I had my replacement surgery 10/15/18 and it was feeling good and now the muscles in my thigh and my knee tightness is getting worse. I also have a tear in the meniscus . After I do my exercising and after walking it’s very uncomfortable. My doctor told me it will take time to fully heal . Is anybody else going through this?
@jtgr I'm sorry your in pain after you where doing well Is your Dr going to repair the year in your meniscus?This could be your problem just suggesting
Hello @jtgr and @smiseel, welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement." I did this because your posts were very similar to what many members are discussing in this discussion that is centered around leg pain after a hip replacement. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you will be brought to the new location of the discussion and so that you can read through some of the older posts and participate where you feel comfortable joining.
@jtgr, was your surgeon not concerned about the tear in your meniscus?
Hello, I’m 71 years young and on Jan 14 I had a total left hip posterior replacement. Due to infection I had to have the hip replaced and tissues cleaned out 2 more times. I came home a month ago with a picc line in my arm through which I could administer antibiotics. For the last 3 weeks I was improving, although I had burning, stabbing numbing pain in my thigh. I was always able to exercise and felt best after walking short distances, but I was always exhausted. Three days ago, I could no longer lift my left leg or sit in a chair or get into bed without excruciating pain. It takes about 2 minutes to stop and unfortunately I actually scream at the top of my lungs. I’ve been sleeping in my lift chair because it’s impossible to get into the bed. The physical therapist assured me that I did not dislocate anything and I agree. I think I must have aggravated my sciatica because it is definitely nerve pain which I believe the sciatic nerve has been compressed. I can still walk and I get relief from that and can exercise but cannot lift my leg to swing my knees forward from a seated position. Tomorrow I’m seeing the infectious disease doctor and on Friday I’m seeing the surgeon. So, yes, my problem is different from yours, but I wonder if we overdid it on exercise. I now break up all exercise into 10 minute intervals and walk down the hall quite often as I am constantly peeing. That loosens me up but getting back in the chair is excruciating, although I am able to stand up from the recliner without too much trouble. Walking is the best thing I can do and gives me the most relief but my walks are short. It takes me 10 minutes to administer the antibiotics through the picc line but I have to do it standing. I can’t sit in the chair in front of my computer but my phone has become my gateway to the internet and to this thread. I’m searching for answers and people in similar circumstance. I’m terrified the pain may also be due to infection and if that is the case they will operate again and put spacers in the hip. This will add another 3-4 months of misery. I hope we find answers and I will let you know what the docs say and if a miracle happens and my pain subsides. Trying to keep being a positive mental attitude. 😔
Wow!! I hope it gets better for you. I am 58 and a Flooring installer and just wanted to get back to my job. You do make a good point about over working my hip . 2 weeks after surgery I was out raking leaves because my doctor said no restrictions. I think I will just let it take its course. Thanks for your response.
Hello @jtgr and @smiseel, welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement." I did this because your posts were very similar to what many members are discussing in this discussion that is centered around leg pain after a hip replacement. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you will be brought to the new location of the discussion and so that you can read through some of the older posts and participate where you feel comfortable joining.
@jtgr, was your surgeon not concerned about the tear in your meniscus?
Thanks. And he said we will address the meniscus after I recover from my surgery. I’ve talked to others who have said at my age 58 there isn’t much they will do for the tear . My next doctors appointment is the end of April.
I'm scheduled for hip replacement in February and am wondering whether those who are having pain had anterior or posterior incisions. Best of luck to them.
I have heard that the anterior approach seems to have more problems than the posterior approach. though, of course, the anterior approach has an easier recovery. I did anterior but will do posterior for my right hip to hopefully prevent the thigh pain I am experiencing some 3 years post surgery in my left hip
Hi @teemarie - Welcome to Connect! I haven't had hip replacement, but have had two knee replacements. In my experience, swelling and pain during the first week after surgery were pretty normal. It does get better! I'm wondering if your doctor prescribed any kind of anti-inflammatory? I was prescribed Celebrex for my knee but couldn't take it - it upset my stomach. For pain, they gave me oxycodone. What kind of pain meds are you taking? You may need to have the doctor take another look at that. I had to go in for a 2 week checkup. Is it the same with hip replacements? Will you be going back next week? If so, I would definitely speak to your doctor about your concerns.
@debbraw yes at my 2 week appt he took me off pain meds I've been taking celebrex and nerve pills I ended up having to go and get Tylenol Arthritis bc I can't endure the pain but he wants me to walk on it a lot I'm in just so much pain
Hi @teemarie, welcome to Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion in the Joint Replacements group. I did this so that you can meet more easily others who have had a hip replacement. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification and you can scroll back through past messages. I also encourage to review related discussions in the Joint Replacements group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/joint-replacements/
TeeMarie, your surgery wasn't that long ago. Did the surgeon give you an idea when to expect the swelling and pain to subside?
@colleenyoung thank you....my surgeon seems to be so hard core he's not saying much he just wants me to walk and not take pain meds but I'm in sooo much pain. I'm taking the celebrex and the gabapentin and I'm also taking Tylenol Arthritis but this pain is hideous....im using ice packs all day as well
@colleenyoung thank you....my surgeon seems to be so hard core he's not saying much he just wants me to walk and not take pain meds but I'm in sooo much pain. I'm taking the celebrex and the gabapentin and I'm also taking Tylenol Arthritis but this pain is hideous....im using ice packs all day as well
@debbraw yes at my 2 week appt he took me off pain meds I've been taking celebrex and nerve pills I ended up having to go and get Tylenol Arthritis bc I can't endure the pain but he wants me to walk on it a lot I'm in just so much pain
@teemarie - I'm so sorry you are still having pain. I could not have endured it w/o pain meds. I took oxycodone thru week 5. Again, I would check with the doctor to see if there is some alternative. On my last knee replacement, when I went off oxycodone, they put me on tramadol. Do you think you might be able to explore some alternatives with your doctor or PA?
@colleenyoung thank you....my surgeon seems to be so hard core he's not saying much he just wants me to walk and not take pain meds but I'm in sooo much pain. I'm taking the celebrex and the gabapentin and I'm also taking Tylenol Arthritis but this pain is hideous....im using ice packs all day as well
@teemarie I’m sorry about your pain. I can’t imagine only being on pain meds for 2 weeks after total hip replacement. My surgery was a year and a half ago. I was on pain meds for 6 weeks afterwards. The first two weeks I took oxycodone until I couldn’t stand the side effects any more. I switched to the lowest dose of Hydrocodone, 1-2 pills daily and tapering to 1 at night then to zero after six weeks. For one thing, when I tried unsuccessfully to cut out the pain meds early on, both my physical therapist and doctor explained that pain meds were helpful in being able to complete my exercises. I hope you’re having PT in addition to walking. I found it torture to sleep lying on my back for those first six weeks and I absolutely needed pain meds to be able to sleep for those weeks, since you have to lie on your back. In my experience and opinion, pain control is very, very important to progress.. Everyone is different but it sounds like you need better pain control than you currently have.
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@jtgr I'm sorry your in pain after you where doing well Is your Dr going to repair the year in your meniscus?This could be your problem just suggesting
Thanks Justin
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1 ReactionWow!! I hope it gets better for you. I am 58 and a Flooring installer and just wanted to get back to my job. You do make a good point about over working my hip . 2 weeks after surgery I was out raking leaves because my doctor said no restrictions. I think I will just let it take its course. Thanks for your response.
Thanks. And he said we will address the meniscus after I recover from my surgery. I’ve talked to others who have said at my age 58 there isn’t much they will do for the tear . My next doctors appointment is the end of April.
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1 ReactionI have heard that the anterior approach seems to have more problems than the posterior approach. though, of course, the anterior approach has an easier recovery. I did anterior but will do posterior for my right hip to hopefully prevent the thigh pain I am experiencing some 3 years post surgery in my left hip
@debbraw yes at my 2 week appt he took me off pain meds I've been taking celebrex and nerve pills I ended up having to go and get Tylenol Arthritis bc I can't endure the pain but he wants me to walk on it a lot I'm in just so much pain
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Hug
2 Reactions@colleenyoung thank you....my surgeon seems to be so hard core he's not saying much he just wants me to walk and not take pain meds but I'm in sooo much pain. I'm taking the celebrex and the gabapentin and I'm also taking Tylenol Arthritis but this pain is hideous....im using ice packs all day as well
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1 ReactionMedical Cannibus will help. I am in Canada so easier to get. Tramadol Is better but it is an opioid. If your doc will not help change docs.
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1 Reaction@teemarie - I'm so sorry you are still having pain. I could not have endured it w/o pain meds. I took oxycodone thru week 5. Again, I would check with the doctor to see if there is some alternative. On my last knee replacement, when I went off oxycodone, they put me on tramadol. Do you think you might be able to explore some alternatives with your doctor or PA?
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1 Reaction@teemarie I’m sorry about your pain. I can’t imagine only being on pain meds for 2 weeks after total hip replacement. My surgery was a year and a half ago. I was on pain meds for 6 weeks afterwards. The first two weeks I took oxycodone until I couldn’t stand the side effects any more. I switched to the lowest dose of Hydrocodone, 1-2 pills daily and tapering to 1 at night then to zero after six weeks. For one thing, when I tried unsuccessfully to cut out the pain meds early on, both my physical therapist and doctor explained that pain meds were helpful in being able to complete my exercises. I hope you’re having PT in addition to walking. I found it torture to sleep lying on my back for those first six weeks and I absolutely needed pain meds to be able to sleep for those weeks, since you have to lie on your back. In my experience and opinion, pain control is very, very important to progress.. Everyone is different but it sounds like you need better pain control than you currently have.