Cannot lift my leg after hip replacement

Posted by kdbee @kdbee, Aug 11, 2024

I had a hip replacement in September and I still cannot lift my leg if I try it’s painful. I can go upstairs but when seated or lying down I cannot lift it. It’s so heavy, like there is no muscle. And it causes bad pain if I try to raise it. Next month will be a year.
Has anyone else had this problem?

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Profile picture for leannestork @leannestork

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

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@leannestork

If you have to do the other, try finding another surgeon. There are now knee replacement methods that don't involve cutting the tendon and muscle and then having to repair them. One method is "subvastus" which includes the trademarked Jiffy Knee method. A problem with this method is that the field of work and vision is pretty small. A compromise is the "mini midvastus" method which goes through the muscle fibers and under the tendon. Slightly more post surgery pain but a better field of vision.

I was one of the fortunate ones who came out of the surgery without pain (had an RX for Oxycodone but never took a pill). My surgeon used the mini midvastus method and also corrected my severe misalignment with a Functional Alignment. My surgeon did NOT use a tourniquet. Did yours? It might account for the pain under your groin area. I had some of the same experience with my quad muscles. My physical therapist massaged them so hard that we had a conversation about what it is was like to be an acolyte of the Marquis de Sade. I told him I was not on vacation and to keep it up. I am in the middle of my PT but the hard massaging is definitely helping. My ROM is currently at 127.

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Profile picture for morkat @morkat

@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.

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@morkat
Thanks for sharing.
I've been to 3 neurologist. My femoral nerve was damaged as well. Also an impingement of a nerve.
Actually, its been getting worse. Especially when I go to bed. I find it very painful to turn from the left to the right raising my leg. I'm going to see a specialist
In another town that was recommended by my surgeon. I go for my three month checkup on my left.Hip the end of this month. He will guide me as what to do next. I'll keep you posted!

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I've experienced pain a lot, but the femoral nerve pain is the worst. Try to be positive and listen to your body. Nerves take a long time to heal. Wishing you a good outcome.

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Sorry you are suffering, people seem to think hip replacement is day surgery and many have instant cures. But what if?
Did you get your new hip at Mayo?
I hope you get answers and relief soon.

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Profile picture for kdbee @kdbee

No, it didn’t just start. When I went to my first post op appointment and got the staples out. I told him I couldn’t lift it from a seated position or from laying down. He wasn’t concerned at all, he said one day it will just happen and you’ll be able to lift it. But next month will be a year and I still cannot lift it. I can go up stairs and march but to try to hold it up to put pants on, no way it’s painful and heavy still. I see him for an appointment next month. It’s frustrating.

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@kdbee
It seemed to me that the massaging of the thigh area is what ended up solving my inability to initially put on socks, etc.

I think you need more PT more than you need an appointment with your surgeon.

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Profile picture for 7797 @7797

I have a similar situation, mine was from a complicated hip revision surgery.
I can raise my leg in a straight leg lift…but it will be painful and sore if I do it like 6 times.
And it hasn’t gotten stronger.
And it has been 4+ years
What ligament or tendon or muscle has been damaged?

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@7797
28 months THA and still cannot lift my leg even after hip revision 20 months ago. Also have meralgia paresthetica, 2 LFCN Ablasions were unsuccessful.

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Profile picture for kdbee @kdbee

Thank you for replying back. I am doing pool therapy now on my own. It feels good in the pool and I can lift in the pool but when trying to bend down to put pants on or even trying to lift it onto the bed, it’s painful I have to manually help it onto the bed. It’s frustrating. I see my surgon next month and next month will be a year, on Sept 7th

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@kdbee
How are you healing now? I am in the same predicament and with Meralgia Paresthetica. Water p.t. leaves me in pain.

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Profile picture for palmat47 @palmat47

@morkat
Thanks for sharing.
I've been to 3 neurologist. My femoral nerve was damaged as well. Also an impingement of a nerve.
Actually, its been getting worse. Especially when I go to bed. I find it very painful to turn from the left to the right raising my leg. I'm going to see a specialist
In another town that was recommended by my surgeon. I go for my three month checkup on my left.Hip the end of this month. He will guide me as what to do next. I'll keep you posted!

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@palmat47
How are you healing now? Any new diagnosis? You said you have impingement of a nerve, do you know the name of the nerve? I'm in the same predicament and need help.
Thank you

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