Hip replacement complication

Posted by bselby @bselby, Jul 7 5:14pm

Hello,
My sister had a THR, anterior approach, 20 days ago and was transferred to a SNF four days later not able to lift her leg. She can bend her toes, but leg is numb and can only move it to the side. She gets PT twice a day, and they scoot her foot forward to take a step. She can't make a step alone.
She hasn't seen her surgeon since pre-op, although he did call to tell her she had extensive damage and recovery would be rough.
Now she's being prepped for release in a wheelchair and her husband is scheduled for training on how to care for her.
This seems very unusual and would be interested to hear of experiences with (hopefully) short term inability to lift leg post op.

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tessie | @tessie | Jul 12 10:57am

I presume the surgeon hit nerves. I hope she isn't permanently damaged. The THP for me has taken longer to recuperate than I thought. In 5-months with swelling. Blessings.

hyde3357 | @hyde3357 | Jul 13 6:55am

I am 4 and 1/2 months post op anterior THR and I still have trouble lifting my leg as high as my other leg. It was extraordinarily difficult the first two months but I went home from the hospital. Now I am working on lifting my leg thankfully without pain. No one said anything to me other than weakness is expected despite the fact I pre habbed and rehabbed continuously. I was told you have to retrain the muscles to respond and I believe there is something to that. I would ask the surgeon what he or she meant by “extreme damage” and to what specifically.

hyde3357 | @hyde3357 | Jul 13 7:01am

Also I would add that I think there are differences in anatomy which affect the process from person to person.

There is too much hype about how there is little pain and swift recovery which may be the case for many but isn’t for everyone. Everyone is different and I had a lot of pain for the first 3 1/2 months which is like what happened with my knee replacements. So I wasn’t particularly alarmed.
I read a study recently which said that there were differences between anterior recoveries based upon use of cement versus cement less, and also type of angle of the implant.
So obviously they know there are differences in how the body reacts and they are just looking for explanations.
Here’s hoping your sister gets better but I wouldn’t be too impatient at 20 days. It took me 3 and 1/2 months to feel I could use my leg without pain.

robdene | @robdene | Jul 13 10:16am

Yes! Yes! Yes! to this comment: “There is too much hype about how there is little pain and swift recovery which may be the case for many but isn’t for everyone.” Hyde3357! It seems that everyone from PT folks, friends, even a famous meteorologist on national television said that it is a piece of cake! It wasn’t and hasn’t been a “piece of cake” for 10 months! Even my PT said in the pre op exam, “you will be back in the gym in a month!”😳 I am now back in the gym at 10 months post surgery but it’s painful and I don’t yet trust my hip to “stay put.” I’ll get there with perseverance, but not because someone told me it would be a “walk in the park!”

I know that it’s a bit of a tight rope walk in encouraging others through hard times, so let’s be careful that we are frank in our conversations, saying what we know to be true and compassionate without placing expectations on others that might not be within their ability to reach.

I am stepping down off of my soapbox, now! 🤗

It’s so much more beneficial to the patient to say things like, “it’s not easy,”
“ you will need to go at your own pace in recovery,”
“it looks differently for everyone, but you can get through this,”
“I want to support you on this journey. How can I help you?”

kdbee | @kdbee | Aug 11 1:46pm

In reply to @robdene "Yes! Yes! Yes! to this comment: “There is too much hype about how there is little..." + (show)

Hi, I had a TRHR in September 2023 so next month will be one year. I still cannot lift my leg without pain. It kind of worries me. I can go up stairs, but when I am sitting I can’t lift it without manually helping lift it. How are you? It sounds like we had them replaced around the same time. Can you lift your leg up easy and without pain?

itnoc | @itnoc | Aug 12 5:45pm

In reply to @kdbee "Hi, I had a TRHR in September 2023 so next month will be one year. I..." + (show)

Where did you have it done and doctors name? I'm shopping for a hip doc in Phoenix.

formerrunner13 | @formerrunner13 | Aug 13 9:24am

My hip replacement and subsequent revision surgery was 3 years ago. The last PT I worked with discharged me after 6 sessions and told me that he did not know why I walk the way I do and that there was nothing more he could do for me. I decided that I would continue to do my own re-hab doing the exercises I was given and working out at the gym. At 3 years post surgeries, my hip is good and my leg works OK. I know that it is weaker than prior to surgery. I use a walker now because I am unstable walking. (I also have neuropathy which is not helpful for walking and balance etc. and do exercises for those issues as well.). I have learned two things which may be helpful for your sister. One is to work toward the pain and to not give up. The second thing is I have learned acceptance. It is difficult sometimes. I named my walker "PITA". most know what that stands for. A little humor goes a long way. I have a dear friend with ALS which helps me put my problems/issues in perspective. I wish your sister the best and am sending tons of support.