Prótese de quadril Superpath 3 semanas pós-operatório

Ossos, articulações e músculos
1

hello everyone

im nervous about posting on here as I never in my life thought I'd be on a forum for patients so in some ways it is good I've learnt some humility as always thought I was indestructible as I've always been very sporty playing a lot of tennis, football, rugby and cycling  as well  as regular gym sessions. 

Im 42 and last year after persistent groin pain that wasn't overly painful but nonetheless noticeable and wasn't going away after about a year I had an MRI scan, the results of which showed a FAI and laberal tear. My consultant told me the space between the ball and socket at one point was about 0.5mm and therefore I was too far gone to even attempt keyhole surgery and that I needed a THR of right hip. Being the cautious sole I am I had a couple of other opinions by consultants all of whom said same thing. 

I kind of didnt take it too seriously as i wasnt in great pain and was still very active, playing a lot of tennis running and cycling. The most noticeable thing was during sexual intercourse in missionary when I could feel a grinding sensation in the groin and clicking. Obviously that became somewhat of a passion killer. 

As time went on the pain was pain was getting more noticeable during tennis and my consultant suggested cortisone injections and sinvisc plus. The cortisone injections did great but only lasted around 3 weeks per injection. I didn't notice any great difference with the sinvisc plus. 

Still up to around april/may this year I was still playing a lot of sport and walking fine. But then in June during a very brutal game of tennis while hitting a running forehand I experienced an almighty crunch in the hip and a bit of pain,  not too much as I'd only just had last cortisone shot. This was a Saturday when the crunch happened. 

No problems on saturday evening or sunday Sunday but the Monday when at work after being seated when I went to get up I was in agony and couldn't move. Hip/groin locked. 

Since then this sensation continually happened if I bent my leg then tried to straighten it. I had an injection into a tendon that my consultant said was getting trapped and that did work but only for two weeks. I was at the stage where getting off toilet was a massive challenge. Once unlocked it wasn't too bad. I could walk ok and pretty quick. I noticed if I did no sport (or sexual relations) the locking subsided but as soon as I was more active the issue came back. My consultant told me it was a very personal choice when to have a THR but my quality of life was being affected and the aim of a THR was to improve that quality. He then told me about the Superpath technique which I loved sound of and he was one of very few surgeons who did this. I elected to have the super path and it was done on September 15. 

Im 19 days post op and can walk with one crutch pretty quick but when I try without a crutch I'm struggling as hip is stiff. I can bend leg upwards well and outwards and can squat. Obviously no locking now. 

 my concern is I've seen you tube videos of people able to cross their legs and walking with no aids at all and in no pain. I have no pain when lying down or sitting down save for a bit of soreness where the wound is but my main worry is I do get a lot of groin pain when exercising or trying to lift my leg keeping it straight. Also when I walk the groin hurts and while other pain seems to be getting better the groin doesn't at all. 

I go for my first physio appointment in two days time and I'm worried that this groin pain means something isn't right. I've gone into so much detail as wanted to explain how I was before the operation. Has anyone had the superpath and if so what were your experiences at this stage. I've read somewhere that the illopsis tendon can be damaged and of course when I was locking up before the THR I wonder if that tendon took some damage. 

 sorry if this is really long winded but it's all very stressful as I've never so much had a filling in my teeth let alone major surgery so I'm not sure where I should be and what I should be doing. 

Thanks in advance for any replies. 

2

Dear Gary

Sounds as if you are doing well but do remember that this is significant surgery and time is a great healer....so is doing your exercises!   I'm sure there is nothing to be concerned about as it really is early days and everyone has a different recovery experience. 

You are obviously fit and have age on your side however I suggest that until your muscles are strong enough to properly support you and you are able to walk well with a good gait and no limping that you will be doing yourself a favour by using both crutches whatever your physio says!

All the best,

Richard

3

Welcome to the friendliest group of people I have ever come across, all giving so much time and effort to help each other through the trials and tribulations of THR and recovery from it.

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19 days post op is very early in your recovery.  It took mw about 18 months to feel properly recovered.  Looking on my website blog, I was just about able to walk 1 mile on nice flat pavements with one or two walking sticks as appropriate at that stage.

Many people get groin pains, it is as Renee says "a brutal operation"  that your body has been through. If you are really worried about your pains, ask the physio or ask to see the surgeon.  I had posterior, so I have no experience of superpath, lateral or anterior methods.

Best wishes

Graham

4

I had a RTHR on Valentine's day if this year. I sustained some nerve damage during surgery and my progress has been slow. Not the awesome one that I had imagined but it is "my recovery". Everyone is not the same and to me it sounds like you are doing fine. I found this Forum on Facebook called "Total Hip Replacement Forum" . There are people on there from all over the world who have had all different kinds of recoveries and one of the administrators is a physical therapist and she gives wonderful advice. If you have a Facebook you should definitely join. It has a picture of the pelvic bone and hips. It's a purple color back ground and it was and still is a plethora of information!

5

Hi Gary

I'm not totally sure what Super path is but I do know that whatever method they use this is one of the most brutal operations we can have. They have to dislocate hip, remove bone and hammer a stem into the femur. Some methods have less need for cutting muscles/tendons/tissue but all methods involve stretching them to gain access.

Not surprising then that our bodies are complaining and will do for some time. You don't mention if you have restrictions but if you do stick to them and like Richard says you will do yourself a big favour and actually shorten your recovery time if you use 2 crutches until you are completely taking the full weight for quite a distance, don't limp and have a correct walking gait.

Again whatever method the stem needs time for bone in the femur to grow to get it totally secure. Crutches are there for support while it does this. They say it's around 6 weeks for this to happen.

If we overdo it before our muscles/tendons are repaired and the stem secure we can actually cause harm to the hip joint which will be doing most of the work without backup from the muscles.

I understand at your age you will be wanting to get back to normal quickly but it will all take the time it takes.

Sandra

6

Hi Gary

I am 14 days post TRHR now and an starting to feel really positive about my recovery. I am 52 and had to have hip replacement due to a motor bike crash at 18...Reading posts on here, though, have made me very cautious about dislocation of the hip (could mean another operation) menial tasks could cause this so please be careful, you don’t want to undo the good surgery. 

My method for early recovery is gentle, I have binge watched game of thrones 😂 at the end of each episode I get up, walk, drink water,/ eat ,do physio, bathroom then sit back down for more slaughter 

I have watched 52 episodes so far and my recovery, as I first said, is going great. Rest is as important as exercise at this stage! 

Good luck and take care x 

7

Hi Gary, I am assuming that superpath is the equivalent of enhanced recovery here in the UK. We al, heal at different rates. I was on one crutch by 4weeks. Totally off by 5 weeks no sticks but it wasn't easy. I would not be doing squats yet. It took me 3 months till I could cut toenails and I used my soxon aid for around the same time. I'm 2yrs post op now. It can take up to two years for muscles to heal properly. I can run around after grandson, something that was difficult before. 

I look back now now at what I thought was slow recovery to find that it wasn't. Groin pain comes and goes. It is usually tight muscles elsewhere. Good luck

 

8

Hi Gary, 

I love your post !!! very well written and explained ...

Sorry to hear about the pain you are experiencing after the hip replacement surgery ...

With the Superpath Approach to THR surgery no muscles, nerves, tendons etc. are cut but carefully separated so surgeon can view the area --- sometimes this manipulation might cause some discomfort due to overstretching ... your surgeon will be the person to answer your question - 

This approach apparently has hardly any restrictions (i.e. beyond 90 degree bending, low seats, leg crossing)

When is your follow up appointment with OS?  

please keep us informed okay ...

Take care

big warm hug

renee 

 

9

Hi Renee

thanks for the reply. My appointment with the OS is 9th November. I think from reading everyone's replies I've been overdoing it really. I thought superpath was a miracle procedure but I think I was a bit naive so I'm really grateful for everyone's support. 

Today i I was walking at pace on one crutch mainly although I did try without and did squats before coming back here. I felt ok but it increases groin pain so I think I'll take it a lot slower. 

First physio session tomorrow somwill update how it goes tomorrow xx

10

hi beannie

thanks for the reply. I'm in the UK and it's the minimally invasive procedure, I think I've been expecting miracles and fortunately I found you guys on here to give me a reality check. Haven't tried to cut my toe nails yet as I literally cut them right down before the op. 

First physio appt tomorrow 

11

hi carol

so we almost exactly at same stage...stay in touch. I'm bingeing on the A team ironside and Quincy at the moment! 

I think ive been overdoing it and expected too much. Some people on you tube who had superpath claim to be back playing tennis after 4 weeks and I kind of bought into that but I think I like your approach and I'll take it a lot slower.

ive been putting weight on my operated hip but perhaps I'll refrain from that now.

hope you recovery continues to go well xxx

12

hi sandra

thanks for the reply that's really helpful. I didn't even think about the stem etc and realise I've been expecting way too much too soon. 

Ill stay on at at least one crutch around the house and take it a lot easier. Thanks for the reality check, hope I've not damaged anything now. Xxxxx

13

thanks fergie, sorry you had nerve damage, may I ask what method of replacement you had? X

14

hi Graham

thamks for the reality check. I was expecting way too much too soon. Everyone's replies have been invaluable as I shall now take it a lot slower. 

superpath is supposed to be a quicker recovery time in terms of post op in short term but there is no difference long term so I guess while I may be able to do a bit more in first few weeks, after that the recovery process will be the same as any other approach. 

When is it it safe to drive would you say realistically? 

15

Hi Richard

thanks for your reply. I'll definitely take it slower now. I was trying to manage without crutches but I think I'll make sure I don't put weight on the operated leg regardless of what physios say tomorrow as you say. 

Thank you you for putting my mind at rest. 

16

Dear Graham

I think you have summed up the situation well!   Going on what I've gleaned about you I would expect in your position to be able to comfortably and safely drive a manual car by about six weeks and an automatic in about four to five weeks.  At the end of the day it is obviously a personal and subjective choice but I'm sure you will do whatever is the safe thing to do for you.

You need to be aware that getting into and out of the car can be where you put your hip in particular danger so please think about this carefully and take care!!

Best of luck.

Richard

17

Estou com 16 dias de pós-operatório de THR e uma coisa que percebi é que esqueci de guardar um pouco de PACIÊNCIA para essa pequena viagem. Minha dor na virilha era quase intolerável antes da cirurgia, o que acabou me fazendo ceder e fazer a cirurgia. Sempre que sinto qualquer dor na virilha, me encolho, mas minha terapeuta diz para não entrar em pânico e que é comum. Então, apenas se acalme um pouco e continue. Você vai se sair muito bem.

Minha maratona durante esse processo tem sido Star Trek e nem sou fã. 😊

18

Hi richard

i have not really braved going outside other than my garden but for a trip last week to have wound checked due to worry about getting and out of the car. 

Driving was was really hard before the hip replacement as when my leg bent the hip could lock so at times moving to brake pedal was challenging and reversing was a nightmare. 

Having no independence is frustrating but im learning patience is a virtue. 

19

Hi susan

did you have the superpath approach? The groin pain was what made me have it done as the locking when I sat down and went to get up became intolerable although once I was moving and unlocked I was a lot more mobile than now. 

At least it seems normal to still have groin pain at our stage. Yes, Star Trek is at 6pm....wish it was the Next Generation a si like Patrick Stewart.

i forgot to pack the PATIENCE pills as well. I'm not planning on going to work until November 13th, what about you? Xx

20

O meu foi posterior. Na verdade, nunca ouvi falar do Superpath. Meu marido fez uma bilateral quando morávamos na Virgínia, e ele voltou ao trabalho em duas semanas. Acho que não era Superpath, porém. Era chamado de JiffyHip ou algo parecido. Acho que era mais parecido com a abordagem anterior.

Felizmente, estou aposentada, então não preciso me preocupar em voltar ao trabalho. No entanto, gostaria de voltar a fazer alguns trabalhos no quintal. Vai estar uma bagunça até eu voltar a cuidar disso.

Graças a Deus pelo Netflix!!