Hi all,
It's been months since I've been here, have been busy going about my life at regular speed. But..........in the past several weeks I have had increasing groin pain that at first just attributed to maybe a fluke, and have had some popping. (although very little of that) Yesterday I went to get into our Van (Passenger side) and upon lifting my surgical leg up to slide in an excruciating pain shot through my hip and leg, and I actually let out a few screams with pain. Could not (or was too afraid to as well) continue to get in. Upon resting it all evening and sleeping well it is much better today, but still slightly sore. Put it this way, I know it's there when walking, but am still walking without cane or assistance as before. Don't know what to make of this since it's come on recently and didn't have any of this prior to the past month. Must confess, I haven't been very good with my at home excersises but have been active doing ALMOST everything I did prior to arthritic hip. At first, husband and I were terrified that maybe it was dislocated, and I do plan on calling Doc and getting in asap, but instinctively I feel it is muscular or ligament or whatever problem. Am walking today just fine but gingerly. I am babying it because it is just a very little sore, but? I am thinking if it would be a REAL problem, I wouldn't be moving like I am and able to move it in most all directions AT ALL. Anyone have any knowledge of this kind of thing happening at this stage? (7 months out) What do you all think? Anyone with any experience of this, I would appreciate hearing what your thoughts are.
Happy Easter to all!
You definitely need to see the doctor, but brutally speaking I think you're probably right. If it were the hip, I suspect you'd not have a bit of pain once! One thing you need to remember is that unless got are into a lot of sport or similar, what toy did before the arthritis won't the strengthening your hip muscles - that's just using them! Your exercises are designed to rebuild and strengthen them. Outs even worth along in a few exercises for the lower back, because the hip and lower back interconnect and both need to be strong.
So see a doctor asap just to be safe, and then get back to exercises. In actual fact, a basic set of muscle strengthening exercises are worth continuing forever. It doesn't take a lot of time and effort, but strong and flexible muscles always stand you in good stead.
Oops - it was supposed to say honestly, not brutally!
Thanks Beth! And yes, today is Saturday before Easter, so I will call on Monday morning for an appointment. To be honest, today is day number 2 after that incident, and it's feeling even better than it did yesterday. Almost like I pulled a muscle or something. The muscle in my groin area is only very slightly sore this morning. However, that said, I have noticed a soreness there in the past several weeks that has seemed to increase slightly. Nothing unmanagable, but anything in that area of course I am going to be a little paranoid about because of the surgery. The soreness reminds me of the same pain before I had my hip done. I will call Doc on Monday, I am in need of a check up anyway, and they never called me back to reschedule my appointment after he cancelled. (He was called out of town on some kind of emergency) So......thanks for the reply and HAPPY EASTER!!
Hi Terri,
It sounds as though you may have strained a muscle. I did very well with recovery from having a FRHR and did everything by the book. After a few short months I was back to doing my normal routine. Like you, I failed to continue with all the strengthening exercises. There were times (between 7-8 months post op) that I'd have to pull myself up using that leg, or just simple things like getting back up for a squating position, that I'd feel some pain, weakness and discomfort. I realized that my muscles (expecially inner and outer thigh that we don't use as often) needed to be strengthened back up again. After just a week or so I've seen a great improvement. I'm now 9 months post op and back on track with my physical strength.
If your leg continues to give you trouble, I'd definitely see a doctor to rule any serious injury. Best wishes!
Thanks Kimberley!
Yes, I have pretty much determined that I have injured a weak muscle. It seems to be getting better and better, but I am going to begin again with my 'routine' exercises. I did try to call my surgeon for a follow up that I'm actually overdue for, but looks like they're not in today, so I'll call tomorrow. I have been hesistating to get in there for my follow up because my other hip needs to be done now too, Doc told me, X Rays proved it, and of course I realize it needs done, but after my not so pleasant experience with the general anesthetic, and then experiencing A Fib which landed me back in the hospital after 9 days last time, ugh!! Guess I'm just scared. Thanks though so much for the reply. It kind of helps me confirm my muscle deal.
Hi poor you.I would agree you need to see your Gp.Also it can take a year to fully recover.Please take a day at a time.regards Amanda
How terrifying. Hope this gets all sorted out. How long is physio supposed to go on for and what is recommended? I had my surgery one week ago.
I am 8 mos out and just started hearing a popping sound in my operated hip depending on the particular motion a couple of weeks ago (sound without pain). But, I have had groin pain since the beginning and was told it was probably tendinitis. I have babied it, etc, but the pain has not changed. I was told to wait a year before an MRI would give definitive info and that any time sooner would not be accurate because of how much healing was still going on (told the whole area would look cloudy). Am going to call for an appt (in US) and not wait it out because it seems as if I now have chronic tendinitis or the muscle is rubbing across the cup (cup to big or possibly at wrong angle). Have you seen a doc yet? Any thoughts?
Anything causing this much pain needs to be followed up by your specialist. I had groin pain after my 2nd hip surgery and doctors just give anti inflamatory medication when it may be a bigger problem. It may be the psoas tendon that physio can fix or hydrotherapy physio in a pool if the tendon is the problem but see your specialist.
Dear Teri
I have been in this type of pain two times
On my early post op
First after 4 monthes i took of from van pasenger sit almost jumping with my oprated leg and the pain started whe I got home I hadn't figure it out imediately but my pt and he asked me questions finaly he figure it out and showed me how to get in and get out from any car.
Second when I start sweeming I was trying frog stile I cant forget the pain my felow hopies gave me advise to change the frog stile this is my exprince
But counsulting your surgion always comes first . Big hug dear hope we will hear from you.
hi terri,
how are you doing now?
I have similar experience with getting out of my friend's van -- might have done a weird twist instead of getting out properly - very painful at first and sore when walking --- I was told by PT to use walking aid again until I feel confident and balanced again ...
sooooo, not unusual for something like this to happen, but please, if there is no improvement and get worse, have it checked, okay
big warm hug
renee
Hi libby,
My physio went on for about 7 weeks, and then all the therapists told me I knew enough of what exercises to do and how to do them, I could fly on my own. They also sent me home with a few print sheets on the exercises so that I could continue on at home. I was good for a while and then the Holidays came and I got distracted with all other preparations going on and kind of fell 'off the wagon' so to speak. 
Then we had a rough winter with colds and flu so I wasn't doing my routine. I guess life happens. Be patient with yourself libby, you're just 'brand new' at healing. You're still 'raw' so to speak. Don't overdue anything. I didn't even start my physio until 2 weeks out of surgery. And when I started the therapists took it very slowly and 'built up' to where I was supposed to be. They also helped me with my incision with questions and treatment. They were wonderful! If and when I have the other hip done, I'm going to the same therapists. I fell in love with them!! Heal well Libby, for right now do what you can but be gentle with yourself and don't overdo, you'll get there! One day at a time.
Thanks Amanda, and yep I plan to get in when I can, but am doing better every day. I'm pretty sure it was a pulled muscle, but it scared me. You start thinking all kinds of things like maybe it's out of place or ?? Couldn't have been the case as it's doing much better. Take care!
I haven't gotten ahold of the office yet, they are only in certain days of the week, so.......but yes, you too wlee need to see your surgeon. Sometimes I also think I feel or hear popping but can't be sure as my other hip needs done, so?? AND.......I have some groin discomfort, not much but it reminds me of before I had surgery. Same place, so??? When I see my doc, I will definitely find out what he thinks, and let you guys know. Seems if some of us are going through the same type of symptoms maybe it's all part of the healing process???
Hi all!
Yes, renne and tutuye, getting in and out of cars and vans can be very tricky indeed! I think it's the side to side motion that is vulnerable. Funny since my surgery that this has never happened before, but I'm sure I just moved differently this time for some reason. And I guess you do tend to get over confident at 7 months out, but I have to remember that I'm not COMPLETELY healed even yet. Takes time. I'll let you guys know what doc says. Hugs to all!!