1. < Joint Replacements
Profile picture for bselby

Hip replacement complication

Posted by bselby @bselby, Jul 7, 2024

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Profile picture for hyde3357
hyde3357 | @hyde3357 | Sep 27 2:53pm
In reply to @windyl "@hyde3357 I'm4 weeks out from my first Anterior THR and still have a large area of..." + (show)
Profile picture for windyl @windyl

@hyde3357 I'm4 weeks out from my first Anterior THR and still have a large area of swelling, pain and numbness on the lateral aspect of my affected thigh. Your comment about waiting for 3 1/2 months to feel better was both encouraging to me (because I still can have hope to see real improvement-although I am the typically impatient person- I want to see results right now! And actually I already have a lot more mobility) and discouraging, in that I went into this disillusioned with the immediate potential improvement. I am now looking at my second hip being replaced the end of October. It is going to take much more bravery to have the second surgery than it did for the first. I would reconsider if it didn't mean potentially getting me out of a wheelchair and back on my own two feet. You are quite brave to have had knees and now a hip too!

Jump to this post

@windyl I have two hips now, two knees, and a reverse shoulder right. I will say that patience is the key if you have these surgeries. I have no pain and working joints now as opposed to the awful debilitating arthritis I used to have prior to the surgeries. I think it is key to recognize everyone is different, everyone heals at their own rate, and there should be no judgement or criticism if it takes you longer. I am delighted for the people who jump up no meds and start running the next day—if they exist. The majority of humans have different rates of recovery. It’s not a contest but to help you in your life. Just keep going forward and doing your PT with supportive positive medical care. And remember if you’re happy with your progress that’s the best there can be. If your medical professionals can’t share in those gains, find some that do. They exist and acknowledge the differences among us. Best to you.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.