I CANT WALK YET 3 WEEKS POST OP.ITS DRIVING ME CRAZY

[brett]

Hi All,

Im 3 weeks post op right hip cormet resurface.My joint feels good and
Im off the oxycontin but still taking vicodin for pain a couple times
a day.

However across my lower back where it meets my butt I have sharp pain
shooting back and forth when I put weight on the leg and try and walk.

This muscle/nerve pain stops any effort to try and walk independent of
crutches.I know there are a lot of nerve endings in the muscles
connecting the butt to the lower back.It truly feels like they tried
to tear my leg off under anesthesia its that kind of feeling.

Exercise seems to be relieving the pain slowly in the butt muscle area
which was very very painful for a couple weeks.

Can anyone tell me what can relieve this wrenching I feel in the
lowerback butt area which I think stems from the unnatural positioning
of the leg during surgery.Apart from this last remaining ache im ready
to get moving.

Sincerely Cant wait to walk again soon and live my life

[TomBuell]

Any number of things could be causing your pain, but the first thing I would do is call your doctor and firmly request some answers and a follow-up visit. Good luck.
- Tom
RBHR
7/1/08

[brett]

Hi Tom,

I have a follow up post op appt this thursday.I will most certainly be looking for answers and a solution hopefully.

Brett

[Pat Walter]

Hi Brett

I don't know what is wrong, but just wanted to say that I am sorry that you are having such difficulties.

It is best to ask your surgeon what is going on.  Normally, most people don't have such strong pain and I am not a doctor. 

I just hope you can find a soltuion soon so you can get on with your life.

We will keep watching for your updates.

Pat

[Emersonmom]

HI Brett,

I too had the same pain for quite awhile. In fact, I still (after 3 months) continue to have a sharp pain deep in my butt cheek that comes and goes. Also, in my groin, where the torso and thigh meet. I was told that it is part of the healing process.  The pain for me mostly happens when I am sitting on a low chair and I am sitting for awhile without moving. 

Still check-in with your doctor and let us know what he says.

Good luck!

[fenceman]

Hi Brett,

I am sorry you still have that pain.  Definitely would have my Dr check it out. I wonder if it has something to do with your sciatic nerve?

My Update;
My pain is doing much better and I am off the pain killers.  I still have another 3 weeks on crutches. Besides having raw armpits, I am moving around pretty good.  I still am concerned that my op leg is longer than the other.  When I stand in front of a mirror everything tilts in the hip area. Bill

[brett]

Hey Bill,

Dont tip over standing in front of the mirror hahhahahahahhaha.

I think back to my 1st four days in hospital after surgery flying around the orthopedic ward like a maniac on crutches thinking this will be a breeze recovery,but now into week 3 it has been the opposite.

I think my drama is the muscles and nerve endings in the lowerback butt area just got so tweaked from the trauma of surgery they need to calm down.I so badly want to throw the crutches away and run down the street but weight on the leg causes outrageous spasms in the described area.

Pool sessions start for me today,i cant sit around the house anymore and thats most likely half my problem just sitting and trying to calm everything down is not working.The PT sessions x 3 last week sent me thru the ceiling and I cant wait to see my surgeon and give him a good tongue lashing at my 1st post op appt this week and see xrays of my new shiny hip again to assure me all is in place still.

I to feel like the leaning tower of pizza lopsided from one leg feeling longer than the other but im sure we will work thru the gait issues in time.

Be well.

Brett

[Pat Walter]

Hi Bill and Brett

Many people feel their opeated leg is longer.  The hip area is swollen after surgery, so that makes it a little long. It has been dislocated and it more loose now since the operation.  Also as you favor the good leg you tend to tilt to the side of the good leg.

I know that since I have been in an aircast boot for 3 months and I swear my leg with the broken 5th metatarsal is now longer, but I know it isn't.  It is from crutching around for a long time and favoring the good side.

So just give yourself time and things will work out.  Many lpeople will swear their leg is too long.  It sometimes takes weeks to months to get feeling right - but it will eventually happen.  Be patient.

Pat

[Buddy]

Have you talked this over with your surgeon? I experienced a lot of lower back pain after my first hip resurfacing in July 2008, but that was because my other hip still needed surgery and I was really out of balance and walking with dreadful posture. Crutches, then cane, all this lurching about is very hard on the lower back. I highly suggest seeing a good physical therapist and also getting massage. These both really helped me the first time around.