Indentation in scar

Bones, joints and muscles
1

any advice on having an indentation (a big dip) in the middle of the incision??? I had my total hip 5 months ago and it looked smooth until a few days ago. I was shocked to see a big dent! It is still numb and tingly. Also gets sore sometimes.

2

I'm only 12 weeks but I'm still numb and tingly but that is nerve endings repairing, as for the dip it sounds like muscle wasting, why not see a Physio they may be able to recommend excercise psych to remedy that?

3

I don't have a scar indentation but do have one on the front of my thigh (my scar is on the side). I believe the indentation is due to my failure to exercise those muscles properly since my op. I have read that indentations are common after surgery. We have to take it easy, but also learn to do what we can. My sister is an exercise fanatic and sent me some of her more gentle front thigh stuff to do...

4

Gee I hope it goes away...I have been going to the gym, doing the bike, walking...I also have a very physical job I returned to 3 months after surgery....

5

I'll e-mail my P.T. And see if there's something I can do.

thanks

6

Im almost 5 mnths. And all along my scar is an indentation. Im thinking....its back to a non swollen state. Im not concerned. I have no pain and can do everything

7

Mine's like that at the bottom now - wasn't before second operation.

I just keep massaging it with acqueous cream in the hope it will even out.

Graham

8

Hi Sandra , 

Well, I think my days of taut, smooth skin around hips (or anywhere on body) are just over !!!!   I have zippers on each side and, eventhough I am proud wearing them, it might only be attractive to fellow male hippies - Who know, maybe I meet one one day and we can compare ...

I can still feel them - sometimes some pinching, a little stab, sore around the area etc -- But then when I realize that there are layers and layers in need of repair (they were severed, for goodness sake) I just rub and massage them - 

Maybe your PT can massage the scar incase there is some sticking of tissue under neath.

Scar forming is dead skin, so I believe they will always feel kind of weird numbish - (I have a big scar of a fall when I was a child, and it is numb to the touch)

How are you doing otherwise?

Big warm hug

renee

9

Hi I don't know where you are, but I have exactly the same problem 7 months on. I was not offered any physio at all after my the. I have now been told of a active life referral scheme for folks with health issues which gives you a interview at local sports centre and they suggest a programme for you at reduced rates , approx £2.50 per session. But really just to let you know you are not alone. If you can go to the active life scheme you need to be referred by your doc or practice nurse first. I am in the uk.

10

Hi Sandra! I'm 9 months post op and I still have a dent in my hip. My surgeon said to continue with exercises and walk as much as possible. Also he also suggested that I try to stand on my operated leg by itself to strenghten and settle the hip into place.

He said that that dent is caused by the muscle/fat in leg. Like having liposuction. Fat and muscle re-distibute. 

 

11

It's such a short sighted attitude of the hospitals not to offer proper physio to enable you to be able to mobilise and properly use your new hip. I'm sure the revision rate must be much lower when you have good phusio backup.

In amongst all my problems, I am so lucky that the physio offered by my hospital (Pinehill in Hertfordshire) is so wonderful.

Graham

12

My entire incision is dented in and I had Anterior approach, very noticeable especially when turned sideways. 

13

Thanks Renee

im doing well otherwise....it was just a shock to see that dent! Still sore and numb.....been massaging it....yeah, I'm past caring about smooth skin......as long as I can do what I want physically.....need to keep working another couple of years.

14

Last week my physio tole me to reverse the 'stairs procedure', and lead up with the operated leg to strengthen it - it seems to have worked, as I was literally running around at physio class today !!!!!!!!!!!

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Happy bunny today !

Graham

15

That is brilliant news Graham - I am so happy for you. How many weeks post op are you? 

Michael

16

Havebeen massaging mine, it helps when I want to roll onto my side.

I'd never know that the surgeon went in twice on the same hip, he must have put the knife in at exactly the same place as last time, and the staples in the same holes !

17

3.5 weeks - or 26 days.  

As my physio said today, never mind your first operation, just count from the last one, that's what you are recovering from now.

I want to get out and about, but he told me in no uncertain terms to rest for the rest of the day following the 1 hour workout with him.

18

Great news Graham - must try it this way 😃😃

19

I have been told the indentation is permanent because the neck of the implant is smaller in diameter than the neck of the femur bone that was cut off along with the ball.  Made sense to me.  If you have an xray of your hip showing one hip with and one hip without implant you can easily see and compare the difference in the amount of space the neck used to take up before being replaced with the smaller neck on the implant.  Once the soft tissue closes around the new neck it is going to look sunk in from the outside.

 

20

I hd Anterior method, scar on front of thigh, mine looks terrible, especially from the side. Now I need to wear shorts to swim in, I needed a new suit anyway.