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Total hip replacement - What to expect for recovery
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Feb 21 8:18pm | Replies (152)Comment receiving replies
I had a THR on last Tuesday still numbness and heavy feeling in the thigh area. The staff and Drs. was excellent . I made a excellent choice coming here. Any suggestions on healing quicker.
Replies to "I had a THR on last Tuesday still numbness and heavy feeling in the thigh area...."
I have had a hip, knee and shoulder replaced. I found that following the exercises, ice, rest, exercise, ice, rest —over and over again to be the most helpful. I have an ice machine that circulates cold water to the surgery area. I used that faithfully to keep swelling down. And to be kind to yourself. (My other knee is scheduled for 10/3, so I hope i listen to my own words. ) good luck!
I have to agree with the other posts. I've just had my third (and final) hip replacement on my right side due to previous infections. Each recovery was more challenging than the previous. Of course the 12-year span between the surgeries have something to do with it, but my doctors agree it can take even years before I get what may be considered 'normal' feelings back in my leg.
So far, so good though. Exercise seems to have made the biggest difference for me; physical therapy has lead the way. It's really up to the patient to stay with the program. Although I'm four months out of surgery it seems like recovery is slow, but taking a look at the big picture I've come really far!
Hi @avs. Glad to hear that your surgery went well and your experience with your doctors have so far been excellent. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled:
- Total hip replacement - What to expect for recovery
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/total-hip-replacement/
I did this so you could read through many other members' experiences with recovery after a total hip replacement and so that members like @roxxxy2626, @brockagain and @jacquelinegreen who have all recently discussed their recoveries and how they managed after surgery.
@avs, how are you doing with your pain levels so recently after surgery? How quickly will you be starting PT?
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Hello,
Unfortunately there is no quick fix on healing faster. I had my hips replaced in December of 2020, 26 days apart. Just make sure you ice and do your exercises. Nobody prepares you for the numbness in the thigh. It's going to take time for that to go away, so don't stress if it's not going away as fast as you had hoped. It took me 18 to 24 months to feel like I never had my hips replaced, but so worth the healing time. Just as my hips started to feel great my knees went bad. So now I'm recovering from 2 total knee replacements, right one 20 weeks and left 13 weeks out. I wish there was a secret to healing faster but it definitely takes time. Good luck and I hope this helps.