I was doing great rehabbing with little pain. I was off the can after 3 wks. I was feeling really good and decided I would try and bowl. I bowled 3 games without any problem. I was sore the next morning but everything was fine. Then I went to therapy. I was going through my normal workout when I felt a slight pop followed by a sharp pain that started upper mid thigh down the outside of my leg into my knee. We stopped therapy and put heat on it and stretched. Later that day I started having that pain every couple of steps. Sometimes it’s just in the lower thigh/knee. Other times it will feel just like it did in therapy. I’ve been resting, icing and using my cane to get around. I’m very disappointed that this happened after doing so well. I really would like to know what is causing this pain. My biggest fear is that the stem broke free and if that were to happen will the bone still grow to it. Any suggestions or thoughts on what could cause this pain would be appreciated. I am planning on making an appointment with my Ortho.
Contact the doctor. Good to make sure it's nothing serious.
Dear Paul
You have not told us what approach you had, your age or your level of fitness but I cannot help thinking that you were pushing your luck somewhat! If it was an uncemented stem it would have been unlikely to have achieved an optimum bond with the stem in that time and the muscles supporting the hip would still be recovering.
IMO and I am not a doctor you should see your surgeon ASAP.
Good luck, Richard
What on earth are you thinking of??? to go bowling after 3 weeks....completely defies the 90 degree rule....3 months...not 3 weeks ....
I bowled at 3 weeks with anterior THR. No problem at all.
Bowling at five weeks? I was at about four weeks and had pain so severe I couldn’t walk for a week. It was due to an infection. Everyone is different. If your doc releases you home, take it easy this time. One would think that bowling puts a lot of stress on legs that were recently subject to cutting.
Ken I had a lateral approach surgery and I’m 42 and in pretty good health other than my hips failing on me.
I agree bowling at 5 weeks might of been a little premature but I was feeling so good and had no pain I just wanted to start getting back to my normal life. I definitely regret the decision now. I’m not convinced that it was bowling that had anything to do with it though. It was at therapy working with bands that the pain started. The exercise I was doing was lifting my leg outward when it happened.
Paul I had the same reaction while exercising the outward side leg movement at 8 weeks out . Something snapped took my breath away and luckily I was standing in a pool or I would have fallen flat. Immediately was sent to the hot tub whirlpool. It was the IT band in my case it finally healed lots of ice, heat, muscle relaxers along with back support and complete rest for a few weeks. From that moment on I learned to communicate better,pay close attention to my movements and carefully taking note to not be pushed to quickly.
I do think it is the IT band causing the pain. If I plant my foot and turn slightly the pain will shoot down the outer part of thigh down across the top of the knee. Hopefully that’s all it is but the set back did put what’s important into perspective. This is going to be a long slow process to getting back to where I want to be.
Hello, it could be a dislocation. Im not an authority but I am doing a lot of research as I was recently told I needed a THR on my right and I still can't believe it. Im bone on bone apparently. I do walk with a limp and have pain in the area when walking and stiffness. Im wondering whether physio would delay my need for a replacement. I can t afford the time off work to recover.
I was not bone on bone a few years before my original hip replacement but was in a lot of discomfort and was denied surgery because I was considered to be too young. It was so painful that it was impossible to get a decent nights sleep.
I sent to a chiropractor who through mild manipulation and muscle building exercises kept me going for several years. I would add that as a direct result of the very first visit I was able to sleep at night!
You say that you cannot to take the time off work for your recovery. If you have surgery I'm sorry to have to say that you will have a recovery period and there is simply no way around that.
Your fastest recovery will come from,a combination of the following:
A first rate experienced surgeon, you being in a fit physical condition, not over weight, nit on drugs, not a smoker or a drinker and with a positive go get attitude. The younger you are the quicker you should bounce back.
Can you tell us what work you plan on doing following your surgery?
All the best, Richard
I agree with Richard. Also, whether you can afford it or not, recovery time is a part of the process that must not be rushed or you will pay the piper later
Unfortunately it will not get better. I understand your concern about time off from work. Issue is that pain will not decrease unless you decide to take pain pills for that. My doctor said that was my option but I vetoed that immediately.
If you aren't sure about the diagnosis, get a second opinion.
Did you see the x-rays? Mine were so obvious about the bone on bone and spurs on the sides. Other hip was "normal" so I could see the difference.
Have you scheduled an appointment with your surgeon?
I had a posterior approach back in December. One day while at physical therapy I felt a sharp pop and sudden pain down the outside of my thigh. The surgeon thinks I tore a muscle loose from where it was reattached after surgery. The only "fix" is rest and allowing the muscle to heal.
If you tear a tendon it causes a lot of under the skin bleeding and you end up with bruises all over your leg. That has to be repaired through surgery.
Dr. Said all looked good with the prosthetic hip. He feels all my pain is soft tissue related. He couldn’t stress enough about taking things slow in the healing process even when we feel good. He tried explaining all the different parts that are weak and irritated from being cut into and stretched open to gain access to the hip. He couldn’t say for sure what caused the pain but I was told to rest, Take my naproxen and ice it. Therapist has me doing very light exercises (non weight) and stretches.
I can tell you the strength I had gained in my leg is gone. It’s like I’m back to week 2 with how it feels and what I can do. For anyone going through this please learn from my mistake and take things slow and don’t over due it. I went 3 straight days doing things I probably shouldn’t of and had 2 therapy appointments mixed in there. I wasn’t giving my body any recovery time. So like my therapist said my body took back control.
It’s so difficult to be patient, isn’t it? Especially when you are young. It must be so frustrating.
But I agree that you were chancing it by going bowling within the 6 weeks. How did you manage to do it without breaking the 90 degree rule? I don’t bowl but used to curl and I think it’s a similar movement.
Just wait a bit and you’ll be able to do whatever you want,