Today I am 9 weeks post op from a left thr. About a week ago my left thigh has started to give me discomfort when I walk ...seems to get worse as day goes on. Sometimes it gets so I can hardly walk.... Sometimes I feel like I can feel the the rod or whatever it's called in my thigh. At the top of thigh. I am trying to rest more. My therapist says this is normal with healing. I don't know. Anyone else have this happen during the healing process? Will this go away? Two weeks ago I had hardly any pain and discomfort. On December 23rd another therapist told me to try to wean off the cane. Since I started that this is happening. I go to doctor this week but was wondering if there is anything anyone can suggest to help with this.
I am getting discouraged ! Now I feel like I have traded my hip pain for this thigh pain. Thanks!!
I was told emphatically by my surgeon NOT to walk unaided until I have no limp when I attempt it. Many people cannot walk unaided without a limp until 10 weeks, and many take longer than that.
Your body is probably compensating for the fact that your hip area is still not strong enough for normal, unaided walking by having other body parts work harder, hence your hip pain.
Hi Jeanette, the pain does sound like it is associated with you walking unaided. My gut feeling would be as Anniek suggests to go back to using yr cane. You are right to seek medical advice too, even if just for reassurance . Please keep us posted. I am approx 5 weeks post op and your feed back would be useful Best wishes Annie
I am pre op, so "unqualified!" But, it sounds to me, as though your hip is reacting to the additional weight it now having to carry, having discarded the stick. It may be too early to discard, and I would go back to your stick for a while, in your place.
Thank you everyone!! Your comments help! Yes I do need reassurance! I wish I would have never tried to give up cane even though the therapist told me to. I will let you know what my doctor says on Thursday! I can't wait to go and talk to him!!!
It will be interesting to hear what he says! I see my physiatrist on Wednesday, as we are trying to figure out why I still can't walk unaided at 24 weeks! I, too, attempted to walk unaided (limping, actually) for awhile months ago as a trial, and had all kinds of pain in my knees, an ankle and my back, as I was obviously over-stressing those areas.
I agree with all the responses here ... Also, be mindful of your posture - ZEspecially when you start to walk unaided - I was/ still am walking sloppy, so to speak - years leading up to the surgery I developed bad habits to minimize discomfort and pain - Now after 2 THR surgeries, it is a whole new way of looking at the way I walk -
It is also about taking your time - Stand up and erect your body (I am huncher), relax your back and shoulders; when in balance , take step heel to toe, lift your feet and if possible move shoulders/arms - Feels very unnatural in the beginning ..
There are good instruction video's on you tube (Proper walking or something) - It is tiring in the beginning and I had pain in muscles -
don't despair, darling - you are doing good - and yes, do use your cane - I still do and am 16 weeks post-op from 2nd THR -
Thank you so much for this information. I am happy to know. I am not the only one still using a cane!! My posture is so much better using it. Sometimes I have so many people telling me what to do and not to do my head spins. I am learning to do what my body is telling me!!!! I'm learning the hard way!
One thing I learned while going through Physical Therapy, was to drink a protien shake or increase my protien daily. I use coconut milk and an isolated whey protien mix. Take it each morning, and occassionally post PT.
Keep in mind Protien builds muscle, and you just had a knife go through your muscle.
This may not work for all, but helped me. Pain meds don't do much for muscle pain at least they don't seem to .