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Had hip replacement, wondering about topical numbing agent
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Apr 6, 2023 | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
I am 9 weeks out and still having pain and discomfort down the side of my thigh and the the front. About 10 days ago I must have done touch walking because I started to get these shooting pains in my thigh area. Really painful
I used ice and Alleve but didn’t stop it until 2 days later
I called my doctor and was told to use ice and hot and take pain medication
I just feel like the pain is in the bone down my thigh area.
It is somewhat better but use analgesic cream and Bengay
Replies to "I am 9 weeks out and still having pain and discomfort down the side of my..."
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Hi, Becky & welcome to Connect. Isn't it comforting to read that you are not the only person around who is not "totally back to normal" 2 months after major
surgery?
It certainly sounds like the "shooting pains in my thigh area" were your body telling you to take it easier in your rehab! The pain in the thigh bone is the new stem that was implanted in the femur settling in, and bone beginning to grow around it. After 5 hip replacements and revisions, I can tell you that leg & thigh discomfort is part of the normal healing. Pretty soon you'll have a day where you don't have to think about each movement and whether it is going to hurt you.
In addition, some nerves were likely cut or disturbed, and those also need to heal. So if you get numbness, tingling, pins & needles...that is nerve regeneration - a very slow process. When it happens, you can help the process along by tapping on the area with your fingers, or rolling over it with one of the balls that looks like it has knobs on it (often found in the pet toy section.) My friend taps on her numb areas with a pencil.
Hang in there, keep walking & icing,
Sue