THR - Total Hip Replacement

 

Aches and pains

 

 

 

Typical aches, pains and conditions.

 

Night sweats Our immune system is in overdrive to protect us from infection, it is responding to a large injury to our body, and it does not understand the injury was intentional. Night sweats are a sign of a highly functioning and healthy immune system. [rose0000]

 

Uncommanded spasms Typically in the first few days, you may suffer from spasms in the lower body and legs.

 

Sitting on a golf ball This one is very common, you probably need to work on strengthening your muscles, but it will mostly pass after a few weeks. Also nicknamed 'sitting on a bag of spanners' or 'sitting on a pile of rocks'.

 

Cramps A common problem with the strong painkillers, tonic water is reportedly good to counter it. [lynn66084]

 

Stiffness A little stiffness in and around the joint is good. Exercised muscles that are tightly sprung are more likely to allow a dislocation. [Kate53CornUK]

Some exercises are necessary and are worth doing, it is not a "one-size-fits-all" thing. [renee01952]

 

Constipation This is a very common side effect of Narcotic painkillers. When taking stool softeners and laxatives it is possible to observe blood in your stool. Do not be alarmed, but get it checked out if you are concerned or if it is excessive. [rose0000]

 

Itching This is another very common side effect of Narcotic painkillers, particularly when a spinal anaesthetic is wearing off. You can ask for an antihistamine such as Piriton to counteract it.

 

We all know that we are not supposed to scratch a wound during the healing phase. Here is an excellent guide to why itching occurs and ways to sooth it.

https://advancedtissue.com/2014/10/understanding-wound-healing-itching-dilemma/

 

 

Thigh pain when getting up When getting up, if your thigh hurts for the first three or four steps, try stamping your foot on the floor to 'wake up' the muscles. [Kate53CornUK]

 

Front of the thigh pain Very common when walking, you need to work on strengthening your muscles.

 

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome This used to be called Trochanteric Bursitis. In a nutshell, the main symptom is pain over the outside of your upper thigh. Most cases are due to minor injury or inflammation to tissues in your upper, outer thigh area. Commonly the condition goes away on its own over time. It is always possible that the muscle tears or inflammation may be too serious to heal on their own. See the Patient.Info information leaflet [AnnieK]

 

Swelling Very common after the operation, usually lasts for about one to two weeks, but may last up to six months. During the hip replacement operation your lymphatic glands turn off and slowly turn back on so swelling in ankles, knees and legs is common and not something to worry about. [joashmv]

 

Dislocation Dislocating your hip is very serious. You will be in severe pain, probably not able to move without assistance, it will feel like the leg does not belong to you. Get someone to help you into a comfortable position and call the emergency services immediately. You may need a general anaesthetic or even an operation in order to put it back into position. [c79981]

 

Toothache in the buttock is a common feeling, once again you need to work on strengthening your muscles. It will pass as you exercise in the following weeks.

 

Skin sensitivity similar to the feeling when you have flu and you skin aches. Use a blanket raiser or cushion to keep the sheets from touching your leg and only wear cotton clothing as everything else probably feels harsh and itchy. It will clear up over a few weeks but you are not alone in having this. [toto64676 and CelsB]

 

Pins and Needles and some numbness in the foot, is a classic symptom of a trapped sciatic nerve. [Howeller]

 

Psoas muscle and groin pain There are fairly common pains after hip replacement, if you get them they may last for three months or more, the best advice I have heard so far is to completely cut down on activity (both walking and exercises) apart from gentle psoas stretches. Go to the Online Resources page for a link to Jonathan Fitzgordon's core walking website. [LDW]

 

Core Walking This rehabilitation is a good opportunity to consciously walk properly, using the right muscles and arms in the right way. You should start noticing the upside of having had the operation, you will be able to move the hip so much more freely, and do some gentle stretches that you may not have been able to do for ages. [LDW]

 

Ice (an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas) can be used to help with local pain relief.

 

Pain

Nobody else will understand your pains except another hip replacement patient. We are in our body 24/7 and every pain is different, you can't really mention them all the time, and after 3 or 4 days eyes begin to glaze over, sighs are suppressed etc. On the Facebook Hip Replacement forum, everyone there will recognize your pinching, grinding, stabbing, shooting, tooth-achy pains etc. and the locations of them. People who have never experienced a Hip Replacement will never know how lucky they are.

 

 

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Page last updated: 10 August 2018