I had the anterior hip replacement surgery first week of May. I still walk with a limp and its still painful. I still can not even consider sleeping on my side where the hip was replaced. I really felt better before this was done and am very frustrated. They x-rayed it and it looks fine. PT went awesome. This just doesn't feel right to me this far out. Does anyone else have this same experience??
Hi, I had anterior TRHR a week ago. I walked with a limp before and was worried I still would walk with one because of the length discrepancy, however my surgeon said with PT I should learn to walk without a limp.
Are you still exercising on your own? You said the exray showed everything to be fine, so did your doctor have any explanation as to why you still limp and still can't lie on your operated side? Five months seems a long time not being able to sleep on your side by now.
I hope you get a resolution to this as it must be terribly frustrating and disheartening for you!!!
Please keep us updated.
Betty
I still exercise and PT said I don't need to go back anymore. My Dr said really did not really offer much other than it takes time. I am getting a second opinion tomorrow
Great idea getting a second opinion. So frustrating, isn't it when the doctor is vague and can't offer much!
All the best to you koshe and let us know how you are progressing
koshe2,
I have the same problem, except, mine was done in January of this year. I have been in pain every second of every day since--the x-rays read "no problem" as do the CT scans and MRI of lower back. My whole leg is hurting except for my calf. The MRI did reveal a sciatic nerve inflammation, of which I had no pain in my leg before that. I feel like I'm walking on marbles and my operated let is longer. It drives me crazy. My knee won't bend to the side, only forward and backwards. I have an appt. with pain management who is supposedly going to try steroid injections. If they are going to be in my back, I don't think I'll allow that. I called for my records just a few minutes ago. I'll pick them up this coming Tues. when I have my other appointment. I'm so tired of the pain and not being able to do a single thing--and I mean nothing. I've always been an extremely active person, not really young, but I'm still waiting to grow up, too! It's more than I can tolerate, and I'm going to get a second opinion. The Dr. doesn't seem to believe anything and he isn't with me more than 10 minutes at the most. I understand your frustrations. If I were you, I wouldn't wait much longer for a second opinion. I feel if it's getting worse instead of better, there's a problem! Please let me know how you get along. Best of luck. Dana
Oh, one more thing. The Dr. told me they tore the meniscus in my knee when they dislocated my leg/hip for the surgery. Why they won't repair it is beyond me. I'm sure they have a reason because he said he was going to.
I feel like I am laying on a ball of yarn when I lay on my side. The pain is getting frustrating! Not really what I signed up for. I am 50 and height and weight appropriate. It sounds like you are really uncomfortable for sure. I am lucky if I get 10 minutes with my Dr.
So sorry to hear how you are five months after your surgery.
Are you walking with two sticks or crutches because if not then I strongly recommend that you do until your muscles are strong enough to properly support you. Walking with a good gait is an essential part of the recovery process.
What does your surgeon have to say about the situation?
Hope things improve for you very soon.
Cheers Richard
Sounds as if you need a second opinion very, very soon. Good luck, Richard
I do not use the sticks anymore. I just walk quite a bit slower than I did before they fixed it. Some days I feel like I shouldn't walk at all. Just seems like the healing process has stopped.
Dear Koche
Regardless of anything else I do urge you to pick up these two sticks or crutches until your muscles have really regained their proper strength
Good luck. Richard
I have my right hip replaced at the end of January 2017. I have had pain upon each step since the surgery, though I did ski in March and was able to light hiking in July. I have had periods where the pain seems to get better and periods where it is significantly worse to the point of walking with a cane again. My pain is in my thigh muscle, around my hip and I am numb all down my side. I recently started working with a new PT man and have been aggressively going after the pain. Deep tissue massage, rolling on a ball, big exercises and most recently dry needling which was almost as painful as childbirth but that seems to have changed the pain and I am doing better. So ask your PT if dry needling might be available to you
I absolutely agree with everything Richard said. I felt like I was sitting on a billiard ball for about 6 months, including lying in bed. One day, it was gone! My weight is not appropriate with my height. I am 5'8" and weigh 100 lbs. I lost 20 pounds after surgery. When they got me up to walk that same day, I passed out--twice. My blood pressure was 45/30. They told me to not get me up. (DUH). In the morning, the Dr. came in and said he was ordering a transfusion. I didn't want it, but didn't know what would happen if I didn't. I guess it worked. Anyway, the weight loss didn't seem to matter. I looked like death warmed over. No problem, I guess. It makes me believe that he knows what's wrong and won't tell me. I WILL get another opinion really soon. Please, don't wait any longer for another opinion. I should have done it a long time ago, but I'd never experienced anything like this and have never been sick. I have had a lot of severe injuries from sports, but none of them slowed me down, except my kidney being torn loose in a softball game. Even at that, instead of the six months that Dr. had told me I'd be out, he changed it to three. It didn't feel pleasant, but I didn't let it get me down. This has and like you, I don't like it. I know Richard is an excellent source of information. Just don't wait too long. I'm not trying to scare you, please don't even think that. I just want the best for you and everyone else. Renee is another great source. Be careful until you find out what's going on. Hey, it might just be a part of the healing process. Good luck and try not to worry. Dana
Sounds familiar. Funny my PT never mentioned that. I will google it and check it out. Thx!
Dear Dana
Your post reminded me of something rather amazing that happened to me whilst in hospital for my first hip replacement twenty years ago at 55.
It was one day one after the surgery and the next day I felt really dreadful, no appetite and a very bad headache all day and night. On day three morning as the result of a blood test it was realized that I had lost more blood than was realized and I needed a blood transfusion!
Within ten minutes of the blood dripping into me it was as if I was waking up. It was an amazing experience that I find hard to describe. From then on there was no holding me back, I got walking and at five days post surgery I was walking around the hospital with one stick. I made a very rapid pain free recovery and that new hip gave me twenty years of fantastic pain free service.
Best wishes to everyone here.
Cheers Richard
Same here. I had no pain immediately after surgery, other than a headache. After getting blood, I was off flying. The pain didn't start until physical therapy. After I got home, I had PT every day for two weeks. It was torture but I thought it should be. At 4 weeks, the pain started and has gotten worse every week--at least. I never quit my exercises until the first of this month. I'm not a cryer , but this has really turned me into one. I've woke up in the middle of the night screaming. It's hard being alone and having no one to talk to. I have my cats, thank God, but no family. I do have plenty of time for pity parties and feeling sorry for myself. I've never taken a pain med that worked so the pain just stays. I know lots of us are in pain so I hope no one thinks I believe I'm the only one. I want everyone to feel great and start living again! Thanks Richard. All the best! Dana
I also forgot to tell you that I use a tens unit around my hip. I have some hypersensitivity to “touch”, especially near my scars so I have using the tens unit, along with just rubbing the area relentlessly and I have noticed a change with pain, tingling, pins and needles, heat sensations. So give that a try also. I have been impressed with the changes in my pain over the past two weeks. Besides, ten units and dry needling, I have been quite a bit of different stretches for all the muscles along with some strengthening exercises. i wonder what you are doing in that area.
Dear Dana
I know how tough it can be dealing with illness abd pain on one's own.....takes it to a whole new level.
My best wishes to you for some answers.
Cheers Richard
No I cant sleep on the operated side after TWO years...feels like I am lying on stones! On my third lot of physio therapy. Six months on NHS then 8 months Private costing £900 and now consultant said I can go back to NHS for Physio for as long as it takes.!!! will be forever as does not make any difference...just different painkillers from my doctor today!
RichardKen,
Thank you for your understanding. I believe this forum has kept me going. When people doubt how severe the pain is, all I say is that they would have to live with it to know. Hope you're doing okay. I care. Dana
No I cant sleep on the operated side after TWO years...feels like I am lying on stones! On my third lot of physio therapy. Six months on NHS then 8 months Private costing £900 and now consultant said I can go back to NHS for Physio for as long as it takes.!!! will be forever as does not make any difference...just different painkillers from my doctor today!