Hi fellow Hippies,
Like all of us, the dread after surgery, is dislocation. I don't mind admitting that the thought terrifies me. And yet, I have read many posts where this has occurred. I am now nine weeks post op and, becoming somewhat complacent. This morning my daughter brought her eight week old puppy to meet me and without thinking, I bent down to pick her up. (The puppy, not my daughter). I immediately felt a pull in my thigh and pain in my groin. Thereafter, my groin felt inflamed. It's settling now but it frightened me. Could anyone who has suffered dislocation explain what they did, if anything to cause it and what were the immediate symptoms ?
Many thanks
Maureen
Hi I'm sure that hip dislocation are extremely painful, and leg will appear off and you will not be able to bear weight either, also most hip dislocations occur with in the first month.
You have probably pulled muscles which can be extremely painful, rest it and if it doesn't feel any better tomoz nip and see your Dr.
Ice it as well if still hurting and take pain relief
I was a week out and forgot and bent over to move my shoes felt a pull and was afraid I dislocated my hip . Dr said that I would not be able to walk on if it was dislocated. I did go in to the Dr and have it exrayed just to be sure I didn't do any damage. Thankful it was ok but was very sore for awhile . 12 weeks out now Dr has lifted restrictions but I am still being very careful . Good luck to you
HEY there! When I dislocated mine after 3 weeks I think I twisted I had a pain in my buttock on operated side for a day and a half. Then it went away. I went over a week with it dislocated!! So much for the "you'll be in excruciating pain if you dislocate it"!! That's the only thing I can think I did to dislocate it. But my leg became shorter and even my hip was higher. Hope this helps you. Hope all is wellwithyou !! LD
Puppy how cute. Sometimes we get a little distracted after THR WHEN IT COMES TO restrictions.
imhave fallen after them and forgot and lifted my new grand baby and that hip is 17 years old. Held up to hour back riding, gardening and climbing up on the roof for repairs.
Now all all it needs after all those years is a cup replacement. The poly cups wear out . I was very young and active then. Not so much now then second hip I go in for revision Jan1. It's only 5 yrs old. But the hip failed.
Hip dislocation is is rare after THR usually the new metal hip is stronger , dislocation is so painful even the slightest breath is felt in the groin.
Groin pain will get better with rest ina few days. Sometimes we have these little annoying reminders not to move or lift. Our muscles and tendons and bones adjusting to the implant device has a rude way of reminding us .
take it slow and puppy hugs are heeling !🐶
I'll try my best to describe the position I was in when I dislocated. I was sitting in a comfy seat with both my legs bent to the left side . My husband who was sitting to my right was showing me pictures on his phone. So Rory my leds bent to the left and torso turning to the right... it dislocated! Phew that was painful to remember in detail. I have heard of many dislocation experiences from bungi jumping to tying their shoe. I have also read of one dislocating while sitting and doing nothing.
I've found There really is no rhyme or reason to what or why some hips dislocate. Hope this was helpful!
That must have been scary. I share your fear; that's my first thought whenever there's a new pain.
Again don't want to be offend but I went over a week with a dislocated hip. Walking, doing exercises. I must be that rare freak who went through this. 😞 Hope you are doing well. LD
Just remember the risk graph on my website - it is much more risky in the first twelve weeks.
Graham
Hi morriewyn
the advice on all Hospital websites and here is 3 months always observe the restrictions such as 90 degrees, etc. Then be very mindful for three more months, six in total, then slightly be careful if trying awkward movement in case. U will get people on the forum saying I can do this early and so on and if they get away with it - good luck to them - but you know what they say pride goes before a fall. Just to alarm u a little further, there was a lady 3 months ago I believe who had a dislocation and because it still was half in the socket, I think, did not know till X-rays were done. You do not sound like that as straight away u had pain and pain to anyone on here means STOP and u did!
regards dot
I had a dislocation two weeks post op. The reason mine dislocated was due to the stem settling into my femur and it let the ball joint roll right out. I am two weeks out of my revision and doing well. This time of feels totally different. My surgeon promised it will not come out again. I hope I can trust him.
Sending well wishes to you!
Jen
No offense taken everyone is different . Best to get it checked out if you are feeling pain and discomfort. I could still walk on it but Dr still wanted to see me in cause I did damage to hip. Take care
I agree 12 weeks out but still plan to be careful I don't want to take any chances hip is still healing up to a year and more . Still dealing with thigh pain Dr has me on Meds to try to help it now .
My very experienced physiotherapist (so obviously, not the complete idiots the hospital employ) who has been with me now for three years told me that she took part in a joint study between five hospitals (two in the USA, one in France and two in the UK) following the post-operative experience in relation to dislocation. She told me, just before my THR, that the advisories bear no relation to the frequency of hip dislocations; and that the "rules" were not really at all helpful as indicators of what might dislocate your hip. Apparently there are now several more studies confirming this, but like many things, it takes time for it to filter through to professionals who stick with the old "we have always done it this way".
Her advice was that is had less to do with ​what ​you did and more to do with ​how​ you did it. So sudden movements, jerks and such were a risk factor rather than angles. However, she also said that the research shows that as a rule, there is no correlation between specific actions and hip dislocation these days. It happens, but it is down to bad luck. 40 people could break the 90 degree rule and nothing will happen, but one person will get a hip dislocation from walking down the street!
​I have to fess up - I have broken the rule a whole shed load of times! I have always been used to being extremely flexible, and given that I haven't had any pain, I have nothing to remind me to observe it!
​But apparently the techniques have improved so very much since the days when this advice first originated that the risk is low now. Her advice was simply to approach all movement slowly, and if it hurts, stop doing it.
Hi Maureen
I hope your aches & pains have settled down a bit now, it must have been a shock for you.
It serves as a timely reminder to us all that recovery is a long slow process & we must keep up being cautious. I too made a silly mistake today when i picked up my 18 month old granddaughter & immediately felt a pull on the left operated side. Panicked a.bit but think its just muscular as i can weight bear & its getting easier now.
Still only 4 weeks post op so thanks for the reminder to be sensible !
Scary! That is what I am afraid of and I am being very careful. I had my surgery on the 22nd of November so I am not even at 2 weeks yet. I was doing great till he took me off the vicodin now it really hurts. I am calling in the morning for another prescription and if he won't give it to me I will call pain management and get it. I pretty much have had no help since I had my surgery. I am doing all my own cooking and washing clothes, washing dishes etc. I am sleeping in a recliner I am too afraid of dislocating my hip to sleep in bed. Just the last few days not being on pain killers it really is hurting. Been awake pretty much all night and now it is 5am. Not good!
Oh Bless you . You shouldn't be doing all that work. I don't know the name of your pain med so guess you are from the US? At two weeks you should just be concentrating on your physio and resting. No wonder you are in so much pain.
Just think that your body has just undergone major and brutal surgery. Please stop doing what you are doing now. If you don't you will delay your recovery.
Listen to your body.
Promise that you will take better care of yourself please?
Love Maureen xx
Hi Margaret,
I'm ok but just to make sure, I have been doing lots of exercise for my glutes. Still have some discomfort in my groin, but it feels inflamed. So as well as glute exercise, I'm also icing.
It's so easy to momentarily forget and do something stupid.
Hope you are ok also.
Xxx
Hi Beth,
I have today had a chat with my Chiro who told me that in his experience, it is sudden, quick jolts that generally cause dislocation.
But from reading these posts, it could occur after something quite innocuous. Nevertheless and in accordance with his advice, I have been strengthening my glutes.
Thanks for your post.
Maureen x
Oh my goodness Jen. How absolutely awful. I think I would be frightened to move at all. That is really scary.
Let's hope that from here on you become Super Woman.
Thanks for sharing .
Love Maureen