Total Hip replacement pain - THR
Comments
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@alwayssewing Thank you! I will look for this on Amazon. It would really help if I could just tone the muscle pain down a bit.
That's a good tip. I tend to walk out at speed (I used to walk very fast in the good old days!) and perhaps I should just walk slowly and time myself rather than worry about how far I'm going. Quality over quantity haha! Thanks, great tip.
As it happens a colleague bought me a colouring book! As a child I loved colouring books. I should try it! I do a lot of photography and social media so I can spend hours on my laptop but these are still kind of work stuff. Maybe something like you suggest will help. I hope you have had a good day and enjoy your lovely hobbies x1 -
@Fran54 Bless you, thank you. Surgical stockings and blood thinner injections? Both sound horrendous! Well done for that. I was lucky not to have socks and I'm on tablets.
Thank you, these are good tips re the walking. I decided to not do the physio today as I wanted to see if it would make any difference. It seems to be causing the pain but I don't want to stop doing them for obvious reasons. I think my muscles and walking ended up being quite poor before the surgery. I have pain in the same places I had arthritis and still walking with a bad gait. Would you recommend keeping going with the physio, does it get easier?
How far along are you now, Fran? I hope you had a good day 😍0 -
Unless you are in a lot of pain/discomfort when doing your physio, personally I would say carry on doing it. I was away for a few days last month and although I did quite a lot of walking each day I did not do much physio. Upon returning home and starting again I did find myself feeling quite stiff and had to build up the repeats again. Hopefully you will start to feel the benefits of exercising but if you have any problems it might be worth talking to your physiotherapist at your next session whenever that is.
With this colder/icy weather I am not going out walking so much but do my physio everyday and am also more active indoors now and am feeling much stronger in myself. When out shopping I find that I don't get so tired now when walking around and can actually do a bit of retail shopping ( especially with the festive season not far away! ) 🙂
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@Fran54 Thanks, Fran. That's good advice. I did take yesterday off exercises and have eased in a bit today but I do need to be careful not to give it up (I have a lazy tendency!). I'll keep on. I did walk again today and it went better. I am now thinking that I need to take in your and others' good advice - take one day at a time, not beat myself up if the day doesn't quite go to plan and be kind to myself but keep going! I still get tired too but it's interesting to hear that this goes over time too.
Still plenty of time for Christmas shopping! I hope you get that retail therapy 😄0 -
@WendyDales that's a tough question. I found I was on a rollercoaster of making progress and feeling happy and then feeling really fed-up and feeling it was all taking forever. I was lucky in that I was driving after 3 weeks as I have an automatic and my op was on my left side. I walked so, so slowly though. I thought I would never speed up but I did. I think progress generally comes in stages. Around two weeks, then around six weeks, then three months, then six months. Each milestone makes you feel you've made progress but then you realise there's further to go. And actually at nine months I suddenly realised I was stronger than I had been in years, a complete, but welcome, surprise.
I would say it is definitely better to take your time and make a complete recovery than try to rush it. Looking back it was my muscles that needed the work and had I not concentrated on them my recovery wouldn't have been so good. It's easy to walk a little lop-sided as we've been so used to it, but proper posture stops any further damage - you really don't want to have to go through it all again if you don't have to.
Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear but it is frustrating but believe you'll get there - you will.
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@Janlyn Hi there! Sorry for the delay in replying, I don't sign in every day.
I appreciate you coming back to me. I really does help to hear from someone who's gone through it, it helps more than you know 🤗 I want the truth so thank you.
That's exactly how I'm feeling (just coming up to 5 weeks tomorrow that I had the op). Yesterday I was feeling quite upbeat. I've had a few milestones ticked off, managed to get in my own shower over the bath (with help), started to feel more mobile etc. Then I went to the physio and whilst I'm improved, she ratcheted it up a bit and put me through my paces and since then I've been in a bit of pain again. Plus we have identified that I'm walking badly - swinging from side to side and turning my foot in - she gave me quite a ticking off (which is right). This is how I was walking with arthritis and my brain is still there. So she's told me that I need to retrain my brain and muscles. I know what I have to do but suddenly it feels like a massive uphill struggle again and can bring you back down with a bump I'm finding.
So yes! Your words really resonate and have helped me today, thank you. She's told me that I need to walk slowly and concentrate on QUALITY So it sounds very similar to what you went through. It's my muscles that now need the work (and my brain that works them!) which is going to take time. As she said, and you have said, I don't want to go through all of this just to walk the same as I did with arthritis which isn't using my lovely new hip at all!
So thank you SO much. I needed to hear what you have told me. I've heard so many stories before the operation about how it's changed people's lives. They were walking fine after six weeks (etc. etc.) that I think I was under the illusion that once I had the operation I'd be back to how I was in no time. Still, it's not that simple for everyone is it as I've been with arthritis for a year before surgery and…learnt bad habits because of it. And as I'm younger than the average THR patient (52) and previously fit I thought that would mean I'd be hillwalking by now haha. We live and hopefully learn!
I wish you the best and thanks again 😍0 -
@Janlyn I'm going to keep your note somewhere safe to remind me that I WILL get there every time I feel a bit down! Thanks xx
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@WendyDales yes, you will get there, but I know from my own experience that it will take time, and longer than people might expect. Once people see you out and about after surgery they expect it's a quick return to normal. Remember you were super fit before so you want to be super fit again, some people don't aim as high and so reach their 'new normal' fairly quickly. Some people weren't in as bad a place before surgery so they bounce back quickly as their muscles haven't as much work to do to full recovery.
You sound to be so similar to how I was. I do still find if I walk further than usual and faster than usual I can start to walk awkwardly, so I'm constantly telling myself, heel, side, toe with each step to keep myself from turning my foot inwards and limping. We really can't give up on the exercise and effort and when the going gets tough we've to tell ourselves it will be worth it in the end, and it will be.
And thank you so much for your kind words, xx
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@Janlyn Thank you for your encouragement and for taking the time to write down your experience for me. It really does help and it does sound like we are very, very similar. I have had some low periods this week but I'm feeling more positive now - the only way is up (albeit more slowly than I maybe anticipated!).
I agree with everything you said and was warned about this very thing (but still didn't think it would apply to me 😉) - having a higher expectation because I was younger and had been fitter than the average hip replacement patient. Someone who deals with 'hippies' said to me before the surgery that the younger ones can be the worst as they want to get back to how they used to be fast and can overdo it whereas someone who's maybe been in pain but didn't do much before and only wants to potter around finds that they get back to 'their normal' quite quickly. I had an NHS physio appointment this week (that's another story!) and she said to me, 'what are your aims?' I told her how I wanted to walk up one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks with my friend in the spring and that was what I had in my head - me hill walking. Then she said, 'and in the interim….what are your smaller aims? Ha… I then had to say, well, to just be able to walk around my village without a stick and no limp I suppose…
I have seen a few folk out and about too and they do think I'm fine and ask when I'm back at work - just assuming I'm now fit and well! It's not their fault I know but it's a bit frustrating.
You mention limping and your foot turning in? That's exactly what I have! I stoop over (when I had arthritis I couldn't physically stand fully upright at the end) and then walk with my foot turned in! I wondered if it was Trendelenburg's gait but I do like a Google drama so hopefully not! I have been told that my orthopaedics follow-up with an x-ray will look at this. Hopefully, it is just that I was walking so poorly before and can train myself out of it…with …as you say….thinking carefully about every step I take. It made me smile when I read what you said about the heal-to-toe manta - the physio I've been to privately a few times told me this (she was seriously unimpressed by my current walking pattern and I got a telling off and to stop it immediately!).What a journey though! I wonder if I should write about it for the help of others but it seems we all have such different experiences I'm not sure if I'd help anyone at all! But you've helped me, thank you xx
How long is it since your surgery by the way?0 -
@WendyDales The foot inwards or outwards is due to the weaknesses of the muscles, tensors, ligaments… that surround hip and thighs. In around 6 months - 1 year you'll be probably recovered naturally and painless without doing much. For most of people it'd be enough to have a better quality of life, which is the aim of the surgery, but if you want to go further, you'd have to do proper strength exercises like any other person who wants to get fitter. Stop reading Google because it's stressing you out too much. Be patient. You are doing very well, better than the average. Why do you keep thinking that you are having a bad recovery? Maybe you want to run up the mountains at week 5? 😂
Every visit to our physio means a lot of pain with new exercises trying to correct what they've seen with their experience. Our brain has been programmed to compensate our gait to live the rest of our lives. It's stubborn and not used to deprogram what it's supposed it should be there forever. It'll take time to deprogram it but our physios know what they have to do. If you have a Trendelenburg positive, which is a normal thing at your stage, nothing to be afraid of, it's better to get strength before attempting walking long distances that will not benefit you at all. And again, stop Googling every symptom or you will find things that aren't true.
My physio told me that younger patients are difficult because we are strong sometimes reckless, and we can hurt ourselves or delay the healing. I'll tell you that I'm 10 days from my 2nd surgery and I'm trying to walk without crutches unaware of the terrible wound I have on my side. I was told off by my family because my leg gets swollen.
Take care and be patient. X
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@WendyDales We do indeed seem to be very, very similar, and the good news for you is patience should do it. I remember my physio telling me patience was essential to make the best recovery and not just a good enough one. @Nurina makes some very good points above.
Trendelenburg gait is very common - it when your pelvis tilts throwing your balance out. Weak muscles need to be strengthened but they take time. Our bodies are very clever and have adapted to enable us to walk and get about pre-surgery and they then need training to walk properly post-surgery.
My op was 16 December 2023 so very nearly 12 months ago. I was discharged by my surgeon this week and he said he was happy with my hip. I did say I felt my muscles still had a bit more improvement in them and he agreed.
I have been going to a chiropractor for some months now since my physio finished. I would have been happy to continue with a physio but pre-surgery I had been seeing a chiropractor who I trusted and found very helpful, especially explaining why things happened and not just giving me exercises. I had Trendelenburg gait and he gave me specific exercises which really helped. He said in his experience surgeons were happy to see successful X-rays and mobile patients but we can be so much more than that. At two weeks I remember telling my physio that I was happy I'd had the op even if I didn't improve any more as I was already getting about better than I had pre-op and was almost pain free. He replied that he didn't like his patients to be happy so soon as an absolute complete recovery can take anything up to two years, although I would feel I had no more recovery in me after six months. He was absolutely right. After nine months I realised I had improved again and had more strength than I'd had in years.
I am averaging well over 10,000 steps a day and if I'm away from home and exploring I can easily top 20,000 without a problem. That is when I'm stopping for coffees, taking photos, looking in shops and so on. If I try to walk solidly for much more than an hour my foot starts to turn inwards and I get groin and back pain. My chiropractor says his aim is that I can rejoin my walking group and go for three to four hour walks without a problem. That still feels a challenge, although I've been on train journeys around Europe and the UK and managed my luggage and getting myself about very easily - the first time only three months post surgery.
You mention stooping over and I think that is also part of it. I hadn't realised I was doing that until I caught myself on my ring doorbell video and wondered who the old lady was hovering on my doorstep! I'm attempting to stand up straight now and finding it is getting easier. Sitting over a computer for much of the day doesn't help and also being so frightened of falling when I'm out I've been watching the floor. I'm determined to do better though and really all these things are getting easier with time.
I think patience and your physio are going to be your best friends and I'm looking forward to following your progress.
Take care, x
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I had my total hip replacement on 28 Oct so 10 days ago. With the weather subsiding I have now been out for 2 walks on crutches with no problems. However the pain when my hip and bottom are touching the bed is so bad up at 3.30 this morning to go down and sleep in the chair. I have been trying to reduce my painkillers as with sisters as retired nurses, I have been warned about getting hooked. Is this normal as I am not coping
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Good morning @chrissie58 welcome to the online community. I see from your post that you had a THR 10 days ago I take it 28th November?
You sound as though you are doing very well getting out for walks already, but are getting advised by your sisters to try to reduce your painkillers. 10 Days is still very early in your recovery.
This thread is an excellent place to go for advice. This year has very much been the year of the hip replacements on the forum and many of our (affectionately named) 'Hippies' are posting on here.
@Nurina @Janlyn @Fran54 @Trish9556 to name a very few.
My best wishes for a steady and good recovery.
Ellen.
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Thank you @Ellen for the tag.
Chrissie, you will know when you feel comfortable reducing your painkillers, especially at nighttime. Nobody else. You will know when the time is right. You may feel ok during the day taking a lower dose but night time you do need the extra help.
What painkillers are you currently taking?
Trish xx
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I have stopped the morphine as I was advised that this is only for a max of 5 days, reducing the codine as I was told this is what often stops you going to the loo so just ibrophen and paracetamol now
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Make sure when reducing medication, particularly if you have been on a high dose for more than a month, that you reduce it slowly!
If you stop long term medication all at once and suddenly you could experience withdrawal symptoms which you don't need.
When I stopped my long term medication it was one pill at a time spread over weeks so please be careful. I was on the maximum dose of codeine for a long time.
Trish xx
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@chrissie58 Well done for managing to get out for a couple of walks.
I found it easier to sleep in a chair so I had a few sleepless, uncomfortable hours in bed then gave in and got up and immediately fell asleep in the chair with no discomfort so I understand.
I agree with @Trish9556 regarding painkillers - if you need them you need them, especially at night. I actually found I couldn't cope with the constipation or laxatives and stopped codeine after a couple of days. I wasn't given any morphine to bring home so I was on paracetamol and ibuprofen and actually I found they were enough. My pain pre-op was so severe I found it relatively easy to cope with post surgery, but we are all different and need to do what we need to do. I understand you being concerned about addiction but you are aware and as @Trish9556 says you need to come off them gradually.
I hope you start to feel more comfortable soon.
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I took codeine last night before bed and actually slept in my bed all night other than the frequent loo trips 😁 I did not go for a walk yesterday which may have helped but will today. Just need to be aware of overdoing things
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@chrissie58 that's good news - a good night's sleep albeit with frequent loo trips - is really positive. I did wonder whether you had overdone it with the walking and maybe so? It's hard to know in the early days and trial and error is all you can do. Take care.
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Hello @Janlyn, @Nurina and others on the thread now 😍
Big apologies for not coming back sooner. I went down a bit black hole mentally I admit. The whole 'thing' got to me and it was really only when my dear friends called me out on it and with some tough love from them and my husband, I had a word with myself! In hindsight, I don't think I've dealt with the whole thing since I've been given the diagnosis. Then the waiting, the lack of mobility and then finally the operation and recovery - it all just seemed to finally floor me! I didn't want to post here as I feared my negativity would not be good for others.
HOWEVER! I feel I've snapped myself out of the worst of it and physically my recovery is much improved. Maybe they are connected? On Saturday it will be 8 weeks since I had my surgery and for anyone else reading this and worrying - you will start to get there but I am preparing myself for a lot more work!
@Nurina - thank you so much and yes, you are right! I think I've got some work ahead of me, I do want to get back to how I used to be but I do need some patience! How are you doing now? It's not flipping easy, is it! Yes, us younger ones are definitely a pain - I was told that before my surgery but an orthopaedic nurse 😂 Good advice on the Googling. Admittedly since I'm feeling better I've not touched Google. It's good to know the Trendelenburg thing is normal and that it will hopefully go in time with the physio and exercises.
@Janlyn - yes it sounds like the thing I have, thanks for explaining it in so much detail. I am finding now (and this has made me SO VERY HAPPY) is that I do seem to be naturally standing upright - or maybe it's the physio exercises and advice? Thank goodness I've had her! I've been walking further but being so careful to walk with quality rather than distance. At my last visit though she has given me new exercises but said - now you need to get walking! And walking is becoming easier - she's told me to try to walk without my stick and I'm doing that more and more but take a hiking stick with me now just in case as the pain does get bad still. The hiking pole helps me stand upright - top tip for anyone else! Like you, the pain is in my groin and back but also very much in my butt too - so I've been getting lots of glute muscle exercises. I think you're right, my body had learnt to walk a certain way and it's going to not be a quick fix because of this.
It sounds like you are doing fantastically! All that wandering about and 10K steps sounds great and I do think I can maybe join you in that one day - just not let 😏 I bet you will join your walking group - if your guy thinks it's possible then it most certainly is.
I hear you re seeing yourself! I was caught on video a month before my surgery and I was shocked at how awful I looked, it made me cry a bit to be honest but people are starting to say how well I look and whilst I have the inward foot etc. I'm starting to stand tall and that's…priceless.
Patience though hey? And my best friend the physio? She did originally think she'd need to only see me 3-4 times but I guess if I'm expecting to climb Everest soon I may need a few more sessions 😏
It's hard but it gets better I realise now… Good luck to the rest of you. These guys have given you good advice. I'll pitch in where I think I can help!Thank you so very much for everyone's help 😍 x
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@WendyDales - oh that black hole is very easy to fall into. So glad you're back out and making progress.
It's good to hear you accept that you've more work to do because it really does take time and work to reach our potential and I feel sure you will get there and will put the effort in.
Definitely a good idea to take a hiking stick out with you. I did; especially when it was a little wet or I was going where the ground was a little uneven. It's often a confidence thing.
My ring doorbell is being a little kinder to me and standing up straight seems easier, although I am not standing completely straight yet. I feel it's good we are aware as I've been amazed by how many people I have seen walking stooped over and I do feel for them. It must be difficult to correct if we leave it too long.
You might find you find that black hole again but you will find it easier to climb back out or or even recognise it and side-step it. Just think of Spring, not long now, all the little slow bits of progress add up and you consolidate your recovery. Take care and keep us updated, x
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I totally agree with the after care comment. I keep worrying about every little ache and niggle. My only worry is damaging the new hip, that's all. What are the signs if this has happened? I have my 6 weeks check up in a week where I will have my X-ray! Gosh, I hope its all ok in there!
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@Antonia I had my hip replacement 12 months ago but I do remember worrying about every little ache and niggle. I was told it was very difficult to damage a new hip these days. The process is apparently so much better than it used to be. I can't really answer regarding the signs, I remember wondering about that myself, but being told I would definitely know something was wrong. I realise now that the pain I had afterwards wasn't my hip but my groin muscles and glutes as I was now starting to use them properly. I actually think that was where my pain was pre-op when I thought it was arthritic pain. Until I got my muscles working properly I could easily get pain but over the first few months it became less and easier to predict/deal with. Rest at the first sign of any discomfort worked for me.
As it's not long for your X-ray and 6 week check up it's probably a good idea to start collating your worries and questions and get them written down so you don't forget anything on the day.
Wishing you all the very best at your appointment and please let us know how you go on.
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It takes time to heal physically and mentally. In my case, the physical damage was easier to digest than the mental one. At the beginning of the surgery, you are only focused on the pain and the rules bit. We think that once the pain dissappears, we'll be ok, but that's not the case. From week 3-4th, anxiety kicks off because everything is too slow, we are sleep deprived and we want to do more things. @Janlyn is very right with glutes pain. I don't have wound pain but I feel my bum and thighs like I've been climbing the Everest.
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