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Hello Sue52, thank you for sharing more about your experiences with your hip surgery and some of the complications you are experiencing as a result. I see that you also posted in a discussion about Scoliosis, so it is good that you are finding discussions relevant to your issues.
I am sorry that you are experiencing some frustrating side effects as a result of your hip replacement. One thing that I learned from my own total right knee replacement is that muscles weaken quickly. For me, when I had my knee replaced, my muscles shrunk at an alarming rate and that caused my recovery to be much slower, as well as creating an unequal balance of muscle between my two legs which caused me to compensate more with one side. So even though I had a knee replacement, my ankles, calves, and hips were also effected. It took time, but eventually things got much better and evened out.
If you are concerned about an infection, I recommend contacting a physician immediately as that is not something that can be diagnosed by another member on Connect and can be a serious complication. In the mean time, I would like you to meet @grandmacheryl, @rspaulling, @popolopo, @leigh60, and @tallteri who have all had hip replacements and may be able to offer some thoughts on how long the recovery took and what to expect.
@sue52, has your scoliosis and back pain increased since your hip replacement? How much were you able to walk and waitress before the hip replacement and has that changed significantly since the replacement?
Replies to "Hello Sue52, thank you for sharing more about your experiences with your hip surgery and some..."
Hi, Sue52! I also suffer horribly from adult onset scoliosis (and rheumatoid arthritis). I had so much pain that I could barely walk from one room of my house to the next two years ago. The ortho doctors at Mayo recommended spine surgery to fuse my back from the shoulder blades to the pelvis. I was terrified of the potential risks. After researching on my own (I am a former professor!!), I found a local practitioner who is HIGHLY trained in "Rolfing" or Structural Body Integration" (terms vary depending where the person was certified from). She gave me 10 treatments that worked on releasing the muscles around the spine.....it helped immensely. I have repeated that process four times -- and my Mayo MRI actually shows a positive difference!!!! I can now walk short distances -- I still use a small electric scooter called a "Luggie" (look that up too -- it is amazing!), but I have my life back again! I still have some pain with good days and bad days, but this process has made a world of difference for me. I hope that you can find someone nearby to where you live -- I am in Iowa, and there are several practitioners around our state. This does cost about $1400 for the 10 treatments, but it is a LOT cheaper than the co-pay on a huge spine surgery -- and it is totally safe. You have nothing to lose except money and you have a huge gain waiting for you if you go through this process! Best wishes!!!!! VickieKay
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Yes my scoliosis pain has increased a lot. Talked to my OS and he told me to wait until April until I do anything about it. Was told years ago to avoid having surgery for it because of a 85% chance of paralysis. Have done pretty good except for the past year and a half. Did start going to a. Chiropractor about the scoliosis have had a lot of relief in the upper back. Low back improved some what. He knows about my hip and has a CD of my recent X-rays. I was a waitress for the past 12 years. Worked at a local diner where you were a server hostess dishwasher. You name it we did it. I always had a problem that if I twisted my back just a little three days later I would be in severe pain and would get an inflammation. That's what happened last June. Did get help for it but it didn't help. Worked until end of July when I woke up one morning and couldn't walk on the hip. Before waitressing I was a newspaper carrrier for 12 years. Always kept myself moving. It's hard not being able to do it anymore.