Question
I am 12 weeks post rt. hip replacement. Cementless, ceramic and plastic ball and socket. I am 65, in excellent overall health and prior to the surgery was regularly cycling and practicing yoga as my two major physical support activities. I expected to recoup quickly from the surgery. Most of what I have read online, suggests that by this time post surgery, most are quite free of pain and walking un-aided most of the time. I am not. Pain is in groin, as well as down the quad muscle and sometimes the outside of the thigh. I do get back pain, but chiropractic is helping greatly in that regard. I am in a physio program twice a week and recently went back to water exercises which I do in the deep water with flotation devices.  When told of my discouragement two weeks ago, my surgeon's response was "how long did I tell you this surgery takes to heal?  A year."  He tested my flexibility, strength, and range of motion and pronounced them all right on target.  End of his input. Be patient. At times I think I'm actually getting worse, and then I'll have a couple of good days and think that it will be uphill from then on, but it never is.  I'm comfortable flat on my back on the bed, however when I turn to the unaffected side, I have considerable pain in the affected hip area still.  The incision has healed excellently...my massage therapist tells me there is barely any scar tissue.
I realize that having been so active before the surgery, unlike many who wait until they are almost unable to walk before having it,.....perhaps I'm expecting too much too fast. However, so many people tell me of experiences of just walking around very, very well by the time of three months......or even less.
Hoping you can encourage me in some way. Thank you in advance.


Answer
Margaret,

I tend to agree with your surgeon.  Full healing can take up to one year.  If you push yourself too hard, you will be in pain and more importantly, you can cause yourself injury and thus push back your recovery.

The cementless hips are wonderful but take longer to heal than the cemented ones and although in the end you have less restrictions with the ceramic, cementless hips, you do have more restrictions in the beginning.  

My advice is to listen to your doctor and take it slow.  Don't push things.  Also, if he has not measured your leg length, have him do so, to ensure your legs are the same length and your gait in regular.  If your gait is off, that can be giving you pain.  So if that has not been checked, have your PT or doctor check the length of your legs.

Also remember all people heal at different rates and that's why most doctors will tell patients that the full recovery can take up to one year.  If you recover quicker, that's great, but you have to give it one year before resuming normal activites.

Sharon