Hello!
I wanted to make a post about my experience. My hip joint was destroyed, full of spurs and down to the bone. I was stuck with using a cane, a huge limp and a 3 inch short leg. I could not do much at this point. I was unable to exercise to strengthen before surgery because my movement was limited and caused a lot of pain and made it hard for me to walk afterwards. Became very sad about everything.
Now 4 weeks after surgery, I am excited about life again. My sadness is gone, pain gone, short leg gone and now at perfect length! I move without pain from my hip problems or the surgery, I can do the exercises now and actually feel the muscles working. I haven’t felt that in so long, it’s exciting. And I am very happy! I changed so quickly from sad to happy, it’s such a weird feeling to have.
1st week from surgery, I felt tight and slow moving. My hips were stuck in anterior tilt. The pain seemed fine on the tiny amount of meds I took. Sleeping was very uncomfortable. I took lots of naps.
2nd week, sleeping still annoying. Starting to move a bit more. End of week 2 I stopped using a walker and started with crutches. Muscles are starting to loosen up.
3rd week, out and about walking with crutches. I put a lot of weight on them and got sore hands but it was worth it! Once I was back inside I was very tired and had naps. I also stopped taking pain meds around here. Also quit taking the blood thinners because they were making me very itchy all over my body and dry. Anterior tilt starting to go away.
4th week, doing great. I can walk pretty fast with my crutches. I tried to walk without them but my leg is not strong yet and I limp to the side. I am also not allowed to walk freely (Dr’s orders) but I wanted to test it out anyway. Anterior tilt gone. Muscles are no longer tight. I still can’t move my leg freely, need longer to heal first. I am not allowed to do harder exercises, tilt or bend etc for a while.. I also lost all of my glutes, hamstrings on the bad side and you can see atrophy with my quads. So it will take a while to get back to normal but I’m still feeling great and can’t wait for summer to have fun!
I am so so happy for you…l am hoping to have good news soon…4months with femur fracture pinning…was doing really well until about 3 weeks ago…pain in hip , buttock and thigh…last visit to consultant shows top 2 screws backing out …due to have surgery…when ? Possibly 2 to 3 weeks…l am terrified a d really struggling…but…your post has given me hope…thank you and love to you…x
Hello K555 - great post - you gave me a much needed “lift” - I am so “down” - cannot walk without cane/walker. My surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday, April 3. I was in the process of moving when this hip pain started - got progressively worse over the months when I was getting my home ready to sell - I thought maybe I should not move and have operation first - but doctor strongly recommended I move first. Well, I am in my new home and loving it and I should be HAPPY but, I am not - I cannot go out and explore my new city - can hardly drive, everything I do is in slow motion. So after reading your post, I am excited that I too, will feel “alive” again LOL It sounds like you are right on schedule with your healing - that is wonderful. Can you now drive? What restrictions do you still have? I must say I am ready to get this done but also somewhat scared - was only in the hospital for a gallbladder years ago. Good luck in your continued success - and maybe I will see you “zip lining” someday LOL LOL
well done you i was the same i had 13 years of pain as the doctors told me i was to you g to have a hip replacement
it was the simple things in life that i missed, like playing with my kids and even shaving my legs (my partner had to do that for me)
i am fully recovered now but because i waited so long for the operation i now have arthritis in my spine and scaroilliac joint pain so this is also restricting for me
good lick on you pain free journey
x
Hello,
It good to here that you are doing so well. The operation takes all the pain away. (But unfortunately not for all). And we find a new happiness in life.
I have the exact sane rightness with my muscle, the glutes still feel tight but I know it will come back. I an 8 weeks in now and walking once again is a pleasure. Because of the limp I still use 1 crutch outside but I am working on taking it away completely. I no longer use a crutch at home.
Continue to enjoy your recovery and take it time to rest up when you need to. Well done do far keep on being positive.
Great story of a positive life changing event. I feel very similar. Lost all my athletic abilities and got used to gradually doing nothing as you know walking equaled pain. No 12 weeks on I can walk for a long time no pain and leave everyone behind when going for a walk.
Only thing that hurts occasionally is the wound which can take up to a year to recover. Keep it going. We’ll done
I’m sorry to hear about your pain. I do hope all goes well for you! I know it is scary but just think positive and focus on the future where you are better!
Oh my gosh… you are going to be so happy once it’s done! Then you can have the reward of exploring your new surroundings. 
Just think of it like that. I totally get the slow motion thing. I was stuck in that for a couple years. It’s going to be so exciting once you get the op done and have a new excitement within.
I was also terrified, and always sad, cried to myself a lot, couldn’t leave the house because I could only walk maybe 10 minutes before in pain and being very tired. Now everything is different and amazing. I still can’t do much at the moment but once healed I know I will be perfect again. It was an instant emotional healing for me. I went in sooooo sad to waking up from surgery and being instantly happy. Like I ate a ton of happy pills haha. It’s a strange but great feeling.
…
I can’t drive yet. I have to wait for my 6 week appointment with the surgeon first. I’m also not ready. My leg isn’t strong enough for that.
I am not allowed to swing my leg out to the side… because of how they cut my muscles and stitched them back. I cannot walk without crutches until I meet with the surgeon again, I can’t pull my legs apart or anything. I am basically only able to move like a robot for now. I can’t twist my body to the sides or bend etc. I also can’t go up the stairs normally. I have to do the one step for both feet move. But once I meet the surgeon, he will say if I can start to do these things again. I was also given very basic exercises and am not allowed to add any others to that list for now..
But I don’t mind because I want to make sure I heal properly. And since my life was already restricted before surgery, I don’t see this as a big deal.
…
Try not to be too scared! You will be amazed how you feel once it’s over!
I know what you mean! All I wanted was to leave my home… to walk down the street but I couldn’t. It’s a hard thing to go through emotionally.
Wow, I’m sorry to hear about your ongoing issues. I hope they don’t get much worse.
Glad you are also doing well! At 8 weeks, is your limp minor?
I was thinking mine it bad because I don’t have the glutes to support me. Along with the other muscles that have disappeared.
Great news! I am so happy for you!
I can’t wait to be able to move normally again and be able to exercise!
Are you able to do harder workouts now to rebuild muscle? I wonder how long until I can squat a lot and lunge, weight lift… a paper I have says I cannot lift heavy weight even after a few months of healing…
Yes my limp is based on the wound healing and strengthening the gluets. Advise not to over do it especially static squats as they pull and the healing process takes up to a year.
All the best it only gets better.
Thankyou your positive post gives me hope.x
Like you I’m now in week four. I don’t use the crutches around the house and garden.
On short walks I use one crutch, and on walks of half a mile or more I use both.
I experiment with one crutch and then no crutches.
Pain meds are almost zero. Although I use paracetamol for during the night for the discomfort of lying on my back.
Keep up the good work as it’s a slow process.
In two weeks I hoping to get the all clear to drive my automatic again.
Best of luck mate.
Hi
I believe it is, when I had osaeopath last week, for a day I walked without a limp. Physio at hospital are going to massage it as well. But the exercises help to. But surgeon at my six weeks check said it would take a year to recover. Remember though we recover all differently.