Hip Replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi my name is Betty

I am one week out of a total hip replacement. I am finding.

Hard to lift my leg up. I am still walking with a walker also seem to be having a lot of. Pain in my knee! Is this something that others have had also?

2

I am out 2 full weeks of LHR and I have trouble lifting my leg while laying down trying to do physical therapy. I could walk pretty well with walker at 1 week but had some knee pain. Now no knee pain and able to walk pretty well using walker. Make sure you do the PT and it gets better each day.

3

Dear Betty we are all different so our recoveries will vary.

Much will depend on the following. Your age, your fitness, any underlying issues, how the surgery was performed and how careful your surgical team was with you. If you are on blood thinning tablets this may well mean your bruising will be greater.

Lifting your leg after surgery is a big ask for your muscles. I suggest that you assist your leg up to get the muscles used to the idea and build up from there.

If you are having to use the walker no problem as it is still early days but do keep taking the pain meds to keep ahead of the pain. Many people experience knee pain which I think is know as referred pain. You have been pulled about quite roughly so it is reasonable that you will feel pretty delicate for a time!

Good luck

Richard

4

Hi Betty I am 2 weeks post op I have pain in my knee I use frozen peas to ease it. I have got more movement in this replacement but when I had the right one done 12 months ago my leg felt like it belonged to some one else it does get better just takes a little time do the excersises you will get there eventually best thing I ever did I was a little worried when I had the first one done and got lots of invaluable support on here big hug think Posative and there is always some one here to help when needed xx

 

5

Betty, it is totally normal. Buy a leg lifter online, the store that begins with an A. It will help you get in your bed or put your feet up. The muscles have been cut and reattached and are healing. Everyone is different but I needed the leg lifter for about 3 weeks. I am 8 weeks post op and still have some pain in my knee area. My case is different because I had knee replacement on the same leg 11 months ago. It had just recovered where it felt normal so I got my hip done. I expect it was not totally healed inside and the hip surgery aggravated it, or it's just referred discomfort from the hip. It's not really bad pain. I can walk with a slight limp, which my physical therapist says is because those hip muscles are still not strong enough. I can be okay with it because the horrible hip pain is gone and I know it will pass as further time goes by. I discovered with my knee replacement that it is hard to rush your bodies healing. Everyone is different. As long as your x-rays show it as fine and you can bear weight on it, it will get bettter. Best wishes that it feels better soon.

regards,

Peg

6

Thank You That the same way I have been The walker has been great for me so far. I have been doing the PT at home on my own.

again Thank You

Best wishes in

Your recovery

7

Thank you I have been looking at it as a why am I not able to do this. I was told that I am in the young size for the replacement I am 54 I am using the walker and walking a lot through the day

Thank you

Again

8

Hi Jean

Thank you I was worried when the knee was hurting! Yes that is how the leg has been feeling kind of like I have to make it move with the rest of me. It is nice to be able to talk to people that have or are going through the same things

Thank You

Again

Best wishes

With your recovery also

9

Hi Peg,

You & I are both at 8 weeks! Yeah! Doc says I am making great progress and suggested doing more walking, daily. I am without a cain and have been since about week 3. My problem is lower back pain. Have you noticed that? I'm sure my back is adjusting to this new hip. The hip feels great! Just would like my back to meet the hip and be " friends"!

10

Please consider an appointment with a good chiropractor if your back pain persists.

Cheers Richard

11

Hi Peggy

I was think about getting one of the leg things to help with getting my leg to work the musclesI am hoping the knee pain will ease as time goes by

Thank you again

Good luck with your recovery also

12

A few here has told you to get a leg lifter - it is a great idea but you can make your own - no need to spend money. I tied two of my dog's leashes together, but you can use two scarfs or a couple of belts. For me it was a great help as it seemed my leg was stuck to the floor, I am now 6 1/2 weeks post op and no longer need the lifter.

 

13

I use a dressing gown belt

14

Use the belt from dressing gown if you have one just as good

15

I have a hard time walking since I live in Las Vegas and it has been 112 to 116 for the past 2 weeks. I am age 70 and just cannot walk in that! I had a treadmill but it quit working and hubby got rid of it. I did have two instances of back spasms the took me out for about 3 days. I don't normally have those and wondered why. My hip feels great too but my problem is my left knee and walking with a limp. The knee was replaced 11 months ago and was doing well before the surgery but it took it 10 months to get there. Now it is bothering me again, especially when I try exercise. My surgeon said I could try riding my recumbent bike at 8 weeks and did so that day. I have hurt ever since. I think it was just too early for me. Walking would be gentler if it was not this hot! Bad timing I guess. Going to check on outpatient physical therapy this week. I hate the drive but need the exercise. 

16

I can promise it will get better. Try not to judge your progress. Keep doing your exercises. Guve yourself 6 weeks at least.

Take care

17

Use a belt looped over foot to lift it gently. much easier getting in and out of bed this way. Use walker for support until switch to cane. Walk at least 3x day. Icing will calm pain.

18

dear betty, 

warm welcome to the hippies forum where personal experiences and stories are shared -

one week post-op from such a major invasive surgery is really early on in recovery - as already mentioned, your body has been through a lot - the severeing of tendons, muscles etc., the forcefully dislocation of hip joint, the reaming and sanding so new hardware can be hammered in ... you get the picture, right?

this all needs to be repaired and that takes time - 

great suggestions are already given and there is no shame in giving your leg a helping hand ...

there is also something else going on- 

the cutting of nerves also caused some kind of disconnect with the brain-

It has no connection at first between brain and implants and the nerves need time to repave the way to the brains.

Our brains will catch up to the new movement and new signals sent by our bodies to the new joints.

And this is all happening while you are not looking !!!!

Amazing isn't it ?

Be gentle with your self - you are doing great ....

big warm hug

renee

 

19

Betty, Anything that works for you to lift your leg is fine and you got many good suggestions. Do please remember this early on you are not supposed to lean forward, something soft might be difficult to get around your foot which is why I suggested the leg lifter. They are not expensive if you just order online at "A" instead of going to a medical supply store. But if you have something, a stiff belt or exercise band or whatever works for you that is fine as long as you do not have to bend forward to get it around your foot. I bought 2 leg lifters, one for the bedroom and one for the family Room. I wanted one handy when I needed it. I could not move my leg at all right after surgery. However it came along quickly and I only needed it for 3 weeks,

Good luck, you are now one of us hippies. I have heard a few people here talk about Nordic walking sticks and am considering getting some. I am just wondering if they are helpful to use in the house or shopping? I live in Las Vegas and it is far too hot to walk outside now.

Regards,

Peg

20

Hi I had TRHR posterior March 1st. Had many forward and three steps back but I have a really bad back and many bone problems. My leg still is difficult to lift but I think I had some tissue damage. I tried to lift to much to soon and set me back. Should have had help. My PT showed me how to use my cane neck to support leg and work on it. Actually helped a lot. Good luck. Hope you feel much better soon.