I am 43yrs old and have suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis since i was 2yrs old. I have had numerous joint replacements, some even twice. On 24th August this year i had a right hip revision done. My surgeon said it was a difficult operation and he broke my femur during the revision. I have been recovering really well and almost ready to be walking with one crutch when on 3rd October i dislocated my hip. I was taken to my nearest hospital in Perth where they were in constant contact with my surgeon in Edinburgh. They managed to pop it back in but i have to wear a knee brace to stop knee from bending. I am having a check up with my surgeon on the 10th October. I have no idea what he will do about it. I am absolutely terrified to move in case it comes out again. I walk with 2 gutter crutches from the bedroom to the toilet and to the sitting room and thats as far as i go. Nobody mentioned if i am allowed to do any exercises as my muscles are going to get weak. Does anyone know if i can do some movement to help. I feel like i am back to square one again. I was in agony before the op but i am starting to wish i had just put up with the pain and never got this done. I dont want to be this nervous wreck scared to do anything for the rest of my life! I want to thank you all for letting me moan on and on here!
Physio, very good physio is going to be a life saver for you long term, I'm sure your surgeon will be able to recommend the best he knows of, also adding strength to those muscles that surround your pelvis. its those muscles that hold your hip in place, its doesn't stay there just by itself, as you have found out to your dis-pleasure.
For now you are doing exactly the right thing, walking, gently gently, and building up the amount of walking you are doing each and every day, even with the crutches to help support you,
Can I suggest that when you walk to the sitting room, turn around and walk back to the bedroom, and then back to the sitting room before you sit down, just doubling up the distance and strengthening those muscles.
Remember DO NOT twist, you must move your feet, just as though you had a stiff neck, you don;t try twisting it, you move your whole body rather than twist, very important I was told after hip replacement.
Look up coastal ortheopedics,and hip replacement exercises, in western australia, they have a little book you can print out with photos of what exercises to do and what you also cannot do, exactly the same exercises I was given to do post hip replacements, double hip, you will have to modifiy what suits you, some you will not be able to do, It might help.
Hi Debbie yes it's very rough when it happens it leave you almost like posttraumatic worrying if it's going to happen again , ease your mind it doesn't have to happen a second time give yourself time to heal it's OK to be careful and talk to your doctor about it stretching , peace be with you Mike
Evening Debbie....I dislocated my hip shortly after my first rhr. I didn’t even know it was dislocated. When I went in for my 3 week checkup and had X-ray was when it was discovered I dislocated it. Dr was going to try and pop it back in but couldn’t and had to do a total hip revision. Was six weeks non weight bearing and no hip exercises or hip flexion past 80 degrees. I was besides myself. I’m now 14 months out. Now I’m having nerve pain and sensitivity in my thigh. I’ve been seeing a pain dr since May. Have had injections in the nerve and back but still having the pain. I’m taking lyrica, 75 mg 3x day. Now I’ll be trying a spinal stimulator as I have a lot of back pain too. There are days I wished I never had this surgery as I feel I’m in pain again. It’s not like the pain before surgery but nonetheless it’s pain again. Talk to your surgeon about what exercises you can do safely. I know I was scared for months about dislocating my hip again!! Physical therapy will be good to do too to help strengthen the muscles surrounding your hip. Best of luck to you for a speedy recovery and healing. Hugs 🤗 Linda.
Thank you Linda. Sounds like you are having a horrible time of it. I hope things get easier for you soon. If you need to rant or have a good moan you can talk to me. Happy to listen. Best wishes and lots of love xx
Thank you Mike xx
Thanks for the advice. I will have a look at those exercises and i agree i will try more walking. I will hopefully know more whats happening on wednesday and i will post an update.
Take care x
Oh poor you, that sounds like a nasty dislocation.
I would think that you should be doing some exercises if only to strengthen the hip muscles as that's what we are told actually holds the hip in place and stops dislocations from happening.
I think that in your place I would get in touch with the surgeon (or his team) in Edinburgh immediately to ask his advice as he will have the x-rays and results from the hospital in Perth.
This has been a bit of a setback, but you are in good hands, and there is no reason you shouldn't make a good recovery from this. Remember that the risk of dislocating (see my graph) reduces over time as we strengthen those muscles. Feel free to moan on here, there are so many 'kind ears' around the world all wishing the very best for you.
Graham
Morning Debbie! Thank you i app that. And same for you if you need to talk I’m here! Hugs 🤗 Linda
Thank you Graham for your kind words. I will definitely take on board everything you have said. Xx
Looking at the "Related Information" on this website, under "Complications" it says "Dislocation of the hip: can occur at any stage but usually occurs early."
see here ... https://patient.info/doctor/hip-joint-replacements
Thank you for that. X
Dear Debbie, I prayed for you today at church , I hope everything goes OK October 10th , you been suffering a long time, i'm trying my best to reach out to my higher power ,and trust in him as best I could if it's broken that I am Then Acceptance and strength, Will be part of my every day medication Regiment , l think Renée has her finger on it very well .... healing is not easy God bless Mike
Dear Mike.
That means a lot to me.
I will let you know how it goes on wednesday.
Many thanks again. Xx
Hey Debbie, we are in this together, l never thought I'd be in this situation mind dislocated have the five weeks it was horrible and I'm dealing with nerve pain that is tremendous I Understand this is not easy the hip is unusual by itself but when it dislocates it's a whole new game I am here for you I pray today for you and I will pray tonight got bless Mike
Dear Debbie, I am no holy roller but I think it's time to pull out the big guns ha ha let me know what happens after a doctors appointment prayers with you Mike
Dear Linda, Maybe This may come of some relief after my dislocation it took the emergency room staff three tries to push the hip back in it was pushed back in after 3 or 4 try's , did this damage more nerves more tissue ? It sure feels like you did my surgeon didn't do the push end it was done by a doctor in the emergency room . Maybe just long road ahead of you may be a shining light at the end there is hope I just read your talk with Debbie who is also very nice I had a feeling that you will recover and maybe this was the best move the bless you Mike
I think your doctor may be securing the situation to a greater degree then push push until it goes in
No Mike....my dr saw the dislocation and as soon as possible I was in the hospital under anesthesia to do a closed reduction aka: pop hip back in. But couldn’t because the ball of hip was caught in back of cup. And me walking and exercising on a dislocated hip for at least a week if not longer. So much for the “youll b in level 10 pain!!” 😒. I have a very high tolerance for pain. Not bragging but pain has been part of my life for years. I’m as my brother would say “tough as nails!!” 😂😂. Nerve pain is new to me..... what makes this bad is anything that touches my thigh bothers me. Light touch not strong pressure so it’s hard finding clothes to wear. Nothing but shorts. And even then I hike that right leg of shorts up because it bothers me. I also use strips that stick on leg as well as licodine patches so shorts don’t touch my leg. Praying every day for relief. Trying to accept this cross asking God to help me persevere and get through this. It’s been 6 months I’m getting a little better but still struggling. I’m finally not using a cane anymore beginning this week!!! A new milestone. Thanks b to God!! Hugs 🤗Linda
Another 6 hr operation within 3 weeks. It was traumatic but I’m still here!! 😁
Hi Linda, yes I misunderstood , yes I cannot believe that this happened , it been about 8 months , and lm hurting still nerve pain , thigh feels like it's broke inside knee also , hip hurts all 24 /7-- l found some cream that has on amazon , l like called penetrex , for inflammation you has Arnica,, vitamin B6 ,MSM, ,,,,and ice helps a little better than heat for me the heat could create inflammation , you been through the mill like me , let me know what happens. My pain buddy , God bless keep the faith when you can't handle it anymore stand behind the Almighty let him carry you ,, it's an inside job not easy trust you will walk through it ...bless you mike