Hip good, back sore!

mosey55

I had my left hip replaced 3 weeks ago and found the whole experience very positive. I am keeping up with my exercises and feeling stronger every day. Although there is no pain from the hip, just a slightly numb bum I am getting terrible lower back pain, presumably because my gait has altered and things might have shifted a bit. I am reluctant to do any stretching exercises which could help my back but may harm my hip recovery. I wonder if any others are also suffering with back pain and any tips would be most appreciated - thank you!

Naomi33

Hello @mosey55

Sorry to hear in pain with back after hip operation.

I personally have no experience but the following link maybe of help…

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

I am sure others in the same position will connect with you soon.

Best Wishes @Naomi33

Naomi33

alwayssewing

I had both hips replaced this year the last was 14 weeks ago. I have had a lot of back pain but slowly my back is strengthening along with my leg muscles . You may not have seen a physio since hospital yet but please mention it when you do and you should be given exercises to help.

Don't sit too long and be aware of how you sit and stand. Small movements done frequently can make a huge difference.

YouTube has seated exercises for seniors which are gentle enough for this early stage.

The journey to healing seems long but in ten or twelve weeks you should see an amazing difference. It will continue for up to a year or so but the effort is worth it.

mosey55

thank you that is so helpful - I will have a chat with my physio and also be more aware of how I sit etc

I do appreciate you taking the time to reply

KC1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63202/hip-good-back-sore

hi, sorry to hear you’re having back pain following hip surgery. We’re similar in terms of timing, I’m at 4 weeks post op on Wednesday this week. The change in gait is something I chatted to my physio about. I’ve had some discomfort, more at night and if I sit for too long, although this is improving. Mindful walking, as discussed with my physio, has been really important. @Trish9556 was also helpful in reminding us all to walk properly post op. Be conscious of how you’re walking- heel to toe and of where your hips are positioned. I’m now walking 4 miles a day (2 walks of 2 miles) which is helping all round. Have a chat with your physio and hopefully things will improve for you.

mosey55

hi, thank you for reaching out.

I was staggered to hear that you are walking 4 miles a day - very impressive - I need to up my game!!

frogmorton

Is it because you have to sleep on your back post op? My back hates it if I sleep on it. Either way I agree do speak to the physio.

Best of luck

Toni x

Janlyn

@mosey55 Hello and welcome, another vote for talking to your physio. We're all different and our bodies do indeed need to work properly post op for the best possible recovery.

Exercise-wise little and often is important but more important is the exercises that are correct for you and your time in the healing process. It is early days for you but I'm sure you will start to be amazed at the progress you make. Don't worry about how far you walk, make sure you do walk and walk properly. If you start to feel tired or anything aches, have a rest. More shorter walks are better than one long one, but don't try to compete, just make sure you are comfortable with time and distance. I found I walked really slowly in my early months, then suddenly speeded up.

Take care and let us know how you are getting on.

mosey55

I do appreciate everyone that has taken the time to reply, as a person who lives alone I have really felt a strong sense of community so thank you for that.

My physio has been really helpful and basically said, ‘don’t be a hero’ - little and often with the walking and exercises and whilst progress may seem slow, it is happening and not to compare myself with others in a similar situation.

I have being doing gentle seated exercises to build up my core and these really do seem to be helping, my physio also said if I was more comfortable sleeping on my side then I could carry on with that.

I also feel I need to focus less on my back pain and celebrate the fact that after several years of pain with my hip there is no longer any pain there…….🎉🎉

ftracy_456

I’m so pleased that you have been given positive advice from this group and also your physio. I too live alone and wonder how you managed in the first week after the op. I’m on the list for a hip replacement and to be honest I’m beginning to panic. But from what I have read from your post and other post it’s the best thing you have done and are now relatively pain free expect for your back. I’m hip has started to give way when I walk. The right knee which has taken on the burden of my uneven waking now has arthritis and also gives way. I often wonder what people think when they see me waddling down the road then stopping and starting again. It’s not easy

mosey55

Hi, I know exactly what you mean when you talk about waddling down the road !

Fortunately my daughter was able to stay with me for the first 5 nights but I found I was beginning to rely on her too much and needed to do more for myself.

I had a second hand rail installed before the op and that has really helped me with stairs. I don’t use crutches on the stairs I have a crutch at the bottom and another at the top and manage well with the hand rails.

Although I am pain free from my hip I am on the list to have my right knee replaced and although still painful it aggravates me less since I had the hip done - so far it has not given way which it used to do regularly.

You won’t regret the op - it will change your life in such a good way.

Janlyn

@mosey55 You're doing so well and so good when we stop waddling and various parts stop giving way isn't it?

@ftracy_456 I live alone too and my physio said she liked patients who lived alone as they had to be creative to do what they needed to do and usually made quicker recoveries. I would just advise if you have neighbours you can call on, or give a key to, you may feel more reassured but actually I found I coped much better than I had dared hope. There are challenges for the first couple of weeks, whether alone or not, but being pain free is so worth it, and every day gets a little bit better. And there's always someone here to give encouragement or answer our questions.

Take care.

KC1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726077#Comment_726077

one day at a time