Greetings from America, where (believe it or not) some of us are still relatively sane individuals who don't even own guns and who actually support women's health (in spite of our national politics).
My name is Martha. I just had a Right total hip replacement on Sept. 18. Swelling has subsided, I am doing the PT exercises, gimping along using a cane. Gave up Norco for Trammadol. Am being maintained on Xarelto for 30 days. Developed significant urinary incontinence post surgery. Depends are my new best friends.I was prescribed Mirtabiq. Planning to see a urologist after all this. Having thigh muscle and knee joint pain. I just need some encouragement from folks who have been there re hip replacement.
Anyone struggle with cramped thigh muscles?
Hi Martha
We have great faith that the majority of our USA friends are sane, peaceful and intelligent people ❤️
I had my right hip replaced on 20th September so 2 days behind you. I had calf cramps in both legs at first but now ok. Sorry to hear about your problems, you seem to be doing the right thing in getting medical attention
I am using one crutch around house now and really impressed with the strength I have in my new hip . I exercise, rest, eat, drink water and just take paracetamol for pain relief
Are you still in a lot of pain?
I hope it all improves for you
Much love
Carol x
Hi Martha...I am from the UK but did my surgery - anterior approach also 3 weeks ago. I too have muscle cramps in my thigh
& use a heat pack.also my wonderful physio who comes to the house 3x week - & costs a whopping $25/time - gently massages trigger points. My biggest issue has been terrible nerve pain. I can't tolerate opiate drugs - Tramadol almost killed me - so left with Tylenol & Naproxen. But had to quit blood thinners - can't mix them with Naproxen. Nerve pain abating now - for a horrendous 2 days felt as though I was attached to the national grid. The urinary thing is puzzling tho I had a catheter for 2 days & felt as though I was getting a bladder infection but that didn't happen. Glad to know you don't support the DT....my god, what happened to America?!liveved there twice & loved it. But not for long term. Wishing you well! Maureen
PS: I live in Thailand now, surgery done by a doctor who trained at the Mayo Clinic
Hi Martha, guess what, I too live in America (California), don’t own any guns, not a member of the NRA, etc., etc. I had TLHR on May 30th and am doing quite well. I am back to long walks, yoga, swimming, and playing tennis. I just played my first competitive tennis match-so much fun. Hang in there, keep up with your exercises and hopefully you can have a new pain-free life.
Oh and about muscle cramps, they will pass. I drank light Gatorade everyday. It helps, also try eating bananas, they have a lot of potassium which helps with cramping.
Also, didn't somebody recommend Magnesium/ or Magnesia for cramp? (Can't remember exactly, memory like a seive... )
Hi Martha-
Yeah what’s with that incontinence? I had/ have that too! Not a happy camper. I’m 59 and had an anterior TRHR on June 9th. It is definitely better than it was but still a bit of a problem. I’m not where I want to be 4 months post op. Very stiff and sore. Unfortunately I have arthritis in left hip and back so that is really bothering me but I’m not in a big hurry have another thr on that side. I find it’s hard to believe that I’m ever going to feel different than I do now. And sometimes, even though I know my muscles need strengthening, I feel like the PT is aggravating things. Ugh, it’s such a fine line between doing too much and not doing enough. Will be very interested in what the urologist tells you.
Best,
Donna
Hi Martha, welcome to the hippie club. In regards to urinary problems, I couldn't pee for four days after op, had to have in and out catheter the next day put one in for two days the day after that., When that came out, I kept peeing for England as the saying goes, sometimes not making it to the loo. It did settle down but took some weeks. If you had an epidural it could also be that that has caused it, My epidural wasn't done right only numb one side not op side, so I am glad my surgeon said I was gonna be knocked out as woke up in terrible pain on the operated site but pain caused by hip had gone. Muscles take up to two years to heal so don't give up, keep doing what your doing with exercises etc. Knee pain is common after hip surgery. x
Jeez Martha hope you get this sorted. You think it’s a direct link to your hip surgery?
I too have had referred knee pain & thigh pain. Not sure if causes are same as yours. I believe mine is from weakened glute muscles & weakened psoas from my surgery. I’m hoping that lots of strength work on my glute medius & glute max will help & that my poor psoas will repair as I had it “released “ .
My advice is pester your surgeon for answers.
Stay safe & well.
Hi Martha,
It’s donna again. Just wanted to tell you on a more positive note that my knee really hurt too after surgery but by week 6 it felt much better. I asked the PA at my post op appointment about it and he said that during the operation you are positioned in a way that no one should ever be. There’s a lot of twisting and yanking and banging and cutting going on. It really is pretty major surgery so it’s no wonder we have all sorts of pain after.
I just knew there were some sane people in USA ...... I'm related to some of them.
Welcome to themost supportive forum for THR. Strengthen those leg muscles, but don't didch the cane too soon, make sure you're not limping.
I had Tramadol but I reacted to it, so was given Codeine for my revision, and I had 30 days of Xarelto for both.
I had the opposite problem with the old waterworks after my revision, water retension ...... and that was painful until the docs sorted me out.
Cramp in the thighs - yes, many of us have that. I was told to drink Tonic Water to help it.
I did set up a website for hippies based on information given by others onthis forum. The address is in my personal info here ...
http://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025
and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at
http://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147
Best wishes
Graham - 🚀💃 🤸 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am sorry but as an American i find your statements truly offensive and irresponsible...No One here thinks of Americans that way! In as much I wish you well in your recovery
Hi Judith - Magnesium Citrate. Helps with sleep and leg cramps. I am 4 weeks post-op. I was told I have severe tendonitis so I haven't been walking much, as it's much too painful. Had an MRI last week which didn't say much (at least that I can decipher). I've put aside the walker and am walking even though I have severe knee pain, but I went out and got myself some kinesology tape, have my leg taped from my knee, down my shin to my ankle, as well as a copper sleeve. Still taking pain meds as that is the only way I'm doing as well as I am. New hip is great; wish I could say the same for me knee, but I know it will get better with time and I am learning P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E! Wishing you the best in your recovery. Hugs ~ Janet
Right at the start of week 4 you are going to probably see a huge improvement.
You haven't got long to go. Just hang in there kid.
Typically there is a real fast healing that takes place right at the end of week 3 and the beginning of week 4.
Be very careful with Trammadol. It can have psychotic side affects. You can search for that right here on the Patient Forum. I had to stop taking it as I had very dark disturbing thoughts. I liked plain old Codeine with Tylenol much better.
Research Trammadol it can affect you psychologically so there is the possibility of that also why you are not feeling great yet. Just research it. And it is very addictive for many people, research it, you'll find out. Codeine will constipate you, most pain meds will constipate you so deink one large glass of prune juice every day and take a stool softer. Hang in there things will get better even though you are feeling down at this moment.
Thanks Janet, I knew someone would remember! So sorry about your knee. Hope you continue to feel better. Take it steadily. (I'm fine, a year on. It does usually improve..)
I'm sure she was joking a bit! I know loads of lovely Americans, but we are slightly dismayed by some of the political stuff and the supposedly 'fake news'.
Hi Judith: I got hold of the MRI report. The reason I am having so much knee pain is that I have suffered a stress fracture in my knee. I suspect I may have a stress fracture in my shin too, as the pain travels from my knee down the side of my leg. I see my doc on Tuesday, suspect he will tell me I cannot walk on the operated leg for several weeks to allow time for the stress fracture(s) to heal. It feels like I'm never going to walk again. I walked all day yesterday and I loved feeling somewhat "normal" but as the pain medication wore off, the pain increased. I am sitting right now with ice on my leg and with it elevated again. My frustration level is through the roof! I just want to walk and feel somewhat normal after almost six months dealing with this. Patience is not my strong suit.
Oh you poor thing, having a stress fracture. I suppose at least the MRI has picked it up, so you should get the right advice on the best way to go forward. Sending you a virtual hug...
Greeting I’m from the USA & I own 6 guns & over 2000 rounds of ammo. I am quite sane. And would fight for my wife,daughters,moms & your rights to the death !!
Hoping your problems are getting better as I type this for I too suffer from thr surgery after 3 yrs. it has made a invalid out of me compare to my previous life.
Prayers for your complete recovery
Luv the all. David
Hi Martha.
I've had a right THR on 25 of Aug.
So nearly 6 weeks in.
Mine is uncemented as I'm quite young, a significant factor in recovery as you cannot weight bear for the first 6 weeks, so slower recovery.
At 4 weeks I felt so much better. I had torn my groin and psoas muscle prior to op, so regardless of op pain, am feeling that too.
However, my hip stopped snapping, my groin pain lessened, and I finally could raise my leg !
So I did some baking - bent to get a tray, keeping my 90°, but didn't think about my operated let muscles spreading out as I went down...
Felt it all stretch and needed help to stand.
I was so annoyed with myself and upset because my pain went back to week 1 !! 😣
So, if I have any advice, it's take it easy, let it heal, work within your body's limits, trying all new things with caution.
Hydrotherapy has helped me immensely.
I am picking up again but it's my 6 week check up tomorrow and expected to be so much better by now.
But Rome wasnt built in a day.
Hope that was some help,
Best of luck, Jackie x