Total Hip Replacement - Post-Op Cramping in Gluteus Muscle(s)

@heyjoe15 Kudos on the new hip, I'm glad you're doing well. It sounds like you might have a femur ball not quite settled in the new cup, good thing you have an x-ray in a few days. Be sure to mention it to your surgeon.

I had a similar sensation with one of my hips early on, but only when I rotated my body a certain direction. The pain soon stopped, but I was aware of the feeling for nearly a year. My surgeon attributed it to a loose tendon that had to tighten up. All is still goo now 14 years later.

Thanks very much Sue. Your suggestion that the new joint hasn't quite "settled" yet makes sense. I am seeing my surgeon this Thursday for my first post-op visit. They will do an Xray and I'll discuss what's happening.

Im not terribly concerned. It feels weird for a moment, like the hip is dislocating - but that would cause significant pain and immobility, so the hip joint is fine.

For the last 3 or 4 months, I was limping a lot because of the pain in my groin caused by the arthritic hip. That may have shortened one or more of my gluteus muscles. I have started to gently stretch those muscles by placing my right foot on my left knee and leaning slightly forward. (And I spin 5x week so it makes sense that my hamstrings and glutes would be strong - and tight, although I do stretch.)

Thanks again for the quick reply. I'll check back here after I see my Dr. on Thursday.

Joe

@heyjoe415 Hi, Joe. I'm scheduled for hip replacement in May, and am so relieved to read that at 2 weeks you are getting along well and doing PT at home. That is what my surgeon says my recovery should be like. This will be my first major surgery since my organ transplant in 2009, so I am a bit anxious about having another surgery plus recovery.
I am looking at anterior hip surgery with going home the same day. Was yours anterior procedure? Did you stay overnight or go home? Do you feel that your pain was well controlled?

Hi there Rosemary!

I truly believe you will find a hip replacement easier to recover from than an organ transplant.

To answer your questions - most procedures allow you to go home the same day, I did. After surgery and before you are released, a PT will come and show you how to get around with a walker, and then she or he will give you a list of at-home exercises. Please be very diligent about these.

(And cushion your expectations. My surgery and recovery went as well as they possibly could. We're all different!)

I did have an anterior incision. That way no muscles are cut and recovery is much faster than a posterior or lateral approach.

I did take oxycodone for two days and then stopped that. Your surgeon will also likely prescribe Celebrex to be taken with Tylenol 3x/day. But yes, post-op pain was well managed. Also, I tend to handle pain better, so don't be surprised if you need to stay on stronger painkillers longer.

I hope that helps and I wish you all the best. If you have more questions, don't hesitate!

Joe

Hi Joe. I like hearing all of the positive aspects of this procedure from patients, as well as the individual tips related to one's own experience. So much of what I am hearing is just as the surgeon has told me, so I feel ready-to-go, especially on my most uncomfortabledays. I will be seeing surgeon a few days ahead of the procedure, and feelo better prepared to discuss my concerns with him. I'm not sure which pain medications I will be able to take, but I will be discussing that with them, too, as I will be doing the hip locally, and not near Mayo where I had my transplant surgery.
I hope that you continue to do well with your recovery and the progress to your favorite activities. I look forward to walking without pain, and, in time, hiking again. What are you looking forward to doing with your new hip?

The greatest thing, truly, is the complete absence of pain in my groin, just over the hip. I was limping, it affected my gait, it affected everything. 4 weeks after surgery now, and all the pain is gone. I was also very diligent in doing all the relatively easy rehab exercises. Easy, but very, very important to a good recovery.