Hi all,
First time posting so any advice appreciated. I am now six weeks post op and everything was going to schedule per my discharge instructions and recommendations in my guide as supplied by the hospital. My concern is the on set of stiffness on standing and a reluctance / pain when I attempt my first step forward. Any ideas what is different and where do I go?
Hi Andrew.
I am a week behind but do have similar when I first stand, especially when I get out of bed.
I am putting it down to muscles stiffening up as seem ok once I've got going. I think that at this stage in recovery exercise is the key, but still allowing time for resting when tired.
Are you driving yet? If so does it happen after driving?
Could the pain be due to muscle strain do you think? my Physio said that pain that is muscular following exercise is ok (the sort I used to get a day after the gym) but pain in the groin indicates I've overdone it.
Not sure if this helps, but hope you get it sorted.
Barbara
Hi Andrew I know what you mean but what really helped the stiffness was using a gym type step ..i did 2 lots of 100 step ups leading with both feet per day for a few weeks and it really loosened me up....not too high though about 6/8 inches
Hi Andrew, I am nearly nine weeks and have been having exactly the same. If I sit too long I get really stiff but once I get moving it eases. My physio said I just need to keep exercises going to stregthen muscles. I don't know why the stiffness is worse now than before. Sorry, not helping much but hopes it helps that you are not alone. I think we just need to persevere and keep going and hopefully as time goes on we will find the stiffness eases x
Hi Andrew, join the club! I am just over 5 weeks post op! I have been very weepy and very stiff on walking esp the first steps! I am in really big trouble with social services! As I am a carer for my husband and I am not coping very well at all! They were hoping I would be up and running! Well tough! I also have arthritis of my knee! So not very happy! Regards Amanda
Thanks for the response Linda. I think back my pre op pain and there are similarities. I am doing my exercises so we will persevere and all will be well in the end.
Thanks Amanda, keep your chin up and take your professionals advice over Social Services.
Hi Andrew
Good wishes for your recovery.
My first few steps at nearly 6 weeks still seem to have stiff muscle resistance...but 100 metres up road relaxed completely. And yes I think more stairs and leg lifts and balancing on the op leg do help....you will get there! Hope already you feel happier and more pain free than pre operation?
Take care
Mic
Thanks mic,
Sounds a good idea.Will using the bottom stair tread do it Chrissy? x
Your welcome!
Slight sadness me thinking that 6 weeks is the goal...but from what your message and Linda's say is that its rather slower this healing than I hoped.
But...bath and driving this weekend...gym next week...and I'll be six weeks post op...even if a way to go!
Mic
Possibly but ours were too high....I bought a step from ebay!
I'm also 6 weeks post op & seem to be having the same problem....very stiff & worse upon 1st steps of the day...but although I have a new hip I still have arthritis in my knees. I am scheduled for my euflexxa injections in both knees in a couple weeks and hope it will remedy the situation. I was told my knees look great as I had them scoped & meniscus tears repaired last year. They are also not bone on bone so not ready for knee replacements. I have been getting the euflexxa injections every 6 months so hope they help. I was also told I have completed my PT just yesterday & they said my hip is doing good that any lmping etc is due to my knees. I think it just takes time to build up strength in the legs. I'm just hoping I can get rid of my cane real soon. I think we just need to continue exercise to completely recover. I think it is hard to gauge your recovery on the schedule of others. I do know for a fact I'm in a lot less pain now than I was 6 weeks ago! I do believe I read it take 3-8 month for the new hip to really set in.
Hi Andrew, i'm at nearly 5 weeks and everything was going well i was doing same gym class activities at 2weeks as others at 5 but since then had a spell of bad knee pain( not joint problem ) and now yesterday while walking miss placed crutch a bit an stretched thigh/ knee ligaments now really starting stiff and painful in morning. Hope it settles soon, need to get back to work! Hope we all feel better soon atb jay.
Thanks and good luck