Driving groin pain

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi

Am six weeks two days since my THR right hip

I thought I might try to drive today but am getting groin pain in the right hip. I also have to bend forward to bring the seat forward and back to get out as I am quite short has this happened to anyone else

Susan

2

Hi Susan, I had my right hip done a year ago this month and I too experienced groin pain every once in a while when I drove. It felt bad enough sometimes to put the cruise control on. Last time that happened was about 2 months ago. It got less and less as time went on. Doesn’t happen very often and I have a 20 min drive to work every day. 

Hope your healing goes well. I’m 3 wks post op in my left now and healing slower than last time. 

Patience and walking are the best things to do. 

3

I used a cushion (and plastic bag to help swivel into the seat) when driving, which was interesting as I'm well over 6 feet tall , so not much headroom.

Better be safe than sorry with regard to the 90 degree rule and hip dislocation.

 

4

Hi Susan,

​I'm 10 weeks LTHR today, and have been driving just under 3 weeks. So I didn't even try it as early as you, I just didn't feel I could do it. I am getting significant groin pain when in the seat ( and pain if I try to sit in anything to low or squishy). In the car I think it's because I have to have the seat so close to reach the pedals! I'm a shortie too! I was so bad pre - surgery I couldn't lean forward to pull the lever to move the seat, but had to have the seat as far back as it would go to even get in in the first place. Luckily, my hubby fashioned a metal crowbar type hook for me so that I could just aim it and hook the bar to pull up and then slide myself forward with the good leg without bending. I've realised I still can't reach the lever, and at first didn't want to contort my hip into that funny position ( I don't think I can do it anyway!) So I'm still getting in and out observing the rules. Maybe you could try something like a walking stick to try to move the lever? Unless you can get hold of a shepherds' hook of course - that would be perfect!

5

Hi Susan, I have been driving since 5 weeks post op Left THR. My car is a manual and I did have aching in my groin if I had to use the clutch a lot eg when stuck in traffic. It’s a lot better now though at just over 8 weeks. I did short distances for a few weeks before venturing further afield. Keep doing your exercises it’s just your muscles strengthening up again. 

Regards

Ann

6

Tried the walking stick hooking it around the lever to make seat go forward and back it worked can't thank you enough

Susan

7

I drove at 6 weeks and went on a long drive 2.5 hours which I was OK with.  I did stop half way though.  I still do get a bit of groin pain if I sit too long, especially in the car.  Try to adjust the seat before you get in and sit on a cushion. I am 11 weeks now and back at work.  It depends on which approach the surgeon used.  If you have had an anterior you shouldnt bend forward until 6 weeks. The chances of dislocation is greatest in the first 3 months so care should always be taken.  Take it easy,

8

Hi Christine if it’s the anterior approach you can bend and do anything except put your ankle over your opposite knee. 

It’s the posterior approach in which you cannot bend. 

Just a clarification ...maybe you put the wrong word in. 

9

No no, it’s the other way round. I had the posterior and can do all bending with no restrictions. I don’t know about the anterior approach because I’m posterior but I’m allowed to fully bend and sleep on either side. 

10

Yes I think that’s correct for the anterior approach. But you can now bend and twist with the posterior approach but not go mad of course.....