Post op pain

Norny

I had my right hip replaced 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I'm struggling still using two crutches very slow/stiff. Trying to do the excercises/walking but dreading it. When I walk I get pain in my glutes, I then have to ice it and it settles. Due to get staples out tomorrow, Is pain in glutes normal? I had posterior hip replacement. Due to see physio next week.

I'm also struggling to get to sleep, I normally sleep on my side but sleeping on my back is causing me pain. I have lumber stenosis and multilevel arthritis in my back. I have tried sleeping with my head elevated, cushions under knee, lying on unoperated side but it was sore too. I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia last year at 58 which has caused arthritis in both my hips.

The surgeon said it was in a bad way! Labral tear, cysts, femoral head very shallow etc. I'm wondering now that he has realigned me after having this so long - since birth! Is that why my back and my glutes are so sore?

annabanana

Hi @Norny , so sorry to hear that you're struggling with the pain after your hip replacement. Unfortunately I don't have any first hand advise but I have attached a couple of links which may help. I hope things get better for you.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-hips/

Nurina

All your pain and discomfort are normal at your stage, so don't worry. You will find many people that would tell you they could climb the Everest at week 2, but it's not true. Recovery is slow and painful until the body starts using all the muscles that were stuck for a long time, in some cases, like mine, from forever. I'm in my 8th month and I still have sore glúteos when I do exercises. Just be patient and listen to your body. Take care

Norny

@Nurina thank you for coming back to me I read your @Janlyn posts and I felt reassured. I was so upset yesterday that I was going backwards. I had myself going back to work, from home, in four weeks - no chance. Some people do seem to get over the operation a lot quicker. Everyone's different and I will just have to be patient.

claudsl

Hello @Norny

Please don't push yourself, it will take time but you will see the benefits of the surgery once you have recovered. Don't be too hard on yourself either :)

Claudia

Norny

@claudsl I know need to take it a day at a time. A neighbour of mine had a hip replacement about six months ago and I was thinking I would be like him up and out and that hasn't happened. Just need to be patient will get there!

Trish9556

Hi @Norny

Recovery from hip replacement is like running a marathon, not a sprint race. Slow and steady progress is what you need to do. Work at your own pace, do your daily exercises, don't try to get around without your crutches - I wasn't able to get rid of one of my sticks until about 5 weeks and that was very gingerly. Had my surgery on 20th May and still use one walking stick outside when I'm going to be walking around all day or when I'm a bit stiff. I think it's a confidence thing after so long of not being able to walk unaided prior to surgery.

You will get aches and pains all over your operated side for a while to come - I still get the odd aches and pains so don't worry about it.

Keep doing the exercises and when you find yourself walking around indoors moving from furniture to furniture then you might be able to try pottering around in the garden and house a bit longer without a stick. Your physio is the best person to speak to regarding advice on removing sticks and crutches.

Good luck

Trish xx

claudsl

Great advice @Trish9556 :)

Norny

@Trish9556, thanks at the moment there is no way I could use one crutch using both unless i'm in kitchen/bathroom try to use bench etc for support as trying to do anything with two crutches is difficult. My operated leg is very weak. Will keep doing my exercises and try and walk a bit, have a physio appointment next Friday so will see what they say. As you say have had this so long and have been using my good leg to support myself that it will take time.

Janlyn

@Norny you are doing well and you'll 'get there', but as @Trish9556 says, It's a marathon, not a race. I know how frustrating the first days and weeks are but please bear with it. I'm almost nine months post-op and I consider myself to be doing really well but if I overdo the walking I sometimes still get the aches in my front-thigh muscles. They soon recover but just a reminder that exercises need to be respected and built into daily life. I still do some exercises whilst waiting for the kettle to boil/coffee maker.

Use your crutches for as long as you need to, it's far more important to make a proper recovery than a speedy one. Your muscles won't have been used for a long time and your alignment will probably have been awkward leading to al sort of problems that can be resolved, but take time. Your physio is your guide - we are all different. We all went into surgery slightly differently and we will recover at our own pace. I realise now I took a long time and would have been horrified had I thought it at the time. I struggled, but looking back I'd a lot of work to do to get back to my 'normal'. Suddenly I realised I was walking further, living better, far more comfortable and I then started to race ahead.

Regarding sleep - it will come in time. I found I just got up when I couldn't sleep and sat in a chair, then I seemed to fall sound asleep for a couple of hours. I also had naps during the day for a number of weeks and they all helped. Take the time to recover - you will one day look back and see how far you've come, and how much you can do that you've not been able to do.

Take care.

Norny

@Janlyn I sat at a desk all day at work prior to my operation I was doing very little exercise which has probably resulted in weak muscles. Just going to take it a day at a time and follow the guidance given by the hospital. I will see what the physio says. I have a recliner sofa so if can't sleep would be better getting up and reading until I'm tired. Thanks again!

KC1

Hi @Norny taking things at your own pace and being very kind to yourself is incredibly important. @Trish9556 @Janlyn @Nurina etc have all given amazing advice which I completely agree with.

Sleeping on your back when you’re not used to it can be incredibly uncomfortable, not helped by the heaviness in your operated leg. Back ache and neck ache have certainly featured for me over the last 5 weeks. I’ve tried less pillows, more pillows, pillows under my operated leg and, last night, a pillow between my legs and rolling onto my non operated side. All with different degrees of success. I do get good nights and then others are not so good. I did have a sleep in the afternoon if I needed it, it definitely helped. Rest is really important and while my recovery is and has been very different to yours I have made sure I have had plenty of rest and been mindful of what my body is doing as it heals itself.

As others have said this is a marathon so try not to rush. Listen to your body and what your body needs. It will suddenly do things without you even thinking about it like walking across the kitchen or up the stairs but try not to rush or force things and all the time be kind to yourself. Take medication if you need to, rest when you’re tired, listen to your physio, exercise mindfully and try not to overdo it. Different muscles will tell you when you’ve pushed them, listen to that. Yesterday I saw the physio who worked me pretty hard so today I’ve held back because my glutes are letting me know I worked hard for this point in my recovery.

It can be frustrating as, if you’re anything like me, you just want to get on with living your best life. As others have suggested keep your eye on your long term goal while finding short term triumphs that help you feel you’re going in the right direction. It’s early days. Take care

Norny

@KC1 thanks, slept a bit better last night its trial and error. Different pillows, cushions, you name it anything to get comfortable. Feeling a bit better today, not as stiff, had a sleep this afternoon too.

It's good to read everyone's different experiences getting over the operation. I just need to take it a day at a time and not get too focused on the negatives.

Getting my staples out tomorrow. Will have a shower and wash my hair ( have that much dry shampoo on it, will take a bottle of shampoo to get it out lol)

My husband has been very good, thinks he's getting a bit fed up of me calling him when I drop things. He's not used to having to do so much. Got two grabbers keeping one in bedroom and one in the kitchen. My daughters have been good, ones coming tomorrow with the grandchildren so can't wait to see them 😍

Physio starts next Friday so that will be a new phase!

Trish9556

hi @Norny

Good luck with having the staples out tomorrow - a heads up however that you might not still be able to shower afterwards. Check with the nurse who removes the staples and also, if your shower is 'over the bath' you might not physically be able to get into and out of the bath. I had suitably placed grab handles, a step and a husband trying to help me to get into ours and I gave up. It took me about 20 minutes of trying next time before I got in and just as long to get out lol. I actually managed to wash my hair before I could get into the shower by standing up and with one hand on one grab handle and the other on the side of the bath, my husband operated the hand held shower attachment that we also have.

You are doing amazingly well.

Trish xx

alwayssewing

@Norny you are doing well. The first two weeks or so are the hardest because you are recovering from a major operation.

I have a grab stick in the kitchen, living room, bedroom and two in the bathroom. I initially had one in the bathroom to open and close the shower curtain as I used an electric bath chair even before my operations. When the OT came to asess what I needed post op she said I needed another stick by the toilet. I asked her why and she said " if your knickers fall to the floor you must not bend to pull them up ". I laughed but she was right, must not break the 90 degree rule :) .

In six weeks you will see a great improvement and you've had lots of good advice. Look after yourself like you would look after a relative who had an operation.

KC1

Glad you got a better nights sleep @Norny, it certainly is trial and error. Rest is such a good medicine. Remember your body has been through a huge amount and there’s such a lot of internal healing going on. It takes a good 6 weeks for the soft tissue to heal so be patient with yourself.

Hope all went well with having staples removed and you have had some good advice from the nurse re showers etc. Have to admit there’s something delightful about that first shower.

Enjoy the help while you can 😂and make use of your grabbers. I have 1 up stairs and 1 down stairs. It can be a bit of a hassle if I’ve left it in the kitchen and then drop something in the sitting room. But it does make me get up and walk to get it and pick up whatever I’ve dropped - usually my glasses!

Have a fabulous time with your daughter and grandchildren, be careful not to overdo it.

Physio is definitely a new phase. Keep doing the initial exercises you were given post op until then as they do really help. As @alwayssewing says in 6 weeks you’ll see a huge improvement.

You’re doing brilliantly

Janlyn

@Norny I understand entirely - and a recliner sofa sounds perfect. I got into the habit of getting up at 5.00am, making a strong coffee and, would you believe, going into the deepest most refreshing sleep for a couple of hours!

Norny

@Janlyn I got up last night and slept in it for a while and it was comfortable can't wait till I can ly on my back again. I'm lying her now and there are pillows everywhere.

Janlyn

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726495#Comment_726495

@Norny you just have to do what you can to be comfortable - I had a pile of pillows 'just in case' for a long time. It'll be great when you are back to usual though!