Hi I'm a 50 yr old lady who had a total right hip replacement in 2011 3 weeks ago I went to get up from my sofa my hip dislocated I was taken to hospital where I had it put back under anaesthetic by manipulation. I was sent home in a leg brace to keep my leg and hip straight I've been back to hospital where they removed brace I've been signed off work awaiting physio I'm scared of what and not to do incase it dislocates again please help
I don't have any experience Wendy so can't comment but I do know there are many fellow hippies who will now be thinking of you. It must be worrying knowing that such a thing can happen now just when you think everything is okay. Do keep in touch, we'll be thinking of you.
Thank you for your message!!
Hi Wendy
I know exactly how you feel. I have had 3 hip replacements with the last one being on 2/7/14 and my first dislocation came on the 2/9/14. I was also manipulated under general anaesthetic but I must say they left me 32 hours ( yes 32) before they did anything. When I went to see my original surgeon once I was released from the hospital the ambulance took me to and he said it was due to my muscle not being strong enough to hold the joint in place ( they had to remove lots of mine due to a reaction to the previous metal implant ). Since then my hip is constantly sublaxing (popping in and out of its socket ) and I have been told that if it continues I will require further surgery. I have done a lot of research on this and although it's more often hip revisions that tend to dislocate it could also be a sign of loosening or cup angle. The size of the ball and socket used can sometimes be a cause but as you have been ok up until now I wouldn't think its that. It may even be you got up in a slightly unstable position and it popped out as a dislocation is always possible but less as time goes on. I was told by my surgeon that every dislocation will stretch the muscle and cause weakness until it strengthens so please be careful. My suggestion would be try to contact your surgeon who did your original operation to see if they can check things I did that and they at now watching me closer than they ever have. Having a
dislocation is a terrible experience to go through but try to stay confident because being too worried to move won't help the muscle strengthen back up.
Hope you never have to experience that again. Good luck
Sorry meant to say I'm 43 yrs old due back at work in 10 days but still in real pain
Aww sorry to hear that is this after a dislocation or replacement? After my initial hip replacement I had 10 weeks off couldn't believe it when I was told I need to be off for 3 months with dislocation. You should go back to your gp who can refer you back to your surgeon/consultant. I'm awaiting physio goodness knows how long appointment will be. But I'm doing exercises at home what I can to strengthen muscle around hip as it's wasted away.x hope yr pain eases soon keep I touch.x
Hi Wendy, sounds quite a scary thing to happen but you must realise that it is only muscle and tendons that stops anyones hip or other joints from dislocating. I had a double hip replacement in 2001 and I am very cautious, even now (13 years later) whenever I do anything that might dislocate them. I NEVER cross my legs, a reall no no for anyone who has had a hip replaced. And I NEVER twist my body when turning around, small paces and NEVER do anything that you think could dislocate the hip. Exercise is the most important thin you should do to strengthen the muscles up to support the joints. Good luck and be careful when you turn.
Thank you for your reply I'll take all that on board .I love my garden so guess kneeling down a No No now. My job involves standing on steps to face up a shop.ive also been told I should sleep on my back. But I've always slept on my side is this still a No No even if it's not the operated leg?
Oh you poor lady hope it goes ok for you, I can't say what you can or can't do but try not to be too frightened of doing things other wise you won't do nothing but just take care xx
Thank you Glenda x
My goodness you have had a rough time. I nearly went 24 hours before having my hip put back I was taken to one hospital then transferred to another at 2am in the morn not good due to all the pain I was in. I've had to buy a new chair an orthopedics one to help keep hip at right height.hopefully it won't belong before I get physio at hospital I've got follow up hosp appointment in 3 months I will continue doing exercises which I was given when I was discharged from hosp thanks for your feed back take care and thank you.x
Kneeling down is ok after a time but don't twist yourself. I do a lot of kneeling down, painting and decorating. Sleeping on your back is advised fo start with, it is hard at the beginning but after your post op appointment your consultant will advise you what you can and cant do..
Hi Wendy, I know how you must be feeling, aas mine dislocated 10 days after it was done. But while i was in havinig my first hip done. they cracked the femur, i was in so much pain and no one would listen to what i was saying. They sent me home and the day after i was sat on a hard chair having a coffee and i went grey. I was taken back in for another op, and spent another 12 weeks on my back.I did not imagine what the pain was, ihad a real ache in my bum. I since then have broken it my self, by a fall in my kitchen, which led to a 8 hour op to pin and plate and wire it. My advice to you is do not bend to pick stuff up off of the floor. Always try to sit on one or two firm or comfortable pillows or cushions. You must always keep your legs at a 90 degree angle. Never raise your knees higher than your hips. WWhen you go to bed try and use a pillow to keep your hip level when you are asleep. I really sympathise because you cannot feel pain like it until this happens. Feel free to contact me on Facebook- Ro Rookes. Take care and I'm with you all the way.
Hi Meldrew,
I must say you echo all my fears and doubts in your text, whats the point of having a thr, if afterwards for life we have be care not to do so many things we always did before without thinking, it seems to me that the procedure needs to be more closely monitured , so that a tighter fitting implant is used, thus preventing dislocation, I see ne reason if its done right why a false hip shouldn't behave like a real one, after all when we get false teeth we are not told we can't chew with them are we?
Hi rowena thank you for your message I tried going on FBbut wasn't sure what your profile pic was to add you.
Ro Rookes.
Hi Rowena, I had my Lateral Full Hip surgery amost 3 weeks ago, have been doing great, stapbles 38 of them cam out the scar looks great i was hardly on any pain meds, but yesterday i could have hit myself, for some silly reason i bent down and oh my the pain at the top of my bottom, my scar is 8 inches long, i don't sleep much at all at night anyway. Why oh why did i bend down, have 2 walking sticks, i can still walk ok still putting weight on my leg, so doubt if i have put anything out of joint. But i keep getting short sharp burst of pain sometimes it can be for 8 or 9 times in a row, i could be just sitting up in bed or laying down i hope i have not done any long lasting damage. The sciatic nervr runs right down the back of the leg, i don't think it is sciatica. It is dong my head in, i go back to see my surgeon in 3 weeks time. This pain just comes from nowhere, i am still using the raised toilet seat, i have 3 more weeks to sleep on my back, and i am not a back sleeper at all. Any thoughts on the matter x
Hi I have had both hips replaced over the last 3 years (61), I am a large chap and greatly overweight so thats where the problems start. I have been on a weight reducing life style " this" year and actually managed to shed over 23kg and still on the decrease which is great. About 2 weeks ago we had abreak in the weather and I decided it was time to get the veg plot ready. I went to start the rotavator and thats when it happened, I felt the jump in my groin. I am now 2 weeks on and in immense pain and after reading what has been put here think its time for a visit back to the hospital. I think it is only the morphine and other painkillers I take for other issues that have not laid me up totally. Am I right in thinking that these never go back of their own accord ? Also my greatest pain is in my groin area, where as I would have expected it on the outer side of my leg. Any thoughts or advice greatly welcome.