The nature of pain and where it's coming from

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi All-

I am scheduled for a R-THR (anterior approach) on June 9th. I'm 58 but feel like I'm 98. I am worried that the surgery isn't going to eliminate my pain because I think it's coming from my back as well as my hip. My pain is in my thighs, groin, lower back and sometime shins. If I walked any slower, I'd be going backwards. The pain sometimes changes. It use to feel like sharp shards of glass were in my hip and it would kind of catch when I got up from a seated position or just walking along but now it feels a lot like muscle pain.I've been limping and compensating for the pain in different ways for awhile so I'm sure as a result everything is out of wack. I do know my arthritis has progressed and there is bone on bone so I do need the surgery but as I said, I'm nervous I'm still going to be in pain. I know I have a number of herniated discs and some stenosis. It's just hard to sort out what kind of pain it is, i.e. muscle, bone or nerve. I'm wondering what you all felt prior to the surgery and whether you felt pretty pain free after. And for those of you who had back pain too, did some of that subside?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Donna

2

Hi Donna

I'm 67 yrs old and suffered all you said for yrs. Then my new ortho said it's all my hip. THR done Apr 25 and now after 3 wks I'm better than I've been in decades!!! Don't be afraid, do the exercises, take pain meds as needed so you can do all recommended therapies and you will walk and sit and stand and bend like you did before the problems started!! You go girl and you will fly once again!! GOOD LUCK!!

Marie

3

Oh how I relate to your post, ouchhhh.

I was advanced bone on bone, and local GP did not refer me in a timely manner to the surgeon, when he finally saw me, said this is urgent and booked me for surgery 10 days later, in a public hospital in australia, normal time time for hips can be six to seven months after you see surgeon, it was with my second hip replacement as it was not so advanced bone on bone.

I was helped into the front door of hospital, the morning of my surgery and seated in a wheelchair, from there straight to surgery unit.

Woke up the next day in less pain than I had been in the last couple of years, and nurses telling me I hadn't used my self-admistered pain relief button, I didn't need it, but when i tried to move, Oh not pretty, but the pain was completely different, muscles in legs felt as though they had just done a marathon, stiff and sore feeling and cut on side of hip was sore but not too bad, Oh can tell you I used that pain relief button then.

Physios got me out of bed with help, and walked me to the door of hospital room, I felt so good, I walked half way down the corridor to nurses station, the following day walked to the day room, 60 bed ward, 30 meters or more.

I continued to add a few extra steps each and every day from there on, never been better, best thing I could have done, walking to the corner store by week 12 post hip about a mile.

Regards back, I too have stenosis, ruptered disc S1-L5, L5-L4 bluging, I have been taught by physio do not slouch in easy chair, you must sit up straight which is always a battle for me.

If I feel me back starting to twinge its a reminder to me, extra effort is in the local heated pool with a noodle under my arms to stretch me out, and tread water, bycling under in the water, for an hour at a time 3 times a week, never thought it would help, but its been a life saver that I continue to use on a regular basis, I am now two years on from hip replacement, also helps with healing from hip surgery and keeping you nice and strong in your core muscles. 

Physio post hip replacement very imprssed with me, 65 yr old lady that can bridge, plank, and do situps with no apparent effort, I put it down to swimming and treading water, and keeping that back surgeon at a distance, apparently their success rate not as high as hip surgeons, or so I am told.

Best wishes from a fellow hippie

4

Gosh, Donna, what stories people tell on this forum! I realise how lucky I am not to have half the problems you all have.

similar story in some ways: (I'm 66) my last GP kept saying No, the X-ray shows moderate degenerative hip changes in line with your age.  This went on for about 8 - 9 years. I got a dog and started walking and with some osteopathy and chiropractic kept mobility problems at bay.  Kept taking extra vitamins and good diet.  In the middle of that period in 2011, I fell over backwards and had a crush fracture of my first lumbar.  Slowly got back to full walking, 45 minutes a.m., and a smaller walk p.m. Eventually the old dog went the way of all old dogs last year and I slowed down too and finally couldn't walk more than 50 yards comfortably.  I grew tired of the old doctors and changed to my local village practice.  Within 3 months I was in surgery having a RTHR.  On the NHS.  

So- I am recovering well from the hip, but.... my lumbar area has weakened as my hip and pelvis has strengthened, and I'm now seeing a therapist who specialises in resolving muscular and fascial issues.  I do have some osteopenia if not full osteoporosis in this area, but take a bone remedy and trying, trying to get back to walking.  On Sunday I went the usual distance, no bumps or jolts, had a sudden teeth gritting pain in my operated leg, thigh and knee, and had to lie down for half an hour with pain killer. But yesterday I cleaned out the kitchen.... No harm done, no pain.  Very odd.

I think it's possible your pain is coming from the hip especially as it involves pain radiating around the groin and thighs.  However the nerves supplying these areas come from the last thoracic and all the lumbar and sacral joints.  Hard to know where to start. But you do have to keep moving, and the person who suggests hydrotherapy is obviously doing well.  I'd also suggest some daily Pilates type lengthening and stretching exercises, and some simple physical massage - touch - is incredibly effective and relaxing.

I wish you every bit of good luck with your progress - start with the hip, as the op is usually very good for pain, and have faith that it will help you generally, and you never know it might make a huge difference. The back probs will return, I fear, when your body has dealt with the hip op, but at least you would have sorted out the middle section!! 

love Rose X 

 

5

Hi, I had all these pains prior to surgery in January - more in the shins and less in the lower back than you, but constant pain and resembling someone of 90!  I had my right hip replaced early January and, whilst I was in pain at first, I am now fine.  Did the exercises, and did exactly as I was told.  I can now walk 2, 3, 4 miles without any pain.  It is wonderful and my guess is that you will be the same post op.  Just do the exercises, even if they're a bit painful at first.  I am going to continue them for the future, but the improvement in my pain levels, walking abilities etc is amazing.  I do hope you will find the same.  This is one of the best things I've ever done!!

6

 great to read how well you are doing, darling

big warm hug

renee

7

dear donna, 

warm welcome to this hippies forum where personal stories and experiences are shared .. 

we have been there, done that and have the best support and understanding on this road --- you are not alone anymore ..

Oh yeah ...  that grinding, all consuming pain - like a very bad and big toothache .. this hip replament surgery is  major and there will be  pain  that can be treated with medication - but  THAT pain is gone ... 

Of course you are worried - that is normal ..

we are here for you so come back whenever you have a concern or question, okay?

big warm hug

renee

8

Hi Dlffoto I'm sorry to hear about your pain! I,ll try and make it brief because you,be had a lot of other caring people replying too! I,m 56 had a RTHR due to severe back pain for 2 yrs, whereby I could hardly walk. Had op on the 30th March this year. Op was a total success , not too much pain... my back 50% better. However since op my other hip hip giving me pain down my leg and groin. So other hip needs doing I'm guessing after that back may be better. So depressing isn't it when in constant pain at our age. I,ll keep my fingers crossed that your op will help you Dlrfoto. Let ,e know, and don't worry about the operation it isn't so bad x

9

hi angel, 

frustrating, isn't it ... I was in total shock when I was told that other hip showed rapid cartilage decline in 6 months time - Thanks to this wonderful forum I calmed down and realized that this is not abnormal.. but still -

you will have 2 brand new hips and for me, that was when the real healing began -

10

Hi renee

just came back from my 7 wk check up, and have been told although my other hip has degeneration, the cause of the pain in my other hip is because I've gone down to one crutch, but my new hip still hasn't enough muscle to support so I'm leaning (bad posture) on my unoperayed hip and causing damage... so, I'm back to 2 crutches and have to really make an effort with strengthening exercises, tbh I'd stopped because of the pain! So we,ll see if pain goes as new hip strengthens.... x

11

Hi Angel,

I too have a problem with leaning to the unoperated side but in my case it is due to the THR making my leg 1.5 inches

(38 mm) longer than the unoperated leg. I'm curious about a leg length discrepancy in your case. Mine is so bad I am tripping on my long leg.

Marie

12

You could have something there Marie because I broke my leg many years ago and that left me with a shortening of my leg (new hip side) so that could be a reason! I was surprised though when I saw the consultant, he asked me to stand on my THR side and I found it difficult, very weak so that won't help either... I didn't realise I was leaning actually until the physio there told me, I thought I was standing well!  When did you have your hip done Marie ? I have read from other people that some consultants realign the leg length when doing the surgery ... 

angela

13

My surgery was Apr 25 which is 24 days ago. I too couldn't put any weight on the operated leg because of unbelievable pain! Then my therapist said I needed to stand up straight. So I told her I want to remove the show on the operated leg. When I did it was a revelation!!! My hips immediately leveled right out, my spine straightened, my shoulders were even and I could balance my weight on both legs! The pain was still there but a very small dose of oxycodone with 2 Tylenol took care of it so I could do my exercises. I am in a rehab facility as I live alone and have stairs to my apartment. I also have a bathtub to step in and out of to shower. I need a built up shoe to level me out but I can't get that process started until I get home. Someone has to write a prescription for it, then I get the official measurement, then the shoe as to be made and every step is dependent on when I can get an appointment. I'm very frustrated because the uneven leg lengths are causing severe back pain which is interfering with my recovery.

Marie

14

argghhh -- sounds like what i had ... 

poor new hip ... so difficult to not put more weight on that one when other hip is so painful ... 

I understand why you stopper the exercises - I did the same - it was just too painful - I tried to ignore it and carry on , but that  was not so smart - My 2nd THR was done 6 months after 1st one and I can tell you that I was actually looking forward to it ... 

thinking of you and sending you love, light and healing ..