It's been 6 months since my surgery and I'm still having a lot of aches and pains. Is this normal?
Walking or standing makes it worse.
Hey, Mom - the only thing I can say is that we are all different in how fast we heal. On this forum you will read of people running marathons after 1 month (not really) and those who are still having one problem or another months or years later. I am 1 year and 2 days post op, and still in pain 24/7.
I don't know what is " typical" or "average." But I do know it is not a smooth journey, instead there are many ups and downs. Perhaps you can look at your overall progress. Are you even slightly better now than a month ago? Are you more able to walk and do other activities than before?
In your shoes, I would talk to my surgeon about it. If things don't improve or get worse, which was my case, and your doctor doesn't help, get a second opinion. It is sooo hard to be patient, but chances are you will get to that good recovery.
I'm at five months and I still feel that my operated hip is not quite part of my body! Walking around the house is fine, but actually getting out and going for a walk still seems like work. I think that mine is muscle ache and it is mostly in my thigh area. Where are your feeling the aches and pains? Do you feel it more after getting up from sitting?
Dear KarmaMama
I agree with you that the best plan is to compare on a week or month to month basis and to carry out the exercises to strengthen the muscles. I would also advocate using two rather than one crutch so that your body gets used to a correct walking action with no limping. BTW I'm not a doctor just someone who had a primary twenty years ago and a revision last year and made swift recoveries both times. Posterior approach.
Cheers, Richard
Dear CountryMom17, KarmaMama is correct, everyone heals at a different pace and her advice to keep looking at your progress is the thing to do. You will keep improving. Many people take even 1-2 years to fully recover I have read, but they do recover ! I am probably unusual.
I'm six months post THR tomorrow and I still have significant pain on walking. My limit, sadly, for walking is only 20 minutes at a time, and then I have to stop because of thigh stiffness and pain. Too much standing is hard too. My X-ray and CT Scans were all "normal" and I've had lots of physical therapy. I keep trying, exercising as much as I can, walking every day, and while I seem to be getting stronger, the walking is still difficult and very frustrating to say the least. I am working on pushing it past 20 minutes at a time now.......don't know when I'll reach that goal.
Like Anne68156, my hip definitely doesn't feel like part of me. Not in the slightest ! I don't use canes or crutches but I'm still limited. I'm okay around the house for the most part, but I want to be able to travel and be so much better.
Good luck !
I think its pretty normal. After my revision I was having trouble for almost two years. I am 4 weeks out of my other hip replacement and doing well but I anticipate it may take up to a year to be pain free. Hope this helps.
I’m 7 months post thr and still have pain. I struggle when I stand initially and when I climb stairs. My hip still feels very stiff. I have been back to my surgeon several times and he keeps telling me that it could take up to a year to recover. I have had follow up X-rays (read by second surgeon) which show the replacement is in the proper alignment. After reading other responses, I felt better hearing that others have had a longer than usual rehab length. I’m hoping that things will resolve. I continue to walk 2-3 miles several days a week and that seems to help. Time will tell, I hope! Good luck.
Everyone is different but our similarity is that we all have doctors with whom we can discuss issues like yours with
I hope it gets better for you soon, My first took a while. Then it kicked in and then operated the other side.
I'm just at 3 months. Still cant lie on posterior left op side.
2016 had right side. That's ok.
BUT i have PMR and it affects my shoulders, so I lie on my right side from 2016 can only do it for 1 - 1 1/2 hours then I have to get up and go to the recliner. It sucks. ALSO i've acquired these buttocks sores. Going to GP today see what that's about. My fingers are swollen and ache like crazy. Feeling yuck!!!! Sad for myself.
WOrking with the public is difficult since you have to be professional, cheerful and all that stuff.
Geraldine, I'm 6 months out and still have pain. I know it's not the thr, it's the weakness of my gluteus medius and the fact that I sit too much during the day.I go to the gym twice a week and have found some new strengthening exercises online. Every week is a little better than the week before, sot that's good. My surgeon di tell me early on that it would be at least a year before I felt "normal" again. If you're walking 2-3 miles several times a week, then I think you're doing great!