating and at times depressing.
9 months on and apart from the odd twinge my new hip is brilliant with no more pain.
I found walking every day the best physio for me..Just build up the distance very gradually.
My only issue is that I now need the other hip replacing ASAP..It's absolute agony and far worse than my other one was pre op.
If it's as successful as the first op I'll be more than happy.
Easy to say but take it steady and try not to worry,which just adds to the general discomfort.
Thanks for the support.
Hi mkwins63 I am 80 years young and this is my 10 week of having complete anterior hip replacement and am doing very well am bending down a little walking everyday a mile and riding a stationary bike for 5 mins very slowly I asked my Dr and he said it was ok I went for 8 years with pain and have none now Hope you get better soon are you doing any exercise ?you have to do exercise
Yes, I am exercising. I have good points and bad. I am coming along. I think it just takes longer then you think sometimes. Thanks for the advice.
Thanks John, that was very encouraging.
I'm 10 weeks post op today leg hip. My right hip also needs doing but up to now not caused me too much pain so hoping to stretch it out a bit longer before having it done. Last week my physio said don't use the stick as I am walking quite good , I still used stick a bit tho , but I have obviously been putting to much strain on my right hip because the pain in it has woke me up the last couple of mornings.
I still have a slight limp which has greatly improved during the last week , been doing the lie on Non operated side and raise op leg which has done wonders
My friend pointed out yesterday I tend to lean on my right leg when standing still , to protect my operated leg I suppose. So going to concrentrate on standing more up right and put weight equally on both legs. What a nightmare get rid of one pain then acquire another one.
Never taken so many painkillers.
Major surgery like this can take up to a year to feel normal again. It is different for everyone of course. For me, my first hip replacement was easy with all returning to normal and pain free within five weeks. I did all the exercises and feel that it helped. My second hip replacement four months later and now 13 months out, has been a nightmare with pain despite my best efforts.
Despite the huge difference between my two THRs, I do believe that exercise is very important and it helped my emotions by giving me a sense of control over such a huge change in my body.
Wishing you well!
I know exactly how you feel Linda.
Had Lthr back in Feb,after 16wks of discomfort starting feeling great that I was getting back to some normality,then about 8wks ago my right hip began giving me pain which has gradually worsened,can hardly put any weight on it and it keeps me awake at night..I've seen my surgeon and am now just waiting for the call to have RTHR..
I have recently been using an exercise bike mainly to get my cardio vascular system working better,but it seems to make my unoperated hip worse so I've had to stop using it,still walk the dog for 45mims every day though,using 2sticks..it's a struggle but I manage it.
It can't come soon enough!
Its quite disheartening to think everything is fine,then find you have to go through the whole thing again within 12 months.
I take 50mgTramadol only when the pain gets to much to bear,every other day maybe,but I try very hard to manage without it.
On the plus side if my op turns out as successful as the 1st then alls well.
As we always say on here it's good to know your not on your own.
Good luck. Paul.
Hi Paul
I found the pain in left hip has got worse I was told it would need replacing when had right one done. Have seen surgeon and seeing him on 9 Feb 15. As I said I didn't want it done as wanted to be mobile a bit over Xmas.
So I know exactly where you are coming from.
Jane