Total Hip replacement pain - THR

WendyDales

Good evening. I am CERTAIN I am being a stress head for no reason so apologies in advance for being a drama queen but I've made the mistake of Googling this and of course, I am now worrying! Dr Google is not helpful at times 🤣

I had a total hip replacement on 26 October (2.5 weeks ago). Things are going OK with the wound and I'm feeling much more mobile generally however, over the last few days I've developed pain in my groin, which is now becoming worse. I have dropped my meds down a bit but still, I'm worried about where the pain is. This (and my gluteal area) are the places I experienced my arthritis previously.

I was told that the best thing about a THR is that you wake up without the arthritis and the operative pain does wear off. The bruising and general stillness are improving although I still have a lot of swelling. However, I've not experienced this epiphany of 'no arthritic pain' and now I'm reading about this groin pain being caused by all sorts of unpleasant-sounding things to do with the implant etc.

I know it's early days though! So, I could be overthinking 🤔😏 Can any previous 'hippies' relate or advise where you were at pain-wise at this point after the operation?

Many thanks in advance 😍

Fran54

@WendyDales

from what I can remember at that particular time I was getting groin pain in the opposite side to my hip replacement ( right hip replaced end of June ) . I thought that it may be due to the physio exercises and that I perhaps was overdoing things but after a week or so and getting used to doing the physio it gradually disappeared. It may also have been down to the underuse of certain muscles that had been weakened over time before the op. Have you started any sessions with a physiotherapist yet? If so, then it might be worth having a word with him/her or contact the hospital department where you had your surgery done.

I took pain relief to help ease the ache/tenderness where the wound was and to ease any discomfort when doing the physio exercises.

It is still very early days for you and everyone is different in how long it takes to heal, so be patient, keep positive and it will get better.

Please keep us posted on your progress. Take care.🙂

WendyDales

@Fran54 thank you so very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer 🙂

This is really useful and gives me hope. How are you doing now? I bet it seems like a while ago! It has already gone fast for me in such a short amount of time.

I perhaps have walked too far but didn't think I was overdoing it. I have been walking with a limp and with a bad gait which affected the way I stood for over a year so I'm wondering if it is underuse of some muscles. I hope so!!

Do you mind me asking how long you took painkillers for? I've been trying to knock them back a bit so I'm not addicted and that 'other things' start working (the lactulose seems to only do so much haha).

I have made a physio appointment with a private physio and my first session is Thursday. The NHS don't as a rule provide the physio for hips I'm told. So, I'll definitely ask her!

Thanks again and hope you are doing really well 🙂

Nurina

Firstly, it's still early days. And secondly, that frustration is one of the most common things we share here. We don't understand why the pain is not gone anf sometimes it gets worse. Everything around your hip is changing and adapting to a new situation. After a long time of not using some muscles to avoid the pain, finally you are using them. As you move more you'll feel more pain but it's normal. It's part of the process. Believe me because I didn't believe it either when it happened to me and I asked the same here, but it's true. Anyway, follow your physio guidelines they know what is happening to you and how to fix it. Good luck

alwayssewing

@WendyDales as others have said it is still very early days. I had both hips replaced this year . I can't stress enough how important regular pain relief is in the first six weeks or so. You will notice a difference around the six week mark and you may feel able to cut down on frequency slowly. Listen to your body.

I found my right leg (second op) was different in terms of recovery . I had a different physiotherapist and he gave me a couple of tougher exercises which I found too painful in the early weeks. Someone on here advised cutting down on repeats and build up slowly. It worked.

I had my ops done at a private hospital via the nhs and physio was part of the package from day one. I would query what you were told, it does not seem right. Physiotherapy is a necessary part of recovery.

Fran54

@WendyDales

It is just over 4 months now since my hip replacement and overall I am feeling fine with no pain at all in that hip. I do need the other hip to be done and hope to hear in about 6 months time as to when it can be done. The consultant told me that he didn't want to go ahead until my right hip had the time to fully heal. Before my op. I was limping badly as my right leg was shorter than my left and I had the "Trendelenburg gait". I am still having physio ( this was part of my package upon leaving the hospital ) which has helped me immensely but my left knee up to my hip on the outside area is now aching and sometimes gives way slightly, so that does slow me down a bit with my walking and I still use a walking stick when outside especially when around lots of people. As @alwayssewing has stated I would check with the hospital as I would have thought they would have arranged physio for you. I was told at my pre-assessment that I would be given physio after being discharged from hospital.

I hope that you get on alright at your physio appointment tomorrow and please let us know how you get on.🙂

WendyDales

Thank you so very much for your answers - this helps more than you can know! To hear from people who've been through this is invaluable 😘 It's the first time I've ever had anything major done so I'm second-guessing everything - the hospital was amazing but the aftercare could be better (I hate to say that as they were lovely when I was in there but I guess they can only do what resources allow!).

@Nurina - thank you and yes, you are spot on haha. Frustration/lack of patience are definitely things I suffer from! I've been SO keen to get my life back and don't want to have gone through this for nothing or to have things scuppered. I need to chill. The physio confirmed that pain is normal and as you said - muscles are adapting. It is normal - phew! Thank you and hope you're on track 😍

@alwayssewing That's good advice. Two hips! Wow, I imagine that's been some hard work. I have started to cut back on the medication - I've got morphine and codeine which I'm a little worried about becoming reliant on. It's hard to know what to do for the best. Did you stay on the 'hard' drugs all the way to the 6 week mark do you mind me asking? The physio was good and gave me some exercises today which did hurt but I'm going to see how I go. Eeek! She did say that if I struggle to start with fewer reps. Thanks for your help 😍

@Fran54 Well done for getting to 4 months 😃 I really hope you get the other one done soon. I'm hoping for myself that I can get away without the other one having anything done for a while but very aware that it's been doing ALL the work for at least a good year! That makes sense to use your stick - I understand that, it's partly about balance too isn't it - I have found that my confidence in my balance is much less now. I hadn't heard about that type of gait. I hope the physio helps. I developed a gait, which I may have had for some time (the consultant thinks I may have had dysplasia which caused the arthritis). I have walked badly (titled forward and with legs/knees and feet inwards) for about 18 months probably. When the physio saw me today she noted that I am still likely walking how I did before the operation. Basically, I have muscle memory about the way I have been walking with arthritis and the muscles area weak in addition to this. So she's given me a specific set of exercises to strengthen a core muscle down my leg and with my glutes. This should help with my walking gait. Maybe similar to yours I'm unsure. But it seems physio is the way ahead!

The NHS did 'relent' and I have not got a physio appointment with my local GP surgery for two weeks time. However, they said that they don't normally provide physio for hips - just knees as they are more complex. However, given I was quite fit before my op, my job (which has elements of driving and walking) and my keenness they said they would look at providing something. But otherwise, no. Which does seem crazy! As the private physio said to me today, she started in the NHS many years ago and they always provided physio from about 2 weeks until recovery. As she said - they spend about 16K giving you an operation and then don't follow it up with crucial physio which just causes issues later down the line. She said that I've come to her at the right time. Some folk wait 7 -8 months and it's a lot harder to fix the things they are doing wrong. As it was, I wasn't doing the original exercises they gave me from the hospital quite right (my bad habits creeping in!) and she's given me new exercises to deal with my particular issues. She thinks that as we have caught things early that I may only need 4-5 sessions with her and I can get back to walking pain free - horrah! But she noted that I have some key muscles which aren't making just of the new hip and they need to step up! As in - I need to go through the pain to make them work again haha.

So all in all, I am aching today BUT I'm now feeling this isn't something to worry about so much - thank you for your kind advice. I'm lucky that I have the money to see the private physio. I will go and see the NHS one to see what they have to say too.

I'll have something new to worry about tomorrow I'm sure haha! 😍 Good luck all!

Nurina

@WendyDales I'm with you.

NHS Wales doesn't refer to physiotherapy anymore. They said "we'd only need the exercises in the booklet". I know THR has an easy recovery in terms of "you will not be in pain and you'll be able to do "normal" things". The protocol is based on average patients 20 years older than me and maybe my "normal" things are different.

I had a private surgery (long story) for my first hip and it came with unlimited physiotherapy. After the surgery, I was doing the booklet exercises but after two weeks, they were far too easy for me. In my first visit to my physio he said "these exercises are for the average age of people much older than you, and they don't work for you" and he gave me different exercises like lounges, squats, and a theraband. For around 6 months, he was observing my gait and giving me exercises to correct my tilted pelvis, my knocked knees and many other problems due to the my long term OA. Sadly, I couldn't continue because the other leg was very bad and he couldn't do more for me.

I'm having my next surgery in NHS and I'll ask for physiotherapy because I need it. If they give me a photocopy and send me home, I'll pay for private physiotherapy because I want to be as good as I can and it's not like I have to rob a bank to pay it.

Take care. Be patient. X

Juester

I’m 3 weeks into my THR and did get groin pain which worried me but I can safely say that this has now gone. Prior to my op my consultant sent me a link to versus arthritis pre hip replacement exercises which I did every day along with walking as much as I could and yoga. I have done all post op exercises given to me and can now walk around the house without crutches though I’m not confident enough to do without them outside I still use one. The worst thing that I think is the sleeping on my back I tend to wake up every couple of hours and can’t get back to sleep so I get up and have a walk around the house which helps me fall back to sleep I’m really looking forward to not having to wear the compression socks as I wake up thinking that my calf is being strangled. The weather forecast for next week is colder and frosty with a chance if snow so I will be staying in as my big fear is falling. All in all I’m glad I had the THR and would advise anyone to have this done the first week is awful but luckily my husband told me to ring him (he slept in another room) if I needed him during the night which I did often so he was shattered too but once we got through this everything was fine.

Fran54

@WendyDales

I am glad that your physio appointment went okay and you will now be feeling more positive about your progress. I am sure that you will soon start to feel the benefits of the exercises. Each time I am given new exercises they do feel hard to start with and make me ache, but I start off doing the minimum and gradually increase them and that seems to work for me. I have had to adapt one slightly as my left knee protests but at least I am doing something rather than nothing!

Keep well and keep moving! 🙂

Fran54

@Juester

You are doing really well for 3 weeks and walking round the house unaided is brilliant. Sleeping on your back can be a discomfort but the time will soon pass. I still sleep on my back as yet I cannot get comfortable lying on my unoperated side and have not slept on the other side for many years. Yes I could not wait to get rid of the compression sock especially as the weather was really warm when I wore mine. Mind you it might keep your leg warm in the colder weather! Talking of colder weather on the way I was told to err on caution by my consultant and will definitely not be going out in the inclement weather as I also have fear of falling over.

Please keep us updated on your progress and any questions don't be afraid to ask as there are plenty of us hippies on here to help. 🙂

Janlyn

@WendyDales I'm late responding but agree with comments already made. You are doing well - it's early days.

I had my THR 11 months ago and you could almost be writing about me. I found that the groin and glute pain I had was due to not having used them properly for so long whilst waiting for surgery. It took a long time, physio, and then a lot of work to get back to what is now around 11,000 steps a day with no problems.

I have found that I still have to be careful not to do too much at once though. I learned not to overdo the walking or exercise but to take regular breaks and I was also told I had probably never walked properly since I had a cartilage operation when I was a child. My operated foot pointed inwards and I was told to walk by consciously putting my heel down, then side of foot and finally ball/toes and that actually did improve my walking and I had much less pain. In a way it's trial and error as you don't know how much is too much until it is too much.

I've learned to take it easy the day after if I overdo it and that usually works. Although I thought I was fully recovered at three months it was amazing how much progress I made by six months and then again now, I actually now realise I had been going downhill for a long time pre-op but pushing myself to run/walk. Now I'm slowly getting back to where I was and feeling much, much stronger and in control of my legs, which I can't say I was in the beginning.

Slow and steady progress is much better than trying to rush it and concentrating on posture is so helpful. You'll get there, I'm sure, but it really does take time. The positive is that after the first few weeks the pain from the surgery does wear off and you do feel so much better.

Take care

Twig

@WendyDales @Nurina @Janlyn @Fran54 @Juester

Jwanted to thank you all for your posts. I had right THR on 28 October. Im doing the standard post op exercises and walking. Yesterday did 1.5k may have over done it a bit. Prior to surgery I was still going to gym (albeit in discomfort) to do as much rehab as possible. My hip deteriorated quickly as in January was skiing! and by August told needed total replacement. Even though I thought I had still exercised and used my glutes I obviously hadn’t been as I have a lot of glute and quad pain and stiffness and pain down the side of my calf but it’s improving. A weird thing I noticed yesterday was a feeling of a slight popping or creaking in my groin anyone else had this did make me feel quite strange had to have a lie down.

I’ve had private treatment as was told NHS wait likely to be 1 year plus I wouldn’t be able to walk by then and my GP said no physio on NHS post surgery

thanks once again for all the helpful information and support it’s so helpful to read the journey and experience of others

Janlyn

@Twig It's early days for you so maybe you have overdone it? I was definitely told little and often rather than longer walks/too much exercise all in one go. Definitely if I walked 1.5k I would have been in pain and limping, setting off the muscular issues. My physio said 3 ten minutes walks was okay - half an hour in one go was not. I think I remember some popping/creaking but I don't seem to get that now.

It's scary how quickly we deteriorate from being superfit to needing surgery. A shame physio has been stopped too as it is so important and difficult to know yourself what you need to do. I have been going to a chiropractor and his exercises for me are spot on. I just go every two or three months now but find it really worthwhile. We don't always realise when we aren't walking properly and that's when problems can start.

alwayssewing

@WendyDales I'm glad to hear you are having physio. After a bit of a wobble at around 2 or 3 weeks about taking the codeine with my 2nd THR I did take the codeine and naproxen regularly but cut back to one codeine two or three times a day.

My prescription was for one or two taken 3 or 4 times a day for the first 4 weeks. It was too much for me. I slowly cut back to 2 times a day then just one at night. It wasn't long but I can't remember how long till I stopped them. I also have very advanced OA in my knees so that may have been the source of some of the pain.

Now I take a codeine on the odd night when the pain in my knees stops me sleeping, about once a fortnight ISH. I only take the naproxen when I have a flare and paracetamol won't work.

I hope this information helps a bit.

WendyDales

@Nurina Thank you for your reply. That's actually a really good point. I'm 52 and got arthritis at aged 50 as a fit and healthy outdoorsey middle-aged women. I was previously doing quite a lot and want to get back to that. Which (and I appreciate this is an assumption and not necessarily the same for all) might be different to a 70-year-old. The point it though - we are all very different so a booklet isn't going to suit all of us the same. As it happens, one of the people in the hospital with me has had issues with an infection and has to go back to see the consultant a few times - he said he'd sort physio for her. Seems it's a bit hit-and-miss where I am to be honest! Anyway, like you, I am lucky enough to be able to pay for my physio - I'm not rich but I can afford to pay and it's important to me to get the best care I can. I wish you the absolute best with your next operation, keep us posted xx

WendyDales

@Juester I'm just behind you! It's just over three weeks for me now too. My husband is still in the other room! The side I normally sleep on is not accessible as it's a small gap and he won't swap sides haha. That's amazing you did the pre-exercises - I am now wishing I had… I can walk with one stick but today I struggled to do a short walk even with two sticks. It seems to be quite bad now and I'm not sure if it's because I've knocked back my medication (I've literally just done my first day without morphine) or the physio is too much. I'm determined to do the exercises though. I'm lucky in that sleeping on my back isn't too bad although I sometimes get a HUGE urge to turn over! Still too painful to sleep on my bad side and a bit scared to go onto the other side..even with a pillow. I never had the compression socks - I'm thinking that I might be lucky haha.

I absolutely understand that fear in falling. Best to stay safe. It sounds like you're doing amazingly well and have done everything right. I appreciate you telling me how you are doing, thank you. I hope you keep on the up! Take care x

WendyDales

@Fran54 Thank you! I am struggling at the moment. I'm unsure if it's the physio or the fact I'm cutting down on my meds. You are right, maybe I need to cut back on the physio but I'm just SO KEEN to do the right thing haha. I went out for a walk earlier and walked less further than I could about one week after the op. I have terrible muscular pain now in my hip and bum. But maybe it's just that my body is missing the morphine! I will perhaps do as you say, and just take the physio easier. Thanks for the help and I hope your knee plays ball and you can keep going xx

WendyDales

@Twig Oh my goodness! I thought my hip deteriorated quickly but that is FAST. Yes, you'd have had to wait a good while for the NHS so you did right. I did consider it but funds just weren't there for me but I don't blame you. And yes, physio is sketchy at best on the NHS. They do their best I guess. And you had your operation on the same day as me! I could NOT walk that far at all though so you are doing well but as other say, maybe it's a little too far.

I've had a bit of the same kind of thing with popping - well not popping - just like something isn't right and today I could barely walk any distance. A lot of pain in my hip and butt but the physio exercise I've been given targets this area - this is the area I got pain in when I hard arthritis. Also, I am cutting back on my meds. No more morphine as of today and trying to cut back on codeine. I've had a few unwanted side effects from that!

I hope you continue to do well but as others have said - take it easy! I've heard quite a few tales of people being super keen and then overdoing it a bit. All the best 😊

WendyDales

@alwayssewing Thank you, that massively helps! I have been trying to cut out the medication this week. I have cut back on the morphine and today was my first day without any. And also now have about 3 -4 (15mg each) codeine tablets along with 1 naproxen (which I was on for arthritis before) and parcetamol. I did have a few withdrawal type symptoms and still am doing so. So stopping is a good thing but I am in quite a lot of muscular pain today. Not sure if this is the withdrawal from the drugs or the physio I'm doing or… But I am just over 3 weeks so maybe this is the time period you have mentioned. It's all very up and down isn't it! Maybe I just struggle with pain, I don't think I'm a natural haha. Onwards and upwards I guess…. Thanks very much for your help, it is very much appreciated x

WendyDales

@alwayssewing @Fran54 @Twig @Janlyn @Juester @Nurina

It is slightly depressing that I was able to move about more and in slightly less pain with arthritis! But I know I should be patient…I think…. 😁 Right? Sorry, just feeling a bit fed up with it all when I could barely walk 5 minutes today and now walking around the house like I'd just had the operation again 😓

Janlyn

@WendyDales I remember feeling how you are feeling now - it's a bit of a roller coaster for a while. Learning how much is enough and how much is too much, and sometimes it's just trial and error. It does get better, but it takes time and doing the right exercises - you'll get there 😊

Nurina

I used to say that it's three steps forwards and two backwards but you are moving. Don't despair because you'll be fine soon. As @Janlyn said it's just trial and error and it's difficult to measure how much is enough. I had very bad moments during my recovery. I had the same pain in my back and groin as before the surgery. I cried a lot because of the pain and the frustration but it passed and your pain will pass too.

alwayssewing

@WendyDales I use magnesium lotion for muscle pain. Mine is called Better You body lotion from Amazon. It isn't cheap but it lasts quite a while. You can apply it as often as you need to. Just avoid putting it on your wound till properly healed.

I saw a good tip on here about walking. Don't focus on distance, focus on time. It made sense because I walked slowly to start with. I noticed after a little while of managing 20 minutes that I was walking a greater distance.

Do you have any sitting hobbies ? I knit, crochet and sew by hand and machine but I found colouring books for adults a soothing pastime. Probably because I did a lot as a child, we rarely had a tv.

Fran54

@WendyDales

for me I am finding that it is best just to take each day at a time and there will be good and bad days. After about 3 weeks I was only doing short walks and found it easier to focus on the distance and just increase it gradually each day. Everyone is different and you have to do what your body will let you do. Some days after doing my physio I found I was in more discomfort then I perhaps would walk less or even not go out for a walk that day. I know it is frustrating and we all need lots of patience but get there in the end!

One good thing round about that time was getting rid of the surgical stocking and finishing the blood thinning injections. I felt that I had really achieved something and one less chore to do!☺️

WendyDales

@Janlyn, @Nurina

Thank you both, yes, ups and downs - I was feeling quite positive only a few days ago now not so much. I have to believe you though and appreciate your kind words and encouragement. I've had a few tears today. It's the whole thing isn't it, it just gets to you. The whole not being able to drive, not being able to wear shoes that don't slip on, dropping things constantly haha and then having to rely on others for so much stuff. You've been waiting for this thing to happen (the operation) and think it will solve all the problems you've had for over a year or so and then you are almost wishing for you to be back with arthritis, it was easier. BUT patience isn't a virtue of mine though haha.

How long did it take for things to improve may I ask? I very much appreciate your support, it really helps to have help from people who've been through the same things, thank you 😍 I know I'm lucky - the arthritis has gone. I need to keep thinking about that!