Knee pain after total anterior hip replacememt

@shakira13 Welcome to Mayo Connect, where patients and caregivers share their experiences and help one another along the way.

Just by way of introduction, in the past 17 years I had two hip replacements followed by 3 revision surgeries (details why not important here.) Every single experience was different from the others. With some there was knee pain, or thigh pain, or back pain, even shoulder and foot pain!

Which knee - surgical leg, or the left? Have you discussed this with the doctor? Did you have knee pain prior to the surgery, or is this new since surgery? If so was you knee evaluated to see what is wrong? I ask because I would have different suggestions depending upon your answers.

And I will caution you not to think there is "something wrong" with you because you are not bouncing back from the surgery. I assume you were told something along the lines of 4-6 weeks for recovery. I wish surgeons would stop saying that - that's how long it takes the incision to heal, and our body to recover from the blood loss and anesthetics. The actual healing takes anywhere from 3 months to a year depending on the person.

Are you seeing a little day to day improvement?
Sue

Sue. Thank you for your response. I am seeing some improvement week to week. It's just slower than I hoped. I had a little knee pain prior to surgery but I attribute that to walking uneven because of my hip issue. I will try and be patient with myself. I am doing the PT exercises twice a day and walking in a pool twice a week. My operated leg just feels weak.

Hi everyone,
I had right hip anterior hip surgery May 14th.
I have underlying conditions like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, in my knees, which I get hyleronic injections in every six months.
After this surgery, I am struggling with pain in my groin and thigh and knee.
I am 8 weeks out and I have chronic pain that doesn’t go away. I feel
Lame, and limp a bit.
I have had over 23 surgeries in my life, this by far is the most challenging.
I am 68 and I think I am just worn out.
I am facing the other hip and my other shoulder replacement eventually.
I just feel tired from the pain and discomfort..
Does anyone have any wholistic suggestions for dealing with the pain?
Thanks 💝

First, I sympathize-I took am in the double digits on ortho surgeries and facing more, a d have had 5 hip surgeries.

Second, no matter what the surgeon, the PA, the internet or anyone told you, hip surgery is a BIG DEAL, especially if you have other bad joints and arthritis. Your body has NOT healed yet - maybe the incision, and maybe the bone & implant are beginning to grow together, but all of the disturbed muscles, tendons and nerves are still plenty irritated.

If it is possible for you, get into a warm pool and begin moving. Also, get a referral for PT to evaluate your gait, balance and posture. After limping on a bad hip, you need some good PT to straighten you up. My PT made me get new shoes, and not shuffle around in slippers.

Also, at this stage, either ice or heat can be very comforting for the pain. After my shoulder surgery, I used ice multiple times a day for over 3 months - and that's a smaller joint! Sometimes I still use it after doing my PT.

Finally, give yourself time. I healed a lot faster at 43 than at 53, 63 and 73! My shoulder surgeon and PT both told me total recovery on a major joint is very gradual and takes up to a year.

Hugs! Do something to pamper yourself this week!

Dear @sueinmn
Thank you Sue for your input. It was so valuable
Especially when I made the conscious decision yesterday not to have the other hip done in September, because I’m just too fatigued and I want be healed as well as possible, that’s why I’m going to do it in the new year in March if possible, praying my other hip holds out.
When I read other people’s information and experiences, I stop feeling like I’m on the island of misfit toys, because it seems like I feel isolated at times.
I just moved to a new state. I don’t have a lot of people here that I know, or where I can get to really easily.
I left Massachusetts where my really good doctors are, and even though I have new good doctors… it’s different at age 68 than at age 40 or 50, when you’re relocating.
I’m truthfully, very sympathetic and empathetic that you’ve had to undergo so many surgeries, and it’s shocking that you’ve had to endure that many hip surgeries, you are a true warrior.
This is the first surgery that has given me this kind of trouble, I’ve had two back surgeries, shoulder, surgeries, foot surgeries hand surgeries, wrists, breast surgeries, and I do recognize that this was a large soft tissue invasion, and it’s just the wear and tear, of the pain and discomfort every day that makes me lose my patience and get frustrated .
I am in Physical Therapy, and it takes every bit of me to get through it.
Another thing that did not help was that I had a metabolic shift and my thyroid, which I’ve taken medicine for for over 35 years… became underactive again and I’ve put on 25 pounds…in a year, that certainly has not helped my overall health or recovery… I think it’s because I’ve been recovering from surgery, and for some reason I put on weight which never happened in any other surgeries I’ve had.
I have new footwear and I’m going to be getting some slip in type of shoes that are easy to put on.

I know you know how it feels, where you think you’re in physical therapy, and getting joints replaced is a second career, anyway, thank goodness we do have the technology today to have these procedures, because so many of my joints are bone on bone and I’m still awaiting another shoulder surgery too.

Thank you for all your input and recommendations, and I will certainly take them under advisement.
As my mother used to say growing old is not for the weak at Heart.♥️
I definitely appreciate your input. Thanks again, and prayers and blessings to you, lovely Sue.

Your description made me giggle "When I read other people’s information and experiences, I stop feeling like I’m on the island of misfit toys, because it seems like I feel isolated at times."
I may steal it at some point!

Whenever I am tempted to engage in my own private pity party, I read a few posts here on Mayo Connect, and remember that I won't die of aching bones and joints!

I had a blessed day today - my daughter and I spent a rare rainy day indoors shopping for shoes - we both have fussy, fussy feet - in 6 hours we each found 2 pairs - and had a lot of laughs as we found ourselves reaching for the same pair in several stores. And she talked me into my first glass of bubble tea - I liked it!

Be patient with yourself as you heal, and do something that makes you smile each day.

Sue, your note was so kind and thoughtful.
I agree, no one ever died of bad bones and joints. I am so grateful this is what I am dealing with primarily.

I recently changed my life significantly. At 68 I relocated to start my life over. The circumstances are a new lease on life. It has had its challenges and I am in the middle of some pressing things that need to be resolved.

Your day with your daughter sounds wonderful. I am decompressing from, living in 4 separate places in 2.5 years, in very difficult environments. I am trying to regain my sanity from that.
My favorite line is: “ This too shall pass” I have been a people pleaser and human doing for a long time.
It is time to be less hard on myself.
💝❤️‍🩹❣️