Cannot lift my leg after hip replacement

From what I have read and experienced, it’s a pretty common issue. I don’t know what they damage in there but it’s very common for people to have difficulty raising a foot after hip replacement. I had hip replacement 2009 and revision in 2019. I still have issues raising my left foot.
I can raise it. But it is still weak and painful.

Thanks @7797

You raise a good point about all joint replacements - these joint capsules include or are near to blood vessels and nerves. The surgeon creates "landmarks" for these ahead of doing the real work of joint replacement so they can be avoided.

As careful as they are, there is still a pretty good possibility that a nerve will get irritated. Most times this is temporary, and fades over the year after surgery. Inability to raise a foot after a hip replacement is possible, but I think it's rare.

I've had both knees replaced, and the skin right on my knees felt numb to the touch for 4 to 6 months. Everything is fine now.

And muscle strength and coordination can also be affected and hopefully addressed via PT and the passage of time. I had my left shoulder replaced 2.5 months ago. Recovery is going really well and I'm at that stage of recovery where I'm rebuilding strength. I just noticed this week that it's very hard to button a shirt! This is a result of the surgery, and again, with PT and time it will resolve.

Anything that creates serious pain or impairment, as kdbee describes to open this thread, requires the attention of the surgeon asap.

90 to 95% of patients are happy with the results of joint replacement - primarily the pain relief. These are still major surgeries, and while the surgeon and surgical team make every effort to do things perfectly, that doesn't always happen.

So if you're suffering after a joint replacement, and it isn't what you were told to expect, please get in touch with your surgeon asap.

All the best to current and future joint replacement recipients! It has become very advanced with computer assisted devices and new, modern, sophisticated implants. The most important parts are 1) finding a good surgeon and 2) doing all the pre-op and post-op work for a good recovery.

Joe

Hi there
I had total right hip replacement….. I cried when I went to rehab because for the life of me I never thought I would be able to step up on a step ever again…or lift my leg. Hospitals have rehab which I will be forever grateful for. I had no idea about needing rehab or that the hospital covers this afterwards.
You could go to the pool and do laps .. ask them for a step in the pool so you can without weight start stepping up and down
At home do some squats small ones, step side to side , leg raises , legs to side raises , knee raises,
It took me 6 months of rehab twice a week. Even now I find it hard to get up and down off the toilet sometimes depending how low they are.
I was in a lot of pain due to them cutting the muscle up the middle then reattaching it back to the rump area. Took another year to feel normal but that was only due to massage every week. There is also a muscle that is near the groin to go in upwards at the front that felt soooooo tight. It wasn’t until a little chimes lady just about killed me and got it to release that I started to come good.
I hope this helps…take care

You didn't say if you went through rehab PT or did your exercises. But you will NEED to do that if you are an older person. Get back into PT or Rehab. Also to be sure the scar tissue hasn't become a problem. good luck.

Hey! Very curious of how you are doing now? Any change? Any answers?

When I was reading your post, I was thinking gosh! I don’t remember posting this a year ago? WORD for WORD!

I had my total hip replacement January 2024. Have not been able to lift my leg since. I have been through multiple scans, including dozens of X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. I had a revision April 2025 with a new surgeon…. ZERO change. Waste of time and hard recover.

Just had another MRI last night. I’m in so much pain when I try to lift my leg when laying or sitting and, It won’t budge! I can walk but also can’t lift my leg to put my pants on unless I physically lift it. Same with the car. I can climb stairs but it’s painful.

My new surgeon (6th one in 2 years) thinks I need to have my Psoas tendon cut completely. The MRI will help confirm this decision.

Please let me know what you have found out! Praying you are better and got some answers.

Oh! I am 38 now. I have been doing intense PT for the last 10 months. Did PT for 6 months after the first surgery 2x a week. I have had injections and taken meds that my pain management thought would help. Nothing worked.

I have these symptoms and more. I have femoral nerve damage from my first hip replacement in 2023. I had to have a revision last year. I still have permanent femoral nerve damage from the first surgeon. My muscles in my upper leg are very weak and now fat infiltrated from not receiving a signal from the nerve. I have been going to PT the better part of 2 years trying to get strength back to my upper leg so I can walk without a cane. I live in constant pain in these muscles and painful muscle spasms. I am trying steroid injections in the worst muscles. I have had a bit of relief. It is a tough road but I refuse to stay inactive. Exercising helps albeit temporarily and it helps me mentally. Good luck to anyone experiencing this. You have to keep advocating for yourself.

At some point, suggest getting a high-platform walker for the neighborhood. Your PT facility should have one you could try when ready. Very stable and helps keeps posture correct.

I had this problem and did PT for months until I could lift my leg enough to get in our van . It is still more difficult and slower when I lift that leg but pain has gone after two years. It took a lot of work to get to this point. Best of luck.

Yes. Be careful, because in my case, not being able to lift the leg was followed by not being able to walk. I walk a bit and then it feels like the leg is on fire and can't keep going. It was a slow decline. I can no longer shop or walk my therapy dog. Literally have no quality of life. I suggest, you continue to monitor what your body tells you and do not let the doctors tell you about your own body as they know more than you do on what is what. Never let them gaff you off either.

@palmat47
I have had both hips replaced at different times. 2023 I had R hip replaced and afterwards could not lift my leg. I did a lot of PT my pain was from femoral nerve being injured in some way. For 2 years I couldn't lift the leg, but finally some of it came back. I can lift it a foot or so from the floor. I recommend exercise in water, in a spa pool (with s warm temperature) I continued to do exercises that would help me. hope something works for you. The worst for me is nerve pain long.....recovery.